Rambouillet Big Game Show Report

I spent Friday 30 March at the Rambouillet Big Game Show and thought the members here might want to know what’s happening here in Old Europe.



Waiting at the entrance for the doors to open.


Chapuis Armes

I chatted with Vincent Chapuis for a few moments and asked him about Chapuis’ plans to make express rifles in 450/400. The response was a clear, “not in the near futureâ€. The reasons are: the 450/400 is not yet standardized by CIP (and this is apparently a problem for him), there is no ammo available in Europe as Hornady products are poorly distributed and lastly, no visibility on the market here in Europe. He has of course already said this to me by e-mail but there isn’t any change in their position for the time being.

The other Chapuis

Most people don’t know that the Chapuis family has been making firearms for several generations and that there is another branch of the family which is “custom only†guns. They of course consider themselves as the “good†branch of the family. Because of trademark restrictions they do not use the Chapuis name and Pierre Chapuis’ shop is under the name of Armes Pierre Artisan. I’m going to stray off on a sacrilegious limb here (and I bet I get a lot of flack for this) and claim that Pierre Chapuis’ express rifles are better made than the Chapuis Armes rifles, and not necessarily more expensive. Before I get lost in my reasons for this, note that Pierre can be reached at armes.pierre.artisan@wanadoo.fr and there is a web site www.armes-pierre-artisan.fr Since the web site is poor in pictures and information I suggest you e-mail Pierre and ask for a catalogue to be sent by mail. Pierre is a “Meilleur Ouvrier de France†as an engraver. This means he has been recognized as one of the best artisans in France by his profession and by the government.

He doesn’t do big African calibre express rifles; the largest bore he makes is the 9.3 x 74. The top of the line is the Rambouillet model, the entry level is the Fontainebleau model. Since everyone will ask, the entry level 2007 price for a Fontainebleau model is 4,700 Euros excluding VAT (since you wouldn’t have to pay VAT in France if exported). I shouldered a couple of Pierre’s express rifles and find them just right, for me at least. Perfect weight and balance, beautiful wood, perfectly executed engraving, etc. By the way, that entry level price includes steel pistol grip cap as well as skeleton butt plate. Besides what I consider as better workmanship, the receivers on Pierre’s rifles are machined from forged steel (Anson & Deely system), the receivers on the industrial Chapuis are injection moulded (I’m pretty sure). If any of you like the French style you should consider Pierre’s rifles. The Rambouillet line also includes a unique quarter rib with the claw mount integral to the rib. They’re just dandy; believe me.

Bolt Action News

AR member Bobby van der Putten somehow got roped into standing around the Armurerie d’Elysee booth to act as translator for Holt Auctions. Bobby introduced me to a young German rifle maker named Ralph Paschen whose firm is called Jagdhaus Wilhelmshöhe, e-mail is SR007@gmx.com This Ralph knows how to make rifles, but it is all high end stuff with prices starting around 15,000 Euros for a Magnum action rifle (Hartman & Weiss actions). Boy are they nice.



Ralph with his falling block in 470 NE, in the white.


Lion head on left side of 470 NE falling block.


Ralph's lightweight stalking rifle in 7.08.


Floorplate engraving on one of Ralph's 416 Rigby takedown rifles.



A bunch of used rifles looking for a new home.



Rizzini & Tanfoglio

I’m staring at what I thought initially was a high grade shotgun when I notice the sights and I’m thinking to myself, an express rifle on a Boss style action? Very elegant looking so I get in closer: it’s a Rizzini & Tanfoglio Model DEBL 503, engraving like only the Italians can do, buffalo horn grip cap, too light for a 500 NE but that is the chambering. The man standing next to me is Ivano Tanfoglio. I say, “I thought Tanfoglio was pistols?†The reply, “That’s my cousin. I’m the owner of FERLIB.†Me: “This seems a little light for a 500 NE.†Ivano, “Yes, I know but the American owner is a large man, they also sometimes make strange requests. This rifle will be shipped after the show.†I don’t think they are targeting any mass market so a web site is not one of their preoccupations. But asking for a catalogue you can keep next to your Pirelli calendar is possible. Telephone is +39.030.8913356 and fax is +39.030.8349140. You pretty much have to see one of these guns; I am unable to explain how attractive they are. If I find myself in Italy I will definitely make the detour to Gardone Val Trompia, there are just too many talented gun makers in that region to pass it up. We’re in the 25,000 Euros, before engraving, price range so I’m just window shopping of course. Sorry I’m not a better photographer.



