Which action is this?

[Warners]

Hey guys....can anyone tell me for sure which action this is? It's a H&R Model 340 rifle made in the 80's that I picked up at auction. It's chambered for 30-06 and it's in unfired condition. It's really a sweet rifle. I believe it's an Interarms Mark X action but could one of you gurus verify that for me?

Thanks much,

Warner


Here's a photo of the markings:

 

[jmr40]

Hard to say for sure, but that would be my guess as well. A little wider angle to see the bolt handle and safety would be helpful

 

[Abel]

Mauser-ish.

 

[Maverick223]

Yep, I would concur that it is a Mk. X Whitworth, but check the safety to be certain I have attached a few photos of mine, with markings which appear very similar.

 

[kenno]

PS
I find it a good idea to refrain from posting serial #s on the net.

 

[Maverick223]

PS
I find it a good idea to refrain from posting serial #s on the net.

Agreed, something I need to start doing more often...though most of my rifles (the above excepted) are somewhat rare so it becomes less of an issue (but a possible problem nonetheless).

 

[Warners]

Okay....fixed the serial number. Better? What is the risk, though? All of the guns that I recently bought at auction were advertised (on the net) with all of their serial numbers listed in the auction description. I'm not being sarcastic.....just wondering what the risk of someone knowing the serial number is.

Thanks guys,

Warner

 

[Maverick223]

What is the risk, though?

That some unscrupulous doofus will mark a illegitimate rifle with the same SN thus making yours a wanted firearm. There may be other detriments, but that is the only one I know of.

 

[Warners]

That some unscrupulous doofus will mark a illegitimate rifle with the same SN thus making yours a wanted firearm. There may be other detriments, but that is the only one I know of.

Ahh...okay....got it. Doesn't seem like much of a risk really, but why take any chances, right?

Thanks,

Warner

 

[Maverick223]

Doesn't seem like much of a risk really, but why take any chances, right?

That is precisely how I feel. Just remember that the more common the rifle (think MN, AK, SKS, AR, et al.) the greater the risk. This rifle is pretty safe IMO, but like you said...why risk it?

^ Anyone notice the abundance of acronyms...if I ever design a rifle, I am giving it an acronym, odds of success must be 2:1 over a long name.

 

[jmr40]

I think a more likely reason is this. Suppose someone breaks into my home and steals a couple of rifles. I have a $500 deductable that I want to cover. If I am a dishonest man I could provide the police with a complete description of your gun including the serial number and pictures and add it to the list of stolen items to collect additional insurance money.

At a later time if you try to sell the gun and the SN is run it will come back as a stolen gun. You probably won't go to jail, but may lose the rifle for a while and will have some explaining to do.

 

[Warners]

I think a more likely reason is this. Suppose someone breaks into my home and steals a couple of rifles. I have a $500 deductable that I want to cover. If I am a dishonest man I could provide the police with a complete description of your gun including the serial number and pictures and add it to the list of stolen items to collect additional insurance money.

At a later time if you try to sell the gun and the SN is run it will come back as a stolen gun. You probably won't go to jail, but may lose the rifle for a while and will have some explaining to do.

Good point.....

Warner

 

[Warners]

Hard to say for sure, but that would be my guess as well. A little wider angle to see the bolt handle and safety would be helpful

Here's a wider angle photo.....perhaps this will help. The bottom of the bolt handle is flat, with texture (checkering?) on it.

Warner

 

[Maverick223]

Yep, definitely a Mk. X. A good, reliable rifle IMO...I'd hang onto it.

 

[Warners]

Yep, definitely a Mk. X. A good, reliable rifle IMO...I'd hang onto it.

Thanks for the verification. I am thinking of putting this scope on my .22 rifle and taking the scope that I just bought for that (a Pentax Gameseeker 4-12x40) onto this rifle. Which scope rings should I be looking at? OR maybe I'll just buy another Gameseeker 4-12x40 for this rifle and leave the .22 alone....I like the scope (esp for the money! $63 club price from Sportsman's Guide). What do you think?

Thanks again,

Warner

 

[Maverick223]

What do you think?

Sounds like a plan, but I would leave the Pentax on the .22LR, and instead go with a Sightron (S-I or S-II) or Vortex (Diamondback) on the lower end of scopes. The Pentax Gameseeker will do just fine on that rimfire, but I like something a bit more robust and clear on a centerfire. Leupold VX-3s are available in gloss and look pretty good, but aren't worth the money IMO.

For rings/bases I would (and did) go with gloss blue Leupold QR rings and bases if you have sights on it (can't tell from your photos). IMO it is nice to retain the use of the sights just in case your scope is damaged in the field. A less expensive option is the Leupold QRW or warne QR Weaver style rings, using your existing mounts, but they aren't as solid and repeatable IMO. If there are no sights, or you don't plan to ever use them, I like the Leupold dual dovetail again in gloss blue to match the rifle. FWIW I am not really a Leupold guy (can't tell that from this post or my rifle pictured above), but their mounts tend to be good and are available in gloss (as are their scopes).

 

[CraigC]

That some unscrupulous doofus will mark a illegitimate rifle with the same SN thus making yours a wanted firearm. There may be other detriments, but that is the only one I know of.

Is there actually any documented evidence that this is a legitimate fear???

 

[USSR]

Which scope rings should I be looking at?

It appears you have Weaver bases. Personally, all I use now days with Weaver bases is the Burris Signature Zee rings. They have the synthetic inserts which grip the scope tube well, without putting marks on it. Plus, if you want to shoot long range, you can get the offset inserts which gives you additional elevation range.

Don

 

[Maverick223]

Is there actually any documented evidence that this is a legitimate fear?

Have no idea, just a rumor that I have heard. FWIW I have never heard of a case of someone using a SN for insurance purposes either, but it sounds plausible as well (more so IMO).

 

[jmr40]

Yes there is documented evidence. Several years ago a group of bear hunters had their SN's ran while while crossing into Canada. One of the rifles came up stolen. The rifle's owner had purchased the gun used and the previous owner had reported it stolen after his home was broken into. Several years after he had sold it.

The rifle owner was detained at the border until his local Sheriff vouched for him. He was allowed to continue his hunt, but did not get his rifle returned until he provided proof he actually owned the rifle. It was several months later and he had a receipt showing that he had returned the rifle to Remington for repairs prior to the rifle being reported stolen.

This is probably extremely rare. But it is so easy to just not include the SN. And I cannot think of any good reason to include the entire number anyway. Why make things easier for dishonest people.