I was wondering what you look for on a Dangerous Game rifle that you have to have on your gun?I look for a barrel band swivel mount,a floor plate,a good recoil pad which is not from the factory usually,a thick wristed stock to hold on to,checkering which does not bite when I shoot but is easy to hold on to.I want a medium heavy barrel that will cause more reaward than upward recoil.I want a straight stock so it will not tear my cheek off.I also want cross bolts in the stock and the action to be bedded properly.I only have a muzzle break on one of my 416 rem mags but its detachable.I know not to hunt with it on there.Its not really needed of a 416 rem mag.I want strudy open sites.I am leaning towards glow sites I can see them way better.I also like ruger rings the best of all mounts.The next is a burris signature zee ring.I have had very good luck with these on weaver bases.I also want a scope with enough eye relief to not get knocked in the head which has never happened to me knock on wood.I was just wondering what yall looked for in the perfict big game rifle.The tang safety is my biggest gripe I hate model 70 safetys.Thats why I am building a 416 ruger on a old model 77 just for that very reason.I can never get a model 70safety off in a hurry.I can take the safety off of a tang safety ruger model 77 and shoot at the same time like a fine double shotgun.I know there are alot of double rifle shooters here also.

One should learn how to shoot a scoped rifle with both eyes open...A top quality scope with QR mounts I personally like the Talbot mounts the best have them on 4 rifles not cheap...But absolute zero every time...
I donot want a magazine nor hindged floor plate what happens if it falls out at the wrong time???
I shoot my DGR's first around 2 boxes of hunting loads and send it to the gunsmith to be bedded and he will know where the action is hitting...

Mike

two barrels, two triggers, good solid fixed "V" iron sights, but since I can't afford a double, I have a very nice Hein on order .

I mostly agree with what you describe, except that I like the Model 70 safety ( but I agree the tang safety is arguably the best ergonomically), prefer Talleys (or the newly introduced Leupold QDs) and I prefer a large wart hog ivory bead instead of the glow types. jorge

I too agree with most of the comments, except that I would not want a muzzle brake on a dangerous game rifle. As far as the Model 70 safety goes, it should not be hard to take off safety when hunting if you place it in the middle position once you are on to a trophy animal. It is still safe in that position and you merely need to flick it forward and shoot. I like the fiber optic front sights and more so as I get older. They are not traditional, but traditional doesn't cut it with me when an animal is charging or in low light conditions. My double rifle has a factory installed fiber optic front sight and I love it.

I've got a Ruger 77 in .458 WinMag with the tang safety. It's not a CRF which most of the really experienced Bwanas on this forum recommend for DG. Maybe some tang safety models are. I don't know. Also, I find the Mod. 70 three position safety very easy, quick and convenient in that you can cycle the action while still "safe". My RSM in .458 Lott has that set up. Finally, every once in a while, the tang on my Ruger 77 .458 WinMag bites my thumb while shooting hot loads. It's not bad but it does happen now and then.

quote:

Originally posted by dgr416:
I was wondering what you look for on a Dangerous Game rifle that you have to have on your gun?I look for a barrel band swivel mount,a floor plate,a good recoil pad which is not from the factory usually,a thick wristed stock to hold on to,checkering which does not bite when I shoot but is easy to hold on to.I want a medium heavy barrel that will cause more reaward than upward recoil.I want a straight stock so it will not tear my cheek off.I also want cross bolts in the stock and the action to be bedded properly.I only have a muzzle break on one of my 416 rem mags but its detachable.I know not to hunt with it on there.Its not really needed of a 416 rem mag.I want strudy open sites.I am leaning towards glow sites I can see them way better.I also like ruger rings the best of all mounts.The next is a burris signature zee ring.I have had very good luck with these on weaver bases.I also want a scope with enough eye relief to not get knocked in the head which has never happened to me knock on wood.I was just wondering what yall looked for in the perfict big game rifle.The tang safety is my biggest gripe I hate model 70 safetys.Thats why I am building a 416 ruger on a old model 77 just for that very reason.I can never get a model 70safety off in a hurry.I can take the safety off of a tang safety ruger model 77 and shoot at the same time like a fine double shotgun.I know there are alot of double rifle shooters here also.

You have pretty much covered it, IMHO. Except that I prefer (i) Recknagel/NECG express sights, with a wide "V" rear having a gold inlaid centerline below the "V" and a 3/32" or so fiber optic bead Masterpiece front sight, (ii) Talley or CZ rings with a low powered S&B or Swaro variable scope (unless the rifle is a dedicated elephant rifle, in which case I would prefer not to use a scope at all), and (iii) a Model 70 type, three position wing safety.

Reliability and accuracy in that order.

Reliability and ergonomics - of equal importance

I would add balance to Ganyana's two.

465H&H

According to alot of people on these boards the most important attributes are rich bluing and exhibition grade wood.

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
According to alot of people on these boards the most important attributes are rich bluing and exhibition grade wood.

You've got that right!

Frank,

Bluing and fancy wood to me are all cosmetic and do not make the gun go bang any better so I don't find them necessary. As others have said reliability and fit are probably far more important than anything else.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
Reliability and ergonomics - of equal importance

Ditto, and the first order of business. Then the other stuff.

