I am looking for information about the BSA Royal Featherweight (action, quality, years of manufacture, chamberings etc). Also, any information on the quality and characteristics of BSA products in general would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chet

There is alot of info on them in Frank de Haas' book "Bolt Action Rifles". I used to have a featherweight version in 243, stock sorta like a Brno 21-H with schnabble tip but with whiteline spacers (which I took off). Fairly scarce, very nice rifle, high quality features, integral dovetail scopemounts, Mauser extactor, even had an integral muzzlebrake, loud as hell with 22 inch barrel! Had a 2 piece triggerguard assembly, like a M70. Some have alloy triggerguards and floorplates, mine was all steel. I think the medium action versions like mine came in 243, 7x57 & 308. A major problem mine had was the firing pin would drop sometimes when the safety lever was flicked forward.

Chet,

There is a BSA Royal for sale with photos on Guns America #976561219. Made in 1956 with the mauser claw type extractor.
Your trying to cover all bases on lightweigth rifles. Someone on another post suggested titanium(?) bottom metal. A few years ago there was a company in Cambridge, NY that was going to build and sell a Mauser 98 intermediate length, small ring action, patterened after the Mexican 1936 made of titanium. There was a test in G&A magazine, super light with a beautiful classic stock. Price tag I think was $6K. Never got into production but the gunsmith relocated to South Dakota and was building individual Ti mauser actions for 3500. a few years ago. Can't remember the gunsmiths name but I think some who posted on this forum used him.
Bob

Ed Dillon, of Taconic Firearms, who also once worked under Pete Grisel at Dakota. I was going to get one, but, the $10,0000 CDN pricetag at the time was a bit harsh for a rifle for hard mountain hunting. I spoke to Ed on the phone, nice guy, hope he is doing well and the rifle was certainly an interesting piece.

Thanks Kutenay, that him. I had his brochure and they really looked sweet. But the price was a choker. The gunsmith who worked with him was I think Stuart Satterlee. Not sure if this is the correct spelling but he had a web site a few years ago and was in SD.
I see if I can find the G&A atricle if your intrested.
Bob

The BSA Royals were made with claw extractors like Mausers. Maily the Med action length in 243, 308 and a few 7x57s. Some had the integral muzzle brake too. My 243 has the brake. They were also made in 222 Rem and 22 Hornet. They had the Mauser extractors too. I have just sold my 7x57 Royal[pending funds] but have others. The next step was the Monarch Mod. They did away with the claw extractors and installed a clip type that works ok but hot loads WILL blow the extractors. Workmanship on all of them is great. Only real drawback I can see is the trigger which leaves a lot to be desired. I have several with the English style DS triggers that feature the front [set trigger] bowed to the rear. Accuracy has always been great too. My 458 is a consistent 1" or less at 100 yds as long as I have a good day. Bursitis has made this increasingly more difficult.If hindsight had of been 20/20 I would have bought a boxcar then as I had the funds and they were cheap. If anyone wants to sell one of the Monarch style med length [243-308] let me know.

Aloha, Mark

The early BSA rifles were as well built as any rifle ever manufactured. I personally think they have a better design and worknmanship that the pre-64 M70 Winchester. The Royal (Also exported as Hunters) were - in BSA's own words - of an "Improved Mauser Design" that were made starting in the early 1950's up to 1959. (Starting ~1960 the Royals were replaced with the push-feed Monarch, some of which were sold in the US by Herters under their name.)

The long action Royals, produced only in '58 & '59 to the best of my knowledge were chambered for many cartridges starting with the 270 Win and topping out with the 458 Win Mag. These long actions were of a better design than the earlier short action in that they have better gas handling design in case of a case failure.

The trigger on the Royals is a unique 4-lever design that is easily adjusted without removing the action from the stock. Due to it's design pull-weight can be lightened down to under 2 pounds while sear engagement remains rock-solid.

The Royal Featherweights are truely a work of art. The actions have been carefully milled of all excess steel while the stocks are almost delicate looking with their slim lines and thin wrist. The butt and forearms were also hollowed out to remove as much weight as possible. To give an idea of how ahead of the times BSA was with these light rifles my featherweight 30-06 Royal tipped the scales at 5 1/2 pounds complete with steel bottom metal and a 22" medium weight barrel and alloy scope rings in place!


Here is a pic of my Fetaherweight Royal '06 after I had hunted with her for better than 20 years. (and I had bought it as a well-used rifle)



The rifle was the base for my 338-06 after the original 30-06 barrel finally lost it's accuracy. It is still a lightweight but it nw tips the scales at 6 1/2 pounds thanks to the 24" barrel.

Cariboo, there was one of these on GunsAmerica about 2 months ago for $325. I considered buying it but it had alloy bottom metal, still a good price.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
A major problem mine had was the firing pin would drop sometimes when the safety lever was flicked forward.

Someone tried to lighten the trigger by playing with the sear engagement. I have seen 3 different BSA rifles over the last few years that have been tinkered with this way.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
Cariboo, there was one of these on GunsAmerica about 2 months ago for $325. I considered buying it but it had alloy bottom metal, still a good price.

That would indeed have been a good price. These rifle in reasonable shape usually sell here in Canada for $500.00 - $700.00 cdn (roughly $400 - $600 usd) They are getting fairly rare considering not many were actually built in the first place.