Highland Stalker Alternatives

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Tris88 said:
I’ve been stalking for a while now, I’m changing back to 308 and need a rifle.

I’m beginning to see rifles as not just a tool for a job. Shotguns have always been functional art to me, however rifles have remained tools until recently.

I’m swaying towards either another tool that I can wack a thermal scope on if required, or more likely a classic stalking rifle.

It will need to be accurate, using factory ammo.

So I can’t afford a highland stalker, what do people recommend? So far a S&L and Sako S90 have made the list.
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A Husqvarna 640 (fn Mauser 98 actions made with Swedish steel) or Husqvarna 1640 or 1600 (small ring Husqvarna propriatary Mauser based Design ).

The Husqvarna 1900 is a push feed , not a control feed like the Mauser based ones, but it cocks on closing and is known for being extremely Quick and smooth to operate and often quite precise too (a bit of a Swedish equivalent to s and L smooth push feed design.).

If you buy a 640 or even 1600 or 1640 replacing the trigger might be a worthwhile mod to make, but quite a few of the ones found on the market have had the triggers and safetys changed.
 
You could get something very similar to a Rigby HS by buying a decent base rifle and then spending the money on having someone like @AdamBragg create you the stock you want. The original stock could even then become your wet weather spare! There are a few examples in the Holts sealed bid that would work, obv old Mauser based rifles would be the closest (PH M81) - but also the old Sako's with the full length extractor claw are in there - meant to be great rifles and the action looks very similar
 
stevec said:
I have thought about this before and come up with a few ideas:

1. Custom made rifle from one of the many small German gunsmiths, although import would be very difficult from what I have read.

2. Sako 85 Grizzly -I saw one in France years ago - a beautiful rifle, but I expect it would have to be imported from Europe and would be difficult to moderate

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3.Ruger Guide Gun, with a black coating and an accurate innovations stock. Would have to be 30-06, as not made in 308 but in my view more versatile. I found someone who could import this from the US for about £3k:

View attachment 466635

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4. A Mugrave rifle - Suburban arms in Cape Town will arrange import:
View attachment 466637
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Hey there. As far as i know the ruger gunsite scout on base of the mk 77 system with tge long extractor claw is discontinued since beginning of 2026 . The new one is based on the cheaper amercan rifle line .
 
If you are looking for a new rifle at a good pricepoint and a long extractor claw is what you want maybe have a look at zastavas m70 . On mine i changed out the safety and the trigger all is a k98 footprint and parts mostly interchangeble sometimes with a little gunsmithing . Also old cals like 6,5x55 are available . Br and best of luck with your choice
 
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