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Miroku MK60 Lightweight Hunter

First seen at this year’s IWA, Miroku’s new lightweight 20-bore game gun is put through its paces by Mark Stone

By virtue of the fact this MK60 is a Grade 1, or basic version it comes complete with what you’d call a biodegradable case, in other words a cardboard box, although a plastic version is available as an accessory. Likewise, the visuals don’t especially inspire the senses, which is a positive travesty as once you let it drift effortlessly to your shoulder it really shows its true colours. 

Part of Miroku’s oft overlooked series, all MK60’s come with fixed ¼ and ¾ choking. Equally, the matte lacquered finish of the semi pistol grip stock and Schnable forend boasts alarmingly sharp chequering and a smooth and solid butt plate, all of which are universal to these lower grade smoothbores. That said, dimensionally the woodwork is as near ideal as anyone could possibly require for a near prefect game gun layout. The drop at comb and heel is 1 7/8” and 2 3/8” respectively combined with a marginally longer pull length of 14 7/8”.

Positive steel

The Hunter’s 20-bore’s action is the familiar trapdoor variant, the staple diet of Miroku’s old and new. Scroll work adorns both sides of the steel receiver along with the base whilst the fences, tangs and trigger guard require nothing more ornate than the satin finish to perform their tasks.

Topped off with a 6mm vented top rib and white lozenge bead, the gloss blacked 28” barrels are of the usual high quality we’ve all come to expect from Miroku, the solid mid rib emphasising this gun’s game orientation. Culminating in 3” maximum chambers, even before a shot was fired this little MK60 exhibited all the usual traits and sensation that have made each and every Miroku the indestructible shotguns they’ve become. Please do remember though that with ¾ restrictions in the top tube you can only safely shoot steel shot through the bottom barrel.

Not for clays

Though initially you might not consider this MK60 primarily as a clay breaker, I found it one of the sweetest Skeet guns you’ll ever use, irrespective of the ¼ - ¾ fixed choking. Similarly, when it comes to Sporting you’ll rock your fellow competitors on their heels with this little 20.

By using the safety-catch barrel selector, irrespective of whichever of Coniston SG’s disciplines or birds, at no time did the Hunter Lightweight feel awkward, each charge of 24 gram Express Super 20, #8’s finding their target over 95% of the time. In fact so well balanced is this MK60, shooting ‘gun down’ became a pleasure so rapidly did the stock locate within the shoulder pocket presenting as near perfect sight picture as its possible to find, bespoke or otherwise. Even the slightly weighty 5½lbs trigger pulls are crisp and predictable even if marginally heavy. 

What is interesting is that even though this lightweight gun is exactly that; tipping the scales at an exact 6lbs, the build and stock head angles more or less eliminates the more unpleasant effect of either felt or perceived recoil. Even when more powerful loads were chambered the MK60 still remained more than comfortable to use. Balancing exactly on the hinge pins the Hunter Lightweight’s mass sits between the hands allowing the muzzles to find their exact placement, to a degree that either maintained lead or just bringing the gun up at the last moment is a joy on even the most difficult or wind blown of birds.   

Must have 

It’s safe to say that after shooting this MK60 I can’t wait to try it on game. For many shooters the move to a 20-bore tends to signify the onset of old age, with their faithful 12 now a bit too much of an overweight, recoiling handful. However, the Americans have been into what they refer to as sub-gauges for years and after using this Miroku it’s perfectly understandable, this diminutive sporter plucking targets from the sky with a degree of alacrity usually reserved for the most bespoke of smoothbores.

Designed for the lone shooter as they beat the boundaries or the ideal walked-up shotgun for the occasional shot at a lone pheasant, if Miroku aren’t careful they’ll undersell this MK60. If I had to criticise it’d be the grade of the test gun, the basic spec and overly prickly checkering detracting from its obvious abilities. Likewise when balanced against its competition the asking price of £1,200 may make it look slightly over priced by comparison if aesthetics are of importance. 

In my work shotguns come and go, some of them decidedly better than others, with the majority easily forgotten. But in the case of this Miroku irrespective of whether I acquire one or not, it will hence forth be at the top of my list as a gun you simply must own and shoot at some point in time. It tends to be a rarity that I give a product my ‘thoroughly recommended’ seal of approval. However, in the case of Miroku’s 20-bore Hunter Lightweight I can’t find a single valid reason why you shouldn’t buy one the moment they become available.

Technical Specifications
Name	Miroku MK60 Hunter Lightweight Grade 1
Calibre	20-bore/3” chamber
Type	over & under
Barrels	28”
Weight	8lbs 4oz
Choking	fixed ¼ & ¾
Price	£1,200

All Prices Are Guides Due to the Changes in US & European Exchange Rates

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