Factory "Gentleman's rifle" - if there is such a thing

[8x68]

Original 416 Rigby, or 404 Jeffery made by John Rigby

 

[BR427]

So what's wrong with an AR Platform in .308 if one lived in a free kunrtry where it was legal to hunt with?

 

[Ardent]

Not enough wood.

 

[Butcherbill]

So what's wrong with an AR Platform in .308 if one lived in a free kunrtry where it was legal to hunt with?

There are a couple non restricted ar10 .308 semis available now and as fun as they would be to hunt with, I wouldn’t picture a “gentlemen” with one. Have to be something blued with a nice walnut stock.

 

[Got Juice?]

Ruger #1. The Epitome of Gentleman's Rifle.

 

[unstableryan]

One of my best friends has exactly that rifle. It has a warm load with a 165gr SST I think and he's hunted with it for 23 years or so since it was a 16th birthday present. Hell of a hunting rifle but kind of a son of a ##### off the bench

My dad handed down his Winchester model 70 featherweight in 30-06 to me. I guess that means its heirloom quality.

He bought it in the 80s and used for hunting deer. 30-06 will work on anything that lives in North America.

 

[unstableryan]

I've got a matching pair of these in 30'06 and .270. I'm thinking they were the inspiration for the model 70 featherweight since mine were made in '57-'58.

 

[chasseur]

Bsa Lee speed 303 Brit

 

[SuperCub]

The Ruger #1A is a vg choice without having to remortgage the house. Lots of very good suggestions in this thread otherwise.

 

[SuperCub]

So what's wrong with an AR Platform in .308 if one lived in a free kunrtry where it was legal to hunt with?

I'd love to have an AR Platform in 308 for hunting but think a M98 Platform in a nice walnut chassis is more along the lines of what the OP was looking for.

 

[AR15meister]

Looking for members opinions on what they consider a "gentlemans rifle," make, model caliber etc.

I have a couple decent rifles, some junk, and one higher priced custom sheep rifle. But what im talking about here is Blue / Nice walnut and heirloom quality.

For the purposes of this question, the caliber must be capable of taking all NA game animals.

Rifles that come to mind for myself are:

-Win M70 Supergrade in 300wm, 7mm, or 06
-Maybe a nice Rem 700 BDL? in the above cals, has Remington lost its class?
-A classic WBY MkV in 300wby?

Just tossing around ideas and looking for input for next spring when I will be back in the market and in the mood for putting on the safari shirt, packing a stogie and a flask and chasing critters around the hills.

Mike.

I think in the price range of the rifles mentioned you can find some nice stuff. A brand new supergrade M70 in 30-06 is a friggin nice, classic and gentlemanly piece in my personal opinion. Go a little wild and get a Maple one if you want to add that extra element of interest and fun. I personally love them but I have always loved Winchesters. Top it with some excellent and classic looking glass. I have wanted one for a long time but it would create some redundancy in my rifle battery as I already have a featherweight in .308 with a Swarovski Z3 3-9 on it.

If you go into the upper snack bracket price wise $$$$ then there are limitless choices. Under or around 10k you have the nice single shots from certain makers, you have the mausers, coopers and rigbys..and lots of other choices.

A classic Weatherby would be nice as well in 300WBY. The Weatherby's are flashier.

I think really it would come down to personal preference.

don't really know the Remington but I think my Christensen Arms mountain rifle is based on one and it is an absolutely reliable and accurate rifle that hasn't let me down on trips all over the world. It is the rifle I would keep if all sentimentality was stripped away and only function and the ability to kill things mattered.

 

[chuck nelson]

If you are going to talk things like Holland & Holland you might as well go full blown custom.

 

[Evanguy]

Personally i feel recoil pads take away from a gentlemens rifle. Unless you have an injured shoulder or other complications

 

[chuck nelson]

Personally i feel recoil pads take away from a gentlemens rifle. Unless you have an injured shoulder or other complications

Recoil pads have been around a long time and serve more purpose than recoil reduction.

 

[Ardent]

Now a nudge towards the fringes of the bell curve, my take on a gentleman’s rifle. The proper ones come with more than one barrel.

 

[1899]

Why a single trigger on the H&H?

 

[Ardent]

Because it’s the right way to fly. Actually my preference as well, but a rare one on classic doubles.

 

[kamlooky]

Why a single trigger on the H&H?

Probably choked the same....................
Qwicker to go .....bang.......bang.

 

[1899]

Because it’s the right way to fly. Actually my preference as well, but a rare one on classic doubles.

No I meant is there an advantage? What is the purpose of having a single trigger?

 

[Evanguy]

Recoil pads have been around a long time and serve more purpose than recoil reduction.

Ohh i believe they have been. And i wasnt trying to offend you at all. But now that you mention it, what else could a recoil pad do that a solid butt plate couldnt, other then soak up some recoil?



And yes. Single trigger on a double rifle for sure. The one i have in the works is a single trigger. Ardent's posts have shifted my whole collection. It went from mill surplus to big bore hunting rifles with character and class.