.458 Mannlicher Shonauer

[Gert Odendaal]

Yes , I noticed that one is not working..I think it was a duplicate....my next step will be to build a new front bead on the front sight , at least 2.5 mm thick/wide ..any suggestions are welcome..I would rather not make use of the new technology shining type of glowing sights...I will keep to using ivory/warthog tusks since it does not color to yellow later.( this tip , courtesy from Von Gruff)

 

[Peter Larsson]

Best ti keep plastic away from that rifle!

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Peter,as you pointed out, this could have been just another collector`s item standing in a safe...since in my case scoping of this rifle is just to expensive...by constructing a functional ghost ring it ensures this rifle to be use as a walk /stalk rifle with shots up to eighty (80 meters) . Fitting a new front sight bead will ensure more accuracy.

Remarks from the hunters on the range yesterday when shooting free hand with this rifle indicated that they enjoyed handling the rifle and it is a pleasure to shoot this rifle off-hand .

I was impressed with the sight picture when taking aim at the target, I was able to only focus on the front bead, the ring turned into a fluffy ring, it disappears when looking through it and you only need to pin the front bead to the spot on the target where you want to place the shot...http://www.**NOT**PERMITTED**.co.za/forums/images/smilies/thumb_up.gif . If need be, I will construct another ghost ring aperture sight for more refined shooting ..this gives me ample options to use.
I will work on a front bead that will give accuracy to the sight picture. I will take measurements from the current front bead and construct a bead 2x the current size for a start...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Update:
I spend time today on turning an aperture insert with smaller apertures that screw into the ghost ring aperture. I am still experimenting in regards to the form these screw -inn needs to have. I tried a funnel style screw-in aperture . Will try a square aperture screw-in tomorrow to see what is best.

I did spend time to turn a warthog tusk bead as well, still needs to true the bead and glue it into the 1 mm hole drilled with a hand drill....

Screw in aperture:

Two different sizes:

I did use a piece of warthog tusk to turn a larger front sight bead as well...will experiment with the best suitable bead still....

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Warthog tusk bead:

I filled down an insert to fit into the slot of the island v-express sight that I had to removed when fitted the ghost ring sight:

 

[Peter Larsson]

That looks fine!
Must try to make a warthog bead to my Brno 602!
I'm sad I don't have a ghost ring on it!

 

[Red Leg]

That is one splendid piece of work. I suspect it will hold up through a lot of miles and seasons.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Thank you kindly Redleg. This system is simple but effective. I can effect changes dictated by the preferable use of this rifle for any kind of hunting or shooting I desire. I will effect changes as I commence using this rifle for bush-veld /walk and stalk hunting.

 

[PaulT]

Gert, this is shaping up to become a serious back-up/primary stopper.

Well done.

I love that big ghost sight.

I remember some years back a client had wounded a feral oxen which was trying its best to make an escape.
My back-up was not handy at the time so I "borrowed" the next nearest firearm which was a double .500 with a big ghost sight very similar to yours shown above.
The gun came up instinctively and the target was easily and quickly acquired through the large aperture and I loosed off a shot at about 90yds which absolutely flattened the bull mid stride.

Enough said; I LOVE them big ghost sights !


Load this puppy up with some quality projies and go do some damage !

 

[Gert Odendaal]

PaulT, I enjoyed making this ghost ring sight allot. I like close -up shooting , it is something to enjoy....the difference I experienced between the v-express sight and the ghost ring shooting is quite noticeable...with this ghost ring set-up the field of view is much clearer and no part of the target is hiding behind the v-express blade. My aging eyes are taking in more detail about the target. The rest of the procedure is only fine tuning...

 

[Steve Steyr]

Also, with a Mannlicher-Schoenauer, you will not have to worry about your magazine's floor plate springing open when ole' mbogo decides to charge. Lots of confidence in that.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Steve, I agree, not that I will be able to hunt a buffalo in the future ..it is above my pay grade...

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Something of interest in regards to an aspect concerning this .458 Mannlicer Schoenauer thread....I mentioned the name of the great hunter/PH/Elephant-culler/Richard Harland in this thread as well since he used this caliber rifle . Reading through his book, The Hunting Imperative ,he wrote a chapter on hunting /guiding a South African hunter, Mr. Victor Verster to shoot an elephant with the heaviest tusks in Africa/ Rhodesian record..here is a few read-up`s in this regards..
This chapter can be found on page 191, King of Tuskers, chapter twenty seven. This is really a great book....

http://www.pendukasafaris.com/history/who-shot-dhlulamithi-country-life-june-03/

http://www.pendukasafaris.com/history/remembering-bvekenya-country-life-february-2003/

 

[HWL]

Dear Gert Odendaal

Your rifle fascinates me, since I saw it the first time.

I searched for one since then.

And sometimes dreams come true.

Today is the day - I proudly present my new (old) "Baby".

 

[Gert Odendaal]

HWL
Congratulations..you are the owner of a very special rifle..few people has such a rifle..start shooting it..you will enjoy every moment... I love the scroll work on the action...

 

[Dr Ray]

View attachment 179901 View attachment 179902 View attachment 179903 View attachment 179904 View attachment 179905 Dear Gert Odendaal

Your rifle fascinates me, since I saw it the first time.

I searched for one since then.

And sometimes dreams come true.

Today is the day - I proudly present my new (old) "Baby".

Very nice rifle.
I hope you enjoy using it.
All the best

 

[BC.Pat]

damn shes a very pretty girl indeed...congratulations

 

[Shootist43]

Gert, in one of your earlier posts you mentioned putting smaller apertures into your Ghost Ring. For field use I would caution against that. I have a rifle with a Ghost Ring sight that included a removable insert with a smaller aperture. On a target range the sight with the insert was great, but for hunting it was more difficult to locate the target. Since I just use the rifle for hunting, I removed the insert and never looked back. By the way, that is a beautiful rifle. You are a lucky guy.

 

[Gert Odendaal]

Shootist, you are quite correct..I did exactly the same as you...I am shooting it with the ghost ring alone..I also removed the screw in apertures..the larger the ghost ring hole the faster I find the spot on the target I aim at. HWL, You really have an exceptional rifle , it is absolutely beautiful ....

 

[HWL]

...and there is a little story behind the rifle.

This is a lady´s rifle!

This, as an information for all those, who fear the recoil of an .458 Winchester-Magnum.

The gun was owned by a german lady, who hunted africa with, two times.

It is said, she shot an elefant, and "everything else"....

Her small bore rifle was an Mannlicher-Schönauer in 8x68S.

I bought the rifle from the daughter of this admirable lady.


HWL