Anyone have a Stalking rifle to flaunt?

hoytcanon said:
Right... function. You think the ergonomics (aesthetics) have nothing to do with function... your choice looks like an absolute joy to carry through the woods... or kicking down doors in the hood...
Click to expand...

Ergonomics are not aesthetics.

Ergonomics play a big part of function, especially in a rifle used to stalk through the forest. Aesthetics are about appearance, not function.

The rifle in my picture is indeed a joy to carry through the woods, as I explained in the description. I've carried many firearms of many descriptions through steep and thick coastal forest, I'm pretty qualified to determine what works well. The ergonomics of that rifle are exceptionally good, although a person would have to actually have experience with it to fully understand why.
 
prairieguy said:
Would a bolt action rifle with a titanium action and bolt, carbon fiber wrapped barrel, no iron sights and carbon fiber or fiberglass stock with classic lines still fall within the definition of a stalking rifle? Or would this make purists come unglued?
Click to expand...

I'm sure some people would come unglued. Laugh2

But given the wide variety of firearms displayed in this thread (blue, stainless, walnut, laminate, synthetic, lever, bolt, single, pump, long, short) I am equally sure that many more would be accepting of diversity in stalking rifles. :)
 
I've owned a few black rifles. They are fun indeed, but it's not only about function and ergos, it's about the whole experience and balance. Anyway, go drop that thing in the mud and see if it still functions reliably.
 
prairieguy said:
When I think of a stalking rifle I think immediately of $$$$. A country gentleman's rifle. A Rigby or other English bolt action rifle or German Kipplauf with deep bluing, engraving and spectacular wood. That said, there are also the professional hunter / game keeper / working man's versions which although much plainer still follow the same form. These are all based off 100 year old designs and specifications.

But, what of the modern equivalent? Taking into consideration the many advances in metallurgy, composites and optical sights since the stalking rifle came into existence, is there a place in this discussion for a stalking rifle which is not blued steel and wood?

Would a bolt action rifle with a titanium action and bolt, carbon fiber wrapped barrel, no iron sights and carbon fiber or fiberglass stock with classic lines still fall within the definition of a stalking rifle? Or would this make purists come unglued?
Click to expand...

I stalk with a 338 lapua. "Stalking rifle" means different things to different people

 
"Stalking Rifle" is governed by distinct design perimeters. No debate really.

Doesn't mean other kinds of rifles can't be used for stalking. Just like all types of rifle can be used for benchrest, but everybody knows what a benchrest rifle is.
 
Last edited:
Gatehouse said:
Ergonomics are not aesthetics.

Ergonomics play a big part of function, especially in a rifle used to stalk through the forest. Aesthetics are about appearance, not function.

The rifle in my picture is indeed a joy to carry through the woods, as I explained in the description. I've carried many firearms of many descriptions through steep and thick coastal forest, I'm pretty qualified to determine what works well. The ergonomics of that rifle are exceptionally good, although a person would have to actually have experience with it to fully understand why.
Click to expand...

Thanks, teach... you really caught that one.

Your black rifle may indeed be used while stalking, but a stalking rifle it ain't. Nobody minds you using what you like, and I guess if you really want to you can drive a Honda Civic and call it a pick-up too.

Merry Christmas.
 
Dogfish858 said:
"Stalking Rifle" is governed by distinct design perimeters. No debate really.

Doesn't mean other kinds of rifles can't be used for stalking. Just like all types of rifle can be used for benchrest, but everybody knows what a benchrest rifle is.
Click to expand...

True enough.While 'some' of what's now available in style or calibre choice doesn't coincide with my ;) pre-metric era tastes, I don't really knock them. While I applaud making more style and calibre 'choices' available, many of todays aren't for me. My preferences still lean toward something along more traditional lines, nicely figured wood and blued steel. If it looks like something Darth Vader would give to Luke Skywalker on Halloween, that's not for me.
 
DGY said:
FWIW, I’m with Hoyt regarding what I think is a stalking rifle, and no matter how good the AR platforms might be or how good a plastic black rifle like the T3’s are I would never ever consider buying one, they might be good but my rifles are as good and plus they look good!!
Click to expand...

All the sharp edges and corners on Black rifles...no thanks.
I ive on the creek with pretty tight bush. Walked and stalked with most platforms.
Ideally I like a short rifle, about a 22" bbl & sleek. I've a Savage 219 that I never take out. A 30-30, so it has sufficient power for the task at hand. But it handles really nice.
I would digress and say the a lever carbine is close to fitting the description.
Sorta figured Gatehouse would buck the trend and put up a Black rifle. It's in his nature. Don't feel much like arguing, so 'Run what ya brung'
Brings me to mind of an 'merican term "He's the kind of guy who brings an AK47 to hunt camp..."
Typically it is a European term, so I lean towards their definition...so to speak.
But like I said "Run what ya brung"
Stay safe and good luck in your hunting
 
Gatehouse said:
To me, a stalking rifle implies you are going to mostly be hunting timber or similar and mostly (but not always) will be used at closer range.

