Classic stalking rifles - today

PCC600 said:
I’ve got a Ron Wharton 300H&H it is superb . Here are some photo just after I imported it into Australia . It has H&H quick detachable scope mounts . It was made in the London workshop in Soho that Ron bought from Rigby after the business was sold to Paul Roberts Ron’s widow Margarita was able to give me its history. A superb rifle - and it was cheap at a Holts sale .
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Pretty much the same as my .275 and 375 from Ron
 
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One of my favorites… I asked Duane Wiebe to build me an English inspired stalking rifle on Brno action I had. 25 inch Krieger barrel, Australian walnut stock in .270 Winchester.
 
Classic where I'm from is 20+ yrs ago. LOL (Antique 25+.) 264 WSM by Bansner's Ultimate Rifles (Ultimate Ovis model). <6.5 lbs w/ scope. Nearly 1-hole groups. Outperforms (V, E, accuracy) most factory 6.5s (6.5-300 Wby exactly same using 160 gr, but doesn't need any more steam using 140s!) Deadly to 1,000 yds though the longest hunting shot (sheep) has been 720 (450 for deer and 225 in Africa.) Old neighbor has this 6.5 swiss 26" sniper rifle from WWII (it is pretty cool and he's taken coyotes and deer with it out to 400 yds.) Also not too shabby!
 

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Ok. 757 AI. Classic (a bit older, but after some work-what a shooter! Montana/M70 action.) I've only taken deer with it (out to 300 yds,) but hope to take PG with it in Africa oneday.
 

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Just waiting for the one surplus gun company up here in Canada to get another shipment of Husqvarna in and will buy a couple of old model 46s.

Poor man's Rigby. My brother wants a rigby highland stalker and after finding out my old rigby has husq wood on it and has that similar style im gonna buy my brother/his son a rifle
 
JPbowhunter said:
In days gone by, we called that hunting.

Folks can’t seem to be content to see an animal and not shoot it whatever the range these days. But that’s a whole other topic.
Jack Stevens said:
Sorta the same here. 250yds max, or I won’t take the shot, especially on large African animals. If the PH is pushing me to send it, that’s when he gets the big ol’ stink eye. It’s my hunt, not his. I don’t want to miss, and I damn sure don’t want to have to track a wounded animal for 6-hours when that time could be spent stalking the next animal on my trophy list.

Hence, why I say: stalking closer is never a bad strategy.
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One thing I love about irons is that they force you to hunt and close the distance. There’s no cheating it.
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I’m not a long-range fanatic by a long shot.
I do not see myself taking a shot in Africa of anything over 150 yards on any animal big or small. When it comes to DG my preference is 30 and no more than 50, if this means no hunt or no shot, so be it.

I’d rather pass and wait for the right opportunity than take a shot simply because it’s there. For me, getting close and doing it right is a big part of the hunt.
 
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PCC600 said:
I’ve got a Ron Wharton 300H&H it is superb . Here are some photo just after I imported it into Australia . It has H&H quick detachable scope mounts . It was made in the London workshop in Soho that Ron bought from Rigby after the business was sold to Paul Roberts Ron’s widow Margarita was able to give me its history. A superb rifle - and it was cheap at a Holts sale .
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Beautiful.
 
SStomcat said:
I’m not a long-range fanatic by a long shot.
I do not see myself taking a shot in Africa of anything over 150 yards on any animal big or small. When it comes to DG my preference is 30 and no more than 50, if this means no hunt or no shot, so be it.

I’d rather pass and wait for the right opportunity than take a shot simply because it’s there. For me, getting close and doing it right is a big part of the hunt.
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I dips me lid to you SSt. To me that is hunting. I will take the shot on Buff at 50mts but no more. All other DG has been less than 25 mts.
 
