Any one amongst us use a big bore take down rifle?
Results? Likes? Dislikes?

thanks,

Back in the 70s my cousins and I used a pair of push feed m70s with the barrels shortened enough for the barreled actions to fit in a Samsonite two suiter. We packed a screwdriver and put them back in the stock when we got wherever. Worked like a charm, no bulky gun cases to lug around or anything that looked like a gun. Too bad this probably isn't an option anymore.

I like the Blaser R 93 system.
The biggest bore i have is a 375 H&H, but they make a 416 Rem Mag. I have shot a couple of them and like them too. I would have a 416 bbl except I have been use doubles in 40 and above.

After you take the Blaser appart, even if you take offthe scope, when you put them back together they hold zero.

Does the .375 H&H qualify as a big bore?? If yes, then I use a big bore in a Blaser R93, and have been very pleased with the results. The R93 is pretty much the only rifle I travel with these days, in fact it accounts for about 90% of my hunting - albeit mostly with smaller calibers.

- mike

Me, too. Er, three. My Blaser R93 in .375 is one of the best rifles I own.

I originally bought the Blaser because of the take down feature. It is repeatable, reliable and as far as I can tell, impervious to wear and tear.

But it's a lot more than that. It's accurate and quick handling, since it's so short - even with its 25.6 inch long barrel. And with its straight pull bolt, it is quick and easy to cycle the action without bringing the rifle down from the shoulder.

Since I have owned Blaser R93s (I now own two with five different barrels), it has become almost impossible for me to leave one behind when I go on a hunting trip.

I've really enjoyed my R93 for years and use it as a .375 when in Africa. I take it with another standard bolt action rifle on trips to Afica, however, so I have not had to break it down in transit since both guns travel in a full length case together.

What about the HS Precision, Empire or Dakota takedowns?

In 2002, I used a HS Precision take down where I could switch between a 300 Win Mag and a 416 Rigby ( http://www.hsprecision.com/new_take_down.htm ) The rifle was accurate, but I had problems with the magazine falling out. I believe it had to do with the magazine release being inside the trigger guard and my trigger finger hitting it under recoil.

The Dakotas are alright, but the take down version is heavier than the standard rifle.

Also, the Mauser M03 is a takedown, I have one on 416 Rem that is nice.

I know a guy who has a Dakota 76 Traveler with two different front ends, one in .338 Lapua Mag. and the other in .416 Rigby.

He has taken it to Africa and reported that it performed perfectly - I've seen the trophy photos that prove it, too.

BTW, the Traveler is/was a very expensive system. I would sooner have a true custom rifle, if I were in the market for a "traditional" take down. I have seen some beautiful big bore take downs built by Duane Wiebe.

dogcat,

Have you seen the .500 Jeffery that Duane Wiebe built and used on his Tanzania Safari?

DPhillips owns the rifle currently. Check out the rifle & Buff in the following thread.

Duane Wiebe .500 Jeffery take down

Best Regards,
Dave

I use a Blaser R93 in 9.3x62 and a Merkel 470NE.
Both take down and are great.
ozhunter

I have a Dakota African Traveler that was made BC (before Charlie). It was originally made for a 416 Rigby and I had an extra barrel in 338 Lapua added.

I never noticed it being heavy - the rifle is about the same weight as my Mauser Magnum M98. It is more compact than the M98. Well balanced and swings well.

Before they range tested it, I sent two scopes for the two barrels to them. They took care of mounting and zeroing both barrels.

Both barrels are very accurate, and if there is extra weight, it is most appreciated when you slap on the 338 Lapua barrel. Not the recoil one would imagine.

The only ossue I ever had with it was in January of this year when the firing pin would not seem to retract during rapid fire. Turned out that it was my fault - we were shooting in sub-freezing temps and I forgot to remove the oil and grease for storage. Not usually a problem here in Texas.

That shoot was also the first time I ever had a problem with the diesel engine in my Ford F250. The engine keep seizing and losing compression. A little moisture in the lines did that (it also froze my wiper fluid, which was alcohol based). As our South African PH guest noted, it was "bloody cold!"

I called HS PRecision and they have a 2 to 3 year wait for a take down rifle. The guy on the phone was a bit surly and not interested in talking about their rifles.

I will talk to Champlin, Heym and others to see what is out there.

Duane Weibe's gun is a dandy.

I presently have an H&S takedown in 300 Win Mag and like it quite a bit. I made a mistake and recently sold a 375 RUM H&S takedown. I have found them to shoot very well and be a pleasure to travel with. The clip arrangement is not something I'm wild about. Why don't you simply get a good quality bolt action in a glass stock, have it pillar bedded, get an Americase takedown case and simply assemble the gun when you arrive? Jarrett has been doing this for years calling it their professional model. You will be amazed how little adjustment to the scope is necessary when you re-assemble particularly if you use a small torque wrench to tighten the trigger guard screws. It is a much less expensive way to go and IMHO works just as well.

A few years ago we had a client show up with a Shultz & Larsen take down. It was in 7mm Rem. Mag. and .338 Win. Mag. I saw nothing that would have precluded making it in .458.

It worked fine and she (that's right she) got everything she shot at.
Rich Elliott