Holy grails of sporting rifles

It has occurred to me that the Holy Grail of hunting rifles is more of an idea than it is a specific make and model, and that it is always owned by someone else, never by me. I waited 30 years to get what I believe is the finest .22 rimfire sporter ever built by a factory; that is my Unique Dioptra "T". But finding a comparable centerfire rifle costing less than $10K (Ralph Martini's has built several rifles that qualify except for price) has eluded me thus far.
 
My Holy Grail is the next one that I am lusting for... I will always have a holy grail, because I will always be lusting after another one...

For many years it has been a Ruger No.1-A in .223... very rare... the No.1-B .223 is fairly common... some knowledgeable No.1 folks say the gun was never made... but I have ferreted out that a number were indeed made... will keep up my search... in the meantime, I will shoot and enjoy the No.1-B .223.
 
9.3mauser said:
I had an original Newton .256 once, serial number 14! Traded it off for something or other, can't even remember what now. I didn't even think to get pictures of it before I let it go.

I think my personal ultimate holy grail would be one of Karamojo Bell's original .275 Rigbys, or Jim Corbett's tiger rifle. Not much danger of that though, since his old Jeffery .400 is languishing in the Elmer Keith museum.
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I would be VERY happy to own Col. Corbett's .275 Rigby but the problem with owning a firearm like that would be I would be terrified to loose it or damage it by using it. So it should probably stay in a museum for all the world to enjoy.
Regards,
Dave​
 
kamlooky said:
Not sure if the Brno 21H's compete, but sure a nice rifle to shoot.
This is the European 30-06.......8x57.
Had one in 7x57 years ago, but the stock was cut pretty short.
If I knew my youngest daughter wanted to hunt, I would of kept it
for her.

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This is my personal "Holy Grail" rifle. If I had to keep just one rifle it might be my BRNO 21-F. Caliber is 8x57S. It is completely unaltered 100% original, in mint "near new" condition, maybe fired once or twice, with a perfect bore, made in 1945. To me it feels much lighter and handier than the later Brno ZG47 type. I can't think of anything I would trade for it.

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double gun said:
... hard to find, or unique. Maybe something long discontinued ...
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Well, perhaps not quite the "holy grail" in terms of history or $$$ value, but this is my add to the mix:



TAP375 "Lakelander" in 30-06 Spr. The company (TAP) has a very colorful history, and it's now long gone; However, these rifles are still quite sought after in Europe.

As an aside, I thought I'd never see one again, but one popped up in the EE last year... The seller had to drop the price a few times, so whomever bought it got a keeper at a great price...
 
Rob said:
This is my personal "Holy Grail" rifle. If I had to keep just one rifle it might be my BRNO 21-F. Caliber is 8x57S. It is completely unaltered 100% original, in mint "near new" condition, maybe fired once or twice, with a perfect bore, made in 1945. To me it feels much lighter and handier than the later Brno ZG47 type. I can't think of anything I would trade for it.
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It feels much lighter because it is much lighter. :)

That sure is a nice one.
 
Rob said:
This is my personal "Holy Grail" rifle. If I had to keep just one rifle it might be my BRNO 21-F. Caliber is 8x57S. It is completely unaltered 100% original, in mint "near new" condition, maybe fired once or twice, with a perfect bore, made in 1945. To me it feels much lighter and handier than the later Brno ZG47 type. I can't think of anything I would trade for it.
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WOW! That is a thing of beauty! I wouldn't trade or sell that for anything either!
 
Winchester model 100 carbine (19" bbl) semi in 284 Win.
Hasn't had a box off ammo thru it.
Don't shoot it much anymore.
Ammo is scarce and the gun is a rarity I'm told.
Guy offered me $750 for it and I replied "nothing like starting a conversation with a little humor". ;)
 
I have had 4 of the original Remington 700 Titaniums. Although unique and elusive, I traded or sold all of them, including the prized 260. Also had one of the Alaskans but it was such a piece of crap and had so much damage it went back to the dealer.

Wishing I had jumped at an old original Winchester 70. Also passed up a trade offer on a true Mauser. Killing myself for passing up a Griffin & Howe build.
 
Before I retire I'm picking up a nice westly richards maybe a nice used 318 wr
 
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Thanks to fellow CGNer's, I was able to complete my desired sets in Ruger No.1's...

Here (top two guns), are my No.1-RSI's in .243 & 7X57... and my No.1-A's (bottom three guns), .223 & 6.5X55 & .308;



 
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