The modern rifle?

I would stick with .270, as it's a calibre I've come to love.
It would be a classic styled rifle (walnut and blued steel) because it would have to give me pleasure in use.
The stock would be custom made to fit me properly.
It would have open sights, but be threaded in front of the foresight to give me the option of using a mod.
The scope would be quick detachable, so when I was being charged by an elephant or some other dangerous beast I could coolly remove the scope and use open sights for the close range shots.
It would have a blind mag, as I think that's the prettiest option and no chance of losing a part or accidentally dumping rounds.

I think I'm an incurable romantic with delusions of grandeur.
I love how you would use a .270 for elephant and coolly remove the scope in the split second during a charge 🤣

I like your rifle choice though. Mauser action any day of the week with open sights and a choice for moderator a nice touch. I would choose 7x57 though, or 308 for simplicity.

I’m loving the Blaser, so it might replace the other stalking rifles in due course. It has lovely wood, I still have to look at it after all.
 
If Sako made the Quest Ultra in 6.5 PRC it would likely be that

I’m a bit of a Sako fanboy. I’m a lot of a 6.5PRC Fanboy

Some sort of S&B glass

Would tick pretty much all my boxes.
 
Here’s a couple of my stalking rifles - they will do it all with match grade accuracy (.308 and 6.5CM). Trade off is weight, but it’s manageable with a Tab Biathlon sling and side mounted push button bases.

I’ve got a carbon barrel coming in a big magnum soon, looking forward to seeing how it handles. The trade off with carbon is keep it cool - ideal for stalking, not so much for range. If someone could improve on that concept I suspect it could be a winner if the cost was reasonable. IMG_0188.webp

Regarding rifles - a simple, strong action that’s accurately and well made coupled with a quality stock / chassis. If it wasn’t for the weight I’d sell everything else and just keep my Accuracy International.
 
I love my.270, and have no plans to change it. However, I've recently developed a hankering for the .275 Rigby. I reckon my choice would be a Highland Stalker custom built to my own preference. With the options I want, my perfect 'modern' rifle is over £35k 🤔

Thanks for the link.
Much as I quite like my "tupperware" rifle, I spent a lot of virtual money on a Rigby just now, I think I ticked a few less boxes than you, mine came in at under 20K. :)
 
Some fair points made! I have a few rifles, most of which I can use for deer and I am not really inclined to to want anything else. My point would be calibre and accuracy combined with ease of use. As an example my first work rifle was a .222 Parker Hale with a Pecar scope that relied on brass shims to mount it and a reticle far from being in the centre of view. No option for dialled adjustment for distance over 200 yards. The move to an Enfield Enforcer did not improve matters and subsequent Styee SSG and Accuracy International rifles were more accurate but much heavier. I suspect now that I could do the same job with a Blaser R8 in .308 and a decent scope (digital if it were allowed) at 600 meters. I could also forget about trying to disguise the rifle to get to a good position!
The advance in calibre choice seems to be a factor. Plenty of PRC choices which look attractive and semi tactical rifles to go with them. As far as deer stalking is concerned the factors for me are: weight, distance to target ( 300 metres ) and the ability to to retain zero when taken apart for storage or travel. Switch calibre also works for me.
Having said all of this I still favour my Ruger No1 Stutzen in 7x57.
 
If Sako made the Quest Ultra in 6.5 PRC it would likely be that

I’m a bit of a Sako fanboy. I’m a lot of a 6.5PRC Fanboy

Some sort of S&B glass

Would tick pretty much all my boxes.
Don’t.. I’ve been fighting off the quest in PRC itch and keep telling myself it’s silly money. Does look the part though. But then not much more for a blaser..
But will it shoot me any more deer than an old tikka, ugh..
Here’s a couple of my stalking rifles - they will do it all with match grade accuracy (.308 and 6.5CM). Trade off is weight, but it’s manageable with a Tab Biathlon sling and side mounted push button bases.

