WeatherdoG
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Trenton, ON
That is an amazing rifle, in a classy cartridge!
One gun to rule them all...
- Thread starter Neo
- Start date
Question asked. Question answered.
In truth, Douglas, early on in the project I did consider building it on a new GMA action. But the more I considered what I was trying to accomplish, the more it seemed the wrong way to go. So many of those old Express rifles I used to look at in photos had the thumb slot, and once i saw in person how Ralf beautifully matched the contour of his stocks to the thumb slots, I knew immediately that this little bit of nostalgia was a crucial piece of the final design, at least in my eyes.
Of course, another big part of the decision was simply having the core of the rifle (in this case, the action) not being something shiny and new, but rather an actual piece of the past. Somehow, it makes the end result seem a little more "authentic" if that makes any sense.
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Then my work here is done!
Actually, no it isn't. My work with you will never be done until I see you smiling and breaking out into spontaneous dance moves. Lord knows what that will take, but I'm trying...
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Very tastefully done. I agree with your choice of walnut and I like the stock lines especially through the pistol grip area. Purely cosmetic, but the only change I would make would be in the ebony fore end tip. It begs to be more rounded instead of swept back. But I suspect that is Ralf's European style. Over all a drop dead gorgeous rifle and in an older classic calibre. And there is nothing wrong with a high end Leupold scope on that that rifle. In fact as a compliment I would send Leupold a picture of the rifle with one of there scopes mounted on it.
The rifle is built on an Argentine Mauser action, of which Ralf always seems to have a few on hand. Ed LaPour 3 position safety. Blackburn bottom metal and trigger.
Weight without scope and rings: 8 lbs. 2 oz.
With scope and rings: 9 lbs. 8 oz.
Loaded and ready to go: 9 lbs. 13 oz.
As others have rightly pointed out, it is (to quote Gatehouse) a bit of a "chunky" optic I have mounted on it. Even with that scope, the overall result is well balanced with the weight sitting more or less evenly between the hands where it belongs. But I remain a bit torn in this regard. Functionally, I love the scope, and my requirements here are fairly specific -- a fairly minimalist reticle that still incorporates stadia lines for quick holdovers, a simple foolproof and repeatable turret system allowing precise dialing in when time allows on longer shots, and an upper magnification range of at least 10x to support shots out to 400 - 450 yards when there's no other choice and conditions are good. Still, for all that, I do agree that a sleeker optic would do better justice to the rifle aesthetically. If anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears
Nice, nice, nice!!!
The superlatives have been used up, the rifle and everything about it has been well thought-out, and the result is, simply, magic.
Well done!
May you -and your sons- have many hunts to enjoy with it!
The superlatives have been used up, the rifle and everything about it has been well thought-out, and the result is, simply, magic.
Well done!
May you -and your sons- have many hunts to enjoy with it!
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I know what you're saying, and In my earlier years I used to feel likewise. That was when I seemed to always leave the wood stocked rifles at home, and found myself hunting with stainless steel rifles and synthetic stocks. At the time, it made good sense.
Over the years, though, I came to realize that while a showroom-new high end rifle can be aesthetically beautiful, it also has little character. It all came to a head when I got to handle and admire the John Rigby & Sons .470 NE double carried daily by PH John Sharp during my hunts with him in Zimbabwe. That rifle is now almost 100 years old. It was a gift to John from Holland & Holland many years ago, in thanks for the clientele John had steered their way. As an unbelievable gesture of gratitude, they pulled the old gun out of their storeroom and had it rebuilt and restocked before presenting it to him. Since then, it's been with him every single day he has hunted. And it shows it. Not in any sort of abusive way, but simply with honest wear, constant carrying, and all the small nicks and dings that come along with a life of service. Whenever I've held that rifle, it simply cries out with tales of where it's been and what it's seen. And despite all the weathering, the quality and elegance in every aspect of it still shines through. Now, being older myself, I see the real beauty in John's Rigby. If you were to show me two guns, a brand new H&H Royal double and John's Rigby and told me I could have one of them, I would choose the latter in a heartbeat.
When I spoke with Ralf about this very subject, he enthusiastically encouraged me to take the rifle hunting and to never look back. "Wood and metal can always be refinished, and I refinished my own rifle (a Hagn single shot in .300 Wby) a couple times. But many years ago I gave up on it. When you remember how those little marks got there in the first place, sometimes it seems a shame to erase them."
Weight without scope and rings: 8 lbs. 2 oz.
With scope and rings: 9 lbs. 8 oz.
Loaded and ready to go: 9 lbs. 13 oz.
As others have rightly pointed out, it is (to quote Gatehouse) a bit of a "chunky" optic I have mounted on it. Even with that scope, the overall result is well balanced with the weight sitting more or less evenly between the hands where it belongs. But I remain a bit torn in this regard. Functionally, I love the scope, and my requirements here are fairly specific -- a fairly minimalist reticle that still incorporates stadia lines for quick holdovers, a simple foolproof and repeatable turret system allowing precise dialing in when time allows on longer shots, and an upper magnification range of at least 10x to support shots out to 400 - 450 yards when there's no other choice and conditions are good. Still, for all that, I do agree that a sleeker optic would do better justice to the rifle aesthetically. If anyone has a suggestion, I'm all ears
If you want to stick with Leupolds, the 2.5-8x36 VXIII with the reticle of your choice would look so slick on that rifle. 8x is plenty for 450 yard shooting at big game, but the 3.5-10x42 would also be less chunky and offer more magnification.
