Musgrave Mod 83
Musgrave Manufacturers and Distributors · Rifle · Discontinued
Also known as: Musgrave Model 83
Overview
The Musgrave Mod 83 is a South African bolt-action hunting rifle built by Musgrave of Bloemfontein around the company's Mod 80 push-feed action, a design blending Mauser and Winchester features. Fitted with a free-floating 22-inch barrel and a walnut or hardwood sporter stock, it was offered in popular plains-game chamberings such as the .308 Winchester and .30-06 Springfield. It formed part of the Musgrave 80-series sporting line produced until the original Bloemfontein operation closed in 1996.
Specifications
| Barrel Length | 559 mm (22.01") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 833 m/s (2733 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3371 J (2486 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 305 mm (12.01") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62 NATO — also known as 7.62x51mm NATO, 7.62x51mm
- .30-06 Springfield — also known as .30-06, 7.62x63mm
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Thumb Safety
- Features: Free Floating Barrel, Push Feed Bolt, Hinged Floorplate, Sporter Stock
Service history
Operators
- South African civilian hunters
Production
Built at the Musgrave factory in Bloemfontein until the original operation closed in 1996; the brand was later revived in 2009.
Origin
Country of origin: South Africa
Designer: Musgrave Manufacturers and Distributors
Discontinued: 1996
Notes
The Mod 83 shares the Mod 80 push-feed bolt action and free-floating barrel. Model-specific dimensions such as weight and overall length were not consistently published and vary between individual rifles; the barrel length is reported as 22 inches.
Background
Musgrave was founded in 1950 by South African target-shooting champion Ben Musgrave and his sons, who began by accurizing surplus military rifles before building a full line of hunting and target rifles that made Musgrave one of South Africa's most respected rifle makers.