Franchi s new Horizon

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Franchi s new Horizon"

Bennett Watts
5 years ago
Views:

1 Horizon Franchi s new Con Kapralos gets up close with Franchi s first bolt-action centrefire rifle The Franchi Horizon as supplied for review. It is quite a handsome-looking rifle and available in a range of popular calibres. The global Beretta Holdings Group has some of the finest firearms and accessory brands under its umbrella, two of the most noticeable being the Finnish giants in Sako and Tikka. The current rifle varieties being produced in the Riihimaki plant are testament to the decades of rifle design, know-how and manufacture. Models such as the T3X, 85, TRG, Finnfire II, Quad and more are quality items that command premium price tags. The success of the Tikka T3/T3X in Australia has been nothing short of phenomenal and the Sako Model 85 still continues to be the pinnacle for hunters wanting the best. However, the very buoyant sub-$800 centrefire rifle sector is one area where the Beretta Holdings Group had a noticeable absence. Rather than produce a budget priced centrefire rifle in Finland through Sako or Tikka, the firm looked long and hard at its other firearm manufacturing plants and came up with a solution for Franchi, of Italy, to produce a brand new hunting rifle, aimed at taking on the likes of the Ruger American, Howa M1500, Browning AB3 and the Savage Axis. The Franchi Horizon was born! Quoting the advertising literature, An idea coming out from strong desire: the wish to cross over a new Horizon this, for us, is adventure. You can be certain that any rifle designed and manufactured by Franchi, which is actually a division of the fellow Italian arms maker Benelli, who both are renowned for their superb shotguns, would follow the standards set and maintained by these well-admired manufacturers. I had followed with interest the release of the Franchi Horizon at the IWA Outdoor Classic in Nuremberg in 2017 and shortly after asked Lorenzo Scribani Rossi, Beretta Australia s Senior Product Manager, for the opportunity to review the new Horizon rifle for SSAA once it had arrived in Australia. The Franchi Horizon up close The rifle is of a turn-bolt repeater configuration and was supplied in.308 Winchester. At first glance, it follows the majority of entry-level sporting rifles in that it comprises of a polymer (synthetic) stock and a blued barrelled action. Time to look at it a tad closer... The barrelled action The barrelled action is a typical arrangement which comprises of a cylindrical barstock receiver mated to the 22 (560mm) chrome-molybdenum barrel. The receiver measures 215mm x 35mm and its cylindrical profile is quite pleasant, lacking any harsh angles or slab-sided profiles, with the left side of the receiver having Horizon and Made in Italy inscribed into it, giving the rifle its identity. On the right-hand side, a well-proportioned ejection port runs at 77mm x 35mm, which allows easy loading of cartridges into the internal magazine from the port by hand and when required, enables the bolt to serve its purpose ejecting fired or unfired cases easily from the action. The 84 Australian Hunter

Moving to the bolt, this one-piece chrome-plated steel unit would have to be one of the biggest and heaviest I have encountered.

Case manipulation is provided by a spring-loaded plunger which protrudes through the bolt face and a claw extractor on the rim of the bolt head which works in tandem with the plunger to ensure fired

This ensures efficient bolt travel without any undue wobble.

