Musgrave action/ Lyttelton RSA

[casspir]

The RSA/LYTTELTON later on called a MUSGRAVE action was extensively used in South Africa in Bisley with great success for many years. That said, it was before the days of the "recent" range of great actions like BAT, Lawton, CG INCH, STILLER and and and..... For an F/TR rifle I`m now considering a Musgrave single shot action. They are real cheap in SA and have proven themselves. I would like to know from the readers (probably the older generation..LOL) what they think? If this action is combined with a CG Extreme Uni trigger and Blue printed, could it be used? Are the newer generation actions just so much better. Musgrave would probably cost me about R5000-00 which is about US$660-00 (remember there are no Taxes)

 

[Laurie]

casspir,

there are still gunsmiths in the UK offering the Musgrave RSA action as an option, although I wouldn't like to say how many are actually built - not that many I'd imagine. The RPA Quadlock and Barnard Model P have largely replaced the Musgrave in 'Target Rifle' in the UK - a shame as it is a very good action for this discipline. There are many older Musgrave TR rifles still in use here, but usually relegated to beginners or long-standing impecunious owners. You can buy a complete rifle cheaply if you find one for sale.

Equally, I think it would make a reasonable basis for an F/TR rifle, but I can't think of anybody using one on the GB FCA national circuit. The pros are it's a proper single-shot action with a heavy gauge tube receiver and small port so good and stiff; short lock-time; good trigger, tried and tested improved Mauser design; well-made so everything usually true with the locking lugs bearing properly, and cheap. The sole minus I can think of is the twin lug bolt with the lugs at 6 and 12 o'clock when locked, which is known to be more affected by pressure variations in cartridges than 3-lug Delta form designs such as the Barnard and 4-lug models such as the RPA. However, people have done very well with the not too different and mass-produced Savage Model 12 single-shot Competition action based rifles in F-Class and other precision disciplines, and many American custom actions are 2-lug too, but I'm told that is because the longer bolt-throw needs less pressure to compress the mainspring and so allows faster, smoother operation for benchrest.

In the UK, the Savage 12F in 6.5-284 Norma has been the Factory Sporter class rifle to beat in 600 and 1,000yd BR. And ..... it's not as if they shoot way behind the custom 'Light Guns'. The best of the Savages are only just behind the rifles with custom actions. Team Savage members did really well in the F-Class World Championships at Bisley last summer in the F/TR division too, including being half of the winning 4-man team in the Team Shoots. So, if one gets these results with a Savage, I don't see why you won't with the RSA. Anyway, think of all the F/TR rifles around especially in the USA that are built around magazine feed Remington 700s complete with horrible big holes in the middle of the receiver, both top and bottom!

So, unless anybody else comes up with a strong argument against, I'd say go for it. Oh, I did own a Musgrave RSA - it was my last TR rifle before my eyes weakened to the point where I gave up on competition involving iron sights. It would far outshoot my abilities and I was very fond of it. 10 years on, its current owner says the same thing about it. despite still having the same barrel with goodness how many thousands of rounds through it - can't think of the barrelmaker's name, but Australian, button rifled and stainless, used to be very popular in TR here before Border, Krieger and now Bartlein took over.

If you want to get the views of some very technically gifted people and those with a lot of experience of building rifles with this action and dealing with any repairs or remedial work, I suggest registering with the Long-Range Target Shooting Forum which is on the US Palma team's website, if not already a member:

http://www.usrifleteams.com/lrforum/

and asking the same question there. However, watch out for sparks if you do! Every time a discussion about action design starts up, it ends up as a bar-fight that spans France, Australia, and the USA.

Laurie,
York, England

 

[casspir]

Laurie,

Thank you very much for responding in such a thorough manner.

If you take in to account that the newer generation actions e.g a BAT, CG INCH and the likes, will cost me in the region of R20 000-00 (US$2660-00) to R28 000-00 (US$3600-00). Compare this with R5000-00. The decision becomes rather easy, doesn`t it. With the advise you`ve given me I just safed R15 000-00 to R23 000-00.

Enough money to fly from England to South Africa (return) and hunt a Kudu with me...LOL


Thus, again...a big thanks!!!

 

[newby]

Hi Casspir, being a South African and owning a Bisley \Musgrave I say go for it.These rifles are amazing. Mine is third hand, has fired in excess of 5000 rds and still gives 1 inch groups at 200m.
Most of us who desire extreme accuracy use them.They are however becoming scarce.I do know where there are 3 complete rifles available.If you wish i can make enqiries as to price etc,
Regards
Peter

 

[Robert]

If you want to get the views of some very technically gifted people and those with a lot of experience of building rifles with this action and dealing with any repairs or remedial work, I suggest registering with the Long-Range Target Shooting Forum which is on the US Palma team's website, if not already a member:

http://www.usrifleteams.com/lrforum/

and asking the same question there. However, watch out for sparks if you do! Every time a discussion about action design starts up, it ends up as a bar-fight that spans France, Australia, and the USA.

Laurie,
York, England

Laurie,
Agreed with the first paragraph above, although I think this Forum is also of great value too..

In your last enumeration, you have forgotten New Zealand and UK Ha Ha..
R.G.C.

 

[casspir]

Thanks newby (Peter),

I got one this morning from Safari and Outdoor here in the Cape. Only R4500-00 for the complete rifle..hahaha.(US$600).

Will add a new Broughton Barrel to it and a Scott McRee stock.

For that price I`d like to buy a second one and build an 243 AI on it.

Must confess that if money was no object I would have orderd a CG INCH long ago. Love a Millenium and this could only be better....but price after importation is too expensive!

Thanks for the help. I do appreciate it.

Carl
George
Western Cape

 

[hermannt]

I own a musgrave RSA which is still standard (sights etc) except for the barrel that was replaced with a " josef just ferlach" barrel in .308 cal. The rifle is extremely accurate.

I think the action will do well for .243, .270 and .308. I am not sure but you will have to check if going to 30-06 and bigger as you might be limited with bullet weights and charges

 

[Danie]

I bought a single shot RSA rifle .308 but only after I bought it and started shooting it I realised that the ejection pin is broken off. Does any one have a spare that I can purchase of maybe have a contact for one. It is a complete system that form part of the release cash for the bolt.