What does my "once in a lifetime" hunting rifle look like? Answer Given

TJCote

TJCote

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As a retirement gift to myself, I plan on ordering a rifle and scope to commemorate the occasion. I've always hunted with good rifles but never had a custom or semi-custom hunting rifle. This may be the last new rifle that I order and possibly the last opportunity at acquiring that special "once in a lifetime" rifle.
There are many experts on this forum. I would appreciate your help, advice and ideas on what would be a fitting purchase.
1) The budget is not really limited...but let's say a maximum of $10,000 for everything...rifle, scope, and mounting hardware. I'm not sure, but I think that most custom and virtually all sem-custom rifles with premium glass would fall well under that limit.
2) This will be a hunting rifle...not a museum show piece. I don't want a hand carved, gold inlayed work of art. I don't like the distraction that I feel when I'm bush whacking with a fine piece of furniture attached to my rifle. As such, the rifle should have a composite stock.
3) The choice of caliber should be suitable for most western prairie/mountain hunting...something that I can shoot out to 500 or 600 meters, if need be. I'm a little recoil sensitive, so most of the magnums are probably not suitable. The principle game is deer, caribou, and sheep.
4) The rifle should be relatively light weight (but not ultralight)...I like to walk and stalk.
5) The rifle needs to be very accurate. This probably goes without saying, but sometimes accuracy is sacrificed to get the weight down on the ultralight rifles. Also recoil becomes more of an issue as weight goes down. So in this case, I feel that accuracy is more important than the rifle being ultralight.
6) The scope needs to be relatively light but I'd like the best possible glass. Calibrated elevation turrets would be an asset.

From your experience what rifle/scope/mount combination would you suggest? I would appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks,
 
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You had me interested until I got the to the "composite stock" part. A Kimber Montana with Talley lightweight mounts in 7x57/.270/.280/.30-06 should fit the bill.

I was going to recommend a full custom rig, but to me a custom rifle calls for a decent piece of wood.
 
Cooper Excalibur .280 rem? Prophet River has a Jackson in .280 AI, around 2300$ With your budget you have lots of options, but that's what I'd buy in a semi custom lol. I'd have a hard time spending 10000 on a hunting rifle and scope. I could live with 2500 on a rifle though. I'm sure some of the finer rifle aficionados will give some better options. I always liked the cooper line of rifles though.

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You say recoil sensitive, what cal are you comfortable shooting? Shooter1971 has an ideal choice for you, even leaves you 7500 for a scope :)

As for recoil, the .280 would be similar to .30-06 with heavier bullets.
 
Er Shaw in 264 wm. Yes it's still magnum but it doesn't kick that hard. Shoots fast and flat. Ideal for the game you mentioned
Christinen arms I think I spelled that wrong makes a great light weight synthetic rifle. They make long range hunting rifles. Prophet river could prolly bring one in for you
 
The $10000 was a stretch limit. I didn't want to put on an actual limit because I have heard some of the true customs are coming in at 5-6k$. However, I also didn't want to say "unlimited" price tag because that can get out of hand (and my wife would end up setting some arbitrary limit, lol). I like the idea of the Cooper. It would be considered as semi-custom, correct? Some guys, I have heard, are purchasing a Cooper and ordering 2 stocks...one composite and one fine wood. That might be an idea.
Any of the .30 mags, in general, are too much recoil for me in a relatively light package, so I would say that that is outside the limit.
Any thoughts on the ultimate hunting scope?
 
Well... whatever platform you decide to go with go with, it should be in a 7mm or .30 cal. For your stated purposes, I would be inclined to say 7 RM. A Cooper would do fine in 7 RM or .280 AI... as for glass, a Zeiss or Swarovski of your choice, in an appropriate zoom range for your conditions... the gun should come in around half to 3/4 of your budget, depending on how crazy you go on glass and hardware.
 
Conetrol rings, Schmidt and Bender scope anD 6.5 06 Ackley improved, McMillan stock,Mauser action and pick your gunsmith.
 
What's does my "once in lifetime" hunting rifle look like?

nothing like one of those Savage bargain buster rifle/scope deals, I'm sure.

if you are not a fan of recoil, like me, why not go 308, short action, lighter weight, and can knock down what you are stalking. I draw the line at 308/30-06 for myself, recoil wise. My single shot is in 30-06, as I do not like long action repeating rifles. My rifle would be topped with the finest Leupold glass and super low Leupold rings, but that's just me. I do not like those big bulky eye pieces found on most other scopes. As for the rifle itself, I will leave that up to you. Good Luck with your custom set up.
 
