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videos >Lynx 94 short-action
- By Pete Moore
-
0 Comments
- Last updated: 26/01/2017
0 Comments
Lynx Rifle & Pirkan Ase Ltd of Finland is a small bespoke company who produce probably 200 units per year. Here it’s a definite case of quality over quantity with rifles being near 100% handmade. I tested a Lynx Hunter about three years ago and found it to be a solid and accurate design. They also offer a number of other options - the Target, Hunter, Light Hunter, Silver Hunter (stainless grey laminate), plus the 94 English and Exhibition Class these last two being more fancy grades. Newer is the TD12 (Take Down) that uses an alloy chassis that the stock and barrel/action bolts too, plus the 94 Short Action (SA), which really caught my eye and is on test.
Though not too bothered by heavy rifles I always found the Lynx a bit bulky, so the new Short Action version came as a pleasant surprise. For example the Hunter tips the scale at 4.2 kg (9.25 lbs) where as the SA is 3.2 Kg (7 lbs). However, I should point out that this rifle is only available in 222 or 223 Remington, so for the UK that means varminting and small deer only and/ or Roe in Scotland.
The build is plain but of good quality with a nice piece of walnut done in the English style with a straight comb, no cheekpiece and long, angled grip. Chequering is well cut and grippy enough without feeling too aggressive; a black forend tip and grip cap finish it off nicely. Length of pull (LOP) is a generous 14.5” with a 1⁄4” spacer and slim rubber recoil pad. With its 21” light/medium barrel and an overall length of 41.75” the SA comes up as a handy rifle.
Unlike some modern rifles the Lynx shows an all-steel construction. The receiver is a simple tubular shape with an integral 15mm dovetail, which is also drilled and tapped for bases. The action is simple with a round bolt body and large T-handle located on the right. Locking is by a transverse plunger that engages with both sides of the action and offers a secure engagement. In terms of principle it’s identical to the Browning T-Bolt rimfire. Locking is to the rear of the ejection port so the bolt head does nothing but support the case in the chamber. Traditionally a rear-locking action can sometimes result in a lack of consistency; but not in this case!
“Traditionally a rear-locking action can sometimes result in a lack of consistency; but not in this case!”
The bolt face fully encloses the case head and shows a large extractor claw and a plunger-type ejector, as might be imagined ejection is positive to say the least! The action cocks on opening, which does feel a little firm initially but you soon get used to how to do it. Though ejection is 100% the actual port is a bit small to get your fingers into if you had the need. Controls consist of a magazine catch at the rear of the well, which pulls up and back, with the gun horizontal the mag will fall clear. Inside the large trigger guard is a vertical lug that is actually the bolt release; all you do is pull it down and slide the bolt out of the action. Rear left on the receiver is the safety catch, this is a basic, 2-position lever that pushes forward for FIRE and reverses for SAFE. It only operates when the action is cocked and when on SAFE locks bolt movement too.
Given the general good quality of the Lynx’s build this control is very basic being little more than a flat plate of metal bent over at the top and slotted for grip! Operation is not too bad, but it does mean you have to break your firing hand grip when operating. However, and given the bolt handle layout there’s not many other places you could put it!
As standard the Lynx Short Action in either 222 or 223 Remington offers a 5-shot magazine, pleasing is the fact you can get an 11-round version too. The build though strong is a bit basic with sharp corners and its spot-welded construction does not blend with the rest of the design, which is nicely engineered. The trigger shows a comfortable wide and curved blade, which is adjustable for weight and also length of pull. From the box it broke crisply at a pleasing 3 lbs and I considered it ideal!
My tester came with the 11-shot magazine and the barrel cut 14x1mm with spigot. Unsurprisingly Alan Rhone fitted an aimZonic Compact, muzzle-mounted moderator. Small and light it handled the 223 Rem chambering of the test gun nicely, adding no unnecessary weight or bulk. A treat for me was the fact the Lynx came with Ziegler Contra Claw ZP Mounts and rings.
This is a true QD system with a guaranteed return to zero ability. The forward base shows twin locating slots with exterior, ambidextrous sprung catches, the rear has two slots. The base of the rings (the feet) shows rearward facing hooks. All you do is locate the rear foot in the rear base, then ensuring it’s engaged push down the front foot so the forward ring pushes past the locking catch, which moves forward to locate and retain the scope/rings. To remove just pull back on the ambi catches and lift the scope up/ back and off. I have used many QD scope mounts over the years but the Zieglers are by far the best I have ever encountered! The Lynx came fitted with a Zeiss Diavari 2.5-10x50 Victory set in the first focal plane (FFP). I changed this for a Night Force NXS 3.5-15x56 with Zero Stop, for the simple reason it would allow me to determine accuracy better as it has a second focal plane (SFP) reticule, which stays the same size regardless of the magnification set.
