Working Rifle

B

Buffhunter

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Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Australia, South Africa
The phrase "working rifle" is used by many people. What exactly does one classify as a working rifle? Its something i cant get my head around. I tend to treat all my rifles the same, as in i use them all and don't baby them. Thats not too say that i abuse them. I still value them as they still all came at a cost. So what do you fellas class as working rifles?
 
One that doesn’t sting too bad when it gets dinged up is a working rifle to me. I use them all but some sting a little more than others when they get a scratch. Mainly the ones that knock about in the truck I consider working rifles.
 
May not be the slickest one you own or the most accurate or the prettiest. It's the one that rides in your truck or tractor or 4 wheeler. Doesn't get all the attention it deserves but is totally reliable every time you use it!
 
Buffhunter said:
The phrase "working rifle" is used by many people. What exactly does one classify as a working rifle? Its something i cant get my head around. I tend to treat all my rifles the same, as in i use them all and don't baby them. Thats not too say that i abuse them. I still value them as they still all came at a cost. So what do you fellas class as working rifles?
Click to expand...
What you said. I have a couple of fairly nice stocked rifles, they’re for hunting. If I don’t use them, I sell them.
 
Here is a better answer on my thoughts. “Working rifle” insinuates a job to do. To me, a job isn’t worth doing unless you are going to do it well, and take pride In your work. For some that pride overflows to the tools they use, either out of necessity to gain the best quality in a finished product, or as simple as the joy and satisfaction you get out of using quality tools. Maybe a combination of both.

Mechanics end up with a rolling tool cart they somehow manage to fit 80 grand worth of Snap On Tools in.

Carpenters will have a four piece chisel set that cost far more than the average homeowners entire Craftsman toolbox full of tools.

Back in my Cowboy days I knew guys who could hang more than a years wages off of their horse in one day.

To me a working rifle is just that. A purpose built tool for a job I take great pride in.

So; I buy the best I can afford.
 
A rifle that functions well, handles and balances well, shoots on target decently, and doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg, is my definition of a WORKING hunting rifle.
 
There are two aspects to any firearm: those aspects of it that contribute to it's function and those aspects that contribute to it's appearance. A working rifle would be one that has everything put into it's function and nothing put into it's appearance. That is not to say that a working rifle/shotgun is ugly. A Colt Royal Blue Python is quite attractive, but the deep bluing has function whereas engraving is primarily appearance.
 
Standard walnut vs. AAA fancy walnut. Nitride or Cerrocoat vs. ultra lustrous blueing. Maybe even Krylon! I just have no interest in doing a pretty gun myself. Don't want to take that thrill from someone else - just not my gig. I suspect it is from playing Army for 21 years - anything shiny gets one killed - here it spooks the game. YMMV.
 
Buffhunter said:
The phrase "working rifle" is used by many people. What exactly does one classify as a working rifle?
Click to expand...

I think that this term, "working rifle", exists on all continents and in all hunting cultures.

This is rifle which is owners favorite, or his only rifle, it is reliable, at least reasonably accurate, with sufficient power for all game, that owner hunts, and when it drops to the ground, or stock and bluing gets scratched and worn out - owner will not cry about it.

It can be ruger R2 american rifle, or it can be Rigby. Price and value is irrelevant

It will depend on owners feelings.
Something that owner (hunter) is using everyday in the field, like the soldier on front line will use his one and only military issued rifle for all situations.

For civilian hunter there are "working rifles", "safe queen rifles", "collection rifles", "specialized rifles" for this and that, driven hunts, or DG, or pests..., etc ... which is the luxury of some of civilian owners.

But working rifle can be described by relationship of its owner with it, first one to take out, and other rifles only on special occasion, if there are others, and if taken out - at all.
 
Hello,

To me the definition is the same as mark-hunter's:
"... working rifle can be described by relationship of its owner with it, first one to take out, and other rifles only on special occasion, if there are others, and if taken out - at all."
To me, the key is WHY is "...first one to take out...". My "why" are: The rifle is chambered for an all around cartridge for my uses, fit me as a glove and I can use it instinctively without even thinking, is fool proof, and is made to last almost forever.

Best!

CF
 
I view my working rifle as the same as my dog (who is also my buddy).

Always with me in the truck.
A little worn but always reliable.
Always ready to go.
Needs a regular cleaning and attention to stay on top of it's game...but not too much.
And it's bite is way worse than it's bark.
 
Pre-64 Model 70 standard grade in your favorite caliber. Or?
 
