Knockabout/ utility rifles

[Hunt anything]

My .375 Ruger Alaskan, it goes in my truck on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and comes out on the 10th of February. That’s our Alabama deer season. I carry it on my daily noon time walks. It’s been to Africa and I’ve taken numerous hogs and whitetail here in the states.
It has the Houge stock and the 20”barrel. I shoot 300DGX out of it and carry some DGS in case I see something that I don’t want to ruin the skin of like a bobcat or a good haired coyote.

My daughter shooting it last year off of the sled.

 

[Beck]

They are all tools to me. I love my guns, and I try to keep them in good condition, but I don't sweat scratches or minor dents

 

[ldmay375]

My .375 Ruger Alaskan, it goes in my truck on the Saturday before Thanksgiving and comes out on the 10th of February. That’s our Alabama deer season. I carry it on my daily noon time walks. It’s been to Africa and I’ve taken numerous hogs and whitetail here in the states.
It has the Houge stock and the 20”barrel. I shoot 300DGX out of it and carry some DGS in case I see something that I don’t want to ruin the skin of like a bobcat or a good haired coyote.

My daughter shooting it last year off of the sled.

I have 20" 375 Ruger set up similar to my 416 Ruger. It was my primary moose-rifle, until I started using the 416 Ruger. I like it Lots ! The shorter barrels, stainless. and synthetics combinations are hard to beat.

 

[John A Flaws]

I have enjoyed this post and looking at everyone's rifles. It certainly reflects the different taste in firearms people have. The one that stands out to me as a thing of beauty is Jack Steven's grandfather sporter 30-40 Krag rifle.

 

[Hunt anything]

I have 20" 375 Ruger set up similar to my 416 Ruger. It was my primary moose-rifle, until I started using the 416 Ruger. I like it Lots ! The shorter barrels, stainless. and synthetics combinations are hard to beat.

I hope to one day take it to Alaska and hunt a moose, black bear or a grizzly. But those hunts except the black bear have gotten out of my price range.

Forgot, mine is topped with a Leopold VX 6 fire dot 1-6.

 

[mark-hunter]

Do you have a knockabout/ utility rifle?

I have some favorite rifles, yes. Safe queen, yes.
But all of them, are knockabout rifles!

In this dilemma at the beginning, I told my self and decided: I will use them all, I will not cry over scratches, and in the worst case, I will afford new stock and bluing after 10 years if need be.

Hard use is one thing, and on the other hand I treat my rifles fair, regular cleaning and maintenance. But superficial scratches I consider irrelevant.

I would treat Holland&Holland, Purdey, or Rigby just the same.
It has noting to do with commercial value of the rifle.

 

[Jack Stevens]

I have enjoyed this post and looking at everyone's rifles. It certainly reflects the different taste in firearms people have. The one that stands out to me as a thing of beauty is Jack Steven's grandfather sporter 30-40 Krag rifle.

Thank you!

A couple more pics of items I think make this one unique … When’s the last time you saw a checkered pistol grip with a custom grip cap on a Krag?

Or a knurled bolt knob?

Obviously Gramps put some hard-earned Depression-era greenbacks into this one, but I’ve got no idea who did the work. I’m certain it wasn’t someone named “Bubba.”