What reception is the Krieghoff Semprio getting from European shooting enthusiasts? Interesting reinvention of the pump type action.

One of my friends has one, very nice rifle but I personnaly have two problems with it:

1.The pump action doesn't allow quick follow up when stalking and shooting from a shooting stick or a high stand rest. It is mostly a driven hunt rifle.

2. According to the gunsmith that sold it, the gun owner has to replace some part of the mechanism every 200 shots (but it is for free). From what I did read from the Internet I thought it was every 2000 shots but they said 200 to my friend. It seems that deteriorating part is linked to the bolt's sealing performance.

The rear to forward pump motion, pushing the sight away from the shooter, doesn't seem so bad to me, I found it allowed to easily re-align the game with good management of the recoil.

The take down and mount up routine is very easy and quick.

My friend's rifle is the only one I ever saw on hunting grounds and shooting ranges.

Just my impression -

Krieghoff Semprio, reinvention of the pump
Blaser 93, Blaser R8, variations of the straight pull sceme
Merkel Helix, spin on the straight pull

Mainly build for and well received by the hobbiests hunters - sold on the next best thing.

It never ends:

Now we are told, we need a straight pull with a illuminated reticle that is acctivated when cocking the rifle.

Or you need the ability to switch the illuminated section from a cross (stationary targets) to a dot (for moving game).

But I digress ...

Profiled products, I call them. Trouble is, knowledgeable hunters mainly are to much a minority and to poor to make up a big enough market share to convince the industry guys that we do not need the rifle "for the next century (Helix marketing" just for an example.

To your question?

They are well received - they sell a bunch.

Sorry for the rant.

In case it has not become clear - I much prefer to see a hunter show up with a battlescared 98 or so...

True ...

And too usual among hunters to consider 2000 euros is a minimal price for a basic rifle without a scope (which has to cost 2000 more), and indeed you have to change it every 4 years (probably to suit the new range rover ). At least in Belgium ...

How is a consistent point of impact maintained with the sliding barrel of the Semprio? The elaborate mechanics seem to go against everything that is generally thought necessary regarding achieving a predictable POI. Perhaps Krieghoff has developed a novel way?

Considering POI consistency, I don't know what can make the difference between a bolt sliding into a barrel and a barrel sliding over a bolt, or both of them.

I saw it only in driven hunts and "running boar" target shooting contexts, which involve shots on running targets at short range. POI consistency is less important in that context.

I have only handled and dried fired but what bothered me was at the moment the triger is pressed the slide moves. I am not sure I could get used to it.

Well This is truly something different.

This must be the most complete hunting gun I have ever tried. I do also own Blaser R8, Steyr Scout, Rem 700 , Benelli Argo R1 and some other bolts but nothing gets even close to the semprio.

Its just a shooting machine. The inline action works great, you are able to fire four rounds very fast (less than 2 sec) with full target control and with a detachable magazine and "real" take down you can hardly ask for more.

The one I tried (150 rounds) had a suppressor on it. made fast target acqusition very easy and I did shoot faster than with my Argo R1 due to less recoil.

For field use I dont think it could be better.

Paal

Hi Carbon,

I'm right with Karl about all the innovations, even if i hunted with some of them as a writer and tester.
I'm known in France not to like the R93, prefer the R8 for safety reasons (don't say i like it)and to have done lots of shooting and hunting with the Helix for 18 months. Had very good results with it and like it but don't own one even if i can get good price.

The Semprio never caught on me...even if Krieghoff name is on..
Must not be the only one because sales are starving in France where Blaser R93 was and always is a best seller and where Helix had good start.

If i need to be real fast on big boars or stags go to a semi (no, not a 7400 or 750)in 9,3x62 but i don't own any too...

My go to rifles when hunting on my own are Mauser actioned or Steyr, Winch 70 pre 64, some Rem 700, one 7600 carbine 35 Whelen and for sure levers from 94 to 95 with 71 and 86 in between.I prefer to change rifle than barrel, call me loony if you want but he works well for me.

But i'm also known to be a dinosaure going to an end...

Regards
Dom

Well, who needs a rifle that you still have to manually operate for this? Just get an AR-10 style rifle or an MR308.

All those overengineered rifles from Germany like R93, R8 etc. suck.

Hi gebuesch, if i remember well MR308 is an over engineered german rifle

After doing some shooting with the Semprio I start thinking "Why the bolt" ?

The bolt action has been with us for a little more than 100 years and maybe its time to move on.?

I have owned a Remington 700 for more than 25 years (my first gun) and it still shoots good but things have changed.

The Steyr Scout( like it), the Blaser R8 (dont say I like it) are good guns but the Semprio makes them a laugh when it comes to fast shooting on moving targets.

