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Musgrave 83

The History of Musgrave

The Musgrave company was founded in 1950 by Benjamin Musgrave who was a respected large-caliber target shooter in the 1930s. In 1933, he started testing and improving the accuracy of his Lee Enfield rifle, drawing the attention of other target shooters in South Africa. This attracted so much demand from South African target shooters from 1933 to 1950 that he eventually needed help managing the workload, so he had to bring in his son Trevor to help.

In 1952, Musgrave's reputation as a target shooter landed him a spot on the South African international team. During a competition in the UK, he met barrel manufacturer W.D. Lain. Lain agreed to train Trevor on his rifling machine, which was moved to South Africa in 1953, marking a new phase of the Musgraves' business. Later, they expanded their operation to include another son, Benny Musgrave Jr.

In 1969, Armscor approached the Musgrave family with an idea to start producing commercial hunting rifles. Musgrave became an Armscor subsidiary in 1971, and the first rifles were introduced a year later. In the following years, the company manufactured over 6000 hunting rifles annually using various designs and components. This included rifles with Santa Barbara Mauser actions as well as their action designs. For some time, Musgrave also produced .22LR rifles called Ambidex.

In the 1990s, after the arms embargo ended and South Africa democratized, the company began to struggle, and production eventually ceased. Their assets were sold off or moved to Vektor, a state-owned company. In 2009, businessman Frikkie du Plooy purchased the Musgrave brand, and master gunsmith Gary Barnes joined in 2011, helping to re-establish the company.

Even today, many Musgrave rifles are built on the VZ-24 variant of the Mauser Model 98 action. The company offers several hunting rifles including the Musgrave Field, Varmint, Hunter etc. In addition to these, they produce semi-automatic models such as the Musgrave AR 10-12, Musgrave AR 14, and Musgrave AR 16, and also offer a range of custom-built rifles using premium materials.

Musgrave Model 83 Rifle Review

The Musgrave Model 83 is a South African bolt action rifle built as a part of the Musgrave 80 series, featuring a push-feed bolt system with action produced by Musgrave. The Model 83 shares many components with the Model 90 but differs in some smaller construction parts such as the extractor, somewhat different magazine feed, and a slightly modified safety mechanism that were all updated on later 90 models.

It is available with a 610 mm (24-inch) free-floating barrel and is equipped with a rubber recoil pad. The triggers are produced by Musgrave and can be adjusted for the weight of the pull. The Model 83 features a three-position flag-style safety, located at the rear end of the bolt shroud which has three settings: a fire position, an unloading position that locks the cocking piece while allowing the bolt to be opened, and a safe position that locks both the cocking piece and the bolt. The release lever is positioned on the rear left side of the receiver.

The rifle is available in four calibers and has an integrated fixed magazine with a four-round capacity, covered by a steel floorplate. It comes with pre-installed iron sights: a front sight of a Williams-type ramp with bead and an adjustable rear sight for windage and elevation.

Musgrave Model 83, chambered for .270 Win.

Figure 1: Musgrave Model 83, chambered for .270 Win. (Source: https://www.gunafrica.co.za/classifieds/rifles/musgrave-model-83-270win-r10-500-71576.html)

Musgrave Model 83 Calibers

The rifle is available in the following calibers:

.243 Win.
.270 Win.
.308 Win.
.30-06 Spr.

Please note, while the action of the Musgrave 83 models is inspired by the Mauser design, the dimensions of the mounting holes on the receiver may vary. This is due to the fact that many older rifles had non-standard mounting holes, which could result in differing spreads between them. We kindly advise you to measure the distances between the holes on your model 83 before purchasing scope mounts.

Unfortunately, we were unable to find a picture of the bare receiver for the Musgrave Model 83 rifle. Should you happen to own this rifle and would be willing to send us some photos of the bare mounting surface (without scope mounts installed), we kindly ask you to contact us at info@optics-trade.eu

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Figure 2: The receiver of Musgrave model 83, chambered for .308 Win. (Source: https://www.gunafrica.co.za/classifieds/rifles/rifles-bolt-action/musgrave-mod-83-308-winchester-south-african-bolt-action-rifle-chambered-in-308-winchester-musgrave-mod-80-action-on-a-22-barrel-the-rifle-has-a-tasco-4-x40-scope-from-the-same-period-as-the-rifle-as-well-as-a-canvas-and-leather-sling-the-rifle-is-in-outstanding-original-condition-could-almost-be-described-as-pristine-54907.html)

Musgrave Model 83

Unfortunately, we were unable to find the exact dimensions of the mounting surface for this rifle. Should you happen to own Musgrave Model 83 and would be willing to share with us detailed information regarding holes spacings on the top of the receiver, please contact us at info@optics-trade.eu

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

For one-piece mounts to fit on a rifle, mounting surfaces on these rifles must match in every dimension.

Since we cannot confirm the exact B distance between the mounting holes on top of the receiver, we cannot provide you with the list of rifles, that have one-piece scope mounts interchangeable with Musgrave Model 83.

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

To meet interchangeability conditions, two-piece mounts must match in all dimensions except the B distance. B distance can vary because two-piece mounts can be installed and adjusted closer or further apart. Rifles that share two-piece scope mounts with Musgrave Model 83 are the following:

Musgrave Model 90

Best Scope Mounts for Musgrave Model 83

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Musgrave Model 83

There are not that many manufacturers who make scope mounts designed for the Musgrave Model 83 rifles. If you are looking for a detachable repeatable mounting solution for your Model 83, you might consider this two-piece pivot mount manufactured by the German company EAW. It is made of high-quality steel and comes with a thirty-year warranty.

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

If you happen to own this or any other rifle, we would appreciate it if you could help us expand our database by sending us some photos of the rifle receiver (the bare mounting surface of the rifle without the scope mounts installed). For your help, our company offers a fair return in terms of practical rewards.

Please send us an email for more information. You can contact us here: info@optics-trade.eu

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EAW Magnum pivot mount, 36 mm, Musgrave M 83, 90, 94

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EAW XS pivot mount, 36 mm, Musgrave M 83, 90, 94

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Musgrave 83

The History of Musgrave

Musgrave Model 83 Rifle Review

Musgrave Model 83 Calibers

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

Best Scope Mounts for Musgrave Model 83

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Musgrave Model 83

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

EAW Magnum pivot mount, 36 mm, Musgrave M 83, 90, 94

EAW XS pivot mount, 36 mm, Musgrave M 83, 90, 94

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Musgrave 83

The History of Musgrave

Musgrave Model 83 Rifle Review

Musgrave Model 83 Calibers

Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

Rifles That Have One-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

Rifles That Have Two-Piece Scope Mounts Interchangeable With Musgrave Model 83

Best Scope Mounts for Musgrave Model 83

Detachable Repeatable Scope Mounts for Musgrave Model 83

Help Us Build Our Riflescope Mounts Database

EAW Magnum pivot mount, 36 mm, Musgrave M 83, 90, 94

EAW XS pivot mount, 36 mm, Musgrave M 83, 90, 94

VIDEO

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