Classic stalking rifles - today

Depends what your stalking.
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The longer sight radius also helps with age. As eye sight changes with age the further out the front sight the longer it is able to remain in clear focus. Don't ask me how I know.
 
I suspect the old Rigby barrel lengths of 25+" were at least vaguely echoic of the long barreled black powder rifles. Such was most poignant with the first smokeless Mausers, such as the 29" barrel Swede M96.

By WWII, most countries had gone to around 24", and the shortening trend has continued to this day even with hunting rifles. (I've no mania for carbines, however. At SHOT when the Ruger Scout Rifle came out, I politely objected to their staff its 16.5" barrel and loss of MV. It should have been 18" which could have overall length tolerated the flash suppressor. They equally politely demurred.)

All that aside, those old Rigbys are handsome!
 
Curious to get the views of folks here, particularly those with experience of both.

If you had the opportunity to buy either a Steyr Mannlicher schoenauer Gk or Brno 21h, which direction would you go?

I think my factory option is now pretty much only down to a heym sr21 super classic.
 
JPbowhunter said:
Curious to get the views of folks here, particularly those with experience of both.

If you had the opportunity to buy either a Steyr Mannlicher schoenauer Gk or Brno 21h, which direction would you go?

I think my factory option is now pretty much only down to a heym sr21 super classic.
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Im going a slightly different direction. I have a ruger m77 mk2 in 270
Going to have matrix gubsmith do a half octagon full length rib integral barrel with littke extra on front end for supressor
Then have rj renner redo the stock
Least thats how my thoughts currently are heading. For sons first rifle./stslking rifle as thats mostly how i hunt.

The mannlicher schoenauers are great guns new england gunsmiths can make new scope rings if you get one without scope/rings there $$ but good work
 
JPbowhunter said:
Curious to get the views of folks here, particularly those with experience of both.

If you had the opportunity to buy either a Steyr Mannlicher schoenauer Gk or Brno 21h, which direction would you go?

I think my factory option is now pretty much only down to a heym sr21 super classic.
Click to expand...
I would go the Brno21h. The Steyr would be a smother action but, for me, the bolt handle is too far forward from the trigger. Now if it was a Steyr Prohunter I would go the Steyr.
 
Hi JP,

The BRNO 21 60 cm barrel lenght without thinking twice, to me!
For a 5 years period I had a Mannlicher-Schoenauer GK made in 1964, 60 cm barrel, in 7x64 with the Great Hensoldt Diavari 1,5-6x36. I even got a single trigger, interchangeable with the doubles, starting after the 1952 models.
I love the quality, fit and finish of the rifle. And, from the bench, was an honest 1" group one with all bullets I tried, all 160 to 177 grs.
After two Red Deer I sold the rifle. I received an offer I couldn´t refuse but, really, I didn´t like two things of the great M-Sch design for a Stalking rifle: The position of the bolt handle and the slow lock time - heavy firing pin!!! Of course, without that crazy offer perhaps I would still have the rifle...
 
JPbowhunter said:
If you wanted a true classic stalking rifle in a standard calibre like 7x57 of days gone by where would you turn today?
This is my current dilemma and there doesn’t seem to be many modern options.

For those of us that appreciate iron sight and off hand shooting a light, slim stocked rifle with some drop at the heel of the stock makes for a much nicer and more comfortable weapon.

Having the option for QR systems is also great allowing me to bush stalk for shots up to 150m with my irons and chuck on a scope for mountain or plains hunting where shots extend further.

What are the real options for a rifle such as this these days? Particularly if you want to keep it under $10k.

I can only really think of some heym sr21 models, Steyr MS12 or to just look backward to a Mannlicher schoenauer, early Mauser 98, Brno 21 or zg47 etc.

I am a little bit of a stickler for top loading, not essential but I prefer it, that’s one of the only knocks against heym I can think of.
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If it doesn’t have to be in the .275 chambering, a pre-‘64 Winchester M70 on the earlier side, like Robmill70’s 1948 specimen in .30-06 in the Classifieds, pretty much satisfies the traditional criteria of an Old School “stalking rifle.” Slender, not overly weighty, and shootable with iron sights.