My tester came in 223 Remington, which is probably the most popular .22” centrefire in the UK today. Though I like 222 it is on the decline and I reckon the majority of Short Action Lynx’s will be sold in 223, certainly in Britain. Pleasingly I discovered that Alan Rhone ordered the rifles with 1-9” twist rifling, which should allow them to shoot light/medium bullet weights of 50 – 62-grains. I shoot a Mauser M03 and the 223 barrel shows a 1-10” twist rate and for fox and small deer I use a 60-grain bullet. It’s a bit slower than a 55 doing around 3000 fps, but that extra 5-grains gives more energy on target and allows for a slightly stronger build too.
For testing I used GECO 56-grain Express and Hornady TAP Urban 60-grain V-MAX and TAP Barrier 62-grain soft tip. Of the three the GECO shot the best at a cool 1⁄2” and clocking 3178 fps @ 1193 ft/lbs. Both the TAP loads came in around the 3000 fps mark. The 60-grain Urban at 3099 fps/1290 ft/lbs and the Barrier 62-grain at 3025/1272 ft/lbs. These two were printing around .75” with the Urban perhaps acing the Barrier a tad. But for a 223 Rem healthy and useable figures in all bullet weights. I’d go for the Barrier for small deer as I feel the V-MAX could be a bit more destructive and by choice the Express for varminting.
The Lynx Short Action is a nice rifle, though the safety catch, which works fine given its location, is a bit rough on the edges. Calibre choice is limited, which is a pity as the build would suit numbers like 6mm BR, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC and 22 and 6mm PPC, some of which would lift it up into large deer legal too. Maybe some of those will be future options? The straight-pull action runs like it’s on rails with an ultra smooth push pull movement and the trigger delivers 100%. I would say to those new to this sort of action remember to cycle it fully as if you do not push it home until it stops then the firing pin will not contact the primer when the trigger is pulled, which is a failsafe feature of the mechanism.
At over £3000 the Lynx is not cheap, but then again it’s probably comparable to similar straight-pulls in terms of price. It’s built to last and also to shoot, staff writer Bruce Potts has a Lynx Target in 6.5x47 Lapua and loves its high accuracy potential!
MAGAZINES:
5 or 11 £145 each The Ziegler mounts as fitted £450 aimSonic Compact moderator £249 (fitting FOC if required)
PRICES: (inc VAT) £3,330
CONTACT: Alan Rhone, 01978 66 00 01 www.alanrhone.com, www.lynxrifles.fi
Comments
Lynx Rifle & Pirkan Ase Ltd of Finland is a small bespoke company who produce probably 200 units per year. Here it’s a definite case of quality over quantity with rifles being near 100% handmade. I tested a Lynx Hunter about three years ago and found it to be a solid and accurate design. They also offer a number of other options - the Target, Hunter, Light Hunter, Silver Hunter (stainless grey laminate), plus the 94 English and Exhibition Class these last two being more fancy grades. Newer is the TD12 (Take Down) that uses an alloy chassis that the stock and barrel/action bolts too, plus the 94 Short Action (SA), which really caught my eye and is on test.
Though not too bothered by heavy rifles I always found the Lynx a bit bulky, so the new Short Action version came as a pleasant surprise. For example the Hunter tips the scale at 4.2 kg (9.25 lbs) where as the SA is 3.2 Kg (7 lbs). However, I should point out that this rifle is only available in 222 or 223 Remington, so for the UK that means varminting and small deer only and/ or Roe in Scotland.
The build is plain but of good quality with a nice piece of walnut done in the English style with a straight comb, no cheekpiece and long, angled grip. Chequering is well cut and grippy enough without feeling too aggressive; a black forend tip and grip cap finish it off nicely. Length of pull (LOP) is a generous 14.5” with a 1⁄4” spacer and slim rubber recoil pad. With its 21” light/medium barrel and an overall length of 41.75” the SA comes up as a handy rifle.
Unlike some modern rifles the Lynx shows an all-steel construction. The receiver is a simple tubular shape with an integral 15mm dovetail, which is also drilled and tapped for bases. The action is simple with a round bolt body and large T-handle located on the right. Locking is by a transverse plunger that engages with both sides of the action and offers a secure engagement. In terms of principle it’s identical to the Browning T-Bolt rimfire. Locking is to the rear of the ejection port so the bolt head does nothing but support the case in the chamber. Traditionally a rear-locking action can sometimes result in a lack of consistency; but not in this case!
“Traditionally a rear-locking action can sometimes result in a lack of consistency; but not in this case!”
