Old School vs. New Tech: What’s Your Go-To Rifle for the Veld?

[Joseph Flores]

Hey all — just got back from a trip where I brought my granddad’s old .375 — it’s heavy, loud, and smells like oil and nostalgia. But damn, it gets the job done. Some of the younger guys were rocking modern short-actions with optics and suppressors. So… are we still romantics about bolt-action classics or is everyone upgrading to the future? Looking for real talk, not just brochures. Let’s hear your favorite rifle, why you trust it, and if it’s got more stories than misses.

 

[Beck]

Sako 85 Brown bear in .450 Rigby. It just shoots, and functions well. I also like the laminate stock's durability. I've killed three buffalo with that rifle.

 

[franzfmdavis]

For me, the classic rifle is a critical piece if kit. I want to make the classic stories I have read and loved come alive so I have to hunt with my own wood and blued gun

A Rigby .275 accompanied me on my last trip and a Rigby .416 will accompany me to my next

 

[Hunter-Habib]

My trusty 7x57mm Mauser Churchill Gun Makers Model Deluxe is my favorite rifle. Built on a 1943 military surplus Mauser Oberndorf Model 98 action with a 23” hammer forged barrel & a 5+1 magazine calacity… It’s a real tack driver.

 

[Philip Glass]

I love both the old and the new. From the historic .450/400 in my Double to the advanced Blaser R8 topped with a Z8 and an ultra light Thunderbeast Ultra 5 suppressor I enjoy the hunt regardless of the equipment. The main thing is to take what you like and go on safari with it!

 

[KJE81]

Classic rifles in walnut and blued steel all the way for me.

 

[mark-hunter]

New school, tactical - for target shooting and dynamic sports.
Old school, classic - for hunting.
African perspective: Mauser 98 clone, ZKK 602 in 375 H&H.
(no suppressor, no gadgets, no plastic stock, or nothing fancy)

 

[Hogpatrol]

Different strokes for different folks. For me, it's a tool with a job to do, so new school, composite, laminate, nitrided and stainless.

 

[Elkeater]

Im all over the place. I own classic Wood stocked guns, AR-15s, carbon fiber long range rifles. I will say that lately I’ve been gravitating back towards classic walnut and blued steel. I’m pretty sure I’m having a midlife crisis right now though.

 

[bakerb]

I like pretty things. Bolts and doubles and shotguns should wear wood. ARs should be synthetic.

The only exception to this general rule for me is gear that is for wet environments. A duck gun can be synthetic. A rifle for Alaska can be synthetic.

 

[bakerb]

Here’s a blend of utility and pretty. My upland shotgun has cerakote (modern) but some pretty wood (traditional)

 

[grand veneur]

Hey all — just got back from a trip where I brought my granddad’s old .375 — it’s heavy, loud, and smells like oil and nostalgia. But damn, it gets the job done. Some of the younger guys were rocking modern short-actions with optics and suppressors. So… are we still romantics about bolt-action classics or is everyone upgrading to the future? Looking for real talk, not just brochures. Let’s hear your favorite rifle, why you trust it, and if it’s got more stories than misses.

Let us stay with hunting in Africa, where one is often torn between older honored tradition and modern progress, meaning compromises with outdated romantic equipment or efficiency and increased success rates with modern equipment. This is also the case when it comes to choosing a rifle for hunting in Africa, but everyone has before to define what they understand by modern equipment. As for me, I trust rather the more modern equipment, meaning a classic bolt action rifle with scope in a caliber suitable for the game I want to shoot, but without any recoil-reducing devices or suppressor.

 

[ftrovato]

Classic rifles with modern optics getting it done. 500 NE & 416 Rigby.

 

[Doug3006]

Old school

 

[ftrovato]

Old school

View attachment 686426

When men were men! And life expectancy was 29.... ;-)

 

[Shootist43]

Joseph Flores, did I miss something, or did you post an introduction? I welcome younger guys and gals that are interested in the things that AH has to offer. Please tell us a little more about yourself as it relates to hunting. I'd also be interested in knowing your location, I'm guessing somewhere in Africa, but I could be sorely mistaken. To answer your question, I prefer old school all the way. However, at almost 82 I find that low power scopes are very helpful.

 

[cajunchefray]

Let us stay with hunting in Africa, where one is often torn between older honored tradition and modern progress, meaning compromises with outdated romantic equipment or efficiency and increased success rates with modern equipment. This is also the case when it comes to choosing a rifle for hunting in Africa, but everyone has before to define what they understand by modern equipment. As for me, I trust rather the more modern equipment, meaning a classic bolt action rifle with scope in a caliber suitable for the game I want to shoot, but without any recoil-reducing devices or suppressor.

View attachment 686404

Classic.
What brand is the bolt prep sight?

 

[grand veneur]

Classic.
What brand is the bolt prep sight?

Prechtl Waffen / Birkenau

 

[Shootist43]

Cajunchefray, I purchased a Rigby style bolt mounted Peep sight from McLaughlin Metal Works. John McLaughlin told me that he currently makes these sights for Rigby. I might add that he is a great guy to do business with.