|
BESSEMER, Ala. — The Steyr Arms Zephyr II rimfire rifle has been named a “Gray’s Best” in the Shooting Category in the most recent issue of Gray’s Sporting Journal, Vol. 43, Issue 7. This marks the second major award from a prestigious hunting and firearms publication in less than a month.
“Back in the 1960s, before inflation changed the rifle world, Steyr produced a high-quality 22 rimfire called the Zephyr,” wrote Gray’s Terry Wieland. “It combined the best steel, genuine walnut, nice styling, and Steyr's incomparable Austrian craftsmanship to produce a real rifle, for serious riflemen. The Zephyr disappeared from the American market around 1971, as European labor costs drove prices out of sight. At the same time, American .22s generally evolved into cheap, undersized guns aimed at the ‘kids and paupers’ market.”
“Now, Steyr has returned with the Zephyr II, a bolt-action sporting rifle, elegantly styled in steel and walnut, put together using Steyr’s modern CNC machinery and an Austrian eye for quality. Among the Zephyr’s virtues are a trigger rarely found these days, even on quality centerfire rifles, much less .22s, unless they are out-and-out target rifles. It’s a military-style two-stage trigger with a crisp release but is adjustable to shorten or even eliminate the initial take-up, according to preference.”
“It has a five-shot, detachable polymer clip. The walnut stock is modern Teutonic, with a Bavarian Cheekpiece and Schnabel forend; instead of checkering, there is laser-cut fish-scale pattern on the grip and forend. Overall styling is similar to sporting rifles from Steyr. At a list price of ($1,075), the Zephyr II is not cheap, but everyone should have one really good .22 on the rack. This may be it,” concluded Wieland.
Available in .17 HMR, .22 LR and .22 WMR, the Zephyr II has a cold-hammer-forged 19.7-inch barrel with an overall length of 39.2 inches. The rifle weighs 5.8 lbs. The Zephyr II is also available with a 1/2x28 threaded barrel for an additional $24.
The Zephyr II was also awarded a NRA Golden Bullseye as American Hunter’s Rifle of the Year. Be sure to visit the Steyr Arms USA booth (#10246) at SHOT Show to see this award-winning rifle.
About Steyr Arms
Established in 1864, Steyr Mannlicher, GmbH, is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious firearms manufacturers. Steyr’s comprehensive lines of premium hunting rifles and precision sporting and tactical firearms are technically mature, and their subtle elegance also communicates the harmony between appearance and substance. Steyr’s legendary SBS actions and cold-hammer-forged barrels are distinctive and unparalleled. Steyr Arms is the subsidiary headquarters of Steyr Mannlicher in the U.S., and it is also the exclusive importer for Merkel firearms, JAGDHUND and X JAGD apparel. For more information, contact Steyr Arms at 2530 Morgan Rd., Bessemer, AL 35022; call (205) 417-8644; or visit www.steyrarms.com.
Editorial Contact:
Mike Nischalke (703) 380-3595
Karen Lutto (830) 755-4308