The bolt face fully encloses the case head and shows a large extractor claw and a plunger-type ejector, as might be imagined ejection is positive to say the least! The action cocks on opening, which does feel a little firm initially but you soon get used to how to do it. Though ejection is 100% the actual port is a bit small to get your fingers into if you had the need. Controls consist of a magazine catch at the rear of the well, which pulls up and back, with the gun horizontal the mag will fall clear. Inside the large trigger guard is a vertical lug that is actually the bolt release; all you do is pull it down and slide the bolt out of the action. Rear left on the receiver is the safety catch, this is a basic, 2-position lever that pushes forward for FIRE and reverses for SAFE. It only operates when the action is cocked and when on SAFE locks bolt movement too.
Given the general good quality of the Lynx’s build this control is very basic being little more than a flat plate of metal bent over at the top and slotted for grip! Operation is not too bad, but it does mean you have to break your firing hand grip when operating. However, and given the bolt handle layout there’s not many other places you could put it!
As standard the Lynx Short Action in either 222 or 223 Remington offers a 5-shot magazine, pleasing is the fact you can get an 11-round version too. The build though strong is a bit basic with sharp corners and its spot-welded construction does not blend with the rest of the design, which is nicely engineered. The trigger shows a comfortable wide and curved blade, which is adjustable for weight and also length of pull. From the box it broke crisply at a pleasing 3 lbs and I considered it ideal!
My tester came with the 11-shot magazine and the barrel cut 14x1mm with spigot. Unsurprisingly Alan Rhone fitted an aimZonic Compact, muzzle-mounted moderator. Small and light it handled the 223 Rem chambering of the test gun nicely, adding no unnecessary weight or bulk. A treat for me was the fact the Lynx came with Ziegler Contra Claw ZP Mounts and rings.
This is a true QD system with a guaranteed return to zero ability. The forward base shows twin locating slots with exterior, ambidextrous sprung catches, the rear has two slots. The base of the rings (the feet) shows rearward facing hooks. All you do is locate the rear foot in the rear base, then ensuring it’s engaged push down the front foot so the forward ring pushes past the locking catch, which moves forward to locate and retain the scope/rings. To remove just pull back on the ambi catches and lift the scope up/ back and off. I have used many QD scope mounts over the years but the Zieglers are by far the best I have ever encountered! The Lynx came fitted with a Zeiss Diavari 2.5-10x50 Victory set in the first focal plane (FFP). I changed this for a Night Force NXS 3.5-15x56 with Zero Stop, for the simple reason it would allow me to determine accuracy better as it has a second focal plane (SFP) reticule, which stays the same size regardless of the magnification set.
My tester came in 223 Remington, which is probably the most popular .22” centrefire in the UK today. Though I like 222 it is on the decline and I reckon the majority of Short Action Lynx’s will be sold in 223, certainly in Britain. Pleasingly I discovered that Alan Rhone ordered the rifles with 1-9” twist rifling, which should allow them to shoot light/medium bullet weights of 50 – 62-grains. I shoot a Mauser M03 and the 223 barrel shows a 1-10” twist rate and for fox and small deer I use a 60-grain bullet. It’s a bit slower than a 55 doing around 3000 fps, but that extra 5-grains gives more energy on target and allows for a slightly stronger build too.
For testing I used GECO 56-grain Express and Hornady TAP Urban 60-grain V-MAX and TAP Barrier 62-grain soft tip. Of the three the GECO shot the best at a cool 1⁄2” and clocking 3178 fps @ 1193 ft/lbs. Both the TAP loads came in around the 3000 fps mark. The 60-grain Urban at 3099 fps/1290 ft/lbs and the Barrier 62-grain at 3025/1272 ft/lbs. These two were printing around .75” with the Urban perhaps acing the Barrier a tad. But for a 223 Rem healthy and useable figures in all bullet weights. I’d go for the Barrier for small deer as I feel the V-MAX could be a bit more destructive and by choice the Express for varminting.
The Lynx Short Action is a nice rifle, though the safety catch, which works fine given its location, is a bit rough on the edges. Calibre choice is limited, which is a pity as the build would suit numbers like 6mm BR, 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC and 22 and 6mm PPC, some of which would lift it up into large deer legal too. Maybe some of those will be future options? The straight-pull action runs like it’s on rails with an ultra smooth push pull movement and the trigger delivers 100%. I would say to those new to this sort of action remember to cycle it fully as if you do not push it home until it stops then the firing pin will not contact the primer when the trigger is pulled, which is a failsafe feature of the mechanism.
At over £3000 the Lynx is not cheap, but then again it’s probably comparable to similar straight-pulls in terms of price. It’s built to last and also to shoot, staff writer Bruce Potts has a Lynx Target in 6.5x47 Lapua and loves its high accuracy potential!
MAGAZINES:
5 or 11 £145 each The Ziegler mounts as fitted £450 aimSonic Compact moderator £249 (fitting FOC if required)
PRICES: (inc VAT) £3,330
CONTACT: Alan Rhone, 01978 66 00 01 www.alanrhone.com, www.lynxrifles.fi