Rule 303 said:
I dips me lid to you SSt. To me that is hunting. I will take the shot on Buff at 50mts but no more. All other DG has been less than 25 mts.
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“And I dips mine right back at you, mate.”
I’m old school. I started being part of shikars when I was about 12, in one of the most remote and desolate parts of the world.
I’ve seen quite a bit over the years, and I’ve also grown up hearing stories from my grandfather. One that has always stayed with me was of him turning around to find a huge black bear standing right there, claws out.He brought his paradox gun up and dealt with it.
That was simply part of a haka in those days. There was no drama about it it was just the way life was.
It resonates with me to this day.
 
Mannlicher Schønauer in 6.5 x 54 by Charles Lancaster, made 1906


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Rule 303 said:
Reading about open sights. We forget that in days past hunters could successfully use them to 300mts on medium sized and larger game.

I learnt to use my M94 30-30 on rabbits to about 100mts. When I put a Lyman peep sight on that went out to about 150mts and medium sized game to 250mts, at a stretch, normally 200mts. It was just practice to be able to do this. Wish I still had that eyesight. It is why I often use an Aimpoint or similar, 2MOA dot and can still hit things where they need to be hit at 300 mts with a rest when using them.

Open sights are becoming a lost art, so is stalking it seems.
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Stalking small game is definitely overlooked. With a bow or rifle. I love stalking rabbits with binoculars. Find them sitting. Sneak in downwind. Yes they smell predators. Get into iron sight range and shoot them cleanly. Not pellets to pick out.

Also hoping to use my Mortimer Scottish .300 Rook/Rabbit rifle this winter on small game.

Last winter using my .458 WM

I stalked in on the one and took a solid rest against a sapling and took the frontal brain shot.

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I took a model 50 JC Higgins action and screwed a 7x57 mauser barrel on it. Put iron sights on it and installed a 2-7 leupold on it. It has a 24'" barrel
Bedded the rifle into the original stock. I dont know the definition of a stocking rifle .Based on reading here this sounds like it might fit the bill. I could spend a lot more on a rifle but I dont think I could get better in my opinion.
 
Altitude sickness said:
Stalking small game is definitely overlooked. With a bow or rifle. I love stalking rabbits with binoculars. Find them sitting. Sneak in downwind. Yes they smell predators. Get into iron sight range and shoot them cleanly. Not pellets to pick out.

Also hoping to use my Mortimer Scottish .300 Rook/Rabbit rifle this winter on small game.

Last winter using my .458 WM

I stalked in on the one and took a solid rest against a sapling and took the frontal brain shot.

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I always used a wooden arrowshaft witg a 357mag case screwed on the end as a blunt for rabbits and squirrels. Havent used a bow in years but good memories tho. Small game is overlooked and alot of fun.
 
Altitude Sickness well done. I like the brain shot. :D I too have stalked rabbit with DG calibre rifles. You do get to know the rifle and cartridge better when doing this I feel.
 
Sadly my stalking rifles are not fine vintage or new made British rifles, I have one German and three Americans.

DWM '09 Mauser 7x57mm, Express rear sight with barrel band front sight, 175gr Speer Grand Slams.

1955 Winchester model 70 270 Winchester that's original stock was broken back in the 60's, previous owner had a new stock made from a beautiful stick of English walnut, it wears a Redfield receiver peep sight with Redfield Sourdough front sight, 150gr Partitions.

1948 Winchester model 70 30 govt 06, Lyman receiver peep with Redfield Sourdough front sight, 200gr Swift A-Frames.

1952 Winchester model 70 300 H&H magnum, Lyman receiver peep with Redfield Sourdough front sight, 220gr Partitions.

Rifles like these can be put together for very reasonable costs, just last November I hit a really handsome 9pt Whitetail buck at 60 yards slipping through the trees on a hot trail to the girls, he never knew what hit him when the 220gr Partition slammed into the onside shoulder to exit liver offside from the old 300 H&H, he never twitched, it was a hell of a fun hunt.

I walk/stalk jump shoot Whitetails every season, looking very forward to doing more soon.
 
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