Krico - A Very Rare & Very Nice 10.75x68 Big Game Rifle

I just acquired a German made Krico Model 700 in 10.75x68 cal. It must be pretty rare in this caliber because all the data I could find lists 9.3x62 as the largest caliber they make. Perhaps this was a special order.

Here are the specs:

8 lbs 5 oz -
14-1/4 LOP -
22-1/2" Bbl -
Jeweled Bolt -
Detachable 3-Round Magazine -
Standing Rear Site -
Elevation Adjustable Front Site -
EAW QD Scope bases -
Button Release Sling Swivels -
Button release Sling Swivels -
Packmayr Recoil Pad -

This is a remarkably smooth action. Bolt operates like its on glass bearings. The only actions that have similar smoothness are the Colt Sauer and the Krag.
Its push-feed with 1 up and 3 down. Although the standard overall cartridge length for 10.75x68 is 3.189", the box mag will handle 3.40" cartridge length.
Some people don't like push-feed actions, this one feeds flawlessly because the magazine has long "feed lips" on both sides that support the cartridge as it feeds into the chamber. And, the snap-over Sako style extractor allows fast single round "nto the chamber" feeding when necessary.

I can't wait to get to the range to test this one. (If Winter ever ends. Just got 12" of snow yesterday.)

As usual your comments are welcome. Especially if you have any information about Krico.

just an amazing looking rifle.

*** UPDATE *** The rifle came with a set of EAW pivot bases but no rings. A set of EAW rings and bases retail for almost $600. Fortunately I found a used set of rings and bases for a Sauer model 600 for $175 and used only the needed rings. Then I added a 1980s Leupold 1.5x-5x scope. On-and-off scope function is great. (see updated pictures) Next week I go to the range to test it.

optical illusion or is the front ring higher than the rear?

I always liked the small caliber krico.

Yes, the front ring is .017 inches higher than the rear. I am not sure why. According to my calculations the bullet would impact 8 inches low at 50 yards because of this offset. Perhaps muzzle rise from recoil will bring the bullet up to aiming point. Test firing will see what happens. Regardless, the scope has adequate elevation adjustment to compensate for this offset.

Well, I did have to do a little scope adjusting to correct the uphill scope mounting.

Here is the first field test. Wind gusts of 30+ mph accounted for the windage spread. I also removed and replaced the scope twice to check repeatability of the pivot-off mounts. Its sighted 1" high at 50 yds which puts it dead-on at 130 yds.

Ive owned a cpuple of Mausers in 10.75x68 and handloads approach the 404 Jefferys original loads. Shot PG and a couple of buffalo with it and it did well indeed..An over looked caliber loaded by the factory with poor bullets hurt a fine caliber thats light and handy and pushes a 400 gr. bullet at 2150 to 2200 fps or a 350 gr bullet at 2350 FPS, holds an extraround or two in the magazine..I could find no fault in it, none what so ever when Horneber made brass and they still produce brass.

As Kid Rio said to Bob Amory, “That's not my style, Bob.”

But certainly well made.

Well,

I found another ring assembly on eBay and bought it. This had a wider ring, and lowered the front of the scope by 0.025" - and it leveled the scope to look better. I didn't adjust windage on this target because the group was so nice. I adjusted the scope to the left to center the group before putting away the rifle. I fired a total of 15 shots and recoil was very comfortable and could have shot more but ran out of time.

Nice looking rifle and pretty decent groups too. Nice score.