Classic stalking rifles - today

Looking at my actual reduced big game rifle battery I realize it is composed by stalking rifles of very similar configuration about lenght of pull, weight and stock...!
These are the other two plus the Mauser 1935 and the BRNO ZKK:
1- DWM Original Sporting (1893 action). The Original 7 mm Mauser.
1790158335168.png
 
All four rifles have 60 cm barrel lenght and very similar balance and triggers! I can change from one to any other without too much "adaptation"...
 
Tdsmith517 said:
Rj Renner...
Click to expand...
While Mr. Renner does very nice work, just make sure that you are only sending him your stock. Mr. Renner doesn't appear to have an FFL in order to work as a gunsmith so he cannot be in possession of your action. That is not in sync with Federal laws. You can verify this by searching for an FFL registration to him.

So if you send him a complete rifle you are supporting a Federal Firearms offense.

But he does lovely work.
 
txtrout75218 said:
While Mr. Renner does very nice work, just make sure that you are only sending him your stock. Mr. Renner doesn't appear to have an FFL in order to work as a gunsmith so he cannot be in possession of your action. That is not in sync with Federal laws. You can verify this by searching for an FFL registration to him.

So if you send him a complete rifle you are supporting a Federal Firearms offense.

But he does lovely work.
Click to expand...
I am familiar with him and his “situation”. I only use his talent for the wood work. I don’t want a trip to club fed.
 
I suspect the two on the left meet the classic requirements.

LEFT - Sako in a 30-06

MIDDLE - Belgium Mauser in 300 H&H (which really deserves a trip to Africa).

1790195683615.jpeg
 
Are there some informal specs for a stalking rifle? (I'm seeing many 24" barrel hunting rifles in this thread, which I'd assumed was overly long.)

Shouldn't a stalking rifle have something like an 18-21" barrel in a short or standard action?
Otherwise, what would be the difference between a stalking rifle and a regular hunting rifle?

I suspect that Scout rifles all qualify. My custom M98 .308 Scout surely acts like a stalking rifle!
QD optics with Ashley Emerson irons. Since I never hunt from a blind, but walk/stalk only, I've gotten very familiar with and fond of it. A third of my 52 African trophies were stalked within 30yds. Carbine length really helps with getting in close.

guns, .308 Mauser Scout rifle.png
 
BTP-KennethWRoyce said:
Are there some informal specs for a stalking rifle? (I'm seeing many 24" barrel hunting rifles in this thread, which I'd assumed was overly long.)

Shouldn't a stalking rifle have something like an 18-21" barrel in a short or standard action?
Otherwise, what would be the difference between a stalking rifle and a regular hunting rifle?

I suspect that Scout rifles all qualify. My custom M98 .308 Scout surely acts like a stalking rifle!
QD optics with Ashley Emerson irons. Since I never hunt from a blind, but walk/stalk only, I've gotten very familiar with and fond of it. A third of my 52 African trophies were stalked within 30yds. Carbine length really helps with getting in close.

View attachment 794586
Click to expand...
I think a “Stalking Rifle” in terms of a British rifle is a bolt action rifle with a barrel length of 20-24 inches, iron sights with both a standing leaf and folding leaf, a barrel band sling swivel, a for lack of better terms “Rigby Style” stock that is approximately even or just behind the rear sight.
In Continental terms it could mean a bolt action rifle with an 18-20 inch barrel with a full length Mannlicher stock and double set triggers.
Or a single shot “Alpine” rifle that is very slim and trim with peep sights and a double set trigger.
 
Tdsmith517 said:
I think a “Stalking Rifle” in terms of a British rifle is a bolt action rifle with a barrel length of 20-24 inches, iron sights with both a standing leaf and folding leaf, a barrel band sling swivel, a for lack of better terms “Rigby Style” stock that is approximately even or just behind the rear sight.
In Continental terms it could mean a bolt action rifle with an 18-20 inch barrel with a full length Mannlicher stock and double set triggers.
Or a single shot “Alpine” rifle that is very slim and trim with peep sights and a double set trigger.
Click to expand...
Ah, thanks, makes sense.
 
SteveNZ said:
Barrel lengths up to 26 inches were common on many 7x57 stalking rifles.
I wonder if it had anything to do with increased sight radius (especially with the leaf sights mounted down the barrel)??
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Quite possibly. I have read of this, in the past, as a reason for longer barrels.
 
SteveNZ said:
Barrel lengths up to 26 inches were common on many 7x57 stalking rifles.
I wonder if it had anything to do with increased sight radius (especially with the leaf sights mounted down the barrel)??
Click to expand...
You could be absolutely right there. Longer barrel can definitely give you better margins shooting open irons.
Encl pics of my stalking rifle getting the first layer of oil.
Dedicated open irons shooter with 26" barrel. 1928 Oberndorf Mauser B. 8x57JS though. With good 200 gr bullets it penetrates straight line on par with 9,3x62.
First layer of oil..jpg
 
Hi,

The CLASSIC big game rifle barrel lenght has been 60 cm, aprox. 23,7", to 24" almost everywhere.
To me, this is the most useful all around lenght, including of course the Stalking rifle, term that has it´s origin in Scotland´s Highlands deer hunting rifles. I understand a shorter barrel in some scenarios as in close range shots over bait, like the Stutzen rifles with 18 to 20" barrels would be better.
From these lenghts, for close range DG, perhaps 20 to 22" (bolt action) is better to me.
And 26" for truly open spaces long range hunting rifles.
 
Last edited:
Clodo Ferreira said:
Hi,

The CLASSIC big game rifle barrel lenght has been 60 cm, aprox. 23,7", to 24" almost everywhere.
To me, this is the most useful all around lenght, including of course the Stalking rifle, term that has it´s origin in Scotland´s Highlands deer hunting rifles. I understand a shorter barrel in some scenarios as in close range shots over bait, like the Stutzen rifles with 18 to 20" barrels would be better.
From these lenghts, for close range DG, perhaps 20 to 22" (bolt action) is better to me.
And 26" for truly open spaces long range hunting rifles.
Click to expand...
Yes, yes. The most common barrel length for classic stalking rifles is around 60 cm no doubt about that.

However, there are exceptions and, the question here was about sight radius or line of sight when using open irons. In particular on a rifle with leaf rear sight mounted further down the barrel, and if it would be an advantage with a longer barrel.
Without being an über specialist I`ll say a longer barrel will work very good with such a set up.
All my go to rifles are essentially open irons shooters with barrels ranging from 21" to 26".
The best of the lot (not counting my vintage Rigby) is the pictured 26".
It has accounted for among other things off hand, pin point accuracy on moose at at least 90 yds or more to 250-300 lbs charging gut shot wildboar at 10-15 ft.

I`ve seen arch English stalking rifles with longer barrels, that is in the + 25" range, most memorable a H&H in 275 H&H Mag.
 
Interesting that stalking rifle barrels were often 24+". I agree with the longer sight radius advantage, and praised such of the M1/M14/M1A vs. other .308 battle rifles. Naturally, at some point, barrel length unwieldyness would become an issue, and for me, >24" seems the tipping point.

There's also aesthetics. Some barrel lengths just look "right", at least to me.
 
It’s all to do with design of the gun. My muzzleloaders have barrels varying from 32” - 41” long and don’t seem unwieldy. A proportioned 25 1/2” barrel like Corbetts famous 275 would be fine.
 
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Hornedfrogbbq wrote on Rhoyland4's profile.
Do you mind me asking what auction you are referencing? I'm not in the market for any of those rifles...just curious.

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