Her name is Bernardelli. She sparkles and with a figure like this,

you have a tough time taking your eyes off her .323 caliber 8X57JRS.

Her action is smooth and ejectors are, well, err. . . .pop right out! She is easy to handle and she does not use too much makeup!


She came without any papers; I don’t know what load she was regulated with.
I don’t know which way to turn the regulation adjustment at the muzzle?
Her rib is set up for a scope mount, so I have the people at NECG checking on that. I’m going to need the scope. Iron sights and my eyes aren’t that good these days!


She looked like she was getting severe case of cabin fever today, so 400 Nitro Express and I took her to the range. I was very surprised to find that 400 Nitro Express knew how to handle anything Italian, because he has only dated Old English Broads!

Well, at 50 yards with irons sights he and Bernardelli did this with some hand load information that I got from fellow DRSS member Rojovin. Federal 210s, RL-15 and 180 grain Nosler Ballistic tips. She's a sweet shooter!


I was very impressed. I think she will be happy here is the USA and enjoy traveling to Africa with Peggy and I in 2010 or 2011. In the meantime, I will see how she likes Axis deer and feral hogs!

Very nice.

She sure shoots like a keeper! You let Mark fondle her? No class Rusty, No class! LOL!!! Congrats my friend, she needs to be taken out and introduced to some swine!!! Good luck with her!

She's too pretty for your ugly mug.

They are good guns. The Italian Proof Marks may help in that they might gove the bullet weight in grams. As a guide 10 grams = 154 grains.

It may say 11.7, 12.1, 12.7, 12.8 or 13.0! Most likely is probably 12.7 which is the classic 196 grain load at 726m/s (about 2380fps) made by Sellier and Bellot.

11.7 grams is about 180 grains, 12.96 grams is about 220 grains.

After that it is mostly a matter of seeing what the factory ammunition load for that weight bullet is.

B'delli have a website: www.bernardelli.com in Italian but it gives a telephone nuber and they'll most likely have an English speaker handy!

Try an ask on the European Hunting part of our Forum. There are quite a few Italian resident shooters there.

Endfieldspares,
Thank you! I just checked the proof marks and I didn't seen anything. I will recheck them when I have more time. I exchanged emails with Bernardelli. The last time the rifle was imported was 1997. That portion of the company that made this rifle is no longer in business and they have no information available. I thought that was kinda strange, but heck, I'll work it out!

Rusty if that "Eyetalian" site might help, you can translate it fairly well by putting the http into the box and setting the languages here.

http://translate.google.com/translate_t#

Hi people,
The Italian Proof Mark are referred to what they call forced charges, or if you prefer they verify if the gun resist to a pressure taht is, if I remeber well more than the double of the standard. If I find at home a document on the Banco di Prova of Brescia I'll give to you more details.

Your groups at 50yd are more than good, my suggestion is to leave the regulation at the muzzle as it is.

For any translation, feel free to ask my help I hope to be better than any automatic translator.

Tho known for their semi-autos - you got a top of Bernardelli's - Vincenzo (there were couple of other Bernardelli's but Vincenzo was THE Bernardelli) and model 115 (top O/U model of the brand) - called EXPRESS 2000. Keep it - they don't make those anymore.

P.S. See: Bernardelli Vincenzo

Nice ds, concrats on finding a regulating load in it,

Best regards Chris

Rusty, congratulations on your nice Bernardelli! Unfortunately as you already know, the real, glorious, centuries-old Vincenzo Bernardelli Company doesn't exist anymore. In the nineties they went through a serious crisis and then the firm closed down several years ago. I've heard the assets have been bought by a turkish gun manufacturer (Hatsan?); they currently manufacture only shotguns. It's a pity, when you cross the main road in Gardone Val Trompia, to see the old VB abandoned factory. In 1996/1997 I was almost decided to buy the very same gun, now I regret having given up. By the way, I don't think you will find any useful info from the proof marks. Possibly EAW manufactures some scope mounts that fit.

Yo Rusty,

Dementia Stage IV Gap Attack occuring.



I'm sitting here squinting at your rifle photos (Very Nice, by the way!) and asking myself, "Where have I seen this rifle before?" The Sexy Racing Stripe through the action left a lasting impression when I initially saw her (in the late 80's, early 90's?) but for the life of me cannot remember When....., Where.....?

I trust we're talking 8x57IRS (squinting at photo)? Europeans tend to the heavier end of the caliber bullet weights and although the 180 BT's have delivered respectable results so far - my suggestion would be to also try the Nosler 200 gr. Accubonds; since this weight is close to the European "Universal" 196 gr. loading; they've worked well for us in other 8x57IRS that we've tinkered with.

Normally, a quality rifle such as this would be regulated with quality ammunition, so I'd suggest it was probabaly regulated with either the Norma or RWS 196 gr. loads.

I agree with enfieldspares on the Proof Marks; normally there's a bullet weight in gramms marked somewhere under the barrels?

The NEGC Guys are as good as it gets perhaps in the interim try Ernst Apel (EAW) http://www.eaw.de/eaw/index_uk.php for mounts/ring asistance - they've always been helpful on the telephone and with someone available to speak English.

Have fun with the new Boomer; a forewarning though - often Eyetalians tend to go Pear-Shaped with age but their cooking skills never deteriorate.....

lol -- rusty is always lucky.. his new friend is a hot tall thin italian.. mine is a russian factory matron ..