Unfortunately, Rob’s been sold:

Robmill70

Thread '1948 Winchester Model 70 '06'

I pulled a couple more rifles out of the safe, first up is:

1948 Winchester model 70 in 30-06 (30 Govt 06) in really good condition considering age, very nice bore. seems all factory to include factory butt plate (missing front hood).

Leupold scope

Asking $1250 plus shipping (there's a 1947 on GB already bid at $1300!)

IMG_3806.jpeg
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I inherited my Gramp’s 1942 M70 which also displays the same lines.

An early BRNO model 600 or 601 - with the pop-up peep sight in the rear receiver bridge - would also meet the criteria for a traditional stalking rifle.
 
I guess this is considered a stalking rifle. M70 Shot Show special in 7X57. No irons, Swarovski illuminated 2.5-12. She is one of my most accurate rifles, well under MOA. Just back from deer camp where she was successful with a 180 yard shot on a Florida 7 point. I have two
IMG_8724.jpeg
of these both in 7X57 and though not a Rigby they are a joy to hunt with.
 
Jack Stevens said:
A stalking rifle should always have a set of iron sights even if the owner later scopes it.

View attachment 794989View attachment 794990
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This is really a non negotiable for me. If I know I’ll be taking shots under 100m I always opt for irons. If it’ll stretch out to 150m or a little further I still prefer them. It’s only once the ranges are likely to be 200m plus that I put a scope on. That’s dependent on the species, terrain, conditions etc.

In this instance, the rifle must have the option for both. And that’s proper irons, not just some poxy plastic/fibre optic sights.
 
Jack Stevens said:
If it doesn’t have to be in the .275 chambering, a pre-‘64 Winchester M70 on the earlier side, like Robmill70’s 1948 specimen in .30-06 in the Classifieds, pretty much satisfies the traditional criteria of an Old School “stalking rifle.” Slender, not overly weighty, and shootable with iron sights.

Unfortunately, Rob’s been sold:

Robmill70

Thread '1948 Winchester Model 70 '06'

I pulled a couple more rifles out of the safe, first up is:

1948 Winchester model 70 in 30-06 (30 Govt 06) in really good condition considering age, very nice bore. seems all factory to include factory butt plate (missing front hood).

Leupold scope

Asking $1250 plus shipping (there's a 1947 on GB already bid at $1300!)

IMG_3806.jpeg
  • Like
  • Love

I inherited my Gramp’s 1942 M70 which also displays the same lines.

An early BRNO model 600 or 601 - with the pop-up peep sight in the rear receiver bridge - would also meet the criteria for a traditional stalking rifle.
Click to expand...
I am pretty stuck on calibre. It is along with 9.3x62 my favourite calibre. I didn’t really mention it in the thread but I want this rifle not just for myself but for my sons to learn to shoot and hunt on. I sold my 7x57 to help pay for the rigby and I’ve really missed it.
It also fills a little spot for a low recoil gun in my battery.

In regard to centrefires I have:
Sauer 100 in .223
Win 94 in 30-30
Sako a7 in 30-06
Lee Speed in 303B
Rigby HS in 9.3x62
Cz 550 in 9.3x62 (for sale currently)

It’s crossed my mind to sell the sako and compromise on a 30-06 but it’s been my go to rough and ready rifle for wet trips in the mountains and stuff like that being synthetic and stainless. I did come close to buying a 270 in ZG47 but I prefer the option for heavier bullet weights in 7x57.
 
Clodo Ferreira said:
And, must say, iron sights solid and well regulated, not only for the look!
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I agree. ….. But I’ve often wondered, especially with the hard-kicking magnums, how many builders actually put in the range time to verify that POA will equal POI with a standard load.

Say, in the case of the .375H&H, that a standard 270grn or 300 grn load, using the first standing leaf, will hit dead center @ 60-yds. Then going on to regulate the second (folding) leaf such that that POA equals POI @ 100- or 150-yds. And etc. if there are 3rd or 4th folding leaves as on the old school quarter-rib sights.
 
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