Parker hale m85

[chosenman]

Parker Hale sniper rifle that should have won the Army contract as opposed to the L96??

Mmmmmmmm! Should have won the Army contract over the AI L96?? I'm not to sure about that. The L96 shoots like a demon and is the only rifle I have ever taken out of its cover and shot a V bull at 1000 yds first round cold. This thread alone has already criticised the M85 build quality. However it is a beautiful looking gun and has its place in British sniper rifle history, I fully intend getting one.

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Gil Boyd]

Chosenman,
After a great deal of research on the L96 and the M85 and speaking directly to those craftsman who worked on both rifles with blood sweat and tears, I found that it basically came down to which rifle caused the least dramas to change bits in the field or in an armourers hands, and the M85, although deemed a better rifle, lost out marginally.....sadly due to that one fact.
A real shame, as it closed one of the most respected historic manufacturers in the UK overnight Parker Hale.

Incidently both rifles produced unbelievable cold start first round results.
Again IMO it was a hairs width decision between them both.

I would be interested to hear from any ex Military SAC users like Peter Laidler who I would value his views on the M85 also. But I believe that to be a true statement.
One rifle I certainly won't be shifting in the near future.......I love it
Gil

[Maple_Leaf_Eh]

Mmmmmmmm! Should have won the Army contract over the AI L96?? I'm not to sure about that. The L96 shoots like a demon and is the only rifle I have ever taken out of its cover and shot a V bull at 1000 yds first round cold. This thread alone has already criticised the M85 build quality. However it is a beautiful looking gun and has its place in British sniper rifle history, I fully intend getting one.

My dad had a cold barrel V-bull with his Long Branch No.4T and the No.32 REL Mk II scope. I've told this story before; he was enroute to a vintage rifle match but wasn't sure of his zero. There was another match the week before, and when he arrived they were already at 1000yds. So, out of the chest with a single swab pass to dry the bore, and choose a good looking round of DA Mk VII ammunition. Look at the tables and screw up the elevation knob. Take a good aim. Bang. The target goes down, and comes up V! No sense arguing with perfection, and he retired the rifle to the chest.