All around hunting rifle/showpeice

Of the rifles you listed, the Winchester Model 70 fits my idea of what constitutes a good-looking rifle. The checkering pattern on the Sako 85 ruins the looks for me, X-Bolts are just plain hideous, and I don't care for Weatherby styling.

Oiled finishes have the advantage of being easier to touch up compared with glossy polyurethane finishes as well as not showing nicks or dings as badly. Personally, I think they look classier, too. Remember, the finest sporting arms as made by makers like Holland & Holland or Rigby use an oil finish.

You might also want to consider a quality used rifle such as:

-Pre '64 Model 70
-Browning Safari Grade (FN Mauser action)
-Older Sakos
-Brno ZG-47
 
The ones tjhaile listed are all great classic rigs.

What I love about nicely grained wood stocks is they always look beautiful, and every ding adds character. Factor in an oil finish, and you have a winner every time. That kind of finish is extremely easy to touch up and very easy to make look good. I always get comments on my 375 about "how could I take such a beautiful rifle hunting?" and all that stuff. I've always figured life is too short to hunt with an ugly rifle...

Mind you, I've always thought that the most elegant and beautiful "finishes" are the oil finishes on old 1942 SMLEs that have been touched up. The dings and everything just kinda add character, and in my opinion certainly don't take away from the rifle at all. My 375 is slowly getting that way too.
 
Buy a Weatherby, M70, or whatever tickles your fancy.
Make sure it has beautiful wood on it.;)

Buy a plastic stock for it, throw it in the back of the truck and start hunting.

When hunting season is over put wood stock back on and enjoy.

Or buy 2 rifles.:D
 
I bought this Parker Hale .300 Win Mag at the Chilliwack Gunshow for $350 it is very nice, accurate and has styling similar to a Weatherby.

P4290024.jpg
 
Big Banger said:
I bought this Parker Hale .300 Win Mag at the Chilliwack Gunshow for $350 it is very nice, accurate and has styling similar to a Weatherby.

In all the stops at gun shops to take look at inventory, I still haven't found one that looks as good as yours. Your photo hit the nail right on the head. Now I have to re-evaluate if I really would take one hunting.

My guess is that you won't part with her for my budget :(
Click to expand...
 
I'm sure you'd find LOTS of people who would very gladly sell you their Parker Hale for $1500!
 
Big Banger said:
I bought this Parker Hale .300 Win Mag at the Chilliwack Gunshow for $350 it is very nice, accurate and has styling similar to a Weatherby.

P4290024.jpg
Click to expand...

Nugget got one of those from Russel's in 300 Win mag for 250 bucks. How could he go wrong.....other than finding out the chamber was so bulged the fired cased were the same dia. as the belt.

They sure have a Weathurbee look to them.
 
Your first four replies are the best advice of all.

This thread brings to light a recent phone call from an old friend, we were catching up on each others lives and families and naturally the conversation gravitated to hunting and fishing.
Then I realised he was still using some of the original guns bought when we were much younger. This friend saved up hard earned cash 30 years back and then bought a new Sako 22-250, I do not remember exactly how much he paid but at that time it seemed like an exorbitant amount.
After thousands of rounds through this great gun and after downing countless coyotes and small game the rifle is still deadly accurate. He also bought other Sako's and Tikka's in several different calibres all with the same great performance as the original Sako.

So yes save up your cash and wait to buy exactly the gun you want.
 
Noel said:
Nugget got one of those from Russel's in 300 Win mag for 250 bucks. How could he go wrong.....other than finding out the chamber was so bulged the fired cased were the same dia. as the belt.

They sure have a Weathurbee look to them.
Click to expand...

Ouch. Did he rebarrel the thing?
 
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