Finding the one gun

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Having been through a phase of collecting more rifles than I need, I now feel an urge to get back to basics.
The idea of having one gun to do most everything is very appealing. I also like the idea of having many memories attached to one rifle.
Over the years I find myself reaching for a 30-06 more often than not. I would be confident using this for anything short of thick skinned dangerous game.
So the question is, what rifle. I’ve narrowed it down to two options. Either a Rigby Highland stalker or a semi custom based on a second hand rifle.
So, question is, what would you do? And if going the semi custom, would you choose a Brno Zkk, Brno ZG47 or Pre64 Mod70?
Thanks for your thoughts! This is half the fun

@Dan458
For me it would be a pre64 Winchester model 70.
Use some of the money you save for a really nice bespoke stock.
That way you have a beautiful, functional rifle at a fraction of the cost of a Rigby. The money you save by not going Rigby can go to another safari.
2 birds one stone. Nice semi custom rifle plus safari. Win win.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Blaser R8 and done.

Add barrels to the stock of your choosing for a range of options.

My wife and I did this years ago with our hunting rifles. Sold off nearly everything else and reach for a Blaser when going into the field. My choice is a 375H&H while my wife prefers a wood stocked 300WM. Here they are all packed up and ready to go.
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@BeeMaa
He wants class mate he doesn't want to play with a modular plastic Barbie rife
When will you learn young grasshopper. The R8 while functional is like me. Definitely NOT PRETTY.
A nice model 70 even the newer ones with some nice grade five walnut and he has form, function and beauty.
What more can a man want. Ah yeh free booze for life and a nice understanding wife.
I haven't done to bad, nice rifles and an understanding wife. As meat loaf said 2 out of 3 ain't bad
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

BeeMaa your wife has good taste in rifles and watches.

@Altitude sickness
That's true.
But if you have met @BeeMaa he's a nice bloke, generous to a tea but Mrs@ BeeMaa got cheated by him in the looks department. Must have been a dark night when they met.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I wouldn’t go custom in Australia Dan. There are some good gunsmiths around, but wait times are bloody long.
Not sure if it’s important to you, but think about resale. A Rigby will always be a better investment than a custom rifle.

@Schroeder
The best gunsmith I have come across is Rob Spittles of Meroo gunsmithing in Rylestone NSW.
HE is a master in wood and metal. I had him build an 1885 lowall for me. Kept the original half round half octagon barrel. He did a custom pistol grip stock in some nice luxus Circassian walnut then a custom scope mount.
Yes it took 18 months. Was the wait worth it. You bet it was. End result a beautiful rifle that is extremely accurate. There aren't to many 22 Hornets that will stack shots on to of each other.
Rob call it his only unfinished rifle, he would still like me to get it checkered. I'm still thinking about it.
Bob

Yes it does goe out hunting and has a couple of love scratches . It's a hunting rifle not a safe queen.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

There’s always a better caliber but I can’t imagine being unhappy with the 30-06 to hunt the world. The only competition in my mind was the 300WM but most of my hunting is medium sized deer so the extra noise and recoil just isn’t necessary. Having had my ammo lost on a recent safari, ammo availability is a factor in the decision.

What caliber would you choose?

@Dan458
As the merry-cans say. There ain't nothing 700 bucks and a good ought six won't handle.
Yes there may be better calibres like the 35 Whelen but ain't nought wrong with an '06.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Some of the most popular rifle calibers in Australia include:

• .243 Winchester
  A popular choice for hunting, with a minimum projectile weight of 85 grains.

SAKO makes a nice one!

Sorry Bob, just a fact…

@NIGHTHAWK
May be the most popular but also the most useless and I know this may upset our much loved @Dr Ray but a Sako is just a glorified tikka.
Neither are anything to write home about.
At least sakos are available in some nice calibres like 6.5x55 and 9.3x62. Dang I've even seed one in the grand 25-06. That one shot well and the action was as slick as baby snot but it had a plastic stock. Spoilt an otherwise nice rifle.
Bob

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

@BeeMaa
He wants class mate he doesn't want to play with a modular plastic Barbie rife
When will you learn young grasshopper. The R8 while functional is like me. Definitely NOT PRETTY.
A nice model 70 even the newer ones with some nice grade five walnut and he has form, function and beauty.
What more can a man want. Ah yeh free booze for life and a nice understanding wife.
I haven't done to bad, nice rifles and an understanding wife. As meat loaf said 2 out of 3 ain't bad
Bob

A friend of mine says "you don’t have to be gay to own a blasser, but it sure helps if you are"
Gumpy

 

[VertigoBE]

@Schroeder
The best gunsmith I have come across is Rob Spittles of Meroo gunsmithing in Rylestone NSW.
HE is a master in wood and metal. I had him build an 1885 lowall for me. Kept the original half round half octagon barrel. He did a custom pistol grip stock in some nice luxus Circassian walnut then a custom scope mount.
Yes it took 18 months. Was the wait worth it. You bet it was. End result a beautiful rifle that is extremely accurate. There aren't to many 22 Hornets that will stack shots on to of each other.
Rob call it his only unfinished rifle, he would still like me to get it checkered. I'm still thinking about it.
BobView attachment 645271View attachment 645272View attachment 645273
Yes it does goe out hunting and has a couple of love scratches . It's a hunting rifle not a safe queen.
Bob