I’ve got a carbon barrel coming in a big magnum soon, looking forward to seeing how it handles. The trade off with carbon is keep it cool - ideal for stalking, not so much for range. If someone could improve on that concept I suspect it could be a winner if the cost was reasonable. View attachment 433326

Regarding rifles - a simple, strong action that’s accurately and well made coupled with a quality stock / chassis. If it wasn’t for the weight I’d sell everything else and just keep my Accuracy International.
Very nice. What’s the stock? Almost looks like a hardy
View attachment 433359

Sako 75 6.5x55
Mcmillan stock
Hausken moderator.
Should still work in 20 yrs time.
(But will probably be on it's next barrel)

This is probably my sensible route. Slap a kroseg stock on what I’ve got currently. Not that much info on them here though
 
I bought a stainless/synthetic Tikka T3X in 6.5x55 in 2018. It was a special order as I wanted a 22 inch barrel. It turned out not to be as weatherproof as I hoped, so it's been cerakoted. I replaced the plastic bottom metal with an aluminium version, and then fitted a PSE stock. It wasn't the cheapest upgrade but the result was well worthwhile.
 
Don’t.. I’ve been fighting off the quest in PRC itch and keep telling myself it’s silly money. Does look the part though. But then not much more for a blaser..
But will it shoot me any more deer than an old tikka, ugh..


I had a S20 in PRC and it was brilliant.

But a touch heavy.

Honestly I could probably shoot whatever I needed with a Parker Hale in anything from 243 up

But who wants to do that.

And while I think Blasers are brilliant rifles they just don’t do anything for me.

Except the K95.

Mmmm in PRC

I hate being a poor.
 
As a stalker, to be honest if you've got a rifle dating from this century (and probably a decade or two earlier) that is still accurate, is a suitable calibre and you are used to it, there's probably no reason to change it, performance-wise.

However, boys being boys, if you want to try another calibre or the latest fancy look to impress the crowds you come across whilst stalking, then go for it. If having a rifle and stalking (or target shooting or whatever) is your hobby and acquiring new kit, such as a rifle, gives you pleasure, then crack on.
 
My take on the modern rifle. First one should find the flaws of older rifle designs. I believe one can improve any type of rifle. Improve mechanics as well as materials as well as cartridges used. Yes the 270 does still have it's place, even the old 30-30 but one can stretch the boundaries with modern bullets and cartridges.
Flaws: of some rifles that are in good working order and not shot out.
1) Lack of proper bedding
2) Materials used in stocks
3) Awkward scope mounting methods
4) Stock adjustability
5) Stock ergonomics often "too much", only good for one shooting position.
6) Quality of barrel.
7) Triggers
8) Action design, less or simple is often more, designed with recoil in mind.
9) I believe a very important point is the rifle balance in all directions, not only front back.

I believe the main achievement or improvement over older rifles will lead to a rifle that comes up to the shoulder quicker, focuses quicker even with higher magnification, recoils straighter, will shoot to the same point in all shooting positions, tight hold or not, fore end hold or not..... whoever shoots the rifle. These are the points I try to achieve with my hunting rifles.

edi
 
I would stick with .270, as it's a calibre I've come to love.
It would be a classic styled rifle (walnut and blued steel) because it would have to give me pleasure in use.
The stock would be custom made to fit me properly.
It would have open sights, but be threaded in front of the foresight to give me the option of using a mod.
The scope would be quick detachable, so when I was being charged by an elephant or some other dangerous beast I could coolly remove the scope and use open sights for the close range shots.
It would have a blind mag, as I think that's the prettiest option and no chance of losing a part or accidentally dumping rounds.

I think I'm an incurable romantic with delusions of grandeur.
- Pretty much this, although probably in a stutzen and unmoderated.

- Having a fully personalized stock is really the one thing i'd wish i could add to the "classic" wood and blued steel design. Especially if small and elegant ways of adjusting the length of pull and maybe the comb could somehow be included.

- I'd also a prefer what the italians call a french set/hair trigger, so where the trigger isnt set by a secondary trigger,but by a small button, or flick of a little rod.

-If it suited my type of hunting, i'd be quited tempted to go for a kipplauf.

- mate stainless with lighter to mid coloured wood tones can also look pretty good, i have to say.
 
I love my.270, and have no plans to change it. However, I've recently developed a hankering for the .275 Rigby. I reckon my choice would be a Highland Stalker custom built to my own preference. With the options I want, my perfect 'modern' rifle is over £35k 🤔

Why a .275 Rigby ? It’s just a pointless copy of a 7x57 that would make your life more complicated wouldn’t it ?
Kindest regards, Olaf
 
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