BRNO Combination O/U

ligonierbill · September 3, 2021, 04:49 AM

Anyone have experience with the ZH 300 series? These are rifle over shotgun in European calibers (Savage High Power is still used there.) and are relatively inexpensive.

wachtelhund1 · September 5, 2021, 03:08 AM

Shotgun/rifle o/u combination guns are popular in Europe. More than 95% of them are shotgun over rifle barrel combinations. The rifle barrel being below the shotgun was because the rifle calibers generally produce higher pressures. Being placed on the bottom they are closer to the pivot point of the action. Most of these combination guns begin around $2000.00 and up. The Brno 300 is one of the exceptions, with the rifle barrel over the shotgun. Usually costing less than $1,000.00 in Europe. It is an entry gun into European hunting culture and traditions.

I own two of these: a Sabatti 12ga/6.5X57 and a Valmet 12ga/223 rem.

ligonierbill · September 5, 2021, 03:57 PM

OK, I did buy one. So the next question is, is anyone shooting Savage 22 High Power, aka 5.6x52R? This looks like a coyote slayer, with the 1915 version of .223 over a 12 gauge.

wachtelhund1 · September 15, 2021, 12:51 PM

So lets see some pictures.

Ricklin · September 15, 2021, 04:56 PM

Love to see some Euro combination guns. The Savages have gotten quite pricey in recent years. They were always a low buck gun when I was a kid.

Is anyone in America making a combo gun currently?

Seedy Character · September 15, 2021, 07:08 PM

.22HP is an awesome cartridge. Brass can be a challenge. Ballistics very close to .223

105kw · September 16, 2021, 10:33 AM

22 Savage HI Power
Brass was a necked down 25-35. Maybe 30-30 would work.
Diameter is .228, FWIW, RWS still lists ammo, and bullets.

ligonierbill · September 17, 2021, 09:25 PM

Pictures and more when I get home next week and pick up the gun.

ligonierbill · October 16, 2021, 04:12 PM

Took awhile for my FFL and me to get together, but here is the combo gun. It's 12 gauge 2 3/4" IM choke under 22 Savage Hi Power (5.6x52R). As rumored, it is hell for stout, not a lightweight. I have acquired brass, dies, and some bullets, plus a box of S&B 70 gr commercial ammo. I mounted an old Cabela's Pine Ridge 2-7X, and we shall see if she deserves better. Looking forward to some range time.

Jim Watson · October 17, 2021, 08:23 AM

That is an interesting action, it does not operate like anybody else's OU that I know of.

FITASC · October 17, 2021, 09:27 AM

??? What is so different? It has a top lever, Kersten cross bolt design; looks just fine to me. OP - how does it shoot?

ligonierbill · October 17, 2021, 09:36 AM

We will see how she shoots this week, at least with commercial ammo.

ligonierbill · October 21, 2021, 12:22 PM

OK, brief range report. First, operation. The action is somewhat unique, in that the breach block moves back when you break it open. The safety is on the front of the trigger guard - you push it forward with your trigger finger to fire. The front trigger fires the top (rifle) barrel, but if you pull the rear trigger once, a second pull will also fire the top barrel. Why? These actions come in O/U shotgun, and that would sure make for a quick second shot.

I was shooting some (used to be) cheap S&B 70 gr. rounds. Did not set up the chrono, but I got it shooting 2" high at 100 and did a quick 3-shot group: 1 1/2". I'm sure I can do better with my loads. I also need to see how that shotgun barrel patterns.

ligonierbill · October 28, 2021, 10:46 AM

Since "Bruno" proved herself worthy, I replaced the Pine Ridge 2-7X with a "vintage" Weaver K8-1. It's not an old gun, but it is an old timey concept, and this scope matches it. The old Weaver has great glass, but what I had not counted on was that it is 15" long! But it fits and dialed right in on the laser sighter. Time for some serious range work.

September 3, 2021, 04:49 AM	#1
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	BRNO Combination O/U Anyone have experience with the ZH 300 series? These are rifle over shotgun in European calibers (Savage High Power is still used there.) and are relatively inexpensive.

September 15, 2021, 04:56 PM	#5
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,011	Please Love to see some Euro combination guns. The Savages have gotten quite pricey in recent years. They were always a low buck gun when I was a kid. Is anyone in America making a combo gun currently? __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

October 17, 2021, 09:27 AM	#11
FITASC Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 2014 Posts: 6,440	??? What is so different? It has a top lever, Kersten cross bolt design; looks just fine to me. OP - how does it shoot? __________________ "I believe that people have a right to decide their own destinies; people own themselves. I also believe that, in a democracy, government exists because (and only so long as) individual citizens give it a 'temporary license to exist'—in exchange for a promise that it will behave itself. In a democracy, you own the government—it doesn't own you."- Frank Zappa

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September 5, 2021, 03:08 AM	#2
wachtelhund1 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2007 Location: pelican lake, WI Posts: 413	Shotgun/rifle o/u combination guns are popular in Europe. More than 95% of them are shotgun over rifle barrel combinations. The rifle barrel being below the shotgun was because the rifle calibers generally produce higher pressures. Being placed on the bottom they are closer to the pivot point of the action. Most of these combination guns begin around $2000.00 and up. The Brno 300 is one of the exceptions, with the rifle barrel over the shotgun. Usually costing less than $1,000.00 in Europe. It is an entry gun into European hunting culture and traditions. I own two of these: a Sabatti 12ga/6.5X57 and a Valmet 12ga/223 rem.

September 5, 2021, 03:57 PM	#3
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	OK, I did buy one. So the next question is, is anyone shooting Savage 22 High Power, aka 5.6x52R? This looks like a coyote slayer, with the 1915 version of .223 over a 12 gauge.

September 15, 2021, 12:51 PM	#4
wachtelhund1 Senior Member Join Date: January 4, 2007 Location: pelican lake, WI Posts: 413	So lets see some pictures.

September 15, 2021, 07:08 PM	#6
Seedy Character Senior Member Join Date: July 5, 2021 Location: SW Okla Posts: 201	.22HP is an awesome cartridge. Brass can be a challenge. Ballistics very close to .223

September 16, 2021, 10:33 AM	#7
105kw Senior Member Join Date: June 30, 2017 Location: Columbia Basin Washington Posts: 413	22 Savage HI Power Brass was a necked down 25-35. Maybe 30-30 would work. Diameter is .228, FWIW, RWS still lists ammo, and bullets.

September 17, 2021, 09:25 PM	#8
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	Pictures and more when I get home next week and pick up the gun.

October 17, 2021, 08:23 AM	#10
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,529	That is an interesting action, it does not operate like anybody else's OU that I know of.

October 17, 2021, 09:36 AM	#12
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	We will see how she shoots this week, at least with commercial ammo.

October 21, 2021, 12:22 PM	#13
ligonierbill Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2007 Posts: 2,448	OK, brief range report. First, operation. The action is somewhat unique, in that the breach block moves back when you break it open. The safety is on the front of the trigger guard - you push it forward with your trigger finger to fire. The front trigger fires the top (rifle) barrel, but if you pull the rear trigger once, a second pull will also fire the top barrel. Why? These actions come in O/U shotgun, and that would sure make for a quick second shot. I was shooting some (used to be) cheap S&B 70 gr. rounds. Did not set up the chrono, but I got it shooting 2" high at 100 and did a quick 3-shot group: 1 1/2". I'm sure I can do better with my loads. I also need to see how that shotgun barrel patterns.