The Swedes loved the '96 action very much and never really progressed beyond it without using imported actions. I have three of these later '96 based guns now and have hunted with a custom '96 in 6.5 X 55 - the '96 is a great action in spite of its cock on close and no third safety lug - both over-rated features. I think my 8 X 57 is identical to yours. I have an earlier 8X57 with a thumb notch. I need to move these two along as I have the same rifle in 9.3X57 - all open sight rifles that have never had a hole drilled in them. I once complained to a friend that, "I had too many brush rifles." He calmly replied - "You don't have too many brush rifles - you just don't have enough brush."

John