2 top of the receiver, with its cylindrical profile, is drilled and tapped to accept the everpopular Remington 700-style scope bases, which makes it easy for scope mounting with whatever rings the user desires. To the rear left flank of the receiver is the boltrelease button, which measures 38mm x 5mm. It is quite large by normal standards but serves its purpose well. Moving to the bolt, this one-piece chrome-plated steel unit would have to be one of the biggest and heaviest I have encountered. Measuring 78mm x 25mm, it weighs 405g and encompasses a three-lug bolt head. Case manipulation is provided by a spring-loaded plunger which protrudes through the bolt face and a claw extractor on the rim of the bolt head which works in tandem with the plunger to ensure fired or unfired cases are easily cleared from the action. The bolt body has a long slot milled into it which mates up with a corresponding guide in the receiver wall. This ensures efficient bolt travel without any undue wobble. The rear of the bolt has a distinctive blued steel bolt shroud which with its triangular shape is very pronounced but blends in well with the lines of the rifle. It possesses a cocking indicator in its centre. The bolt handle is actually one of the best I have seen on current rifles and is obviously borrowed from tactical-style rifles. It comes to the hand smoothly and offers the user great manual dexterity when working the bolt. Rearward of the bolt handle notch is the two-position safety, which is operated through a small lever with a knurled surface. Forward enables the rifle to fire and back engages the safety by blocking the trigger. However, the bolt can still be cycled with the safety on to allow any chambered rounds to be removed. It is a standard arrangement which is found on many sporting rifles - simple, uncomplicated but effective and trouble-free. The trigger on the Horizon is fully adjustable and was set from the factory at a heavy 4lb. It could easily be modified to something around the 3lb mark but it was left as is for range testing. The trigger group did possess a metal trigger blade, something which is a nice touch on an entry-level rifle. The triggerguard and magazine box on the Horizon consists of a single piece unit made from polymer to which a steel floorplate is fitted to contain the four rounds that the internal magazine accommodates. A spring-loaded button located in the inside of the triggerguard releases the floorplate in the event that the magazine needs to be cleared of any loaded rounds. What is also pleasing to see is a polished steel magazine The action of the Horizon is of a turn-bolt repeating manner and is well laid out. The ejection port facilitates easy loading, by hand, of the internal box magazine. follower, rather than plastic which seems to be on most rifles in this price point. The barrel on the Horizon is of a sporter profile measuring 22 long (560mm) and is of a cold hammer forged construction. It tapers from 30mm at the knox form to 15mm at the muzzle and is pleasantly threaded in the traditional manner to the receiver. At the muzzle, a threaded segment allows the attachment of accessories such as muzzle brakes to the rifle and when not required, a protective knurled cap protects the thread from exposure and accidental damage. Internally, the review rifle being chambered in.308 Winchester, possesses a one in 11 rate of twist and is extremely well finished, with only the odd tooling mark evident, something which should smooth out once the barrel has fired a few rounds. Applying proper cleaning and maintenance should mean the barrel gives excellent accuracy and service as befits a hunting rifle. The twist rate should handle all bullet weights from 130 to 180 grains without any problems. As a user of factory > The bolt head with its three locking lugs, plunger and extractor made lock up and case manipulation very positive indeed. The bolt on the Franchi Horizon can only be described with one word massive! The characteristic triangular bolt shroud blends in with the Franchi XS design system quite well. The Horizon s trigger is fully adjustable and perfectly acceptable for a hunting rifle. Australian Hunter 85

ammunition, it would just require a few range sessions to ascertain what load shoots well in the rifle.

The stock The stock on the Horizon is your typical injection moulded polymer unit which dominates most rifles in this price bracket.

Gladly, the stock on the Horizon not only ticks the right boxes in regards to its function but its form is also pleasing to the eye, following Franchi s renowned Exclusive Style (XS).

The stock has three distinct panels of chequering on either side of the stock one around the pistol grip, one either side of the magazine well and one along the fore-end.

conditions or if your hands are sweaty. The stock also has integral sling swivel attachment points moulded into it and this is the one minus point on the whole rifle.