You really should get that lovely rifle some checkering. Looks like a suit without a shirt and only a T-shirt.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

A friend of mine says "you don’t have to be gay to own a blasser, but it sure helps if you are"
Gumpy

@Grumpy gumpy
@BeeMaa may be very happy but he definitely ain't gay. Just happy.
I think it might be his wife I know it can't be the Barbie gun.
Bob

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK
May be the most popular but also the most useless and I know this may upset our much loved @Dr Ray but a Sako is just a glorified tikka.
Neither are anything to write home about.
At least sakos are available in some nice calibres like 6.5x55 and 9.3x62. Dang I've even seed one in the grand 25-06. That one shot well and the action was as slick as baby snot but it had a plastic stock. Spoilt an otherwise nice rifle.
Bob

I know, simple like me… But, we’re straight shooters!

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I know, simple like me… But, we’re straight shooters!

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@NIGHTHAWK
Very nice but what calibre. With all those lovely animals I know it's NOTa 243.
Bob

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK
Very nice but what calibre. With all those lovely animals I know it's NOTa 243.
Bob

Thats my First SAKO AV FINNBEAR DELUXE in .375 H&H. I still have it, but now I have a SAKO 85 L Left Hand in .375 H&H. Fairly plain compared to the FINNBEAR. Every bit as accurate... I've been thinking about selling it for a while because I don't use it. Sure is a nice rifle.

Thread 'Sako ~ AV Finnbear ~ .375 H&H Mag (Value?)'

Aug 28, 2023

Please help me figure out what this SAKO is worth. I bought it on consignment from Scheels Reno, I’m certain it was new or at least not hunted. It went on Safari with me to RSA where I took a Buff, Giraffe, Sable, and Zebra… I bought a new Leupold scope, sighted it in, and hunted it on one Safari in 2014 (I believe). Then put it back in the safe. I would be surprised if it had more than 20 Rounds through it…

It’s almost too pretty to hunt with. It has very light handling marks from the one hunt. Those can (likely) be buffed out. I didn’t bother trying…

It functioned flawlessly. I’ve...

• NIGHTHAWK
• Replies: 3
• Forum: Firearms & ammunition

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

@NIGHTHAWK
Very nice but what calibre. With all those lovely animals I know it's NOTa 243.
Bob

That .243 Tikka was bought so I could practice with it and get used to the action of my SAKO 85 L .375 H&H left hand that was on order. Otherwise, I didn't have much use for it at the time. It's not like I really needed or wanted a .243. I liked the way it shot, started hunting it, and kept it because it was so accurate. Then I took it on 3 Safaris and had a lot of luck with it. At some point I sent that Tikka to MOA RIfles and had them accurize it, mount a scope, and make custom ammo for it. They got rid of some of the plastic bits. It's still a TIkka, but a damned accurate one and a true killer.

 

[IvW]

All depends what you are hunting.......
The all round PG DG African caliber has always been the 375 H&H.....and it wont be un seated soon....

If built on a ZKK602 action to your specs and fit you have the Holy grail.....

 

[IvW]

Spiolsport
You are just killing that beautyfull caliber discussion...

HWL

Yip not the answer.......

 

[coreydb]

Having been through a phase of collecting more rifles than I need, I now feel an urge to get back to basics.
The idea of having one gun to do most everything is very appealing. I also like the idea of having many memories attached to one rifle.
Over the years I find myself reaching for a 30-06 more often than not. I would be confident using this for anything short of thick skinned dangerous game.
So the question is, what rifle. I’ve narrowed it down to two options. Either a Rigby Highland stalker or a semi custom based on a second hand rifle.
So, question is, what would you do? And if going the semi custom, would you choose a Brno Zkk, Brno ZG47 or Pre64 Mod70?
Thanks for your thoughts! This is half the fun

What would I do? Keep them all and forget narrowing down anything.

 

[CJW]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen I believe I have put my 2 cents in before, but please get that rifle checkered. It will look like a million bucks.

 

[Roosterlund]

Definitely Pre 64’ love .30-06. Sent one to Hart for new barrel. Having chambered to .280 AI. Just wanted something little different. Great hand loader cartridge.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen I believe I have put my 2 cents in before, but please get that rifle checkered. It will look like a million bucks.

@CJW
KL
Like other members here your opinion is worth far more than two cents. I'm still debating if and if I do what pattern.
I think a nice 29-24 lpi old time pattern would be nice. Don't want any of this fancy skipline or fleur de lis. That would be to much
Bob

 

[CJW]

@CJW
KL
Like other members here your opinion is worth far more than two cents. I'm still debating if and if I do what pattern.
I think a nice 29-24 lpi old time pattern would be nice. Don't want any of this fancy skipline or fleur de lis. That would be to much
Bob

I appreciate that.

Definitely simple fine line checkering. It will still allow the dark grain to shine through if done right.

Regardless, that's a cool rifle. Cool caliber as well. I need to own a single shot.