Traditionaly British deer stalking calibers
- Thread starter vpsalin
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The OP is asking about original or traditional calibers used for stalking rifles but keeps trying to put recent hunting trends in as traditional. Bearhunter has a handle on this, the .303 British was indeed the most popular caliber pre WW2 and until the 1950's, although many rifles were also made for different proprietary cartridges. The .303 was certainly adequate for the game being hunted, the Lee Enfield action was well known and respected ( millions of these men had trusted their lives to this combination), German products and association after WW1 were eyed unfavourably. To a Brit circa 1900-1955 the .303 and the Lee Enfield action were the best in the world, even though many "sanitized" German actions were also used. In this same time period the 30-06 Springfield held the same prominence in USA, what a surprise. And the Germans thought the same way about the 8x57 and Mauser rifle combination. Pity the poor French. Don't forget, most "modern" sporting calibres such as .308, .243, 7mm Rem Mag, etc didn't exist until the 1950's and didn't gain much popularity until the 1960's, 1970's and 1980's. Manufacturers had discovered by then that sales were increased by introducing the latest "improved performance" cartridge which usually duplicated something much older but now has a ###y name or a belt.
For those who think that the "Old boy network" is a thing of the past, it's still a fact that in the UK. A huge percentage (80+%) of those we would think of as successful here in North America - doctors, scientists, politicians, celebrities, professional athletes, and authors, are products of "public" schools and the non-government school system. If your child goes to a school that's paid for by the government, they aren't a part of anything above the middle class unless they are truly outstanding individuals. Not much has really changed, the "old school tie" is very much a thing and the folks at the top make sure it stays that way.
I struggle to believe that purpose built sporting rifles were being chambered for .303 though...I could be wrong?
Oh, you mean like these?
Just because the only 303's you've seen have been nothing but bubba'ed milsurps, doesn't make it so.
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Since stipulating "middle of the century" would suggest post WW2 to mid 1950s: that removes most of the 308win family of rounds as the 308 came about around 1952, 243- 1954 and would not likely have made inroads in European markets yet.
I'd start looking at traditional British rounds like 240 Belted Rimless NE from H&H, 303, 30 Purdey: since you specifically mention 7x57 - the British counterpart 275 Rigby. A more traditional hunter (assuming brush guns are comparable to here) might opt for large and slow rounds like 375 2.5" flanged NE or 360 NE. The British of the time had plenty of choices: what is obsolete now was still kicking then.
I'd start looking at traditional British rounds like 240 Belted Rimless NE from H&H, 303, 30 Purdey: since you specifically mention 7x57 - the British counterpart 275 Rigby. A more traditional hunter (assuming brush guns are comparable to here) might opt for large and slow rounds like 375 2.5" flanged NE or 360 NE. The British of the time had plenty of choices: what is obsolete now was still kicking then.
Let me paint you the stalking scene in England
First you have to hunt a gold medal trophy in all main 6 species then a doe in each species. That might take you 2-3 seasons
Then you need to be invited to get the last 2 species because they only exists in private estates
Once you have done that you need to stalk in the top 24 estates
I don’t want to bore you to name them but it’s all on the internet
Once you have done that the golden invite is to stalk at Sandringham and balmoral
Only then you can say you have stalked in England.
Having silly calibres will not get one anywhere - just the service entrance and an off season cull perhaps.....
We have a nice SxS Holland and Holland in 303 on consignment here right now.
In reality many calibre's are used, as rifles are handed down through the generations and a hunter using his grandfather's rifle is not uncommon. So rare calibre rifles from the late nineteenth century up to the latest from Europe are often seen on the field.
My first stag was taken in Scotland with a Sako in 6.5x55, considered by many as the big game cartridge in the UK. I was advised on purchasing a rifle in this calibre as I was also due to hunt in Scandinavia, Austria and Romania on a regular basis.
There is no one cartridge that everyone goes to, and with the Registered Firearm Certificate system when I live in England, they like you to keep the calibre's and numbers of rifles very lean. (Hard to own a Sako Quad with all the calibre's as you require a reason per calibre.)
Candocad.
My first stag was taken in Scotland with a Sako in 6.5x55, considered by many as the big game cartridge in the UK. I was advised on purchasing a rifle in this calibre as I was also due to hunt in Scandinavia, Austria and Romania on a regular basis.
There is no one cartridge that everyone goes to, and with the Registered Firearm Certificate system when I live in England, they like you to keep the calibre's and numbers of rifles very lean. (Hard to own a Sako Quad with all the calibre's as you require a reason per calibre.)
Candocad.
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I was at a function of some sort, and picked a Royal Engineers tie off the rack. I was questioned about it by someone who knew these things. My defence is the Royal Canadian Engineers tie is not as attractive, and my unit had had a succession of very fine RE exchange officers. And no offence was intended. It worked.
