Suhl slooooow twist

L

LASER

Guest
Bought a Suhl at a show on sat to take br shootin'. Just checked the twist. Best I can come up with is 18 or 19. Is there any hope for this bbl?
I am told that the serial number indicates the year etc and will perhaps verify this/?
SN 066215 suhl 150 Standard
Thanks
LASER
 
One of the best

Gary Mitchel had one just about that same twist. He called it Ole Blue. Everyone hated to see him roll up. They knew they were whooped before the first shot was fired. I'd suggest you give it a fair evaluation at a few matches before you change any thing. As for date of manufacture, look on the barrell it self. Mine is stamped 1924, but I don't know what that number actually means. I never worry about if it shoots, and most do, well.
 
Last edited:
Yes!!!!!!!

Gary Michell's famous "Ole Blue" is a Suhl with a 1:19 twist bore. With it Gary has won every thing in rimfire BR competition, including BR-50 Nationals.
 
I was just fixin'

to slit my wrists before you guys replied.. Wonder what fer bullets he used?
LASER
 
Last edited by a moderator:
LASER said:
to slit my wrists before you guys replied.. Wonder what fer bullets he used?
LASER
Click to expand...
Are you folks suggesting to shoot the suhl before changing the barrel and stock. What ammo do they like best. Any help here. garrisone.
 
Suhl -150 standard

Went back and reread this post. Decided to get my suhl out of the gun safe and check out the serial number. It is 44562. Who can tell me when it was made.The other suhl is away being built. Hope to have it back soon. It will have a Don Stith Stock.
 
My understanding

As there were many barrel makers for the Suhl's, you are bound to find them with various twist rates. I was told, the date of mfg, was stamped on the under side of the barrel. I don't know what those numbers mean and I don't know if any one has a complete understanding of the S/N dating. If you were to just shoot the gun and use some quality ammo, you will find out what it likes best. I would start with Eley Team, and Lapua Center X. Contact Tim Allen, he might be able to give you an answer and the mfg code. I don't have his email or phone handy, but when I find it, I edit this post.

Here's Tims info.

Allen, Tim (Banjo)
twa5@yadtel.net

Email him for a phone number.

PS:
I checked another Suhl barrel, and it was stamped 5899
 
Last edited:
garrisone said:
Are you folks suggesting to shoot the suhl before changing the barrel and stock. What ammo do they like best. Any help here. garrisone.
Click to expand...

I would suggest shooting any rifle before doing any modifications. If it ain't broke, it may not need fixing. The possible exeption being the need for a benchrest stock.

Ken
 
TangoTwo said:
I would suggest shooting any rifle before doing any modifications. If it ain't broke, it may not need fixing. The possible exeption being the need for a benchrest stock.

Ken
Click to expand...

When I bought my Suhl, it was expecting to build from it but, I did shoot it to confirm. And, it make the nicest keyholes you ever saw.....so,, continued with plan. If you're REAL lucky, you'll have one of the Suhls you "hear about" that shoot sub 0.2 as-is. But, if you plan on building-up, you can't be dissappointed.

Regis
 
i have one and it keyholed with rws ammo. eley it will put in nice tiny 5 shot groups at 50 yards. it shoots very very well. i have never checked the twist rate on mine. when it works i won't fix it!!!
 
1:19 twist Suhls

LASER,

I am fortunate enough to have two Suhls, but both are 1:19 twist.

The first one was sent to Butch Hongisto for stocking in a McMillan BR stock and headspace adjustment. Before he would agree to stock it, he bench tested it to be sure the barrel was worth the added work. He found it to shoot well and completed the stock work.

Since then I have shot it informally and the gun with a 36x Weaver and my total inexperience with BR shooting has averaged .250" +/- for 5 shots at 50 yards with Midas ammo. But it will not shoot well at all at 100 yards.

My second Suhl is still in the factory stock with an adjustable cheekpiece. It shoots well at all RF silhouette ranges (out to 100 meters). I have not worked with it much from the bench and shoot Eley Pistol Match in it. It will shoot tiny groups at 40 meters and under 1" at 100 meters.

So, I think the 1:19 twist Suhls are marginal past 50 yards but mine shoot very well at that distance. I would suggest your shoot your gun and test to determine which ammo it likes before changing barrels - depending on the ranges at which you want it to shoot.

George
 
I live

DaGOB said:
Gary Michell's famous "Ole Blue" is a Suhl with a 1:19 twist bore. With it Gary has won every thing in rimfire BR competition, including BR-50 Nationals.
Click to expand...

a big hour from Haggerstown and another big hour from Luray. I have very fortutiously acquired a mentor in one of the local shooters from that regon. Being home from work, I posted yesterday, when I freaked, also not to bother him too much. I did speak to him last night and he confirmed everything you guys said, including the story of "big blue". He said that it was originally from the east coast and knows both the fellers who own/owned the gun. We're planning on hookin' up this weekend, putting the gun on a Stith stock and trying it out. I will ask him to shoot it and will damn shure know if it shoots or not when he is done. Thank all of you for the input. More to follow.
LASER
 
Laser,
You must be talking about Bob H. He is the guy that got me started in benchrest many years ago. The nicest person on the planet. You will be in good hands. I look forward to meeting you at the Maryland State.
Steve
 
Laser,

Don't forget that you drive right by Leetown to get to Luray. I'm sure Paul will welcome a new shooter this spring. Their first match is the first weekend in April.

I bought my first real bench gun from Bob, good guy. Of course he is not the only good guy/good shooter from the Hagerstown area. Harry, Ray, Doug or any one of a bunch of others qualify. I have shot against Old Blue a time or two. Don't let the twist rate scare you. Better when it's hot.

Good luck.

Ken
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top