Herter's rifle, 7mm Mag?? - 24hourcampfire

I just bought this rifle, it is a Herter's bolt action push feed in 7mm mag. The scope, ring and the recoil pad has Herter's name on them. What do you guys know about this rifle?

Do you know who maid the action? It looks like a Sako with the dove tail slots for Sako bases. It is stamped "Maid in England"

http://2coolfishing.com/ttmbforum/showthread.php?t=304597

Tracy

Look up BSA.

As I recall those Herter's U9 rifles were BSA made. Should have the Birmingham Small Arms markings on the action...jim

Yes, the Herter's U9 were made by BSA. I have the same gun in 300 win mag for sale now. Monster solid action.

If I recall correctly ( probably not, it has been a while since I was a Herter's compulsive ) the "Old" Jaques Herter sr. Professional Guide Quality Bolt Action Rifles (pre-dating the 7mm Mag & maybe the .300) were advertised as a genuine Mauser Action, & carried a mark something designation, of course that didn't eleminate BSA and quite a few other makers. All strong or George Herter wouldn't have said that"professional Guide Quality" stuff, he never lied to me or exagerated anything. Sounds like you are dealing with a "new" Herter's", but probably still better than Ram Tough.
MC

U9 action was BSA, J9 was the Mauser. A b-i-l has one of each, and both have the lightning-bolt spacers

George L. Herter lives on forever.

I always wanted to order his book "How to Live with a Bitch." Pretty sure I would have learned something useful.

Years and years ago, when I was in my teens, I had a J9 in 7x57 and my father had a U9 in 7mmRemMag. We ordered them at the same time w/ unfinished stocks. We had a great time together finishing and bedding the stocks. Both rifles were good quality and shot very well. As I remember, the U9 my dad had was CRF, as, of course, was my J9.

I have seen quite a few BSA's here in Canada, and the older ones are CRF, but some of their later guns were push feeds. I don't know if the later Herter's U9's used the BSA push feed design, but according to the OP it seems that that was the case.

I wish I still had that 7x57. Sadly, both guns are long gone, as is my father, who was the best hunting, fishing, and golfing buddy a guy could ever hope for.

Originally Posted by toltecgriz

I always wanted to order his book "How to Live with a Bitch." Pretty sure I would have learned something useful.

Quote

George L. Herter lives on forever.

I have a complete set of all of George (and Jacques) Herter's books, including "How to Live with a Bitch". They are all a good read, especially the Guide manuals and Bull Cookbooks, and yes, George will live forever. My grandfather was a huge fan, and turned me into one at a very early age. We made many a trip to Waseca, MN during their prominent years.

I have two Herter's fishing boats at the lodge in Canada, one a Model Alaska 14', the other a Model Yukon 16'. They have proven to be incredible boats, and get use every year.
Grandpa had a U9 in 25-06 and a Herter's .401 PowerMag revolver, both of which were missing from his farm when he died.

The books, along with a host of other Herter's items, show up frequently on eBay- there's a lot of old faithful collectors out there to this day (including myself)

Man this thread brings back the memories. The hours spend sitting up at night looking at those barreled actions and unfinished stocks, trying to figure a way to come up with the money probably had a lot to do with my Jr. High grades. Those old catalogs were the original Sham-Wow commercials! Still have and use a Herters cast bullet sizer and 22 scope.

Originally Posted by John_G

Years and years ago, when I was in my teens, I had a J9 in 7x57 and my father had a U9 in 7mmRemMag. We ordered them at the same time w/ unfinished stocks. We had a great time together finishing and bedding the stocks. Both rifles were good quality and shot very well. As I remember, the U9 my dad had was CRF, as, of course, was my J9.

I have seen quite a few BSA's here in Canada, and the older ones are CRF, but some of their later guns were push feeds. I don't know if the later Herter's U9's used the BSA push feed design, but according to the OP it seems that that was the case.

I wish I still had that 7x57. Sadly, both guns are long gone, as is my father, who was the best hunting, fishing, and golfing buddy a guy could ever hope for.

This rifle is stamped "7 mm" was your dads rifle stamped the same way?

Tracy,

You rifle being marked Made in England makes it a U9. The U9s were built on BSA monarch actions. The barrels were all Douglas barrels as far as I know. Not all of the actions are identical. I have never seen a U9 with a different bolt or much difference in the action itself, but the bottom metal and triggers and safeties vary. Stocks varied substantially which is not surprising since Herters produced stocks.

I have two currently. Both (a .243 and a .300 WM) are very accurate. The .243 can be very picky about loads with Barnes bullets in particular. The 300 WM likes everything, and is very easy to work up loads for.

To my knowledge, all the U9s were bought as basic actions and mated up with barrels and wood in Waseca. They could be ordered with any grade of walnut or maple Herters carried, and you might find one with some pretty spectacular wood on it. I have seen one with gorgeous fiddle back maple on it, and a couple with very nice walnut.

Sorry, Nimrod, it was so long ago that I don't remember.

Nimrod,
Here are two links that have info on BSA rifles:

http://www.huntchat.com/printthread.php?s=4516b0a715f1070d46d48dd833a41e95&threadid=39714

http://www.pmulcahy.com/bolt-action_sporting_rifles/british_ba_spr_a-b.htm

Thanks for the info guys. Does anyone know how to tell how old a Herter's rifle is?