Take down rifles

[Anand Sekhar]

Does anyone own a take down rifle or is thinking of getting one? I will be visiting Makura Hunting Rifles in Switzerland to look at their Take Down Ulrich model: http://www.makura.ch/en/take-down-rifles/the-system/

Let me know what you think of take downs and if there is anything you want to ask the people at Makura. I'll be doing a small write up for swissinfo.

 

[Bullthrower338]

I've been looking at the Sauer 404 a bit. Smooth action, great trigger and very versatile. Just trying to justify the cost in my head.
Cheers,
Cody

 

[Bert the Turtle]

Every time I carry a full length gun case through an airport I think I would have liked to have had a takedown rifle. The only regret I have with my custom 404 is that I didn't think to have it made as a takedown rifle.

 

[fourfive8]

Does anyone own a take down rifle or is thinking of getting one? I will be visiting Makura Hunting Rifles in Switzerland to look at their Take Down Ulrich model: http://www.makura.ch/en/take-down-rifles/the-system/

Let me know what you think of take downs and if there is anything you want to ask the people at Makura. I'll be doing a small write up for swissinfo.

View attachment 197530

Yes, I have several. And no they didn't cost 4+ prices as most factory take down designs do. They are all simple bolt action rifles- Montana 99, Win 70, Mauser, etc.
Here's my 450 Watts ready to go in a short, handy, super tough #1700 Pelican case. Two action screws and... presto instant "take down"

 

[Longwalker]

I have a Verney - Carron Impact plus Takedown in 9.3x62. Love it so far, but have not taken it hunting yet. It is one of the least expensive true takedown rifles on the market. Shoots accurately and always returns to zero.

 

[Anand Sekhar]

Anyone have a story when a take down came handy during a hunt?

 

[fourfive8]

Anyone have a story when a take down came handy during a hunt?

I have been taking down and traveling (mostly talking air travel) with standard design, bolt action rifles in short, compact-sized, hard cases since 1977. I have never had a problem so there are no interesting stories- so yes I guess my method has proved to be very "handy" every time I've traveled.

 

[Mekaniks]

I had a Marlin 1895 45/70 lever action takedown built by Wild West Guns in Anchorage. I used to take it when I was traveling a lot for work in Alaska. Lots of punch in a small package. It was a great gun and I probably assembled and took it apart 100 times but never had any issue with accuracy.
Alas, I sold it to help fund a model 70 project and a trip to South Africa...

 

[JES Adventures]

I used a Blaser R93 for several years in 300 Win Mag, 338 Win Mag and 375 H&H. Then I got spooked by reading a couple of articles on bolt failures that resulted in horendous facial injuries to the shooter. When I took a closer look at the bolt and locking mechanism design I decided to divest of the kit a few years back.

I transitioned to an HS Precision LA2000 Takedown Set in 300 RUM & 375 RUM. I picked it up second hand in near perfect condition and took it to Cameroon for Lord Derby Eland and ancillary plains game. Earlier this year I picked up a second one in 300 & 375 H&H. It was a classic weak moment and good price so I jumped on it - figured one of my kids will use it!

Finally pulled the trigger on the kit I've been looking at for several years now - Dakota Traveler in 338 Lapua and 416 Rigby a very well done set. The original owner ordered upgraded wood, leather covered recoil pad, express sights and hooded/banded front sights, topped with Schmidt Bender glass and two hard cases. Sadly, he never got to hunt with the rifle so it was a safe queen for 9 years. I'm taking it to Uganda next year for its "coming out". Pictures and report will follow April 2018.

I've got complete confidence in either of these rifles locking up solid with no risk of bolt failure.

 

[crs]

Several of my rifles are factory "take down or TD" , but only two are big bores.
Those are an 1886 TD .45-90 and 1895 TD .405 WCF . Both are Miroku made Winchesters and are good shooters and have been on Safari and taken plains game and DG. They are both keepers.

 

[Red Leg]

Doubles are inherently "take-down". Have loved using my Blaser S2 in several calibers. The smaller case is much easier to transport. Now, I also have a Blaser R8. It is equally easy to put in a small case, and returns to zero on every reassembly.

 

[MartyJ]

I've been hunting with a Blaser R93 for years. In fact have two. Used them everytime I travel, never take a "long" rifle anymore. I suffer from New York-itis, the definition of "if they don't know you have it, they don't steal it". I can reference the post about crime in the Johannesburg airport, but any airport really.
I'm happy with the Blaser. They're accurate and very useful (switching between calibers).
All that said, I would dearly love a Westley Richards breakdown in 9.3x62

 

[crs]

Red Leg,
Thanks for the reminder - that adds my Simson Suhl .405 double to my short list of big bore take down rifles.

 

[cal pappas]

Takedowns are great and easy to transport for international hunts. Here is my takedown Cogswell and Harrison .375. It is in the classifieds for sale.
Cal

 

[lcq]

Next trip I'm bringing my Thompson Dimension. Caliber change is about 5min max. Very accurate but butt ugly. bringing 300wm barrel for the big stuff and 204 ruger for baboon. Three years and no baboon, I'm going to get one if I have to sit by a water hole for days

 

[Ernie Shipman]

I have a Merkel RX Helix in 9.3x62. LOVED it on my last safari this past July. I did use my Tuffpak case as I needed to bring some extra gear for my PH, but plan to get an Americase for traveling or possibly a smaller pelican. Love the rifle, shoots great and easy peasy to clean!.

 

[seprim]

I have a mauser M03, only one barrel at the moment but I can recommend it as it is easy to take down, store and return to zero is spot on
Regards
Andrew

 

[CAustin]

Never realized this many people on AH had take downs.

 

[dory]

Me to !!!
I always thought they were a bit of a novelty thing
Obviously not !

The wheels n my head have engaged ????
I have a plan for my next trip

 

[seprim]

Here is a yt video of the Mauser M03 in 338 Blaser Magnum.

The M03 barrels come in the following calibres;
https://www.mauser.com/fileadmin/user_upload/MAU_Calibers_M03_DE_2015_2016.pdf
Mini bolt head
.222 Rem., .223 Rem.
Standard bolt head
.22
250, .243 Win., 6,5x55, 6,5x57, .270 Win.
7x64, .308 Win., .3006, 8x57IS, 8,5x63,
9,3x62.
Magnum bolt head
7 mm Rem. Mag., .300 Win. Mag.,
.300 Weath. Mag., 8x68 S, .338 Win. Mag.,
.338 Blaser Mag. .375 H& H., .416 Rem. Mag.,
.458 Lott
Magnum EXtra bolt head
.404 Jeffery

..... and it packs away like this;
https://www.mauser.com/en/products/accessories/

regards Andrew