My New (And last) Rifle - .300 Win Mag

[Hank2211]

We're lucky that there are some very talented people who are prepared to dedicate their lives to this. As much as some of these rifles can cost, I haven't seen any of the individual makers who seem to be rolling in it.

I wonder, if you took the names off the rifles, how the Martini would stack up against a, say, Holland & Holland? I've haven't been able to compare them side by side, but I'd be hard pressed to think that it could be much, if any, better. And I've seen the price H&H charges!

 

[Redruff]

Serious rifle Hank. Thank you for sharing it with us. I am jealous mine is still in the early phases. 7x57 on Mauser small action with a nice piece of French walnut so far. Enjoy your shooting this summer. R.

 

[Stocky]

Outstanding!

 

[Pheroze]

Really beautiful rifle! And Canadian too!! Awesome. Happy Canada Day

 

[Hank2211]

mine is still in the early phases. 7x57 on Mauser small action with a nice piece of French walnut so far.

Looking good already! I love how a chunk of wood with a drawing on it turns into a rifle stock. And nice engraving!

Really beautiful rifle! And Canadian too!! Awesome. Happy Canada Day

Pheroze: On behalf of Canada I thank you!

 

[sestoppelman]

I don't think it can really get much better than that as regards form and function. Stunning!

 

[Sika98k]

Great looking rifle ! Congratulations. We look forward to the christening

 

[Areaonereal]

Beautiful wood, a work of art..fantastic.

 

[Redruff]

Looking good already! I love how a chunk of wood with a drawing on it turns into a rifle stock. And nice engraving!

Thank you Hank! R.

 

[AZDAVE]

Really like the wood and the color case on the receiver just brings everything together. NICE!

 

[sierraone]

This is only the second Martini I have viewed in recent months. Based on appearances alone, it appears to be a primary competitor for the Rigby Big Game rifle. If my finances work out, I hope to acquire a Rigby in the next couple of years, but I now may have to look at the Martinis a little harder before placing an order. Beautiful, beautiful rifle! Congratulations!

 

[Hank2211]

This is only the second Martini I have viewed in recent months. Based on appearances alone, it appears to be a primary competitor for the Rigby Big Game rifle. If my finances work out, I hope to acquire a Rigby in the next couple of years, but I now may have to look at the Martinis a little harder before placing an order. Beautiful, beautiful rifle! Congratulations!

Thanks Sierraone. I have one of each, as I think I've mentioned, and while both are wonderful rifles, and the Rigby certainly has history and romance behind it, I have to say the Martini is the better rifle. And it's easier to deal with one guy, who is at least reasonably local, and very responsive.

That said, you could have a Rigby within a few months, but certainly within a year, while the Martini will take up to three years. Big difference.

 

[Desperatezulu]

Absolutely gorgeous rifle, Hank! Hope you get lots of enjoyment out of owning and using it!!

I am curious about the function/design of the rifle, so a couple of questions if I may:
1. The 300 win mag is generally assumed as a medium to long range caliber, so open sights seem an unnecessary addition, unless for aesthetics?
2. Presuming the rifle/caliber is for medium to long range usage and accuracy is therefore more relevant than in say a big bore DG calibre, why did you have a barrel-band fitted as opposed to the strap mount fixed to the wood? Barrel-bands by reputation are a hindrance to accuracy. Again, is it purely for the looks?
I noted your comment that the rifle is apparently capable of great accuracy, so obviously the barrel-band has done no harm in that department.

Cheers!

 

[Hank2211]

Thanks DZ!

Your questions:

1. The 300 win mag is generally assumed as a medium to long range caliber, so open sights seem an unnecessary addition, unless for aesthetics?

You're right, of course, about the nature of the .300 Win Mag. The gun originally started out as a .300 H&H, but I live in Canada, and don't load my own ammo. .300 H&H is very difficult to find, so you basically take what you can get. I decided fairly early on to change it to a Win Mag, simply because of the availability of different types of ammo. It was not an easy decision, because I wanted the H&H, but it was the right decision. That's the background. Because it was going to be a .300 H&H, it was going to be more "traditional" looking, and, more importantly, was going to match (more or less) a .375 H&H that I have, which of course you couldn't guess.

2. Presuming the rifle/caliber is for medium to long range usage and accuracy is therefore more relevant than in say a big bore DG calibre, why did you have a barrel-band fitted as opposed to the strap mount fixed to the wood? Barrel-bands by reputation are a hindrance to accuracy. Again, is it purely for the looks?

See the answer above. It was essentially to match the .375 and to preserve the more traditional look. Having said that, I like the barrel band, and have never found that it impacts accuracy at all. Maybe I would shoot a whole lot better without a barrel band, but I try to get within 100 yards, and tend to limit myself to 250 yards, with the (very) odd poke out to about 300, so maybe I just haven't noticed the loss of accuracy. It is a good stout barrel, and perhaps that helps?

 

[johnnyblues]

LOVE IT..........

 

[Desperatezulu]

The gun originally started out as a .300 H&H, but I live in Canada, and don't load my own ammo.

Ah no, sacrilege! Ha ha! I initially wrote a bunch of stuff around my thoughts on the topic but realised I was going to pollute your thread with my views rather than adding value to your post.
I have a 300 H&H, hence my views tended in that direction when reading your post I specifically ordered a gun with no fixed sights etc. due to my intention to use it as a long(er) range gun. So my questions were a little bit loaded.

Pity you couldn't keep it in the H&H family to match its bigger brother. I guess the Win Mag is the bastard step-child of the H&H so it kinda counts

Thanks for sharing your insights behind the design/specs!

 

[Hank2211]

Ah no, sacrilege! Ha ha! I initially wrote a bunch of stuff around my thoughts on the topic but realised I was going to pollute your thread with my views rather than adding value to your post.
I have a 300 H&H, hence my views tended in that direction when reading your post I specifically ordered a gun with no fixed sights etc. due to my intention to use it as a long(er) range gun. So my questions were a little bit loaded.

Pity you couldn't keep it in the H&H family to match its bigger brother. I guess the Win Mag is the bastard step-child of the H&H so it kinda counts

Thanks for sharing your insights behind the design/specs!

But I have a .416 Rigby (built by Rigby), a .404 Jeffery, and a .375 H&H! All great - old - African calibres. You have to give me a bit of a let for the .300!

 

[S.W. Smith]

That's a lovely rifle Mike. It might be easier to take that to Africa than the .223 I own - which is a Smith & Wesson M&P 15!

I own this exact same rifle, great shooter.

@Hank2211, that is a beautiful gun. I recently bought a TC Venture in .300 WM to start hunting. One day I hope to have a beautifully hand-crafted rifle such as yours. Congratulations on the new shooter.

 

[Hank2211]

I own this exact same rifle, great shooter.

@Hank2211, that is a beautiful gun. I recently bought a TC Venture in .300 WM to start hunting. One day I hope to have a beautifully hand-crafted rifle such as yours. Congratulations on the new shooter.

Thanks. I used a Browning A-bolt for years until this became a reality . . .!

 

[lcq]

"Unless I can identify a need" My wife always says why do you need another gun? My stock reply is I don't need another gun I want another gun.