Modern Day Classics?

[Rob404]

Since The CRF CZ 550 are no longer in production I would add one of those for your consideration. They are great shooters and starting to bring some high prices lately, get one while they are still affordable

 

[USN]

Take a look at Benelli Lupo, in walnut of course. A very nice blend of modern and classic. Keep all the adapters to adjust to any shooter.

 

[jruby]

I have a 1917 enfield sporter in 300 H&H that is quite accurate. The individual that built this rifle has been gone for some time. It was built back in the early 40's late 30's. The rifle handles very nicely and is relatively light. I do not know who will end up with this rifle after my time has come but I hope they cherish it as I have.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

At the lower end of the budget spectrum a Ruger No1 in 30-06.
At the upper end a Dakota Arms model 10.

You don't get any more classic than a single shot rifle, and both of these are pure beauty.

 

[Major Bonkers]

Buy yourself a copy of Dangerous Game Rifles by Terry Wieland (available on Amazon). Start from that instead of some anonymous wiseacres on the internet.

You don't say what your budget is, which will materially affect what you can or ought to buy.

You are likely to find a 30-06 too small for African purposes, and I suggest that you start at a .375 H&H magnum. Use enough gun!

 

[Bush Buck]

The Ruger has my attention. I already own the 77/22. These rifles would compliment each other to hand down to my son and seems like I already have a platform I am used to if these rifles are as similar as they appear. Understandably different going from 22lr to 30-06.

I bought a Ruger 77/22 LR when they first came out and have enjoyed it hunting and shooting for many years. It's been a trouble free rifle and is still in the family. I also have one in 22 magnum.

You are correct that these are great companions to the Ruger Hawkeye. The safety function is the same. Some folks prefer the slightly more accessible safety lever of the Win 70 but I am totally comfortable with the Hawkeye safety. I shoot both. I did all of my hunting this winter with a Hawkeye.

Bush Buck

 

[jb1069]

I didn't purposely put a budget so I would get multiple opinions. But realistically I would like be $2500 or less. The main reason being is I am not sure at this point I would appreciate the difference. My knowledge and experience with rifles is small. I am a typical midwest whitetail/turkey hunter with bow and gun that has caught the Africa fever.

As far as the 30-06 not being enough gun I have read so many conversations pro and con. Seems like a good caliber with very few limitations. As of right now I am looking at PG animals.

 

[Russ16]

I didn't purposely put a budget so I would get multiple opinions. But realistically I would like be $2500 or less. The main reason being is I am not sure at this point I would appreciate the difference. My knowledge and experience with rifles is small. I am a typical midwest whitetail/turkey hunter with bow and gun that has caught the Africa fever.

As far as the 30-06 not being enough gun I have read so many conversations pro and con. Seems like a good caliber with very few limitations. As of right now I am looking at PG animals.

If it is your main rifle I assume it will get more use at home than in Africa. 30-06 is great for North America. Maybe go up to .338 mag if you hunt a lot of big bears.

At that price point I’d either get a new model 70 super grade or buy a pre-64 model and save a few more dollars and get it nicely restocked.

 

[jb1069]

USN,

Thanks for the heads up on the Benelli. I do like the looks of that!

 

[USN]

USN,

Thanks for the heads up on the Benelli. I do like the looks of that!

I absolutely love mine in 300 win mag, true moa out of the box. I have tried several different loads and seems to like them all. (All factory, no handloads) Gun sure shoots better than me. Go hands on even if a plastic and see how smooth the bolt works. Several YouTube videos on the walnut.

 

[HookMeUpII]

Depends what you define as modern, what caliber, and what you like. Browning makes limited editions of the Medallion series every year. I have one in 300WM which I brought to Africa. In fact, I just learned they are the last of the X-Bolt 1's. Now they're all X-Bolt 2.

It has beautiful scroll work on the receiver and everyone who has held the gun said it's beautiful.

Up market, the Kimber Caprivi is without a doubt, a modern classic.

 

[Milan]

Pre war commercial Mauser 98 in 7x57.

What he said...

 

[Rubberhead]

My suggestion - made in the early 1980's...30-'06...Browning Superposed...

 

[jpr9954]

Since you mentioned .30-06 and older, I am going to suggest the Remington 721. It was the predecessor to the Remington 700. Like others have mentioned, I like the idea of a sporterized or custom 1917 or Springfield 1903.

 

[CZDiesel]

You can also look for the Winchester Model 70 in the "Classic" series built in the New Haven factory in the '90s. They have the controlled round feed action and are good rifles. My go-to .30-06 is a Classic Featherweight and shoots very well.

Winchester M70 Classic Super Grade would be nice. Depending on budget, I would be tempted to look for a nice custom on either an M70 or a mauser action.

These!
The Pre-64’s are a classic! So to get one that is in great shape or restored you will have to pay for it!
But the New Haven Winchesters of the 90’s and early 2000’s are great rifles that are now quickly becoming sought after and collectible and are still affordable. They are the new “Modern Day Classics”
The FN’s while nice rifles butchered the M-70s so FN’s are only Winchesters in name only and I don’t believe will ever have the collectibility! They are not what a New Haven rifle is!
If I were you I’d look for a New Haven Super Grade Winchester and call it a day! You will own a rifle that is desirable, will continue to gain value, and can build a life full of memories with knowing it came out of the same building that the 1883s that won the west did…
Good luck in your search, let me know if I can be of assistance…

 

[txtrout75218]

When I think of classic African Plains Game rifles I think of the Griffin and Howe 1903 Springfield or the classic styled Mauser sporters. Both are classics. Both can be excellent rifles. For classics, only blue steel and walnut be it American or English.

I think that you have received a lot of good suggestions. From an American point of view, the 30-06 is the classic African cartridge. European, the 7x57. With modern propellants and bullets, they are far superior to what they used to be.

There are many great options as for the container, the Winchester M70, the 1903 Springfield or a Mauser. I like all three and they would serve you well. I would say that in general, the M70 is the better rifle, excluding a custom sporter based on an Argentine 1909. My 1909 action is as tight as any of my modern rifles.

From a flat out value perspective, you can find some excellent used sporterized Mausers or 1903 based rifles that are just lovely. But you can with most of the for mentioned rifles.

My current African rifle is a sporterized Mexican Mauser Stutzen in 308. It is very Handy , I'm not shooting over 250 yards there and if I lost my ammo, I can get more there. Anyone that says it isn't enough rifle for PG is mistaken. With the right bullet within reasonable distance it will take any antelope or zebra down. However, it's a boring vanilla cartridge. I would also have no concern with a 7x57. 7x57 just sounds cool. Before the 308, I had a 1909 Argentine Mauser in 30-06, that I still have. It's just out of rotation.

My daughter also likes the looks of the Stutzen Mauser, and she will inherit my guns. So it is now a family classic.

A close friend uses a special edition Remington 700 in 300 H&H. His big medicine rifle is a 358 Winchester in a M98 platform. Both are classics. He has taken all manner of game with the 300H&H in the US and abroad.

I would not overlook the ability to get ammo in my choice.

And just to throw out another thought, this year I may take an early Weatherby Mark 5 in 257 Weatherby magnum. It's also a classic. Classic 1960 Americana.

You have lots of choices, and none of them are wrong.

Have fun!

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

I would go for a 300H&H on a Winchester or a Mauser, classic cartridge with a classic action
Gumpy

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

I mentioned a Ruger No1 in 30-06, but Grumpy has it right on the nail, 300 H&H is even more classic. Lets ask @Doug3006 to please post a picture of his rifle, which I had the great pleasure to carry on a brief hunt in Limpopo.