Long guns: fall is a peak buying time for customers seeking shotguns and rifles

Shooting Industry, Oct, 1994 by Russ Thurman

New from Century is a Deluxe Custom Sporter Rifle in 7.62x39mm and .308 Win. It has a M98 Mauser action, a new sporter barrel and a new Bishop stock. A two-piece Weaver-type base is also included. The barrel is 22 inches long and it weighs 6 3/4 pounds.

Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing

The return of the legendary A.H. Fox 20-gauge double-barrel gained a lot of attention this year. With the return came honors for Connecticut Shotgun Manufacturing. It won the "Shotgun Of The Year" award from the Shooting Industry Academy of Excellence.

The Fox is hand-finished entirely to the customer's specifications. Attention to detail is a trademark of this company and the Fox is nothing short of a collector's gun.

Dakota Arms

Fine craftsmanship is reflected in all the rifles from Dakota Arms. The metal parts are milled from solid bar stock on computer controlled machines. The oil-finished stocks are made from English, Bastogne or Claro walnuts. Calibers range from .22 LR to the .450 Dakota.

The Dakota 76 Classic Grade is available in all standard calibers .22-250 through .458 Win. The short-action model has a 21-inch barrel and weighs 7 1/2 pounds. The action options are short, standard, short magnum and long magnum.

The Dakota 76 African Grade is chambered for .450 Dakota, .416 Dakota, .416 Rigby and .404 Jeffery. It has a 24-inch barrel and weighs 9 to 10 pounds. Available actions are long magnum and .416 Rigby.

European American Armory

Two .22s from European American Armory have established a reputation for exceptional accuracy. The SP-1822 Autoloading Sporters have 18 1/2-inch barrels and weigh 5 1/4 to 6 1/2 pounds. Two stocks are available. The thumbhole stock matches the customized .22s seen so often in competition. The more traditional stock gives the shooter a competition or light caliber hunting rifle.

The EAA HW660 Single-Shot Silhouette Rifle is a top competition rifle without the high price tag. In .22 LR, the HW60 comes in two models. The Match rifle is available in right- and left-handed versions. The Silhouette model has a stock that is adjustable for length of pull and height of the comb. Both models will accept most Anschutz accessories.

GSI

The Steyr MIII-Professional is still a front runner for GSI. The economy version of the Mannlicher Professional, the MIII-Professional is available in .30-'06, .270 Win. and 7x64. The cold hammer-forged barrel is 23 1/2 inches long and shooters have the option of a single or double-set trigger. The MIII-Professional has a black, synthetic Cycolac stock and non-glare blued barrel and receiver.

GSI also has the fine Merkel line of shotguns that are hand-built in Germany. The side-by-side 147E is available in 12-, 16- and 20-gauge with barrel lengths of 26 3/4- and 28-inch. It has a self-cocking Anson Deeley boxlock action with cocking indicators. Single selective or double triggers are options. The stock of oil-finished walnut is available in an English or pistol-grip style.

Heckler & Koch

The new Benelli 20-gauge lightweight semi-automatic from Heckler & Koch is a first-rate shotgun for long days of hunting. It weighs in at only 5 3/4 pounds, has a 26-inch vent rib barrel and the stock drop is adjustable. It is noted for its balance and excellent pointing characteristics.