Finding the one gun

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Having been through a phase of collecting more rifles than I need, I now feel an urge to get back to basics.
The idea of having one gun to do most everything is very appealing. I also like the idea of having many memories attached to one rifle.
Over the years I find myself reaching for a 30-06 more often than not. I would be confident using this for anything short of thick skinned dangerous game.
So the question is, what rifle. I’ve narrowed it down to two options. Either a Rigby Highland stalker or a semi custom based on a second hand rifle.
So, question is, what would you do? And if going the semi custom, would you choose a Brno Zkk, Brno ZG47 or Pre64 Mod70?
Thanks for your thoughts! This is half the fun

@Dan458
For me it would be a pre64 Winchester model 70.
Use some of the money you save for a really nice bespoke stock.
That way you have a beautiful, functional rifle at a fraction of the cost of a Rigby. The money you save by not going Rigby can go to another safari.
2 birds one stone. Nice semi custom rifle plus safari. Win win.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Blaser R8 and done.

Add barrels to the stock of your choosing for a range of options.

My wife and I did this years ago with our hunting rifles. Sold off nearly everything else and reach for a Blaser when going into the field. My choice is a 375H&H while my wife prefers a wood stocked 300WM. Here they are all packed up and ready to go.
View attachment 644034

@BeeMaa
He wants class mate he doesn't want to play with a modular plastic Barbie rife
When will you learn young grasshopper. The R8 while functional is like me. Definitely NOT PRETTY.
A nice model 70 even the newer ones with some nice grade five walnut and he has form, function and beauty.
What more can a man want. Ah yeh free booze for life and a nice understanding wife.
I haven't done to bad, nice rifles and an understanding wife. As meat loaf said 2 out of 3 ain't bad
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

BeeMaa your wife has good taste in rifles and watches.

@Altitude sickness
That's true.
But if you have met @BeeMaa he's a nice bloke, generous to a tea but Mrs@ BeeMaa got cheated by him in the looks department. Must have been a dark night when they met.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I wouldn’t go custom in Australia Dan. There are some good gunsmiths around, but wait times are bloody long.
Not sure if it’s important to you, but think about resale. A Rigby will always be a better investment than a custom rifle.

@Schroeder
The best gunsmith I have come across is Rob Spittles of Meroo gunsmithing in Rylestone NSW.
HE is a master in wood and metal. I had him build an 1885 lowall for me. Kept the original half round half octagon barrel. He did a custom pistol grip stock in some nice luxus Circassian walnut then a custom scope mount.
Yes it took 18 months. Was the wait worth it. You bet it was. End result a beautiful rifle that is extremely accurate. There aren't to many 22 Hornets that will stack shots on to of each other.
Rob call it his only unfinished rifle, he would still like me to get it checkered. I'm still thinking about it.
Bob

Yes it does goe out hunting and has a couple of love scratches . It's a hunting rifle not a safe queen.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

There’s always a better caliber but I can’t imagine being unhappy with the 30-06 to hunt the world. The only competition in my mind was the 300WM but most of my hunting is medium sized deer so the extra noise and recoil just isn’t necessary. Having had my ammo lost on a recent safari, ammo availability is a factor in the decision.

What caliber would you choose?

@Dan458
As the merry-cans say. There ain't nothing 700 bucks and a good ought six won't handle.
Yes there may be better calibres like the 35 Whelen but ain't nought wrong with an '06.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Some of the most popular rifle calibers in Australia include:

• .243 Winchester
  A popular choice for hunting, with a minimum projectile weight of 85 grains.

SAKO makes a nice one!

Sorry Bob, just a fact…

@NIGHTHAWK
May be the most popular but also the most useless and I know this may upset our much loved @Dr Ray but a Sako is just a glorified tikka.
Neither are anything to write home about.
At least sakos are available in some nice calibres like 6.5x55 and 9.3x62. Dang I've even seed one in the grand 25-06. That one shot well and the action was as slick as baby snot but it had a plastic stock. Spoilt an otherwise nice rifle.
Bob

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

@BeeMaa
He wants class mate he doesn't want to play with a modular plastic Barbie rife
When will you learn young grasshopper. The R8 while functional is like me. Definitely NOT PRETTY.
A nice model 70 even the newer ones with some nice grade five walnut and he has form, function and beauty.
What more can a man want. Ah yeh free booze for life and a nice understanding wife.
I haven't done to bad, nice rifles and an understanding wife. As meat loaf said 2 out of 3 ain't bad
Bob

A friend of mine says "you don’t have to be gay to own a blasser, but it sure helps if you are"
Gumpy