A stalking rifle can be constructed from steel, aluminum, wood, plastic- whatever. Material is not important.

A stalking rifle can be a single shot, bolt action, lever, semi - whatever. Action type is not important.

Cartridge can be anything that will kill the designated species cleanly and has the ballistics for the longest distance you intend to shoot.

What is important is that it is capable of fast handling, quick target acquisition and precise shooting at any distance you may expect to encounter game. You need to be able to jump shoot an animal that you have spooked from it's bed or that is on the move through timber as well as be able to make a good shot on an animal across a clearing or meadow (I will say up to about 300 yards but that is my parameters- yours may be different)

Ultimately the appearance of a stalking rifle is not important, it's handling characteristics are.
Click to expand...

This- An Also Said Stalking rifle must be loaded with those suitable stalking projectiles which may be needed on a jumped deer or a 300m canyon shot. :)
 
To me, a fullstock rifle in an adequate chambering, is a stalking rifle. Short barreled, ergonomic and often not scoped. I spent the better part of 15 years collecting them and found the balance the biggest attribute.
 
If you have not done this...then it's a perfect test. If you have then your feed would be influenced.
Pinterest it. Tell us what you see.
Pinterest is my "I don't feel like dealing with trolls or folks that want to argue yet" morning coffee read.
Which is where I shall be bound for.
Keep the pics of nice rifles coming. A couple trolls spitting in the eye of traditionalists is too be expected... it's in their nature.
As a younger fellow I used to have a certain sub forum where I'd go to cause a ruckus. Guess I outgrew it.
Every now and again I do get ornery and post silly crap as well, but I also can back up and eat crow when i realize I'm acting like a 'Richard Cranium'
Have a great day.
Tok
 
hoytcanon said:
Stalking Rifle;

A "Stalking" rifle is a slender and wieldy bolt action or breakaction/falling block rifle, of lighter weight and is generally (but not always, these days) possessing blued metal in a nicely grained walnut stock. It wears a short to medium length light Sporter contour barrel, usually with functional iron sights, but may be scoped with a low-power optic. It is most commonly chambered in an accepted medium/large game cartridge from 6mm to .375 cal.
Click to expand...

HC is bang on with this description of what a stalking rifle is. While I own lots of rifles that could be used for "stalking", I would only consider one or two to be stalking rifles in the traditional sense. The synthetic/stainless ones do not fit into this category for me. Tradition is the key word to this description and much of that is based on historic British tradition given the type of hunting they do there.

It's the same as when one considers an upland shotgun. Traditionally, a gun like this would be a SxS shotgun and to a lesser extent an O/U, usually a smaller bore but not always, bbls not longer than 28' with open chokes. One could use a tac'd up 870 with drop mag, folding stock and an 18" bbl with breacher for upland if they wish. That would be fine, but that shotgun would not fall into the TRADITIONAL description of an upland gun.

If you want to use an AR style rifle and call it a stalking rifle, fill your boots. You'll get no argument from me, but like the aforementioned 870, it falls outside of what a stalking rifle is in the true TRADITIONAL sense.
 
gunrunner100 said:
To me, a fullstock rifle in an adequate chambering, is a stalking rifle. Short barreled, ergonomic and often not scoped. I spent the better part of 15 years collecting them and found the balance the biggest attribute.
Click to expand...

Way back when, I lusted for a svelte full stocked rifle in 6.5x57 with an undrilled 98 action with a nice logo on the front ring, drop floorplate, original flag safety, 20" bbl sighted with a Lyman or Redfield receiver sight with an oberndorf style straight bolt handle.

Prolly never do it, but that's the way it was. :)
 
I have long thought that a hybrid Ruger No.1/No. 3 would make a dandy stalking rifle. Shotgun butt, lightweight 26" barrel. Sort of a hammerless Hi Wall Winchester. Simple S lever of the No. 3.
 
tiriaq said:
I have long thought that a hybrid Ruger No.1/No. 3 would make a dandy stalking rifle. Shotgun butt, lightweight 26" barrel. Sort of a hammerless Hi Wall Winchester. Simple S lever of the No. 3.
Click to expand...

What chambering in your hybrid?
 
When talking about TRADITIONAL I think we have to look at whose traditions we are actually discussing.

I imagine that few people on this thread have participated in the tradition of stalking deer with a traditional Euro stalking rifle on an estate in the UK.

On the other hand I bet most of the people here have hunted deer using a traditional North American stalking rifle like a lever action or sporterized Enfield or pump action.

There is nothing wrong with focusing on the appearance of traditional firearms on another continent if that is what interests you, of course. However I feel that when discussing traditions, the traditional stalking rifles of North American hunters have just as much merit, especially to us Canadians. Levers, pumps, semis, milsurp bolt actions etc all have a place in the stalking rifle category.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom