I picked this early BSA Model 15 up yesterday. I gave $150.00 for it.
The barrel was pretty rusty on the outside with some minor pitting. I had to drill-out the fore-stock bolts. Lots of sweat equinity in this one. It has the "special wood" stock with the checkering though the checkering is pretty much gone on the fore-stock.
The main thing was the bore is still good and rear sight works fine and is tight in it's dovetail.
I shot my new to me 12/15 yesterday for the first time and was really impressed. Tore the bull up at 50yds. with Norma TAC-22. I'm 73 and haven't the greatest eyesight so shooting like that with peeps is a challenge. Now I'm on the look out for a MK II or III so I can mount a long scope on the barrel. Guess I'm hooked.
Do the guys over at 52 land know we've gone over to the darkside? I have the MKII with the Aussie mount and a T24 Weaver. Shooting dots.
I shot my new to me 12/15 yesterday for the first time and was really impressed. Tore the bull up at 50yds. with Norma TAC-22. I'm 73 and haven't the greatest eyesight so shooting like that with peeps is a challenge. Now I'm on the look out for a MK II or III so I can mount a long scope on the barrel. Guess I'm hooked.
You do not necessarily need an International for mounting a long scope on the barrel. Here I am shooting my 12/15 with a 10X Unertl:
I bought the bases from Steve Earle Products. My local gunsmith drilled and tapped for the bases. If you go that way, be sure the gunsmith knows the correct base spacing for a scope with externally adjusting windage and elevation rings, such as Unertls, Feckers and Lyman Target Spots.
While we are at it, here is my Vickers Martini with a 20X Redfield 3200, using a set of Steve Earle bases:
I made a drilling fixture out of an inexpensive (General) v-block. Gets the holes centered/spaced, but a 2-block fixture would be a little better. I think Howe's book shows one. It's good to hear that someone has jumped back into the block business.
If your gunsmith does not know how far apart to set the mounting blocks, don't let him touch the rifle. I am sure some RFC member can suggest a Martini experienced gunsmith within a reasonable driving distance from where you live.
While we are at it, here is my Vickers Martini.........
I found a Vickers-Armstrong Empire at the same LGS a couple years back. They had several but all but two were in poor shape. Being club rifles they had been hacked on pretty bad. Only two were full length versions.
I got the better of the two and spiffed it up a bit.
I love my 52's, but these BSA's seem to be growing on me. You know at my age I should be slowing down a bit.
I do understand. After building 3 52d's, and selling two Pre A's, I got the bug for a MKII. Now, I shoot it almost as often as the 52's. Must admit though that it doesn't perform quite as well yet, but the potential is there.
I do understand. After building 3 52d's, and selling two Pre A's, I got the bug for a MKII. Now, I shoot it almost as often as the 52's. Must admit though that it doesn't perform quite as well yet, but the potential is there.
After buying and trying quite a few different 22 LR bench guns over the past 8 years or so, I recently sold all of my 22s except my CZ 452 American (with its Don Stith BR stock) and my Martini International MK II. My MK II is my only rifle that I regularly shoot without a scope. Is it as accurate as my Anschutz Match 54 BR gun that I made from a 54:18 MS? Probably not. Still there is something special about my MK II that words cannot convey. I really enjoy shooting it. That's all I can say. Does anything else really matter?
After buying and trying quite a few different 22 LR bench guns over the past 8 years or so, I recently sold all of my 22s except my CZ 452 American (with its Don Stith BR stock) and my Martini International MK II. My MK II is my only rifle that I regularly shoot without a scope. Is it as accurate as my Anschutz Match 54 BR gun that I made from a 54:18 MS? Probably not. Still there is something special about my MK II that words cannot convey. I really enjoy shooting it. That's all I can say. Does anything else really matter?
After buying and trying quite a few different 22 LR bench guns over the past 8 years or so, I recently sold all of my 22s except my CZ 452 American (with its Don Stith BR stock) and my Martini International MK II. My MK II is my only rifle that I regularly shoot without a scope. Is it as accurate as my Anschutz Match 54 BR gun that I made from a 54:18 MS? Probably not. Still there is something special about my MK II that words cannot convey. I really enjoy shooting it. That's all I can say. Does anything else really matter?
Yep, all my Soviet era and my Valmet match rifles are better shooters but it's something about dropping that lever that a bolt action just can't duplicate.
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