1st Generation Target Rifle ???

[targetman]

This is my 1911 Schmidt-Rubin actioned 7.62mm Target Rifle. 28" barrel (unknown make), Wilkes Precision rearsight, Grunnel foresight, stock profiled by Colin Moon, I hand carved the rest and bedded it on Miliput. It shoots really well at all ranges, probably better at 900/1000.
But, is it a "1st Generation" Target Rifle???

[idge]

really interesting looking rifle it looks great , what do you feed it surplus or homeloads ?

[targetman]

HPS Target Master and handloads mainly.

[ovenpaa]

This is my 1911 Schmidt-Rubin actioned 7.62mm Target Rifle. 28" barrel (unknown make), Wilkes Precision rearsight, Grunnel foresight, stock profiled by Colin Moon, I hand carved the rest and bedded it on Miliput. It shoots really well at all ranges, probably better at 900/1000.
But, is it a "1st Generation" Target Rifle???

Not being a TR shooter or follower I am not really sure if it would qualify as first generation but it certainly looks interesting. Did you fit the sights your self or did it come with them fitted?

A couple of things, how is the milliput standing up to the shooting? I have thought about it in the past and it is appealing for small bedding areas as it does not run all over the place like some of the more conventional bedding materials. Also what do you think of Target Master cost and accuracy wise?

[targetman]

Originally the rifle was set up as a Match rifle using a much modified military stock and optical sights, simple plus lens with ring painted on the front and a minus clearing lens in the rearsight making a simple low power telescope.

I bought it without the sights and then had the barrel machined to take the Grunnel foresight that I had laying around in a box for years. The rearsight I also had and it luckily fitted straight onto the bracket already fitted to the action. I also had the chamber recut as it had a very long throat suitable for long heavy bullets.

I did the bedding about 10 years ago and have had no problems since. Milliput is very easy as it is just like putty and it takes 24 hours to cure. I have used Devcon in the past but you have work quickly. The Schmidt-Rubin action is a bit complicated for working quickly and I did the bedding in stages. I would happily use it again on any rifle.

HPS Target Master ammo is very good in both my target rifles, the other one is a Lee Enfield No4 Palma Match Envoy, and somewhat cheaper than the current RUAG. Handloads are prefered and I have used a pretty hot combination of SMK 155s and Vit N140 in the past with excellent results. I wont give the details as the load worked in my rifles but may not in others.

The Schmidt-Rubin is probably my favourite rifle amongst all that I have and the best bit, it only cost me £175.

[Strangely Brown]

Yes I believe it ticks all the boxes, although I do wonder if we should call it "Transitional" Target Rifle.
Thinking ahead we ought to be saving all the Swing "SIN 71's" for "First Generation TR, this I believe will be the bext classification in the coming years?

I have taken the quote below from the HBSA Long Range match conditions, which incidently I copied when I did the Transitional TR conditions for LERA.

"The “Raufoss” for Post-Veteran First Generation 7.62mm Target Rifles (using bolt-action Service Rifle pattern actions, non-iris iron sights, conventional (not thumbhole) stocks: hand-stops and single-point slings permitted)"

[Strangely Brown]

Nice rifle by the way!
I shall look forward to seeing it when we shoot together at the next NRA club meeting I can get to.
I wouldn't mind taking a few pictures of it for my research if you don't mind?

[Dougan]

Hi targetman,

I shoot a bit of TR and I don't think I've ever seen a S.R. 'straight pull' action on a TR rifle before - do you know of others, or is it unique?

I have an Enfield conversion, and also hand calved the grip to give a straighter trigger pull. But although functional, looks a bit rough - but that's a pro job...lovley stock

I only shoot TR 7/8 times a year, so although expensive, treat myself to the RUAG ammo, and really like it - how do you rate it?

[Watcher]

An interesting feature of Milliput is that you can reduce the curing time considerably by heating it. I used to use it for modelling and, if I wanted to speed things up, a hair dryer was just the thing.

I used it on a TR to create an anatomic grip once. Covered the wood in cling film then filled my hand with Milliput and gripped the rifle. Let it dry a bit then stippled it with a wire brush. Once finally dry I separated it from the stock and sanded and shaped it before drilling it and screwing it on permanently.

[targetman]

Dougan........I suppose in essence it is unique in that I built it and there is only one like it.

John Powell of Reigate a Gunsmith and Match Rifle shooter of some repute, from whom I purchased the original rifle, had a 7.62 Schmidt-Rubin for sale at the Classic Arms Fair at Bisley last year, which like mine was in a cut down buggered military stock.

I have also seen a rather nice K31 Schmidt-Rubin 7.62 target rifle at the same fair a few times....so they are around but none the less not very common.

I do like the "oddities" and have contemplated converting a M1910 Ross into a 7.62 target/match rifle but do not have the heart to do it to such an excellent and rare rifle. If I find one that has been sporterised, I might just do it.

As to RUAG, it is excellent, I have only used it in a modern Swing (which I sold a couple of years ago) and I found it very consistant......but I do not like the price, especially now that I do not do competitions.......(crap eyesight)

Watcher......yes, miliput is very useful like that. A friend did just the same on his small bore rifle.