rosst
09-29-2013, 10:36 PM
83081
Hi, probably not a rifle you guys would know about, unless you were in New Zealand 20 odd years ago when Hugh Bradley decided to put them into limited production. He also made a .magnum version and a center fire action which i have never seen in hunter and target/varmint versions i believe. Probably only made a few thousand examples which has of course made them scarce on the ground and sort after. The problem was price, they were more expensive than say a Brno so they were up against stiff competition for the average kiwi hunters dollars, we are a conservative bunch.
Hawkins barrels were used and have a reputation for outstanding accuracy, mine lives up to its rep, being a tack driver with most ammo i have tried.
They were made in different grades/options, mine has the ten round mag and the 5 round mag in the butt housing with 16 inch barrel and factory suppressor.
When i picked it up for the first time i just had to have it, the feel, balance of the rifles is superb, its perfect for a kiwi hunters rifle. With the short barrel and mounting of the sling swivel it carries low keeping it out of the way. The stock/fit is very good, slim without being a toothpick, the pistol grip naturally supports the hand.
Metalwork is of a high standard with deep blueing, whoever the machinist were they obviously took some pride in their work.
My example has been carried over miles and miles of countryside back in the day, mostly for coons with fox terriers. For the last few years its been put aside for other more specialized/longer range rifles but i decided recently to spend some money on a trigger job and get her out and about again. i will leave the rangefinder at home when i go for a walk across the paddocks, fit a good 4X scope and do some old school hunting again . . . .
cheers R.
Hi, probably not a rifle you guys would know about, unless you were in New Zealand 20 odd years ago when Hugh Bradley decided to put them into limited production. He also made a .magnum version and a center fire action which i have never seen in hunter and target/varmint versions i believe. Probably only made a few thousand examples which has of course made them scarce on the ground and sort after. The problem was price, they were more expensive than say a Brno so they were up against stiff competition for the average kiwi hunters dollars, we are a conservative bunch.
Hawkins barrels were used and have a reputation for outstanding accuracy, mine lives up to its rep, being a tack driver with most ammo i have tried.
They were made in different grades/options, mine has the ten round mag and the 5 round mag in the butt housing with 16 inch barrel and factory suppressor.
When i picked it up for the first time i just had to have it, the feel, balance of the rifles is superb, its perfect for a kiwi hunters rifle. With the short barrel and mounting of the sling swivel it carries low keeping it out of the way. The stock/fit is very good, slim without being a toothpick, the pistol grip naturally supports the hand.
Metalwork is of a high standard with deep blueing, whoever the machinist were they obviously took some pride in their work.
My example has been carried over miles and miles of countryside back in the day, mostly for coons with fox terriers. For the last few years its been put aside for other more specialized/longer range rifles but i decided recently to spend some money on a trigger job and get her out and about again. i will leave the rangefinder at home when i go for a walk across the paddocks, fit a good 4X scope and do some old school hunting again . . . .
cheers R.