Rifle Shooter – July 2019

60 http://www.rifleshootermagazine.co.uk

ammunition is equally functional on the

controlled-feed bolt-face with two

extractor claws clasping the brass rim

onto the bolt-face for delivery to the

barrel that won’t damage their internal

or external ballistic performance.

A two-position safety catch nestles

in a cutout on the stock behind the

bolt-handle, generously serrated and

silent in use with a rolling thumb

technique of your firing hand. Sadly, it

doesn’t lock the bolt-handle in place on

‘safe’, but the straighter handle design

closer to the stock seems far less

prone to accidental opening during

carries than its older brothers.

The steel magazine holds five

rounds yet shows a polymer extension

50% beyond the actual storage space

of the ammunition. Anschütz have

added rebates into the walls of the

mag’s large baseplate and advertise

its greater tactile interaction, which is

true, but why have a mag 50% longer

than it needs to be without using the

extra size for extra capacity within to

hold, say, eight rounds instead of five?

I will also note that, although easy to

load, the follower spring is a bit light, in

my opinion, and I did occasionally have

and most of them use the bolt-handle’s

stub itself as one of the locking lugs

mating into the abutments, but

Anschütz’s competitive history and

reputation declare it is of benefit. It’s a

shame you may read this before you

actually get to operate the bolt itself

because it really is a blissful delight

with fingertip weighted opening,

longitudinal cycling and feed of the

ammunition.

The bolt’s 35mm steel arm is

capped with a ‘warm to the touch’

25mm polymer knob for fuss-free

ergonomic interaction in position

directly above and to the right of where

your index finger sits in the front of the

trigger guard. The central position

along the length of the shaft balances

exerted forces upon it to minimise the

chances of leverage and friction

interrupting silky operation; jamming

the bolt on its 39mm travel is

impossible and complements the

thorough integration of its underside

profile with the magazine’s feed lips.

They work in unison, feeding live

rounds from their central stack directly

into the chamber with no interruption

or damage – complex feed lips are part

of the steel magazine’s construction.

Hollow points and ballistic tipped

»

ON TEST  Anschütz 1761 D HB Walnut Classic Stock in .17 HMR

HORNADY 17GR V-MAX AND 20GR XTP

AMMUNITION

http://www.edgarbrothers.com

01625 613177

AMMO USED

PICTURES:

CHRIS PARKIN

ABOVE: The bolt

design is masterful

when it comes to

fingertip operation

and fast reloads

BELOW: Have the

scope mount screws

out to the left to

keep the bolt-handle

clear of contact