Highland Stalker Alternatives

[Tris88]

Blaser and Merkel K rifles are all stunning to look at, own and shoot. They also mark you out as either a) a top draw marksman who never needs a second shot or b) the owner of a superbly trained tracking dog

Nothing wrong with being either of those guys.

I have had both K95 and K3 and don’t own a dog

I do own a dog, she doesn’t see much work, but has had to retrieve a munty from a lake once!

Did you have a preference between the blaser and merkel? Accuracy similar?

 

[Pine Marten]

I had one a few years ago ,shot like a shotgun for zeroing, never could get it to zero accurately, loved the rifle but zero put me off unfortunately

Oh really? Mine didn't like Remington ammunition, it was awful. Federal Premium was brilliant, then I started reloading thanks to peer pressure from this site and generosity of people supplying me with surplus gear and advice. Since then never had trouble developing loads that worked fine. It's my favourite rifle. And it looks better than when new thanks to linseed oil on the stock over time. And fits me perfectly too. Bavarian stock is perfect for me it turns out.

 

[HonestJohn]

They are a great suggestion, but don’t speak to me. Thank you though.

rizz

 

[Cranborne]

@Tris88 I've been pondering the same question but in .270win or .30-06. I prefer the Schultz and Larsen in some ways, particularly the quality of the barrels, but the 3 round magazine is a bit of a negative for me. You rarely need greater capacity but you appreciate it being there when you do. I know S&L make a 5 round magazine but it's not a thing of beauty and I understand it can rattle (or used to). On that basis, the Sako 90 would be my choice, particularly in a .308 as the action will be appropriate size.

 

[Andy-shooter]

I do own a dog, she doesn’t see much work, but has had to retrieve a munty from a lake once!

Did you have a preference between the blaser and merkel? Accuracy similar?

Both are/were very accurate, 20p size groups at 100m easily. I sold the Blaser because it was an octagonal barrel stutzen and couldn’t be moderated. With the short barrel it was bloody loud. The Merkel is also chambered in 7x57r which is the classic calibre for this kind of gun.

If you’ve not handled one, find a shop with one in stock, they are sooo light and pointable

 

[Bowland blades]

Of all the rifles i have owned New or used Sako and Tikka have been performers as a whole . I do have others Brands that i would not not wish to swop or sell like my CZ rifles CF and RF .

 

[HonestJohn]

@Tris88 I've been pondering the same question but in .270win or .30-06. I prefer the Schultz and Larsen in some ways, particularly the quality of the barrels, but the 3 round magazine is a bit of a negative for me. You rarely need greater capacity but you appreciate it being there when you do. I know S&L make a 5 round magazine but it's not a thing of beauty and I understand it can rattle (or used to). On that basis, the Sako 90 would be my choice, particularly in a .308 as the action will be appropriate size.

I have one. Barrel is amazing, but trigger is among the worst I’ve ever used. The single stack mags are ok, but the 5 round stick out and are awful to carry. SL rifles are beautifully made, so slick, accurate and eject with authority, but,, that trigger and single stack mag

 

[SSN100]

Had many zkk’s! With both triggers, the curved is ‘ok’ at best, IMHO. The set is awful. The milled in pop up peep sight is awesome, but only really in the DG series is it useful impractical circumstances matches with Alaska arms QD lever arm rings,,,although the levers are on the wrong side and too long - which, another custom builder rectified.

On a couple of them I milled the interface to accept win mod 70 triggers, which was a game changer. But, I’d never own another with any of the factory trigger options, and they certainly benefit from a stock upgrade if there’s any aspirations to shoot prone. Iron sights are so, so, and whisky barrels are good, open sight replacements are a necessity if they are required

This is reassuring as have been regretting not picking one up from my local as my first rifle. As an overall package I find them quite appealing, but if they don't actually perform very well then perhaps it would have been a mistake.

 

[Jack3]

S&L Victory
I was looking for similar and very happy with my S&L in 30-06.

 

[stevec]

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


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:





4. A Mugrave rifle - Suburban arms in Cape Town will arrange import:

 

[HonestJohn]

This is reassuring as have been regretting not picking one up from my local as my first rifle. As an overall package I find them quite appealing, but if they don't actually perform very well then perhaps it would have been a mistake.

They perform well in that, they feed well, they extract and eject well, they shoot well. But, if you like a clean crisp trigger or one that can be adjusted or replaced, this is not for you. If you shoot prone and value your collar bone, it’s not for you. Also, to elaborate on my post, the pop up sight really is great, but they imbedded many in rifles with open rear sights; which makes no sense as with peeps, the barrel should be clean all they way up to the front bead. The front sight and bead is ok, but I don’t believe the rear standing sights were of much value. The DG series had three leaf sights, which is naf, you only need one, a well regulated one at the ‘right’ distance, no one hunts with open sights at 150-300 yds (anymore).

I think it was Martini who had Morris from Alaska arms move the levers on his rings to the opposite side and shorten them, but sadly, Morris isn’t offering this as a shelf product. The issue with most lever arm QD rings is they have the levers on the side fscingbuuur body as a right handed person, which, leads to them getting moved more easily. You can’t flip them because the notch recoil post in the rear one.

As said, good rifles, used on the dark continent due to their integrity and reliance. Trigger crispness as noted isn’t a big deal if a lion is coming at you, but for more refined hunting and any prone work, these IMHO are best left on the dark continent unless they are massively reworked

 

[HonestJohn]

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

View attachment 466634
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

View attachment 466636

4. A Mugrave rifle - Suburban arms in Cape Town will arrange import:
View attachment 466637

Having had two, do not waste money on importing a musgrave, worst put together rifles I have ever handled, from triggers to stock quality, to bedding, to alignment of screw holes, to polishing of parts,
To smoothness of bolt, to feeding, to ejection or complete lack thereof, etc… some may have experienced better, but I’d take a beaten old Parker hale any day.

I can’t comment on the others, but I do like the idea of a German or Ferlach rifle, they made good rifles and good deals can frequently be found on auction sites such as southams and holts

 

[Tris88]

I have thought about this before and come up with a few ideas

Some really nice options there. I’ll have a look into them. Thank you.

 

[HonestJohn]

And if you want to waste lots of money on importing from the US, buy something like this - Model 70 Super Grade Maple | Bolt-Action Rifle | Winchester

 

[Tris88]

And if you want to waste lots of money on importing from the US, buy something like this - Model 70 Super Grade Maple | Bolt-Action Rifle | Winchester

Oh no, that wood

 

[HonestJohn]

Oh no, that wood

There are others. A A French walnut for one

 

[HonestJohn]

Oh no, that wood

Far better than this ugly POS

https://www.thestalkingdirectory.co.uk/attachments/1774243343746-webp.466635/

 

[Keith Edmunds]

Schultz and Larsen Victory - hard to go wrong. Accurate, look nice etc but you could also put a plastic stock on it for less smart purposes should you wish

Very pleased with mine - yes I too have aspirations for a Rigby or Mauser 98 but sadly.......not yet.

 

[jfr_1991]

There was a lovely Ron Wharton in 6.5x55 on gun trader. Worth a look?

 

[Howzat]

Bought my S+L Victory 30-06 from Steve at Ivythorn, been the best rifle I have ever had, would recommend one