Dear AH members,
not to take away from the recent thread on Building a tactical dangerous game rifle , but I believe there is perhaps a better direction to look in. Recently, looking through social media, a post and picture of a fine well built beautifully stocked rifle caught my eye (as happens quite often
). What jumped out is that together with its more classical lines, it was using some modern upgrades.
On a recent podcast from The Big Game Hunting Blog, a Mr. Gearing from Spartan Precision Equipment, who produce those ultra light bipods that attach through a rare-earth metal magnet, also set me out to think. Especially their mount adapter that can be mounted fully flush in the stock.
Taking a modern CRF actioned rifle, giving it all the fine lines, angles and curves of a British best, but incorporating certain modern elements might be a winning ticket.
This is the rifle whose picture jumped out, produced by VO Vapen from Sweden I believe. It incorporates just such a spartan precision bipod. That also could work directly with a three-legged standing variant for upright standing shooting. And can just be unclipsed and put away in a coat if not necessary anymore. These mount adapters can also be mounted anywhere on the rifle for added flexibility, without impeding on the classical lines, when the bipod/shooting sticks would be removed.
It also incorporates quite well an adjustable cheekpiece, out of the same wood stock. Only two preset settings: flush for irons (that this one does not have) and up for the scope.
Another feature on a new best rifle I'd like to see, is a threaded barrel, most of the time just with a nicely engraved thread protector on it. But which would allow the addition of a suppressor in those localities or situations where they are mandatory or preferred. Not for a ghastly muzzle break, that's for sure.
A possibility to make it a switch-barrel might also make sense. Having a removable magazine, well attached to the rifle is also a comfortable feature that makes a lot of sense.
Yes a Blaser R8 has many of these features. But try as I might, it does not look as nice as a fine British bolt-action. Neither does it have that CRF, so revered by DG PH's. (whether this is truly a positive or not is not the point of this discussion, but I'm quite sure that if one could get for equal cost a CRF action instead of a PF, most everyone would take CRF anyway)
What modern features would you like to see added to a new production 'best' rifle? Keeping in mind that we strive to keep it as good looking as Monica Bellucci in a fitting dress.
Cheers,
V.
not to take away from the recent thread on Building a tactical dangerous game rifle , but I believe there is perhaps a better direction to look in. Recently, looking through social media, a post and picture of a fine well built beautifully stocked rifle caught my eye (as happens quite often
). What jumped out is that together with its more classical lines, it was using some modern upgrades.On a recent podcast from The Big Game Hunting Blog, a Mr. Gearing from Spartan Precision Equipment, who produce those ultra light bipods that attach through a rare-earth metal magnet, also set me out to think. Especially their mount adapter that can be mounted fully flush in the stock.
Taking a modern CRF actioned rifle, giving it all the fine lines, angles and curves of a British best, but incorporating certain modern elements might be a winning ticket.
This is the rifle whose picture jumped out, produced by VO Vapen from Sweden I believe. It incorporates just such a spartan precision bipod. That also could work directly with a three-legged standing variant for upright standing shooting. And can just be unclipsed and put away in a coat if not necessary anymore. These mount adapters can also be mounted anywhere on the rifle for added flexibility, without impeding on the classical lines, when the bipod/shooting sticks would be removed.
It also incorporates quite well an adjustable cheekpiece, out of the same wood stock. Only two preset settings: flush for irons (that this one does not have) and up for the scope.
Another feature on a new best rifle I'd like to see, is a threaded barrel, most of the time just with a nicely engraved thread protector on it. But which would allow the addition of a suppressor in those localities or situations where they are mandatory or preferred. Not for a ghastly muzzle break, that's for sure.
A possibility to make it a switch-barrel might also make sense. Having a removable magazine, well attached to the rifle is also a comfortable feature that makes a lot of sense.
Yes a Blaser R8 has many of these features. But try as I might, it does not look as nice as a fine British bolt-action. Neither does it have that CRF, so revered by DG PH's. (whether this is truly a positive or not is not the point of this discussion, but I'm quite sure that if one could get for equal cost a CRF action instead of a PF, most everyone would take CRF anyway)
What modern features would you like to see added to a new production 'best' rifle? Keeping in mind that we strive to keep it as good looking as Monica Bellucci in a fitting dress.
Cheers,
V.
