PUMA Hunter .22lr

[Harry Callahan]

Was in my RFD last weekend looking for HMR ammo and a nosey round, still no HMR ammo in and I'm getting frustrated... have been saving up (unsuccessfully) for a .22 since getting my renewal back with vacant slot in the autumn.

 

No decent 2nd hand .22s in my budget, but had a look at a brand new PUMA 16" with Synthetic stock sitting looking rather forgotten about. Ask the owner what's the script with them, he says he has sold 1 or 2 and owners seem happy. He used one and thought it was decent.

 

£200 with a cheap scope and mod, I have a better scope at home and no slot for another mod. £150 for rifle itself, any problems just return it. I had a bit play with it, and it's now in my cabinet.

 

As you will all know, it's based on a Brno/CZ452 - which is what my HMR is anyway, so It feels very familiar to me.

 

Weather has been rubbish here, since, but I finally got it out yesterday afternoon and zeroed at 75yards, with a wind picking up as I was fine tuning it... I was beating the *** out of a paper cup though so was fairly happy and continued plinking away.

 

150 rounds through it and I must admit I really like it - the magazine is awful, but one from a CZ452 fits so I will order one up. The bolt was rough and clunky but with a good bit of oil, and use, it has freed off and operates much more smoothly already.

 

Off out last night for a walk round 200 acres low ground on a neighbouring farm. Not too much out, and I emptied the mag on the first rabbit (too far out) and it still hopped away!!

 

Reloaded and moved on. Used my head a bit more and got nearer to the 75ish yards one the next few I saw, knocked them over no bother - nice head shots too.

 

Need to get out and give it more use, but I'm pleased as punch so far.

 

Scope is a Bushnell Sportsman 3-9x40 and a ASE Utra mod up front.