Brno Model 5 .22LR from 1958

[pintosal]

I only got into rimfire shooting in 2010, and my first purchase was a second-hand 1987 CZ 452 which I use for target shooting. With a decent Hawke Sidewinder scope it's extremely accurate. At 100 yards, on a rest with Lapua Center-X and not too much wind, it will group 5 shots in 1" (assuming I do my bit as wel.

Well, I was hooked, and now my HW100T rarely gets an outing.

My next mistake was to join the Rimfire Central forum. There I started to get interested in Brno rimfires, which were the CZ predecessors.

I decided to buy myself a Brno, and after much soul-searching I narrowed my choice to a Model 1 or Model 5.

A search on Guntrader and Gunstar identified quite a few potential candidates. I tracked down a Model 5, but too far away for me to view. I took a chance and had it sent to my local RFD. As it happened, the description and conversations with the vendor were honest, and I was very pleased with the physical condition of the rifle, especially as it only cost £150.

The Brno was made in 1958. The bluing was undamaged, and the metalwork was rust free. The beech stock had some marks, but nothing serious.

Although it had all its open sights, my eye sight demands a scope. I was happy with the Hawke Sidewinder, so my next purchase was a very good second hand Sidewinder, bought from this forum. But the Brno dovetails are non-standard 16mm, so Ramsbottoms provided an adapter down to 11mm.

I was now all set to see how well it would shoot.

A quick pull-through with the boresnake and I was ready.

I set up my targets at 100 yards, and tried out my CZ 452 favourite ammo, the Lapua Center-X.

Everything felt fairly tight, despite the Brno being 53 years old! The bolt was rather hard work, and the ejectors did not extract the cartridge cases consistently. The trigger was quite heavy, but without creep. But because the trigger was so heavy, I was snatching my shots which were going left and right.

So, the works needed some attention. I dismantled the trigger without too much difficulty. I fitted a much lighter spring supplied by YoDave who advertises on the well known auction site. I also stripped down the bolt, and thoroughly cleaned the extractors. The bolt was gummed up with oily goo on the striker spring and the extractors. This was easily cured with a good clean up and a spray of gun oil. What struck me about the bolt was how little wear was evident, so clearly this rifle had led a leisurely existence.

The transformation was striking. The trigger was now nice and light, which cured the tendency to snatch. The bolt was now smooth and extraction was 100% reliable.

Back to the range. The rifle was now grouping well at 100 yards.

I can't yet say that Brno is as consistently accurate as the CZ. But I am sure that as I get used to shooting it, as the light improves, and as the wind drops, then the good groupings will follow.

I am looking forward to learning to use the Brno more effectively, and I am really enjoying it so far.

If anyone else is thinking about buying one of these vintage Brnos, I can highly recommend it. The build and quality of these old rimfire rifles is outstanding, and they are very affordable. And shooting it is fun.

[Nitro-Express]

I have a 1987 BRNO mod 2E, and as you say, with no wind and do your bit it will do 1" at 100 yds from a benchrest bag.

I also use a 1958 BRNO ZKW465 in .22 Hornet (forerunner of the CZ 527). With 12.6 grains of Lil'gun and a 35 grain V-max it usually does one ragged hole for 3 shots at 100 yds, and almost never groups outside about .4"

[lucky trigger]

They are great rifles i have a 1981 brno model 2e. Its a real tack driver with eley subs. I removed the rear adjustable iron sight to accommodate a scope with a larger objective and cut three coils off the original trigger spring to improve trigger pull.
Lt

[Fireball 17]

I've got a 1968 mod 2 good fun from an old gun and only cost me £80

[bigoak]

Wow 80 and 150 pounds, these guns are bargains.
My Dad has a Brno Mod 5 . Easily the best of all the old Brnos. I have a Late 80s vintage Mod 2, which shoots well.
I also have a Anschutz 1710 which is a little more accurate than my old Brno, yet I cant shoot better field rifle scores with it.

[amyo]

I agree I shoot a 1954. Model and found it very accurate and would not part with it