If I had to spend $10K on a rifle meeting your criteria, there would really only be one choice for ME personally. Sadly, for the OP, I'm not sure it can be had without any engraving or without nice wood.

Of those guns still made, I would choose the Gebruder Merkel 2022D over/under double rifle in either 7x57R or 9.3x74R, depending on what your primary quarry will be. Heck, you could order two barrel sets and have both.

The over-and-under double rifle 2000 series are fast-action and precise rifles - classical driven hunt specialists. Merkel has further refined the characteristics of the gun with a combination of various details. The single trigger allows a rapid second shot. The Merkel Duo manual cocking system combines high-level safety when carrying the decocked gun with the option of quick reloading and shooting without further cocking. The set trigger finally comes into operation when the precision shot is fired from the high seat. All this, with an elegance and responsiveness which has been the trademark of Merkel rifles for more than a century. The over-and-under rifle models varies in wood grade and long side plates.

DETAILS
OVER AND UNDER RIFLE 2022D: modified Anson & Deeley locks | rugged steel action | Kersten cross bolt | non selective single trigger, with set trigger | manual safety with intercepting safety sear | with ejectors | pistol grip, cheekpiece and hogsback comb | horizontal and vertical muzzle adjustment | picture shows a prepared claw mount
Click to expand...

2022D.jpg


YMMV, but I've always liked the Merkel stuff better than the better-known H&H doubles. I also prefer the over/under combos, shotguns and double-rifles to the side by sides preferred by many of the dangerous game crowd. In my personal experience, first-shot accuracy is better and and barrel synchronization is less of an issue.

Now that said, I picked this gun because you specified you wanted a rifle. If you are a little more open-minded, I already have my "once in a lifetime" gun, in my case a Merkel model 210/250E with two sets of barrels, one in 16 full over 7x57R, and another in 16 full over 16 mod. Set up with claw mounts, Hensoldt glass, and with some nice options like an inletted cartridge trap and a removable krieghoff chamber insert for 22 mag.

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.264 Win Mag.

My personal preference would be to start with a Sako action and have a quality stainless barrel chambered to my specs, and put it in a McMillan stock. Sako ringmounts and a nice S&B or NF scope.
 
My $0.02 would be a Cooper 52 in 30-06 or 280AI. Scope it with a Schimdt and Bender Precision Hunter in 3-12 or 4-16x50 with a P3 reticle. I would order one with a composite and a wood stock personally. Also, all stainless is an option with them now if that tickles your fancy.
Don't discount the 30-06 if you're a handloader. Plenty flat with 155gr and plenty of thump with 200/220's.

My other pick would be a CZ Safari Express in 300H&H. These are custom order from the custom shop in Kansas. The 300H&H doesn't have punishing recoil like most 300's( just a tad more than the ought 6) with good trajectory and an all around classy chambering. They can be had with composite, laminate, or any grade or walnut you prefer. Many options to pick from on these as well. These come in at around $3500 usually and are all hand fitted.

The CZ would be my ultimate rifle but everyone is different. Also the scope is going to run around $2300-$2700 for a top of the line Ziess or S&B
 
A Cooper in 270 or 7mm-08. Good glass and just enjoy hunting with it. I'm a wood stock man myself. The nicks and scratches just say adventures that I've had.
 
A cooper western classic in 300 H & H. I know it's not a composite stock but this is my idea of a dream rifle. Then top it with any high end European scope that suits yer taste. With a budget like that u have a ton of options. Good luck in your search for something special.

Cheers
 
I would personally be looking at a 7-08 or a 7-08ai, looking at a 700 trued or a 700 custom variant, a lighter weight quality barrel (#3 Krieger contour) cut around 22 inch, quality composite like a McMillan or manners hunter stiock, with a quality optic in the 2.5-10 range (give or take) in the likes of nightforce, swarvoski, ziess, Schmidt & Bender etc would serve you for a lifetime. I am planning on building one like this for next years hunt. Just ironing out all the details and attempting to not over look an option and regret it. I am strongly considering the 280 rem as well to get the little extra performance without doubling recoil.
 
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