Musgrave Model 90
Musgrave Manufacturers and Distributors · Rifle · Discontinued
Also known as: Musgrave Mod 90, Musgrave Impala Model 90
Overview
The Musgrave Model 90 is a South African bolt-action hunting rifle built around a modified Mauser bolt system machined from steel forgings, drawing design cues from both the Mauser K98 and the Winchester Model 70. It was the flagship of Musgrave of Bloemfontein and was offered in Standard, De Luxe, Light and Magnum grades chambered for popular sporting cartridges such as .243, .270, .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, 7x57mm and 7x64mm. Distinctive features include a safety catch mounted on top of the striker cover at the rear of the bolt, a four-round Mauser-style integral magazine, a hooded front sight and an adjustable rear sight, with the receiver drilled and tapped for a Weaver telescope mount.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 4200 g (148.2 oz) |
| Barrel Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Action Type | Bolt Action |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 4 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Internal |
| Muzzle Velocity | 838 m/s (2749 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 3412 J (2517 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 300 m (328 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Walnut |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .308 Winchester · primary · 7.62x51mm NATO — also known as .308 Win, 308 Winchester, 7.62x51mm NATO
- .30-06 Springfield — also known as .30-06, 7.62x63mm
- .243 Winchester — also known as .243 Win, 6.2x52mm
- .270 Winchester — also known as .270 Win
- 7x57mm Mauser — also known as 7x57, .275 Rigby, 7mm Mauser
Features
- Firing modes: Repeating
- Feed systems: Internal Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Striker Shroud Safety
- Features: Modified Mauser Action, Controlled Round Feed, Hooded Front Sight, Adjustable Rear Sight, Drilled And Tapped, Cheek Piece, Recoil Pad
Service history
Operators
- South African civilian hunters and target shooters
Production
Produced by Musgrave (Pty) Ltd. at Bloemfontein, South Africa; the firm was later absorbed into Denel/Armscor and continued under the Vektor name before the Musgrave brand was revived.
Origin
Country of origin: South Africa
Notes
The Model 82 Magnum is a longer-action derivative for belted-magnum cartridges. Sources give the Standard's empty weight as about 9.25 lb (4.2 kg) with a 24 in (610 mm) barrel and a four-round magazine. Overall length is not consistently published and is left null.
Background
Musgrave was founded in 1950 and quickly earned a reputation for accurate, robust sporting rifles; with the easing of South Africa's political isolation, the Model 90 became available to hunters in export markets as one of the country's premier home-grown big-game rifles.