3 ammunition, it would just require a few range sessions to ascertain what load shoots well in the rifle. All the metal surfaces, with the exception of the bolt body, are polished off in a matte blue and the polymer triggerguard is finished in a similar manner. The stock The stock on the Horizon is your typical injection moulded polymer unit which dominates most rifles in this price bracket. Nevertheless, polymer stocks, if designed correctly, offer an excellent option to timber stocks, the most noticeable being their resistance to weather and environmental conditions. Gladly, the stock on the Horizon not only ticks the right boxes in regards to its function but its form is also pleasing to the eye, following Franchi s renowned Exclusive Style (XS). This ergonomic platform was developed by Franchi after analysing the habits of more than 1000 hunters, resulting in an All-Round Interlacement chequering pattern, which allows for quick and safe shouldering when in the field. The lines of the stock are based around a classic American profile, with a straight combed stock and no cheekpiece present. The pistol grip offers a palmswell to ensure better control when shooting from the bench or off-hand and also has a nice touch in an orange F (F for Franchi) moulded into the pistol grip cap. The stock has three distinct panels of chequering on either side of the stock one around the pistol grip, one either side of the magazine well and one along the fore-end. This should be sufficient to offer a slip-free grip in inclement The muzzle is threaded to accept any manner of barrel attachments. A nice knurled cap protects the threads when not in use. conditions or if your hands are sweaty. The stock also has integral sling swivel attachment points moulded into it and this is the one minus point on the whole rifle. For a few dollars more, QD-sling swivel studs would have looked far much neater than the integral anchoring points but having said that, the anchoring points will still do the job required in attaching a sling. To the rear of the stock, Franchi has utilised its Twin Shock Absorber (TSA) recoil pad system. This recoil pad is actually a well-appointed unit made to absorb heavy recoil effectively. Its The Franchi Horizon in its component form. specially designed profile helps direct recoil away from the shooter s face and it seemed to work really well on the rifle when range testing. It was fitted to the buttstock and complemented the stock. When the rifle was disassembled for photographic purposes, the bedding arrangement was clearly evident. Franchi decided to steer away from the traditional recoil lug under the receiver which mates with a recess in the stock and opt for an arrangement where a slot is machined into each A comparative view of the milled slots in the receiver and their relationship to the steel bedding blocks in the stock. The TSA recoil pad with its innovative design sure helps to absorb recoil. The buttstock of the Franchi Horizon with its clean lines and American-style stock profile. The grip is nice and open for a comfortable hold. 86 Australian Hunter

The traditional internal magazine with steel floorplate is a welcomed feature of the Franchi Horizon. side of the receiver either side of the front action screw.

It offers an excellent platform for achieving a free floating barrel but the rear tang of the receiver beds directly upon the polymer of the stock.

4 The traditional internal magazine with steel floorplate is a welcomed feature of the Franchi Horizon. side of the receiver either side of the front action screw. These slots correspond with two steel bedding blocks inletted into the side of the stock. It offers an excellent platform for achieving a free floating barrel but the rear tang of the receiver beds directly upon the polymer of the stock. A rear bedding block arrangement, similar to what is found up front, would have been a superior system. However, the arrangement as is should provide sufficient bedding and stability for the barrelled action. The Horizon test rifle in.308 Winchester has an overall length of 1075mm and weighs in at 2.99kg. At the range The Horizon test rifle in.308 Winchester makes a fine all-round firearm but a quality optic and scope mounting system is paramount for successful hunting. Beretta Australia supplied for testing a Burris Droptine riflescope in 3-9x40 together with Burris steel XTB bases and Zee Signature rings. I personally use the Burris XTB bases and Zee Signature rings on all my own rifles and have found them to be without comparison. Evaluating the rifle involved a series of range sessions during the summer and this meant shooting the rifle slowly, so as not to overheat the barrel in the warmer temperatures. Beretta Australia supplied a quantity of ammunition in Sako Racehead and Sellier & Bellot Training loads in.308 Winchester and I also put a few other makes through the rifle to assess its accuracy potential with a wide array of bullet weights. Testing Table 1 Range testing of factory ammunition at 100m Franchi Horizon.308 Win Factory load Best group Worst group Average** Sako Racehead 168gr HPBT (target load) 8mm 16mm 13mm Sellier & Bellot Training 150gr SPCE 17mm 28mm 22mm Hornady Steel Match 155gr BTHP (target load) 19mm 38mm 32mm OSA Buffalo River Sierra 135gr HP 16mm 30mm 23mm Hornady Custom 165gr Interlock BTSP 21mm 42mm 35mm **Average calculated from five three-shot groups > SSAA s COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO Shooting & Hunting IN AUSTRALIA Only $8.95 posted What s inside SSAA s Comprehensive Guide to Shooting & Hunting in Australia is an introductory publication intended for those new to the SSAA or to sports shooting and recreational hunting in general pages! Everything you need to know to get into shooting and hunting. Order online at ssaa.org.au or call Australian Hunter 87

would consist of shooting five three-shot groups at 100m, thoroughly cleaning the barrel between changes in ammunition.

controlled conditions shooting from a test bed, shooting the rifle at the range is a better and more realistic test of its accuracy.

