Vic Harker gets his hands on a John Jeffries masterpiece – the Perugini & Visini Suprema DG2/RSR
“I achieved an excellent hold that immediately inspired confidence”
Specs
Maker:
Perugini & Visini
Model:
Suprema DG2/RSR Sporter
Bore:
12g
Action:
Flat spring, hand detachable trigger plate
Barrels:
32”
Chambers:
2¾” / 70mm
Chokes:
½ & ½ or to order
Rib:
Ramped reverse slope
Weight:
8lb 9oz
Price:
As test gun £15,500 inc VAT
UK Distributor:
John Jefferies-Custom Guns
The Supreme DG2/RSR has been developed and is marketed by John Jeffries through his company Custom Guns. The designation RSR stands for Reverse Slope Rib. I will elaborate on this feature later, but let us first take a look at the gun itself.
I have emphasised on other occasions that a Sporter gun’s specification is open to interpretation. John Jeffries’ ideas are based on the principle that Sporting clays should replicate game birds, so their presentation should resemble them in terms of distance and trajectory, and the gun used should also resemble a game gun. John Jeffries guns do, however, as his personal taste has always been for high birds; their long barrels reflect this, together with the inclusion of the RSR.
The RSR is still doing its job of providing the same POI as the standard RSR
This important feature solves the problem of incorporating a high stock without unduly raising the gun’s POI (point of impact) – the point at which the gun places the centre of the shot charge above and below the point of aim. The reverse slope rib therefore provides the shooter with all the visual advantages of a high stock without the gun shooting unreasonably high.
This is best achieved with a custom stock fitted by John Jeffries, which, with the benefits the RSR provides, is well worth the time and cost. All this applies to the P&V Suprema DG2/RSR, with the addition of a new short ramped section at the barrels’ breech ends that provide a more conventional appearance to the shooter, while the RSR is still doing its job of providing the same POI as the standard RSR.
The action
The Suprema DG2/RSR Sporter is an elegant and impressive gun
Machined from a single billet of high-grade steel, the action body’s low profile is both elegant and substantial. The original Jeffries RSR guns were built around the Perazzi MX8 action, and some still are. The barrels are jointed to the action by bearing surfaces machined at the sides of the monoblock that locate with shoulders integral to the action body’s interior walls.
As with all actions of this type, most of whose design originated with English makers such as Boss & Co and James Woodward, a split bolt moves forward each side of the breech face, and on the guns closure they engage with bites each side of the bottom barrel. In this way a particularly elegant appearance is achieved.
The lock-work for this type of action is equally satisfactory. Side by side hammers, usually powered by strong flat springs, are cocked by the forend iron on the opening of the gun to provide unmatched directness in operation, which is why most of the very best clay target guns adopt this design in varying forms. Another advantage of this form of trigger mechanism is that it can be adapted to provide a detachable trigger group. In the case of the DG2/RSR this is not included, but no doubt it could be included at extra cost.
The stock
The grip features a fairly tight radius, but it is also deep and slim
Although relatively easy to modify so far as dimensions are concerned, configuration is something you may have to live with. The stock on the test gun was particularly well designed. The grip featured a fairly tight radius, but it was also deep and slim, with wood relieved at the front of the comb, creating a hand-filling palm swell. Together with a trigger blade that was adjustable, I achieved an excellent hold that immediately inspired confidence.
The comb had an equally comfortable profile at the face, together with a slim, flat-backed recoil pad easily located into the shoulder. I had little to complain about, with the exception that the comb was low and not adjustable. This, of course, is a matter that can be solved before you buy the gun. There is also the option of a comb adjustable for height and cast with the choice of differing dimensions or the making of a custom stock. In my case, the adjustable comb could be the answer, but in the meantime I solved the problem with one of my comb raisers.
The barrels
On my scales the barrels weighed 1.632kg – in my view on the heavy side, even for 32” barrels. Fortunately, Perugini & Visini make guns that handle particularly well, and in the case of my test gun the barrels were so profiled as to bring most of the weight nicely between the hands.
Shooting Impressions
With a conventional rib the gun might well shoot high, but in the case of the RSR, point of aim equates to point of impact
I have shot with John Jeffries RSR guns on a number of occasions that allow a higher head position than usual, providing a better view of the target. With a conventional rib the gun might well shoot high, but in the case of the RSR, point of aim equates to point of impact. A trip to the pattern plate with the Suprema DG2/RSR revealed this gun was no exception. Pellet distribution from the half choke barrels with a selection of cartridges was equally encouraging and so, suitably impressed, I went on to shoot some clays.
John Jeffries stocks are made to order, but for the record the stock on my sample gun measured 35mm drop at face and 40mm at heel. For me this was fractionally low at the face and theoretically too high at the back. Nevertheless, I very much enjoyed shooting the Suprema.
With impeccable mechanical function in all departments, together with fine balance, the Supreme DG2/RSR comes highly recommended
In practice less drop at heel kept the P&V firmly in my shoulder while the comb raiser did the rest. I would emphasise the Suprema, like all John Jeffries guns, is to order, which of course includes stock fitting and dimensions. Tipping the scales at 8lb 9oz, it was no lightweight, but on most targets the extra weight helped.
As with all P&V guns, they are invariably a pleasure to shoot, and even more so with the Jeffries modifications. With impeccable mechanical function in all departments, together with fine balance, the Supreme DG2/RSR comes highly recommended.
This article originally appeared in the October 2017 issue of Clay Shooting magazine. For more great content like this, subscribe today at our secure online store www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk
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