OK, they're Czech. Anyone have experience with these? I see a 305 and a 342 on Gunbroker. Fairly compact guns, and relatively inexpensive. The 305 in the old Savage High Power (5.6x52R) interests me.

ligonierbill,
I think the different model numbers are just different barrel configurations( Combo, double rifle, double shotgun, etc, maybe also finish), the ZH actions are all basically alike. A German friend hunted with one in 7x57R/12ga., it was "hell for stout" and strong enough that the rifle barrel is on top.
Mike

I believe that the third number designates the caliber. Mine is a 305 12ga/5.6x52R(22HP) with a set of Tula choked(so I'm told) skeet barrels. I understand from other owners that while having two triggers one of the acts as a single non-selective trigger. Mine that started out as a combo gun (I added the skeet barrels) they are true double triggers.

I'm always on the lookout for a set of 28" 12ga barrels to make it a true travel a everywhere rig.



Great coyote calling rig in the the thicker stuff with the shotgun barrel yet is good to 300 yards on coyotes that hang up out there a ways..



Accurate too.

Your comments about the one of the two triggers recalls the original "double-Single" trigger developed by Val Browning for the Superposed shotgun in the 1930's. Great idea, but I'm guessing if it got out of sorts, perhaps a watchmaker could figure it out. I'd love to have such a nice set-up for 'yotes here in MI- but son-in-law and I, my varmint hunting partner give it another spin- one of us takes a 12 gauge full choke M12 scattergun, the other either a .220Swift or a .243Win-- love to shoot them 'yotes. RWTF

Foxie,
If you want one at a reasonable price, check out Simpson Ltd. They have recently imported several in 5.6x52R and 222 Mag. I have no connection with them.
Mike

The one above is a Simpson gun. I took a trip through that country a number of years ago and bought 5 weapons. I took a list of things I wanted to look at, they gave me a little section of counter to set up on and brought them out one by one. Nice people to work with. The Galesburg Municipal campground on the lake north of town is beautiful and set in a grove of huge old oak trees. The only downside is those oaks have the biggest acorns I've ever seen and when the hit the camper roof in the night you think your being attacked.

I have a CZ 584 combination gun, similar and I think a newer model. Very strong action, weighs about 7.25 lbs, very accurate rifle (7x57R) with adjustable trigger.

I have seen the BRNOs for sale with as many as six barrel sets, but have never handled one.

Oskar, there is a 16 ga barrel set for sale on Gunbroker. Not 12 ga, but not bad.

I did buy a BRNO ZH 305. I quickly found dies and brass for 5.6x52R, but no bullets yet. Yet another obsolete caliber to keep shooting.

What weight bullets are you looking for? I might have a box of Hornady 70gr

Hornady 70s are on my list. I did find some all copper Cutting Edge 60 grainers, but if you have Hornady to sell, I'm buying.

What does your new gun weigh? Please be sure to post how you like it once you get it shooting.

I will provide a writeup when I get a chance. Next few weeks will be devoted to hunting Namibian antelope. I did find a box of S&B ammo at a reasonable price.

I sent you a PM on the bullets..

ligonierbill,
You can also use 30-30 cases, the world is full of them, so would be much cheaper. Just watch neck thickness and trim to length and to square necks.
Mike

If using .30-30 cases a 25-35 Dies sizing die works well as an intermediate forming die.

A .22-250 die can be used for neck sizing if you have to use .224 bullets.

If you cannot get enough .227 or .228 bullets you may find flat base .224 bullets upset enough to work.

In a a take down Savage 1899 .22 HP I got reasonable accuracy with 50 grain Sako .224 solids. They had a slight hollow to the exposed lead at the base which no doubt helped them to upset to fill the grooves.

While searching for .228" bullets for my 5.6x61R Vh SE, I discovered that Buffalo Arms had them in about 3 different weights.
Mike

Buffalo Arms 55gr .228 bullet is my goto for coyote hunting with my 5.6x52R. For me it has been a very accurate bullet and leaves the pelts in really good condition yet dropping the coyotes in their tracks.

Been away from the computer a couple days. Oskar, I answered your PM. I have seen the Buffalo Arms bullet selection, and I have an "inform when in stock" note with them. I did buy some 5.6x52R cases from them, along with dies. But good advice on the 30-30 cases. I have a bunch, and I have 25-35 cases and dies.

When using 30-30 cases be sure to check neck thickness to make sure your chamber has enough room, if not you'll have to turn the necks.

I make 6.5x58R cases from 9.3x72R and the necks get very thick, much thicker than commercially available cases but I have a very generous chamber so they work well.

You can see here how thick they get. 243 Win on left for size comparison

I have just found a write up in the German Pirsch hunting magazine from June 2016.
Brünner ZH Model numbers
301 7x57R & 12/70 60 cm barrels
302 12/70 & 12/70 66 cm barrels
303 12/70 & 12/70 76 cm barrels
304 7x57R & 12/70 60 cm barrels
305 5.6x52R & 12/70 60 cm barrels
306 5.6x52R Mag & 12/70 60 cm barrels
307 .22 Hornet & 12/70 60 cm barrels
308 7x65R & 12/70 60 cm barrels
309 8x57 IRS & 12/70 60 cm barrels
321 16/70 & 16/70 60 cm barrels
324 7x57R & 16/70 60 cm barrels
325 7x65R & 16/70 60 cm barrels
344 7x57R & 7x57R 60 cm barrels
345 7x65R & 7x65R 60 cm barrels
349 8x57 IRS & 8x57 IRS 60 cm barrels
3.4 to 3.5 kilograms
OAL 103 cms (I assume that is for the shorter barrels).
Mine is a 309 model I bought it new and have never shot it yet as it was to be for one of my daughters but she gave up on becoming a hunter.

a question, good sir....regarding model #306....what is a 5.6 x 52R Mag?

i have shot and loaded 22 savage hi-powers/5.6 x 52R rounds for many years....but am ignorant of there being a magnum version of that cartridge.

best regards,

tom

That looks to be a miss print. I believe it should be a 5.6x50R Mag a round developed by Heym to meet certain power requirements for hunting in Europe. I comes in rimmed and rimless version and uses a .224 bullet vs the .227/.228 bullet in the 5.6x52R. It looks very much like an extended 222 Rem Mag and the rimless version uses the same .378 bolt face as the 223 Rem and 222 Rem Mag. Here in the states it make a great predator hunting round, I use it in a V. Bernardelli Combo gun.

5.6x50R in the Bernardelli getting the job done. Just north of our southern border.


Just south of out northern border


Wish I had a BRNO in the 5.6x50R, missed one in an auction a few years back but the 5.6x52R works well also. Another southern coyote.

thanks Oskar...that sounds like the most likely explanation.

best regards,
tom