MkII version of Rottweil’s 580 Sporter

Upgraded by virtue of a new manufacturer, the new MkII range of Rottweil 580 still embodies the basic, honest build quality these budget orientated shotguns have become known for. More or less the same irrespective of purpose or gauge, the 580 Sporter seen here boasts broad vented ribs, a high-visibility bead and a distinctly sporting attitude when compared to the rest. Apart from that virtually everything remains the same.

Bright and Breezy

Centred around the time honoured mechanical boxlock action that has graced many an Italian over-under, the semi-matte silvered action is ornamented with a picked out border line and light scroll work whilst heavy yet attracting stippling envelopes the fences. Similarly, the contrasting gloss black trigger-blade, guard, top-lever and safety catch echo the deep lustrous finish of the 30” monobloc barrels, a full set of flush-fit multi-chokes allowing the shooter to determine restrictions.

Elsewhere, the semi-matte theme continues in respect of the woodwork, both stock and well proportioned Schnabel fore-end benefiting from an attractive yet protective finish with panels of precise yet comfortable machine cut chequering. Where the revamped 580 design has capitalised is in the semi-pistol grip, the radius and contours promoting active gun handling in conjunction with the 580’s well balanced characteristics. 

Left of Centre

Hooking the 580 up to the Arrow Laser Shot the gun instantly dispelled my initial thoughts and assumptions, confirming that like the 20 bore, insufficient cast was still a failing of Rottweil’s redesign. Two or three dry mounts gave early impressions that the 580 would shoot nice and flat, just how I like a sporter to behave. However, taking aim at my favourite room corner indicated the 580 would more than likely shoot high and slightly to the left of the point of aim; something that was ably demonstrated over fifty of Rishton GC’s sporting targets.

Loaded up with Express Supremes, the 580 made short work of the first few stands of relatively close birds, the lack of cast and high shot placement not especially pronounced. However, long crossers, quartering birds and dropping clays were a different matter, my having to force the muzzles to the right or bring my left shoulder round meaning the gun was no longer mounted correctly whilst the amount underneath to hit a dropping bird was considerably more than expected, all of which frustrated somewhat - given this 580’s favourable dimensions. Weighing in at a comfortable and very manoeuvrable 7lbs 4oz, the drop and comb and heel are an ideal 17/16” and 25/16” with a 14 11/16” length of pull that combines with a slightly heavy though crisp breaking 6lbs 6oz average trigger weight. The 580 rotates and pivots an inch in front of the hinges with the mass centred in the leading hand. Add to this the excellent 10mm wide vented top-rib which gives the eye a broad ‘runway’ effect when locking onto a target and you’re theoretically onto a winner.

Like its 20 bore sibling, the 12 bore 580 Sporter’s ejectors are strong and well timed, whilst the 580 as a whole exhibits an ease of use more normally associated with far more expensive shotguns, albeit it would take a few more outings and a hundred or so more shells to back off the stiffness of the top-lever and manual safety barrel sequence selector.

Once again, the quality of the chokes and their resultant patterning was particularly impressive, the definition worthy of any shotgun currently available. Equally, even with Supremes loaded into the 3” chambers, the 580 more than dialled out the bulk of the recoil, the soft rubber honeycombed pad cushioning the effects of transmitted residue. Whilst I can live with a shotgun that shoots slightly high, I can’t in all honesty understand why the 580 has been built with hardly any cast. 

Almost There

As soon as you pick up the newly uprated 580 Sporter the gun feels right. It’s only when you start to shoot it that the lack of stock angle make its presence felt, which slightly detracts from what at heart should be a cracking little 12 bore sporter. It wouldn’t take a great deal to alter the head and cast angles so correcting this 580’s propensity to shoot slightly high and a tad left, the amounts required almost negligible to a degree its well worth mentioning the old adage. If, from the individual shooter’s point of view a shotgun’s a 1/16” out at the breech it equates to an eighteen inch discrepancy at a target of thirty yards. In other words you’ll shoot too far in front or slightly behind the bird unless you can work it all out and add on or subtract - dependant on the direction of the clay.

The problem is that at £1,005 the 580 Sporter has just stepped over that magical figure of £999 by just six pounds. Insignificant though it might well be, this Rottweil now drifts away from the budget sector and goes head to head with some serious, well known competition. If Rottweil could get the price back down to three figures and dial in the corrections then I’d have no problem whatsoever recommending this MkII 580 Sporter as an ideal clay breaker for someone starting out.

However, as I’ve already said, well made, well finished and comprehensively packaged as it is, at less than a thousand pounds you’d probably be tempted to have the stock modified by your local gun shop, a process that isn’t overly complicated. However, at just over thousand pounds albeit by a fraction, I’d personally expect it to be right from the off and given that I know which well respected Italian manufacturer produces the Rottweils, the fact this 580 isn’t bang on is something of a surprise. That said, whilst the MkII 580 Sporter didn’t suit me as well as it might, that’s not to say that it won’t fit you like a bespoke model.

PRICE: £1,005 srp