Yeah, but Jeffe likes 'em rugged and rough! He's very proud of her! If I had a 45/70 double that shot that good I'd be proud too!

quote:

Originally posted by Rusty:
Her name is Bernardelli. She sparkles and with a figure like this,

you have a tough time taking your eyes off her .323 caliber 8X57JRS.

Her action is smooth and ejectors are, well, err. . . .pop right out! She is easy to handle and she does not use too much makeup!


She came without any papers; I don’t know what load she was regulated with.
I don’t know which way to turn the regulation adjustment at the muzzle?
Her rib is set up for a scope mount, so I have the people at NECG checking on that. I’m going to need the scope. Iron sights and my eyes aren’t that good these days!


She looked like she was getting severe case of cabin fever today, so 400 Nitro Express and I took her to the range. I was very surprised to find that 400 Nitro Express knew how to handle anything Italian, because he has only dated Old English Broads!

Well, at 50 yards with irons sights he and Bernardelli did this with some hand load information that I got from fellow DRSS member Rojovin. Federal 210s, RL-15 and 180 grain Nosler Ballistic tips. She's a sweet shooter!


I was very impressed. I think she will be happy here is the USA and enjoy traveling to Africa with Peggy and I in 2010 or 2011. In the meantime, I will see how she likes Axis deer and feral hogs!

Rusty: Thanks for the latest photos. I am impressed with the target. She is a keeper.
Bob

She is a looker for sure, although her undocumented status means your place in the Obama cabinet may be in jeopardy.

Glad to see Peggy is supportive of polygamy.

congratulations rusty

that is a beautyfull italien, and the caliber is great.

best regards

peter

Congrats,
Those exotic Europeans cause us to loose all rational thought. She sure is pretty, and cooks too! Wonderful Good!
Bfly

quote:

Posted 05 February 2009 03:53 Hide Post
She's too pretty for your ugly mug.

Gee you texas guys really know each other don't you

Odd. Seems like every time I pulled the trigger the bullet went in the bull. Hell of a little rifle for that kind of money. Triggers are good too.
-------------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

I'll bet it swings really well, perfect on running game like wild boar, which is the reason they are made. Rusty, you're a lucky man.

quote:

Originally posted by mouse93:
Tho known for their semi-autos - you got a top of Bernardelli's - Vincenzo (there were couple of other Bernardelli's but Vincenzo was THE Bernardelli) and model 115 (top O/U model of the brand) - called EXPRESS 2000. Keep it - they don't make those anymore.

P.S. See: Bernardelli Vincenzo

Yes, "Express 2000" is engraved on the bottom of the action.
-------------------------------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

somewhere in the rack i've got a 20 ga sxs with exposed hammers in sidelocks that vincenzo bernadelli made for me on a custom order deal, it is a really beautiful piece

Rusty,
do you think this would make a good starter DR for a 14yr old? how's the recoil?
I was going to start him on one of my big bores with lighter bullets but that might scare him away,he's only 160lbs yet!

BAl,
The recoil isn't bad at all. Especially when I use Bob's recipe 44.5 (Mine is 44.2) Fed 210 primer and 180 Nosler Ballistic Tip. In a heavier rifle like Bob's it is like shooting a 22 Hornet. No where near the recoil of a 9.3X74R. Call it less than a 30-06 felt recoil with my rifle off the bench.

I'd let you shoot it, but then I'd owe ya money for making ya go buy one. Bob still owe me for letting me shoot his!

Rusty,

The O/U version of the double rifle is well different. Hot Italians ... well I married one. The only double I have and Shoot is an O/U! origins however are from Belgium

Enjoy the darker side of doubles.

Nice find

bal

For a kids first double take a look at the Heym 26 B either the standard model or the Schwarzkittel.
It is avialable in several calibres, but I think the 30-30 would be the best choice.
It is short [22" bbls] and light.
The reciever is factory cut for a QD mount.

My 30-30 is plenty accurate and with its low recoil, fun to shoot.

Also 30-30 ammo is very inexpensive.

Thanks you guys!!!!!
now my kid's gonna want two DRS rather than one!!!

Hi Rusty:

Very, very nice and a shooter to boot! Who says SEX doesn't sell.

When you tire of her, send her my way.

Regards Jim P.

Rusty,

Picked up the same model in 12/5.6X50R combo gun.
Have you found any scope mounts? I have adapted
some heavy rimfire 1" by drilling a recoil stud in the base of the ring to match the milled recess at the breech end of the rib. We'll see if it will hold. It seems that Ruger rings would work as well with a little carefull dremel work on them.
Waiting for brass and dies, hope it shoots as well as it sounds the 8MM does.
Have a good one.

Wally,
Dustin Mounts in Houston Texas has ordered through Purdey a scope mount for the rifle.
I haven't seen it yet. It sounds like your method should work. I'm ready to get her back and go shooting!

Rusty, I have a Verona with a similar rib and dovetails. Huntingcat made a set of dovetail inserts that accept talley rings for mine. They work very well.

Way to go Rusty! Enjoy her forever, especially in AFRICA!!!!!!!!!!!

Last weekend saw one of these Bernadellis at a small PA gun show, .30'06, brand new in factory hard case, asking $3500. Seller's email is ewkojeve@gmail.com.

Nice, very nice.

..Wonderfull rifle Rusty..

All doublesrifle should be "first blooded" in Afrika..

Thanks for sharing