Swan barrels

[bigrich]

to steal a qoute from NRA members stix, " you can have my krico's when you take them from my cold dead hands ".

regards,

Baron Wolfgang Von Krico AKA bigrich

[Stix]

Dunno why rem ammo spits em low mate...maybe just where the barrel throws when they're on exit...(?)...dunno--hopefully some experts can shed light...

They sound like nice triggers mate...!

That name is too long, ill just shorten it to 'Bargang Vonco' i think...

[bigrich]

good on ya stix. did some more interweb surfing, and the 400 hundred series came with a trigger pull of 200 grams standard, or a 150 gr pull. but to get back on topic, swan barrels are a very good thing. 'cause they are good people are lined up. so be patient is my advice. it was worth the weight

[Rod_outbak]

I have a Krico 600 in .243; looks nigh identical to your 22-250 there.
Sweet rifle.
Inherited from my father, but given to me by my brother, after the plastic trigger guard had broken.
A shooting mate talked a gunsmith in Toowoomba to machine me up a drop-in alloy trigger guard, about 12 years back.

I had a gunsmith in Rockhampton fit a new stainless barrel in 2015; Surprisingly, the stainless barrel and alloy trigger guard now look almost factory, only 2-tone.
New barrel doesnt seem to heat up as quickly as the original; cant fathom why.
Rifle now shoots very consistently. It used to start to wander after 4-5 shots, wheras now its hitting the same spot even after 10 rounds.

Broke the firing pin in 2016; same gunsmith machined me up a new one.

From what I have researched, mine is a Krico M603 'Stecher', which should decode to a series 1 model 600(manuf. 1962-1983) in .243 win, with a single stage trigger.
The 22-250 model might have been the M604, as far as I can figure out.
Never seen the adjustable single trigger; I was only aware of the single stage, and the Double 'Set' trigger, which I think was called some like an 'Einschlabsug'.

The bolt seems like a toy, when compared to a Parker Hale (Mauser) or Winchester bolt.

A neighbour has the .222; looks like it might be the 2nd series.

A very sweet under-valued rifle, in my opinion. Mine happily pokks things way out past 350 metres; plenty good enough for me. Light as a feather, and bloody accurate.

Cheers,

Rod.

[bigrich]

thanks for the info Rod, it's really hard to get info on krico as they were a small business compared to some of the other makers. they seemed to have different models and model numbers for different foreign markets. at a educated guess, i think my model krico came with the double set triggers overseas . they are very light weight aren't they ? i bought a old 22lr 300 deluxe, made around '59 - '60 near as i can work out. wobbly worn trigger and out shot my CZ 2 E . been into krico's ever since. the actions are stronger than they look , the 700 series is just a longer version of the 600 series. they handle 30-06 , 8mm rem mag so must be good. gunsmiths tell me the steel is of high qaulity. krico's wear out barrels but not the actions apparently. swan barrels did a good job on my rifles, cant wait to do some more developement work on loads. any more info or leads on krico's in need of resuection would be appreciated rod , cheers,

[Rod_outbak]

No problems.

From what I know, the Krico rifle were sold in the US under the 'Tradewinds' brand, and I think later models were sold under the 'Husky' brand.
I know the Tradewinds models tended to use very similar model numbers to the one I have.

My understanding is that the company 'Kreigescorte & Co', of Stuttgart, have died and been reborn around 3 times. I have a suspicion that the factory is now based in another city in Europe, but that they still make actions for other manufacturers. Somewhere, I saw images of their current actions, and they look very similar to the action I have, but my understanding is they arent parts-compatible.

I do have a parts diagram somewhere; I think I downloaded it from an online book. Pretty low-res, but it gave me an idea on how hard it was going to be to replace the firing pin.
I have been told the Krico triggers are proprietry, and it's next to impossible to retro-fit another trigger to them. If it wasnt going to be a one-way street, I'd love to lighten the trigger slightly on this one, but it cant be un-done if it gets too light.

From the few notes I have:
====================================================
23/06/2015
---------------------------------------
Gunsmith [Stuart Gavin - Rockhampton] whom replaced the Krico barrel says he can likely machine a new firing pin for under $100, provided it isnt too complicated. [which he did - works perfectly]

There is a Kindle book titled "Bolt Action Rifles - Expanded 4th Edition". In it, the author details the Tradewinds M600 rifle, and I quote:-
[In 1968 TRADEWINDS, Inc., began importing a lightweight bolt-action sporting rifle they called the Tradewinds 600.
The rifles (in two versions) were made by Kriegeskorte & Co., Stuttgart-Hedelfingen, West Germany, makers of the well-known Krico brand rifles.
The 600S has a standard single-stage trigger and open sights, while the 600K has a double-set trigger and a barrel without sights.
Both have checkered walnut stocks, sling swivels, 23.62” barrels, and they were made in 222, 222 Magnum, 223, 22-250, 243 and 308.
All of the 22-caliber barrels have a rifling twist of one turn in 14”, the 243 has a 1:10” twist and the 308 a 1:12” twist. They weigh about 6.75 pounds.
Barreled actions were once available in the calibers listed above, the metal parts completely finished and blued, ready to be dropped into a stock.
The DS model features a double-set trigger, while the S model has a standard single-stage trigger.
Actions for the 222 cartridge family were designated Model 6128; that made for the 308 family, which includes the 22-250, was the Model 6357.