The 500 NE is the one at the bottom.

Scotch

One of the nice things about the show in Rambouillet is that it is designed with responsible adults in mind. I immediately ambled over to the Abelour stand and tried the 10 year old, the 15 year old, the 16 year old (they weren’t handing out free samples of the 22 year old) and the after-dinner-120 proof- a’buanhd (?). Sorry about the spelling on the last but by the time I got to it I wasn’t concentrating on Celtic spelling rules.

Thanks for the hunting show and whisky report!

Wink,

Thanks for the report. How big is the show, BTW?

Sure hope it wasn't raining like it was at DSC and if it was that the scotch helped brace you for it.

Take care,

-Steve

Wink,

Thank you for a fine report... I have to say I am partial to that lion on that 470...

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by Steve:
Wink,

How big is the show, BTW?

-Steve

It's quite small, with much fewer firearms exhibitors. The biggies are there, which reminds me: according to Browning/Winchester, the Model 70 will be produced in Portugal starting next year. So, end of the "Made in USA" era.

The Abelour haze is wearing off and it's all coming back to me now.

Scopes

I looked through some of the 6 power Swarovski scopes and they are superlative. The 1-6 is truly the do-it-all scope which sets a new bench mark for all DG scopes, if it will hold up to a heavy recoiler. They are a little bulky compared to the smallish 1.5-5 Leupold. But the 1 power setting on the Swarovski is true "both-eyes-open" operation, they are clear, the eye relief seems generous. I can't recall anything bad about them.

Binoculars

I looked through the new model 10 x 25 Leica pocket binos and find them clearer/brighter than I remember the old models. They are good enough for me to consider as my carry binos. The new push-pull eye pieces are great for eyeglass wearers such as myself. The 8 X 42 Ultravids are still my reference binocular, the Leupolds and Bushnells just don't come close. The staff at the Minox stand was constantly eating and drinking, celebrating I don't know what, so I didn't get to try any.

As my memory comes back to me I'll post more. I've go to pack for Kinshasa though so my next post may not be until Monday when I get there.

Are there many African Outfitters mayby i will visit next year this show.

There are some African outfitters represented at the show; the majority offering safaris in the francophone countries. But outfitters for Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe are present. Both high end and low end, in terms of price, have representatives there. There is also a fairly good number of reps for Asia.

Great report Wink. Thanks for sharing with us. What's your guess on the weight of the 500 NE? It does look painfully trim.

Some beautiful weapons for sure.

old europe

i like the "trim" 500 nitro...my fave soon to be double rifle

also the trim stalking rifle looked sweeeeeeeet!

One day, I will make it to the show, I still remember the photo of the show in 2004. That same photo was used to identify Wink to play a trick on him.

This show sounds like a lot of fun with interesting people.

Thanks Wink, did JB also attend?

Jaco, JB told me he wouldn't be able to attend. I don't know if Edmond made it but I could only attend on Friday, having to work the weekend (I'm in Kinshasa now).

Forrest,

I'm guessing the weight of that 500 NE at 10 to 10.5 pounds. But I didn't put it on a scale. I expected 12 to 13, and it was certainly lighter than that though.

Wink,

Great report thanks!

Scotch tasting.... Very classy.

I bet the gunbuilders approve. I would imagine it ah....'helps' close the sale for some of those top dollar/euros big bores....

Best Regards,
Dave