I was in a local gun shop a couple of days ago and ran across a .458 Winmag made by BSA. Supposedly it was a trade in from the San Diego Zoo, who got .375s that their female security could handle better. The shop was only asking $550, which seems like a relative bargain. I've never heard of BSA making anything other than .22s. Does anyone have any info or experience with this rifle?

BSA made motorbikes as well as guns.

Has the gun been rebarelled ?
If it has no proof marks on
the barrel it would be one
indication.


See
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B...m_Small_Arms_Company


And do a search as well in Google.

Don't forget to check the fluid levels on that rifle before you buy it.

Sorry, I haven't heard of that rifle so I can't help ya

BSA stands for British Small Arms. The company has been around a long time. The statement above is correct regarding motorcycles. They looked a lot like the old Triumphs of the 60's and 70's.

Herter's imported BSA actions and barreled actions back in the 60's and 70's. They were offered in a plethora of calibers up to and including .458 Win. Mag. They also stocked them and offered them as complete rifles.

Didn't Richard Harland shoot a BSA 458 Win Mag for many years?

I think he mentioned that the great benefit is a big (not claw) extractor which was very reliable and the ability to load by dropping one in the chamber if you ran dry.

BSA stands for Birmingham Small Arms.............the best they ever made was the 441 Victor, but that is another forum.........Hal

BSA was one of the largest maker of firearms in GB and their bolt actions are scattered around the globe. Richard Harland does talk about his 458 and my son was offered another one by the PH he apprenticed for in Zambia.
Most of the earlier ones had claw extractors and were CRF but the last ones, like those imported by Herters, we're push feed.
My wife still uses a Short action BSA CRF in 308.
$500 for one in 458 is a real deal

quote:

Originally posted by janehal:
BSA stands for Birmingham Small Arms.............the best they ever made was the 441 Victor, but that is another forum.........Hal

Had one but then I also had a C15, a Thunderbolt and a Lightening custom

A couple years back I saw a BSA in 458 for sale at the American Shooting Center off Ruffin Rd. in San Diego. While it wasn't pretty it seemed nice and functional, even had a double square bridge if I recall. Almost bought it except for the lack of CRF.

Didn't know the San Diego zoo actually kept rifles in case and elephant or lion went crazy. I'd be even more surprised that, if the need came about, they knew how and were actually willing to shoot one of the animals. Well, if I win the lottery, know what job I am applying for.

BSA made lots of fine CRF rifles. The Old Man has a custom 7mm Weatherby built on one. Maybe, given their British lineage, hey were more popular with us Commonwealth types north of the dotted line.

Thanks for all the replies. The rifle I saw did have a double square bridge receiver and appeared to have aluminum bottom metal with the finish begining ot flake off. The bolt was zip tied in place and at the time I didn't want the bother the gun shop with cutting it off to see if it was CRF or push feed. I may have to go back without my kids next time and look a little deeper.

You can easily tell by looking to see if there is a large, flat exterior extractor on the right side of the bolt. Like the one in this photo of my Mauser

Phil,

Is that an old Redfield peep attached to that near scope base? Hell of a nice close range sight. Have not seen one in ages.

Mark

Yes it is -- and it has been on there for ages.

For heaven's sake, do something about that chip in the epoxy on the bolt handle. It looks awful!!!

Phil

That rifle does look Hideous...

You need a new Heym Express...

I bought a BSA in .458 Win Mag about 10 years ago. It was intented for a friend on his first DG safari. It looked just great and the price was right, controlled round feed, express sights, barrel band, etc.

Unfortunately, it would only feed round nose solids and those, only if you worked the bolt very slowly... not good in a DG rifle.

I sent it back and got a refund (minus shipping).

Mine might have been an exception, but if you buy the one upon which you have an "eye", work a few rounds through the action quickly.

That said, we didn't have a competent Mauser action gunsmith in town then. If the guy who is here now had been around, I'd just have had him fix it because the action was smooth, the fit and finish great and it pointed very, very well.

Not all the BSA's are CRF although some definately are, the Majestic etc. if I recall. I think that Richard Harland's rifle was not CRF, but had a really large spring extractor that was like a quater, or third, of the rim circumference, but I'm thinking back to a picture now. I think it was in the African hunter series book Ndlovu, the Art of Huntign the African Elephant. But it may have been elsewhere. If I remember I'll check at home.

quote:

Originally posted by janehal:
BSA stands for Birmingham Small Arms.............the best they ever made was the 441 Victor, but that is another forum.........Hal

The Gold Star & Rocket Gold Star would get my vote!