The Horizon pleasingly shot three of the loads at an average of 1 MOA (25.4mm) or less, with only two of the loads giving averages above the 1 MOA figure.

However, the standout performer in this case was the Sako Racehead target load, with a five group average of just 13mm, with the smallest group coming in at only 8 mm!

5 would consist of shooting five three-shot groups at 100m, thoroughly cleaning the barrel between changes in ammunition. Franchi, like many other rifle manufacturers, is confident to offer the consumer a 1 MOA or less guarantee for three shots (using premium ammunition) and while this is possible inside a laboratory in controlled conditions shooting from a test bed, shooting the rifle at the range is a better and more realistic test of its accuracy. Testing five commercially available loads, some target and some hunting, would give the best indication of the rifle s potential. The Horizon pleasingly shot three of the loads at an average of 1 MOA (25.4mm) or less, with only two of the loads giving averages above the 1 MOA figure. For the hunting nature of the rifle, any of the three hunting loads tested would prove totally suitable for medium to large game or pest species encountered in Australia. However, the standout performer in this case was the Sako Racehead target load, with a five group average of just 13mm, with the smallest group coming in at only 8 mm! The rifle performed as expected and the Burris Droptine optic in 3-9x40 suited it perfectly. At a total weight of 3.57kg, it would make an excellent first rifle for someone new to hunting or a suitable additional rifle for a farmer or seasoned hunter. Conclusion The new Franchi Horizon offers another choice for consumers in the highly competitive sub-$800 centrefire rifle niche. Like its competitors, it is a feature-packed rifle that will give the prospective purchaser a platform to carry out some serious hunting, be it game species or pest control. It is available in five calibres and together with the backing of Beretta Australia and a seven-year warranty (on mechanical parts), this rifle will squarely be a top contender in the entry-level centrefire marketplace. More so, match it up with a quality Burris Droptine riflescope A variety of both target and hunting loads were evaluated through the Franchi Horizon in.308 Winchester at 100m. Some shot quite well, some not so. and Burris mounting hardware, then there is nothing left to do but go out and enjoy the horizon with the new Franchi Horizon rifle. The excellent news from Beretta Australia is that the Horizon range will be expanding, with a synthetic stainless model and the 6.5 Creedmoor calibre being added to the line-up in More tempting, a Limited Edition 150th Anniversary Franchi Horizon in Springfield with a blued/walnut finish is also on the cards in late The Horizon retails for $799 in bare rifle form and as tested (with the Burris optic and scope mounting hardware) is approximately $1250. For more information on the Franchi Horizon, ask your firearms retailer of visit the Beretta Australia website at Specifications Con Kapralos puts the Franchi Horizon through its paces at the range. Manufacturer: Benelli Armi S.p.A-Divisione Franchi, Urbino, Italy Model: Horizon Distributor: Beretta Australia Action: Turn-bolt repeater Barrel: Chrome Molybdenum cold hammer forged 22 (560mm), one in 11 rate of twist. Calibres:.308 Win (tested) also available in.243 Win,.270 Win, Sprg,.300 Win Mag Magazine: Internal box magazine with floorplate. Holds fourrounds (all calibres three rounds for magnum calibre) Overall length: Standard Calibre 1075 mm, Magnum Calibre 1125mm Weight: 2.99kg (bare - as tested) Metal finish: Matte blue Stock: Composite polymer Safety: Two-position Warranty: Seven years (on mechanical parts) RRP: $799 (bare rifle). As tested with Burris Droptine 3-9x40 riflescope and Burris scope mounting hardware - $ Australian Hunter

Precise and accurate are two words that

DIESEL n DUST Schultz & Larsen Hunter Traveller chambered in.270 Winchester Article and Photos by Editor Precise and accurate are two words that I would use to sum up Danish firearm manufacturer Schultz