Old School vs. New Tech: What’s Your Go-To Rifle for the Veld?

[crackerman]

I bet that made the Brain Trust at SAPS heads blow up!

Funny Bull, funny

Actually I apparently live a charmed life because I got the preapproved permit from Riflepermits.com (sponsor shoutout right!) and it was absolutely no problem.

On the ground I was the first guy to have my paperwork checked by SASPS in the office and all the officer did was look at my paperwork and have me read him the serial numbers then lock the case back up.

I don't think those rifles are as uncommon as they clearly once were but people in camp were intrigued.

I will say while I like my space gun some of the Gunwerks and other makers with the crazy barrel fluting and colored twists are to crazy even for me. I won't dump on others fun but definitely not my jam

 

[Hunting Hitman]

New Technology: BLASER R8

Old Technology: HEYM Double

HH

 

[glblanchard]

So how about this. Old caliber with new bullets. 450/400 NE, 375 H&H, 7x57 with bronze, CEB Safari Raptors, all on Ruger No 1 rifles.

 

[Jefferry404]

Old school! 9.3x62 and 7x57 mauser square bridges.
Steve

 

[MS 9x56]

Old school! 9.3x62 and 7x57 mauser square bridges.
Steve
View attachment 686888

Now your making me drool.

 

[Longwalker]

I’m kinda stuck in the middle. My favourite Safari rifle is a very modern Verney-Caron Impact Plus switch barrel / takedown bolt action rifle in 9.3x62. Blued steel barrel, aluminum receiver, nice but plain walnut stock, good cut checkering, QD mounts, and detachable magazine. It looks sorta classic, shoots accurately, packs small. The only “classic” parts are the walnut stock, blued barrel, and the chambering. Here it is in its case, with the Merkel double.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

I'm firmly old school when it comes to Africa.

I've taken a Pre-64 Model 70 Super Grade, in .375 H&H on every hunting trip I've taken to Africa and can't imagine taking one without a Pre64 M70 in .375 H&H accompanying me.
That rifle is 1 Animal shy of completing the Big 5, 3 animals shy of the Dangerous 7, and 3 animals shy of the Tiny 10. I'll hopefully reshoot another Blue Duiker (with it this time), plus a Suni and Red Duiker to complete the Tiny 10, as well as a Croc. If all goes well this will leave me focusing on a Leopard and Hippo for the next trip.

To complement my .375 H&H I have the following old school options
Pre-War Rigby .275
Pre-War Rigby 470 Double
Lee Speed .303
Pre WWII M70 Super Grade .300 H&H, as well as several other Pre WWII M70's in various calibers

Life's too short to own ugly guns

 

[Hififile324]

I'm a wood stocked bolt guy through and through. For me it's the Sako 85, Wood stock, .30-06. It has never failed me. I have 3 safes full of guns, but when I go on a serious hunt, that's what I reach for.

 

[Jefferry404]

@MS 9x56
Sorry about that
I must confess this pair are modern renditions.
Integral octagon barrels, GMA G33/40 actions,
stocks are from a single piece of Bastogne with Dakota Arms skeleton buttplates inlaid with Gabon ebony.
Hopefully, this will get rid of your condition
Best regards
Steve

 

[MS 9x56]

@MS 9x56
Sorry about that
I must confess this pair are modern renditions.
Integral octagon barrels, GMA G33/40 actions,
stocks are from a single piece of Bastogne with Dakota Arms skeleton buttplates inlaid with Gabon ebony.
Hopefully, this will get rid of your condition
Best regards
Steve

They are beautiful. Much prettier than my meager selection.

 

[Jefferry404]

Ah, a man after my own heart and old school to boot
There is something about mannlichers that are appealing…

 

[Red Leg]

I use whichever rifle seems best for a particular hunt - the game and the environment. Like @mdwest I am fortunate to have a wide selection. My most used "African" choice has been my R8 with the now sadly discontinued full length wooden stock. However, my last hunt in Africa was with a Highland Stalker in .275. My favorite deer rifle is currently a Bradshaw in 7x65R. But my ready for anything deer rifle is an R8 with synthetic Success stock wearing a .257 Wby barrel.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hey all — just got back from a trip where I brought my granddad’s old .375 — it’s heavy, loud, and smells like oil and nostalgia. But damn, it gets the job done. Some of the younger guys were rocking modern short-actions with optics and suppressors. So… are we still romantics about bolt-action classics or is everyone upgrading to the future? Looking for real talk, not just brochures. Let’s hear your favorite rifle, why you trust it, and if it’s got more stories than misses.

@Joseph Flores
Give me old with a history and character any day of the week. My rifle may have had some new wood on them but they still range in age from 1897- 1942. My newest are my Whelen but it's still built in an action design from 1958 and my 1971 BRUNO 22lr.

To me there's something about old.
Yes new works, is functional and gets the job done BUT they are lacking something. Character.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Different strokes for different folks. For me, it's a tool with a job to do, so new school, composite, laminate, nitrided and stainless.

@Hogpatrol
Some people reckon I'm a tool and not necessarily the sharpest one in the shed but I get the job done. Mostly, sometimes depending on the day. Just takes me longer now.
Bob

 

[Ndczerwinski]

I am a big fan of bolt guns and have dozens of them. I love both sides of this coin, but when it comes to hunting I always end up leaving the old school rifles in the safe. I appreciate the beauty and feel of wood and steel, but I just can’t argue against all the benefits of a modern rifle.

In my opinion my favorite rifle is what I would consider an awesome mix of old school aesthetic with new tech durability and accuracy.

Gunwerks Skuhl in 375 Ruger, carbon fiber stock with flax fiber inlays, stainless steel barrel with Cerakote to look aged.

 

[Hammergun]

My favorite is a Husqvarna Mauser in 9.3x62. Made about 1940. It is a Model 146 that was a 9.3x57 that I had rechambered to 9.3x62. It's a plain rifle but it sure looks old school cool.

 

[MS 9x56]

Well then if we are after old and classics I humbly submit 2, 100+ year old examples. My model 1905 9x56 Mannlicher Schoenauer and my Remington model 14 in 30 remington. I would stake my life on either of them as they have stood the test of time and are 100 % reliable.

 

[Firebird]

I am in my early fifties-so not really old but not young either. New or old means something a bit different based on age and what yiu were exposed to growing up.

I vastly prefer old school bluing and heavy wood stocked rifles to all comers.
I do own some synthetic stock and scopes with custom turrets but I also frequently hunt in Rocky Mountain weather.
I have no problem with the newest generation of rifles, it’s just not for me.

 

[Bandera]

Right now my preference is blued steel, walnut, barrel band sling point.
I also have stainless steel, laminated wood with barrel band sling point.
The composite stocked, aluminum bedded, cerakoted, Savage 110 timberline in 308 gets a bunch of compliments.
Favorite rifle is usually the one in my hands.
I guess I am all over the place.