The Argo is nice but cant handle a suppressor and you have problems getting 5 rounds within 50mm on 100 meters. The Semprio puts them inside 15mm.

There is only one small thing I did not like. The hand grip is large and I have very small hands. This is probably due to the steering rail that keeps the fore end in right position when moving back and forth. This rail goes through the stock all the way back to the recoil pad. A synthetic version might be with a smaller handgrip.

Give it a good try if possible. Its new and you need some time to get adjusted to it but when you are you will probably start thinking "why the bolt?"

wr
Paal Dalen

Hi Paal,

I can't feel good with this rifle, the same as with 93. If i want being fast without going semi auto i go to pump, my 7600 stay well inside 1,5moa if i do my part with good ammo, the new french Verney Carron the same (they don't call it pump but linear front drive, pure marketing). I don't know about all Argos but i shot some that stood inside 1,5moa with factory ammo, the same with all other semi i shot or tested, enough for driven hunt or 200m shooting.
Most BAR with steel receivers do as good as most bolt out of the box.
But if you are good with a Semprio, shooting it well and like the system, enjoy it! That's your rifle and not mine. Better use something you like and manage well than one that was told you is better by another guy. Confidence is the key.
Have good hunt.
Dom

Paal, do you have information about that part which must be replaced regularly, sort of a bolt-action joint ?

It�s German, but it is not overengineered with useless stuff like mounts that can by only used on rifles of specific companies, the trigger is not mixed up with a horribly expensive magazine and the rifle works instead of overengineered designs that you already damage when you handle them at the IWA.

I do not have any exact information about malfunction with the first Semprios on the marked. There was some returns here in Norway but I have never found out exactly why. Been asking but got no reply from the dealer.

The Semprio I have been shooting with have done at least 2000 rounds now with all kinds of loads with no problems at all. its a 30-06. It appears rock solid so far.

I do think there is a small change to this new model from the first ones. The forend moves about 5mm forwards and is attached with some kind of spring to the barrel.
This makes some extra "start pull" when reloading. Dont know if this is understandable?


Hard not to like the Semprio . When repeating your left arm moves forward and your right shoulder backwards automatically from the recoil.
On the 7600 regular pump you have to wait until recoil is "finished" before moving the foreend backwards. This is slower and not as smooth as the Semprio.

A good gun makes you smile when using it. The semprio gets out the smile in every one I have tried it with.

wr
Paal Dalen

Your right, one of my friend blocked the Semprio in the Krieghoff booth last year. Were unable to make it works so they put it behind the counter.
For the MR308 was joking, but i don't really like that picatinny forearm, what's for on a civil rifle? Don't need lights, laser, to hunt or shoot target...

I do not like that many pic rails either. But instead of a MR308 there also several other AR-10 style rifles like OA-10 or R-25 available. If I want to have a fast repeating firearm I get a semi automatic. If I want a very reliable and accurate firearm I choose a bolt action. All those new "inventions" are for marketing purposes.

You're right about that. I have chance to work a bit in the firearm business, i can shoot and test some interesting pieces of iron and i did it with the Oberland and MR308. But for me they are more military rifles in "civilian" dress, more to target shooting than hunting.
And in France you know, for hunting with semi auto we have the silly magazine (!) and three shots max...
So i prefer the BAR, SLB, SR1 for that purpose. But i don't own one the only semi i use for hunting is my very old Ruger 44, loaded with 250grs Nolser Partition or 270grs Gold Dot to hunt wild boars and red deer in very personal and close encounter, when time to shoot is as short as the distances and bush too thick to carry long and heavy gun...It do the job done.

There are some semis you are allowed to use for hunting here in Norway. THey have to be approved by the Government and "military style" semis are not allowed at all. After 22.7.2011 they talk about not allowing any semis at all.

Suppressors are getting very popular in Norway. Not many hunting without one now.
You shoot even faster with a suppressor on the Semprio and its a loss that the semis doesnt work with a suppressor.

If you are doing close range shooting on a moose with dogs working round it you destroy their hearing without a suppressor.

Paal Dalen

Hi Paal,

Was with my friend Jorund in Germany 15 days ago and we spoke of that. The problem with politicians every where in the world is they can only forbid and tax. I hope their will also prohibit the fertilisers, gaz can and other products that can be easily converted...In France it's the same thing. It remind be of the greeks who made a trial to the knife they use to sacrify the oxen. Easier to ban tools than control fools.
Dom

Writing frog
Can you expand on why the R8 is safer than the 93 wondering if I need to upgrade to a R8?

