Anyone have a Stalking rifle to flaunt?
- Thread starter tokguy
- Start date
I think that any rifle can be used for stalking, some are better than others... but I think that there can be a category of rifles that are denoted as "Stalking Rifles." To me these possess the old world charm and characteristics of European and British designs and their more recent North American copies.
I think aesthetics DO come into play... as such and despite their perfect functionality as stalking rifles, I would not consider lever action rifles to fit under the umbrella, nor do semi-automatic rifles of any type, but certainly not "black rifles."
Despite many different types of rifles functioning perfectly in the role of "stalking," I think there are disqualifying factors when we consider a classic "STALKING RIFLE."
This definition is my opinion only, I am sure there will be debate.
Stalking Rifle;
A "Stalking" rifle is a slender and wieldy bolt action or break action/falling block rifle, of lighter weight and has 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.
For interest, I just googled "stalking rifle" hit images, and looked at dozens of rifles that fit my description above... there were no black rifles, no semi-autos, no lever action (other than falling block rifles and a couple Savage 99's), no stainless steel... they were blued metal, walnut stocked bolt action and break action and falling block rifles of trim build.
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Being a Kiwi (New Zealander), Deer stalking is part of our culture, and most common hunting club is the NZ Deer stalkers, most moderate sized towns and city's have one,
I am kind of with Holt on what a stalking rifle is, a moderate to lightweight rifle of deer suitable caliber, non magnum, fitted with irons sights, and/or a smaller scope, thus rifle should be of quick handling, as will be carried for hours/days on end, bolt or single shot. a firm but pad, as I used to bash steps in icy crusted snow and use as a crutch on steep country.
The iron sights are very important, as the Billy(pot) is less likely, to fall of the end of the barrel, and dinner/ brew to end up in the fire.
When culling, I mostly carried a sako vixen .222 or a M700 .270, with a Brno 7x57 and M70 7x57 in later years, still got the Vixen and M70 7x57, a very stupid move caused the loss of the Brno, and I was luckily, to just loose the rifle, and not my life, (flooded river crossing)
Stalking means different things, depending on the type of ground/rifle capabilities/ and stalking skills. My view is that you spot your target, and close in (stalk) to a sensible shooting distance, that a shot can be placed with great confidence, of game being easily recovered.
Many years ago, when i was just starting out my hunting career, 14,15 yeras old, I walked into a hut in the mountains, a party of hunter's (4-5 guys) was staying there (flew in on chopper), an Old time Deer culler, had ### along as camp cook and do do a bit of trout fishing, likely in his mid 80,s,
Camp need a meat animal, 3 of us left before the grey light of dawn, I managed to shoot a yearling, with a longish shot from the .222, (200m)
At sum point the old timer, gave me advise, that has stuck, for close to 40 years, " Sonny, don't tell me how far you shot, tell me how close you got" this I think epitomizes the spirt of stalking, and thus a stalking rifle too.
You’ve given a definition of your type of stalking rifle.
I defined what characteristics a stalking rifle needs to be.
Anyone can Google up what a traditional Euro stalking rifle looks like, if that is the question. That is both unimaginative and doesn’t answer the question of what a stalking rifle actually is.
Google North American Woods rifle and you will see images of everything from wood stocked single shots to black rifles. That might be a better representation of what North Americans think is a stalking rifle.
I did not give a definition of what "I" think a stocking rifle is, I gave a definition of what I think that "most" people consider to be a stalking rifle... and Google confirmed that when queried for images of a "stalking rifle..." no other words or description... that would be tens of thousands of online entries tagged as "stalking rifles." Apparently I am not too far off what most people consider... no matter how many people want to submit their AR platform guns.
Again, I believe there is a difference between a "stalking rifle" and a rifle used while stalking.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Yes, you described what many people think a traditional Euro stalking rifle looks like. I described how a stalking rifle should function. Ultimately the functional characteristics are what is most important in a rifle.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
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...
The best walking-carrying rifle I've ever used and best bush rifle hands down I've ever used was a CZ-858; they are made for long comfortable carry and fast handling. That said, to my mind the perfection of hunting rifles I've ever handled was a Daniel Fraser takedown Mauser in .303 British -- a company that failed, reputedly, because they made guns that were too nice.
The stalking rifle as a genre is governed by distinct technical and historical design doctrine covering stock material, barrel profile and taper, sight type and placement, stock and cheekpiece layout, balance, and even details such as engraving, with the purpose of being a living and unobtrusive extension and showcasing of its commissioner's skill in the chase. It is generally based on a handful of original historical action designs, themselves created under much of the same design criteria, and of those actions only specific types, and doesn't admit a whole lot of variance -- some would say even optical sighting cannot be used and I would be inclined to agree, though it leaves my bad eyes up the creek.
This is not to say that nothing else can be used for hunting, or that the stalking rifle is somehow "better", or that other hunting rifles can't be used for stalking. But the stalking rifle itself is a very refined and thoughtful compromise that goes beyond simplicity into a very nuanced blend of aesthetics and functional performance.
The stalking rifle as a genre is governed by distinct technical and historical design doctrine covering stock material, barrel profile and taper, sight type and placement, stock and cheekpiece layout, balance, and even details such as engraving, with the purpose of being a living and unobtrusive extension and showcasing of its commissioner's skill in the chase. It is generally based on a handful of original historical action designs, themselves created under much of the same design criteria, and of those actions only specific types, and doesn't admit a whole lot of variance -- some would say even optical sighting cannot be used and I would be inclined to agree, though it leaves my bad eyes up the creek.
This is not to say that nothing else can be used for hunting, or that the stalking rifle is somehow "better", or that other hunting rifles can't be used for stalking. But the stalking rifle itself is a very refined and thoughtful compromise that goes beyond simplicity into a very nuanced blend of aesthetics and functional performance.
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!!
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?
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?