So I don't live in an environment where a rifle in the truck rack is a particularly practical or useful addition to its accessories. I do take one out with me on the four-wheeler or mule when driving the fence line or running the dogs, but it is typically a .22 for armadillos and skunks. I suppose it meets the criteria of an everyday "working" rifle.

I own a Steyr Scout in .308 and purchased it years ago thinking it might serve the "working rifle" role. But I have since discovered that I don't seem to go on scouting missions very much, and it is a poor second choice for conventional hunting.

So, these days, I tend to think of a "working rifle" as the most dependable and useful in the gun safe or gun room. Hands down, mine is a Blaser R8 (with alloy receiver) configured in its synthetic stock and set up for whatever is the appropriate caliber. The metal finish is essentially weather proof. It is supremely accurate, supremely durable, unaffected by any environment, and equipped with great open sights if the scope needs to be dismounted. I don't take it hunting every trip because I have other rifles that I love (I plan to use my Bradshaw 7x65R on a whitetail this fall), but the point is that I could. It is simply the best and most useful tool in the box.
 
The term "working rifle" is for that rifle that is taken as the workhorse ..... This rifle is for daily use, and that accompanies us everywhere, regardless of how we treat it.
 
Clodo Ferreira said:
Hello,

To me the definition is the same as mark-hunter's:
"... working rifle can be described by relationship of its owner with it, first one to take out, and other rifles only on special occasion, if there are others, and if taken out - at all."
To me, the key is WHY is "...first one to take out...". My "why" are: The rifle is chambered for an all around cartridge for my uses, fit me as a glove and I can use it instinctively without even thinking, is fool proof, and is made to last almost forever.

Best!

CF
Click to expand...
Sounds like my MS 1905!!!
 
My mate has a work rifle. He is a
Roo shooter. If he says work rifle he means a beat up 788 Remington .222 he has rebarrelled several times and has a parts draw from previous ones he wrecked for parts.
Some farmers might have one rifle., a work rifle or a work rifle plus others if they are keen shooters.
One mate carried a Sako .22-250 on his property like his Father and his Father before him.
Me., I have Ugly Betty as my work rifle. Its a Tikka T3 CTR in 7mm-08 synthetic stainless bought on clearance now with a clear reliable sub 1k scope.
I always wanted a 7mM-08 and this as was intended to be a work rifle. A versatile One that I will use regularly and not fear to scratch she's not pretty but pretty bloody effective and I have some some good shooting with it. Rolling pigs in quick succession a few times.
I shoot foxes too., being mid weight and compact I find I manage it well from th e car.
 
@Red Leg I have to ask., are the Armadilo a pest.? I've seen pictures I guess I assumed they are not that common and look harmless. I understand why you won't want skunks around.
All of our wildlife is protected so the only thing we might shoot close by with a .22 is rabbits , for or a feral cat.
We have Echidnas might be the closest to an Armadillo.a spiky little critter who's only defence is putting up an all over wall of short spikes and digging down. Foxes and Dingos eat them but really they are a harmless little critter and my wife loves them.
 
Dillo’s are a problem. They dig for grubs making a mess of things and carry particularly foil diseases.
 
Buffhunter said:
The phrase "working rifle" is used by many people. What exactly does one classify as a working rifle? Its something i cant get my head around. I tend to treat all my rifles the same, as in i use them all and don't baby them. Thats not too say that i abuse them. I still value them as they still all came at a cost. So what do you fellas class as working rifles?
Click to expand...

I have no idea what it is supposed to mean either and I sort of hate the term. A Holland, Rigby, Heym, or Mauser should be a working rifle. (flawless feed, completely safe, 100% reliable)

I fear that the term "working rifle" has so much subtitles and implied attitude associated with it that its a totally loaded question.

What a working rifle isn't:
-A working rifle is not an excuse to own a low-quality rifle.
-A working rifle isn't an acceptable term to whitewash over a defective rifle or one left unserviced.
-A crutch used to somehow justify a rifle unacceptable for actual safari use.

What a working rifle might be:
-A $200,000 rifle
-A very high quality or best grade rifle that is well loved, well worn with use, well serviced, and perhaps is still 100% reliable.
-A mid-priced rifle that was unsatisfactory "out of the box" but had minor modifications and gunsmithing to become a safe, effective weapon for client or professional. (A CZ is a perfect example of an untrustworthy rifle that can become a "working rifle" for very little cost and effort to improve to 100% suitability

I find when people have a trash rifle that is unacceptable for use they reply with "heck, its just a working rifle". This is the type of negative slang I heard from a PH that had a cracked stock for years that was inherently untrustworthy, left uncleaned for years.
 
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