Have tried Semperito once and din't like it. At least for the money it cost. But new Verney Carron menthioned by Written frog was good and deserve attention. Same time having R93 already over 10 years do not see reason for change. Only weakness of R93 is lack of magazine...but with it you can live...LOL

Why do you need a fast shooting gun for running game unless there are several critters running together? You just need an accurate gun and lots of practice at moving targets

There are several critters running at the same time: stag herds, wild boar packs ...

And even with practice, sprinting games in front of the hounds are hard to properly hit.

Practicing (not mentioning the lack of training facilities), you shoot the target always at the same range, keeping its heading and speed, on flat ground with the same perpandicular trajectory, protected from weather conditions ... which never occurs in real hunting.

In country where I live hunting is mainly driven hunt with dogs and beaters...if from forrest on narrow line will run out 10 wild boar you need fast gun to call out as many you can...and the second and even better reason...if wounded and stopped by dogs over 300 lb wild boar will attack you in coppice the fast gun is the best friend you can have

I have plenty of experience running dogs for deer in Florida and have always found a bolt action fine for that even with shooting 2 deer in front of the dogs. I was just wondering if it was multiple animals. Admittedly my experience in driven hunts is limited to deer in front of dogs and they are usually not running flat out and will often times stop to listen to see where the dogs are. It would be fun to go on a mixed bag driven hunt.

Neat looking gun,not sure what it would do better than a 760/7600 but at any rate it is cool. Odd that in Europe you have many restrictions that we in America find ridiculous but yet we can't use suppressors while hunting!?

To Pacecars: Know Florida terrain, my friend is living in fort lauderdale. Haven't hunt there yet...probably next time when will visit him
To brinkey: europeans are less gun loony's then you guy's
in America and the suppressor is not only what is in some countries on backlisted. Probably from 2013 in Estonia where I'm living will be limitaion to semi-auto guns...you can have only
2 ammo in magazine .
Today we have limitations: normal bolt action or semi-auto can have magazine max 3 ammos...
minimum caliber for "large animals" (started from wild boar)
6x5mm and bullet from 140gr

It's ok for us to use suppressors BUT we cannot own two rifles of the same caliber, we have to have a competency certificate (open book written exam after lectures and a practical shoot) to own a firearm: sorry, what I meant to say was we need a competency certificate for each of the following; a handgun, bolt action rifle, shotgun, black powder rifle, etc. I am registered to conduct business in hunting which means I may own more than 4 (yes FOUR) firearms, but I also need a competency certificate to conduct business in hunting

Firearms for personal use have licenses that are valid for 10 years, so after every 10 years I have to renew all those again. Firearms for business purposes have to be renewed every 5 years. Within the next 2 years I will have to appoint someone just to look at the renewals that need to be done....

I have a suppressor for the 22 that works really great and I intend on keeping it.

For suppressors; Is there a license, tax etc required. I know you CAN get one here but the limitations make it more of a pain in the azz than what it's worth. I could get one and with my background I know it wouldn't be that difficult but I would want to use it for hunting and I believe that is a no no. It seems more acceptable in Europe that here. Everyone here thinks that you're going to assassinate someone thanks to Hollywood. Maybe I will do some digging into it and make it a project. There was a gunwriter in one of the rags I read that had a suppressed bolt rifle in 6mm Creedmoor (based on a necked down 6.5 Creedmoor) That would be a fun little gun and easy on the ears.

Back to the rifle. How strong is the action? I would assume with the reputable name it is of stout construction but does it compare to a bolt or single shot as far as reloading concerns? It's a very classy looking rig and in 9.3x62 I can't imagine a better rifle for thick cover bear and deer thumper. What was the price tag? 2,000 Euros? What is that in dollars now that Greece is defaulting? Any hope for a good exchange rate?

Nope. Cash at the gun dealer. Only thing he is interested in is the diameter of the barrel and if you have front sights or not. It is available in a number of calibers, starting at the 22 and up to a 308 I saw the other day. Some you have to have a thread cut in the barrel and some come with an adaptor. When I shoot subsonics in the 22 we have ages of fun shooting doves and francolin from a bow blind without disturbing the game. Well game that is not right at the blind anyway.

2000 euros is not the price of the semprio. Depending on the finish options, IIRC, the standard rifle's MRSP (without scope mount) is above 3000 euros. Maybe you can get one reduced at 2500 + mount, it would cost more than 3500 USD + export costs.

Don't you have Krieghoff dealers in the US ?

PeterKriel; now I wan't one. That would be too much fun zipping annoying red squirrels and not disturbing any deer in the general area.
grand veneur, just poking a little fun and I'm sure there are Kriefhoff dealers around but chances are they would chastise me for not buying a Winchester or Weatherby instead.

