What if?

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

You could go back to when you were 20-25 years old and have a rifle built for you to hunt the world. What would your decision be?
Not only cartridge but also the rifle itself?
Knowing that a lot of the cartridges that we enjoy today were not even in the pipe dream then.
I ask only because I hope that we can possibly give guidance to our younger generation through our own experiences.
What would you recommend to a 20-25 year old who has dreams of hunting the world?
I, personally have not been able to hunt the world. But I have moved to a state, only to become a citizen of said state for hunting privileges only.
I hope that the people here can give some insight to the younger generations on what would be the “better” choices.
I was asked by my grandson about what I would do now versus what I did then, I told him that I would need to think about it for a while and would get back to him.

@SS hunter
You couldn't have asked me an easier question.
Either a Savage 110 or a Ruger No1 with 3 interchangeable barrels.
25-06, 280rem and 35 Whelen.
The Ruger No1 would have an interrupted thread so with a quarter turn the barrel could be removed and replaced quickly.
With the Savage barrels are easily changed or I would get the Savage impulse that can change barrels.
The cartridges I chose would allow me to hunt the world for the game I shoot. I can't afford a DG hunt so they would be fine. In reality the 25 and Whelen would be just fine the 280 would just be an added luxury that's more a whim than a need.
Bob
At 60 I already had 2 rifles one very fast 25 and a Whelen.
Bob

 

[BlueFlyer]

When I was in my early 20's I had this rifle built (1987). It was my second centre fire rifle. The first being a CBC151 in 22hornet when I turned 18. I was a poor student with very limited funds.

Enfield M17, Sprinter barrel chambered for 280Ackley Improved, Dargo walnut blank from Roger Vardy, stock pantographed by Geoff Slee which I bedded and finished and added the Red Gum forend tip. Timney triger fitted and bolt straightened by myself. Leupold 4X33 in weaver low rings.
This is still my most accurate hunting rifle that consistently shoots sub-MOA groups, it is perfectly capable for 90% of my hunting.

 

[deewayne2003]

I always viewed the M77 as being bomb-proof. I wish McMillan still inletted for them.

The last time I ordered a McMillan stock was for a buddy of mine years ago and I decided that was the last time I’d have any contact with them what so ever.

I am now a B&C fan, their customer service is excellent and if you call them you can actually speak to someone who both knows what they are talking about and actually wants to help you.

 

[BeeMaa]

I’ve said before that if my grandfather has introduced me to Blaser at a younger age, I would have been better off for the experience.

That said, it would have been the R93 and then I would have upgraded to the R8 15 years later.

Cartridges would be 25-06/257WBY, 30-06/300WM and 375H&H. Probably add in a 416RM as a young fella with eyes bigger than his appetite typically would.

 

[Troubleshooter]

You could go back to when you were 20-25 years old and have a rifle built for you to hunt the world. What would your decision be?
Not only cartridge but also the rifle itself?

Well, 25-year-old me had no illusions of ever being able to hunt "the world." But several years ago I stumbled into a smokin' deal on a like-new Dakota Arm Model 76 Traveler in .300 H&H and .375 H&H. The .300 is more than suitable for deer- and plains-game sized animals and it is supremely accurate (well less than MOA). The .375 meets the legal minimum for dangerous game. Moreover, it breaks down for much easier travel on the airlines. Normally I enjoy haggling over prices but this was an instance when I just shut the hell up and wrote the check before the vendor could change his mind. I am very pleased with this combo and it can truly be used to "hunt the world."

Of course there are two problems with this scenario: First, 25-year-old me could not have afforded it (not to mention two quality scopes); and second, Dakota Arms did not exist at that time. So I probably would have looked for something of good quality such as a Sako in a cartridge such as .30-06 (which incidentally is exactly what I did). Although I should have saved-up for a few more months and put some quality glass on it. It was years later before I was able to do that.

In the case of your grandson, I would advise looking for a high-quality hunting rifle off the used rack at a gun show or a consignment piece at a reputable store. There are a lot of them out there being sold by those who are aging-out of hunting (or their heirs).

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I would want the Winchester Stainless Classic in .375H&H!

@Andrew62
Stainless, classic and Winchester shouldn't be used in the one sentence.
It's either Classic Winchester
Or
Stainless
Because stainless ain't classic
Blued steel and walnut is classic.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I bought a .300 win mag...Browning BAR. I might change the eifle make and model but I think you can handle most things with it. For DG, I'd have something bigger.

@Hornedfrogbbq
BAR switch barrel, 257 Weatherby, 300and 458 win mags.
Now that would be versatile. I know the 458 has been done before.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

What I considered a great rifle over 40 years ago and what I consider a great rifle now are two completely different beasts.

However, the main problem with your proposal is that someone ( especially this someone) with just 25 years under his belt would not have had the intellectual maturity to take advice from an old barstard like me.

I reckon my life would have been pretty boring without my numerous and adventurous mistakes.

@R eight
You only become old and wise by being young and dumb and hopefully live long enough to learn from our stupidity. I know a 68 my choices would be different to young @Wyatt Smith who is less than 30. Fortunately I know he wouldn't say a 6.5 creedmore we
Bob

 

[Wyatt Smith]

I’ll be 29 next week, so almost in your age bracket. I’d have a Winchester 94 in 30-30, and model 70s in both 30-06 and 375 H&H magnum. I’d also throw in a Ruger super Blackhawk 44 magnum in for good measure.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I’ll be 29 next week, so almost in your age bracket. I’d have a Winchester 94 in 30-30, and model 70s in both 30-06 and 375 H&H magnum. I’d also throw in a Ruger super Blackhawk 44 magnum in for good measure.

@Wyatt Smith
Young grasshopper when I was 25 years old we were just coming out of the flint lock era and professing to them new fangled pur- cussin- cap thingys. These new self contained mee-tell-ik things complete with boolit weren't even heerd of.
Oh how the world has changed. Next thing y'all will know these here new fones will be able to take picktures
What's the world a commin to. Moving to dang fast fer me ta keep up
Bob