Thread: Walnut and blued steel,

OK, here is something we've all seen before, it's a BSA Viscount (also known as a BSA Royal in America) also known to some as a BSA "Hunter", with the early controlled round feed action. It's is chambered in 7x57, which is one of my favourite cartridges, (and an excellent killer on deer with 140 grain bullets at 2900 fps.)

The difference with this one is that it is in such fine condition, in fact its very nearly mint. It has 100% deep lustrous black blueing and the stock doesn't have a mark on it. Actually has pretty nice figure in the walnut for a BSA rifle, which are usually pretty plain. It is like going back in time to 1957 and buying a brand new BSA from A & W McCarthy. The ones I always came across before had been adventuring for years and were beaten up, with silvered barrels and their checkering worn smooth. Barrels cut down and bores dark and pitted. I am too young to have ever seen one new, and its quite amazing. The photos dont really do it justice. Oh, and the bore is immaculate.

I think I have had two BSA Imperials in the past, both with too short a barrel for a .270 so I didnt keep them. (One was ruined by a gunsmith, and I dont want to talk about it.) But I always wanted a 7mm Mauser.

The only thing about it is that the open sights are missing, so I am on the lookout for rear sight and a front bead.

I took it out with a generic load I knocked up just to sight her in with, and fitted with a trusted scope. With 160 grain Speer bullets it put three shots into 0.9 of an inch with ease.