Grand Veveur, the price tag over 3000 euro + mount and nice swarovski or zeiss scoop make total price 5000 euro..this was main reason for me to not buy extra one or change Blaser...
Brinky there is nothing bad in Weatherby...at least old one's. Have Saure-Weatherby in caliber 9,3x64 from 70's and it perform outstanding. Don't know today's Weatherby quality but old are make with heart...

I go ruger, and winchester myself

This is � very reasonable price for many hunters around here, and cheap for some

Night hunts deserve very good optics, and games we can find in daylight are just rare, but There is so much exaggeration in factory guns value.

Here in Estonia the "value" of semprio in shop is over 4000 euro...do it mean that Estonain gun sellers are more greeye
Mine Blaser combined with red dot Kahles have help'd me out nearly every time but personally like more driven hunt...more fun and suspence .

If you really crunch the numbers and consider all factors; if you only had one gun and bought a real quality firearm such as the Krieghoff it would equate to less money that I've spent on my other rifles combined. And compared to others I have very few rifles, four as of now including my 22lr.

Modularity is part of the concept in the idea to provide you an all-around gun.

But for the price of an additional barrel you could buy a remington 700 or a winchester 70.

Plus if the concept is good for moving targets the rifle is not easy to use while hunting from high stan, stalking with shooting sticks or shooting from prone position (then the reloading routine is a problem) and the calibers offer is not wide enough to cover african needs.

+1 with GV

Dom

to Brinky: Krieghoff quality is good but not always as we think. Have one (drilling). It takes 3 weeks to my gunsmith to put all 3 barrels to run same 3 inc at 50 meeters...It's good for wild boar driven hunt, but not good in frost below 0 F. It's OK for moose and elk but 30-06 or 9,3x64 are better. Have also caliber adapter 22mag for 16 cal. shotgun barrel and all together it make a nice gentlemen gun for nearly everything what run in our forrest.
Have also several other caliber but mainly use 30-06 blaser as this run for everything...

Nice to see there are some posts in this thread.

You guys are getting to old, anything new and unfamiliar scares the living daylight out of you. (just joking)

Using a shooting stick and the Semprio is not the perfect combination but its not impossible to do. Shooting laying on the ground or with an armrest is no problem at all. It just takes a few rounds to get used to.

I was quite sceptical trying this gun for the first time but I cant see much disadvantages in close range driven hunt with the Semprio.

The only thing my R8 does better is with the shooting stick.

Paal

The Semprio is chambered in 375 ruger.

I have never been in africa and will probably never go there hunting but found this out of curiosity:
http://www.rifleshootermag.com/2011/01/04/ammunition_375ruger_061207/

Looks like they are doing ok.

Hopefully one of the big american companies like Remington Ruger i.e. will make their own version of the "inline repeater" for like 500USD. That would make it easier to enjoy the consept for a lot more hunters.

Paal

Remington has for about 60 years now, the 760/7600 pump rifles. Very popular in the North East and PA. You can get one on the Used gun rack for about 400 dollars. And some guys have a gunsmith do a rebuild on them for what they really want. You could go nuts with them and not spend the kind of money the Krieghoff costs.

Motorist; nice looking rig. I' ve always liked the doubles and drilling but never the funds for one. If I could it would be either a 375 flanged or a 9.3x74 in a H&H rifle. I guess when I win the lotto....

An R1 is a better rifle for a lot less money.

A Mekel SR 1 is a better rifle for a lot less money.

The latter can be had on 9.3x62.

Only backward anti-gun laws keep anyone hunting big game with a manually operated rifle.

The former and latter:

Thanks Brinky...total cost of that "love one" together with gunsmith was about 5000 US . It went fare more expencive then I thought at the beginning but I always like drilling and doubleri rifles...now there is "only" nice side-by-side "on my list". H&H is to fare expencive for me . Even if I will win a lottery .
Have nice Merkel side-by-side in 9,3x74 at the horizon...but Estonian stupid law what demand after 8 barrles gun room make this investment to expencive therefore must sell something before

Bought an R1 four years ago and like the gun. The main reason for buying it was the fully adjustable synthetic comfortech stock which no other manufacturer offered at that time with a semi auto. Its a nice stock.

There are some big differences between the Semprio and the R1.
-Semprio has a cocking device. Walk with a round in the chamber and cock it with no sound.
- Take down . Pull the Semprio apart and switch barrel in 5 sec or put it in your Eberlestock and make it diseappear in 10 sec.
-Nice UAS trigger and supreme accuracy.

These are nice to have features but my main reason for getting the Semprio was the silencer. The R1 will not work with a silencer but the Semprio will.

So I just bought a Semprio in 30.06 and will still keep my R1 in 308W.

The R1 is nice for a semi auto but its not to be compared with the semprio in my opinion.

Paal