Rottweil 580 MkII

Recently upgraded by the expedient move of changing manufacturers, the new MkII range of Rottweil 580’s still embody a basic, honest build quality, a robust feel and decent value for money. By the way, don’t let the Germanic name confuse you, this shotgun’s Italian through and through. Designed to offer a full range of game and clay guns in a variety of gauges, the 20 bore seen here is the ideal choice for a junior or lady whilst being an idea entry into the smaller bores without going to the expense of purchasing one of the more upmarket example.

All In The Box

Lets face it, in an entry level shotgun all you need are the basics, something the 580 20 bore certainly delivers. A full set of five flush-fit chromed multi-chokes and key accompany the Rottweil in its cardboard box along with the relevant paperwork.

The sporter stock has a honeycombed rubber recoil pad with heel insert and a lacquered Schnabel forend with reasonably well defined panels of machine cut chequering. The plain and simple steel mechanical Italian boxlock action has had the ornamentation kept to a discreet minimum, a fine border complimented by small panels of scroll work whilst the heavily stippled, matte finished fences add to the looks whilst keeping heat shimmer at bay during prolonged bouts of shooting, the whole built around one of the most time proven designs in shotgunning.

Contrasting nicely, the top tang houses the gloss black top-lever and auto-safety barrel selector combination. The broad slightly raised, cross-cut surface of the full-sized safety operated easily with or without gloves. Echoing the finish and complimenting the deep black gloss of the barrels, the non-adjustable trigger blade and guard are well finished. As for the overall fit and general appearance of the 580, nothing is out of place and it’s exactly what you’d expect from a shotgun of this type and style.

The quality and finish of the barrels is exemplary as are the monobloc 2¾” chambers. Designed so as to allow the shooter to utilise the heaviest 20 bore loads, the barrels are chrome lined and steel proofed adding to the 580’s overall versatility. The barrels have a solid mid-rib, low vented top rib and small brass bead at the muzzle.

Rottweil have ensured the modern construction in no way hinders the gun’s classic looks, modern frill and additions thankfully reserved for their competition versions.     

Equally Measures

A game gun by definition the little 580 20 bore more than proved its worth around sixty or so of Bond & Bywater’s summer evening sporting clays. What I will say before the off is that as I’d suspected, the 580 was a fraction short in the stock for my own personal requirements although an additional thin spacer would be easily fitted if the 580 were to be my own personal shotgun.

The overall weight of 6lbs 4oz balances directly beneath the hinges which in turn allows the 30” barrels to flow easily between targets to a degree that you tend to start thinking they’re actually shorter than they actually are. Mount the 580 and there seems to be an instant familiarity, the flat sight plane along the 7mm vented game rib confirming the gun’s parallel nature whilst the 17/16” and 2¼” drops at comb and heel combined with a length of pull of 14 5/8” ensure this is still a full sized gun for adult shooters although most juniors and those of a more diminutive size should still feel comfortable when the 580’s mounted.

Loaded up with Express’ new 24 gram Super 20 Gauge plaswad loads along with ½ and ¾ chokes, its was the quality of pattern that instantly impressed. One of the most precisely thrown patterns I’ve encountered for quite a while, the 580 swung and moved between targets with the accuracy of a sub-gauge costing twice the price.

Initially the 6lbs trigger weight did seem to ease slightly although the rather harsh click did remain. That said during the overall process of finding and shooting the birds, the mechanical feel of the trigger was soon forgotten about and in no way detracted from the overall pleasure of shooting the 580 20 bore, no target seemingly too far away whilst the quality of kills was up there with the best, highlighting the emphasis that Rottweil have placed on barrel construction and finish.

More or less the ideal weight with the mass correctly distributed, other noticeable attributes are the slender forend and grip. Just as I’d look for them in a fast handling game gun, the proportions of both encourage fluid handling, the hands and arms able to direct the 580 to its next clay with the muzzles held at eye level, vision and upper body working as one with a gun that responds when and where required.     

Low Cost Option

Compared to my original encounter with the Rottweil range of shotguns, apart from the improvement in quality it’s the price that’s suffered from a serious hike by at least three hundred pounds over two or so years. A combination of the recession, annual price increases and the continually unstable euro, this entertaining little game gun now tips the financial scales at £1,005. Still a good buy when compared to the competition it’s the fact that the price has broken the thousand pound barrier that counts against the 580.

Where this 580 wins is in its lack of pretension, overall handling qualities and the fact it performs extremely well. Although it’ll never win any beauty contests, the 580’s honest, fuss free exterior means that unlike some of the more ornate, far more costly offerings, you’ll be more than tempted to try out this 20 bore on a variety of applications and discover for yourself just how versatile and rewarding this little shotgun can actually be. 

PRICE: £1,005 srp