Zwoll, Wayne (2003-10-15). Bolt Action Rifles (Kindle Locations 18377-18383). F+W Media, Inc.. Kindle Edition.]

I found a basic parts diagram at the end of that chapter, that suggests it is a pretty simple firing pin.

My understanding is that our rifle is a Krico M603 'Stecher', which should decode to a series 1 model 600(manuf. 1962-1983) in .243 win, with a single stage trigger.

Model 601: .222 Remintgon - Neighbour has one of these
Model 602: .222 Remington Magnum
Model 603: .243 Winchester
Model 604: - Not Listed - Possibly .22-250
Model 605: .308 Winchester
Model 606: 5.6x57

Our Krico would likely be the equivalent of the Tradewinds M600S-6357 [.243 Win].

Interesting that it seems that by 1968, Krico were producing the same action for other brand names, rather than my understanding that they were re-branding for the US market.
It makes me wonder if there were other European rifle makers that used this action as well.
====================================================
Cheers,

Rod.

[bigrich]

thanks rod, that's a lot of detail. you've researched a fair bit.i actually have bought two magazines for my krico hornet . easy guy to deal with. i've got enough krico's for the moment, but i'm always on the lookout for anything rare and collectable. i had a weihrauch hw60j in 22 mag which had so many similarities to krico in design it's not funny. i think that's who krico turned into. very good qaulity rifles, fantastic triggers and very accurate. cheers mate

[bigrich]

sorry , meant to say i bought two mags of stewart gavin.easy to deal with fella. will keep him in mind if i cant get anything made in brisvegas

[bigrich]

well, tried different factory ammo in the hornet and this is the result. wind was a bit gusty at times (played havoc with my 22 lr ) better groups are possible .hornady 35gr v-max shot best. winchester 35gr varmit x second rem 45gr hp and PPU tied for third . considering cost and the good brass, PPU is good value. dirtys the bore quickly though , this swan barrel has had about 100 rounds through it now, so hoping groups tighten further. bit more practice by the nut behind the trigger will help too.

[Gunplumber]

Hi Rod “gunnnie” how is that Flamged going?

[Bristles1]

Alan has been doing work for me for 30 years. He is honest and does good work, now that his son is with him he is getting more organized and his 'office' work is better. He is busy and sometimes he needs a little push but he is generally very reliable. Give him a call and see what is the issue and I am sure he can accommodate you. He is one of the good guys.

[rustypic]

I have waited four and a half months for my Swan barrel so it had better be good, that's when I finally get it. To you guys with 22 Hornets, you have to hand-load to get anything good and I found I had to re-chamber to K Hornet to be really happy.

[axio]

Thinking about getting one of these from him, now theres stainless or chrome moly options

Understand chrome you have to get ceracoated or blued, other than that is there any reason to go one or the other? It will be going on a Howa 1500 stainless so i would assume getting a stainless barrel makes sense

[bigrich]

I have waited four and a half months for my Swan barrel so it had better be good, that's when I finally get it. To you guys with 22 Hornets, you have to hand-load to get anything good and I found I had to re-chamber to K Hornet to be really happy.

i've got moa out of winchester 22 hornet factory hollow points in the past , my swan barreled hornet does well with handloads , my madco barreled 6.5x55 does well also . both rifles respond well to handloads . as do others. if you want a affordable accurate rifle shooting factory ammo, get a tikka t3 with laminate stock in 223 , 1-9 twist barrel , decent scope and shoot the aussie outback with 69gn projectiles . i've seen many of these rifles shoot exceptionally well

[bigrich]

I think swan and madco makes good barrels. It can be a wait as both makers are very busy . Alan is a nice and knowledgeable old fella to chat to as well

[gunnnie]

Hi Rod “gunnnie” how is that Flamged going?

Hey mate, to be honest I haven't shot it in some time. Shoulder surgery, overseas deployment, working in Sydney & only home for a week every 2-2.5mths in the past few years, hasn't seen me on the range much. Have spent the majority of that little time on the pistol range.
But as to the rifle, I'm looking to change the rear sight & potentially front sight also. Not really happy with either one, so have been scouring the net over the past several months. I'm on long service leave at present & have been getting range time with my rifles, but the Lee is down the list a little.

I did source a qty of 200gn JFP pills, Sierra pills for the Win375. These feed very well from the magazine, certainly better than the Nosler 270's. So I will be doing some load work with these.

Actually, I have to re-stock my Zastava 9.3 so will look at taking the Lee with it when I hit the range next.

[perentie]

I have had my late wifes first F class target rifle, a Steyr Tactical Elite in .223 in there since March for a rebarrel. I know he is busy and I dont like to nag him so will just keep waiting. Good job I am not in a hurry.

[mchughcb]

I got a swan barrel earmarked for me. Not sure when the ETA is because the old lathe died and Grant is spending a bit of time catching up the jobs. Also Allan had an op so he's recovering.