Keith

Without fit and function you don't have a DGR.

You basically have a DG club. That goes without saying.

But on that subject, I prefer a two position safety on my DG clubs or no safety at all (I know this is controversial, so save your outrage), and I don't use sights of any kind so I have no need for them either.

I have also found that a big, bulbous muzzle brake on the end of the barrel comes in handy. I like a brake because it keeps the club from slipping out of my grasp when I swing it.

Also, as most people are aware, a longer barrel will extend the club's range and add weight besides, which is always good in a close range weapon like a club, and especially so in a DG club. So I prefer at least a 27.5" barrel on all of my DG clubs.

And needless to say, like Alley Oop and all of the other past greats, for elephant I prefer a double DG club. No bolt action DG clubs need apply.

Mike,

You had me for a minute.

Mark

Life is too short to hunt with an ugly rifle.

Engraving makes your bullets move faster, and so does nice wood!!

Don't you guys know that????

Guys put stickers on cars and it makes them go faster also.

Maybe I will look for stickers for my gun......

Guys!

I have a feeling you might wretch if you saw my DG rifles. Stainless, teflon, synthetic and a couple with slick barrels. All well worn, scratched etc. They are beautiful to me as each scratch and gouge commemorates a particular hunt.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Guys!

I have a feeling you might wretch if you saw my DG rifles. Stainless, teflon, synthetic and a couple with slick barrels. All well worn, scratched etc. They are beautiful to me as each scratch and gouge commemorates a particular hunt.

Mark

I think my rifles will give anyone elses a run for their money - in both looks and performance.

Stainless, fluted barrels, synthetic stocks scratched in a million places, no open sights, scopes with dents and scratches, a few rust spots that have been removed with sand paper!

But, they sure shoot good. Everyone who uses them falls in love with them.

Back to the original question of this thread.

My main citeria for any hunting rifle is reliability, and accuracy.

Both these features mean the shooter should know how to operate his rifle flawlesly, and shoots it well.

Years ago we were in camp with a number of hunters. All our rifles were on the rifle stand. A PH I have never met before went to look at those rifles. He started saying all sorts of nice things about each one he looked at - many of them custom rifles with beautiful wood. Evetually he picked my 375/404, with so many scratches on the synthetic stock, and said "but, if I was going hunting, this is the one I would pick"

Absolute confidence in, familiarity with and love of the rifle with whatever it takes to get that - I like walnut and bluing personally but whatever....

and the only design features I would add are controlled feed and perfect trigger pull (to me)

Simply, it must do the job and have nothing to interere with you doing your job with it.

Something many do not consider is the dang safety. OK, I may be Polish, and at times I deserve the jokes, but make sure your dangerous game rifle has the same safety as your not so dnagerous game rifles. It's called muscle memory, and you don't want a three position safety where you are used to a two position safety. You don't want it behind the receiver if you are used to one on the side of the receiver.

quote:

Originally posted by MARK H. YOUNG:
Frank,

Bluing and fancy wood to me are all cosmetic and do not make the gun go bang any better so I don't find them necessary. As others have said reliability and fit are probably far more important than anything else.

Mark

Personally Mark, I agree with you but read some of the other opinions on these boards.

You guys can hunt with whatever rifle you want,but if shootaway hunts DG he is going to do it with the BEST.A beautiful wooden stocked bolt rifle with quality mauser action.I have been hunting big game for over 20 yrs with various rifles and it's time I owned a good one with all the dressing.I love rifles and have nothing to hide or be ashamed of.I might go a little out of my way but,what the hell! No one will be laughing at me when I shoot my buff with my CINDERELLA of a rifle!

What if said Buff stomps the hell out of it while your scrambling up a tree. I'd love to see the insurance claim on that.

Call me a sentimental fool, but I think a DG rifle should have some sort of attachment to the hunter beyond the technical. I searched long and hard and found a Pre-64 Model 70 that was made the same year that I was born. I secretly like to think that the numbers were stamped at the same time the doctor slapped my bottom. When I pick up this gun I always get a feeling that I don't get with my other firearms.

Like I said, a sentimental fool...

G.L, I like your style. I'd go with one made on my birthday, but no lefties were available at that time!

Hmmm

Don't like 3 pos M70 style safeties, if your going to have one it should swing the other way. And have a locking position on it to make sure it can't swing on it's own.

So that would be tang safety regardless of type of action and a decocker for safety. Especially if your are using the Africa shoulder carry.

Double rifle is preferred with ejectors so you don't have to fight or think about the brass coming out.

Aimpoint scope at 2x. After 13 years shooting in kill houses I can't say enough about Aimpoint scopes.

Bullet greater than .458 and less than .520. Weight greater than 500 grains and at least 2000 fps but preferrably 2250 to 2450 fps.

Either bolt action or double rifle.

If double decocker is para mount for safety. Battue type sights are appropriate with different colors front and rear. RAZ sights like the Blaser line has.

If bolt action the magazine needs to be completely infallable. Rotary magazine would be the best if it worked 100%.

More than 4 rounds and prefferably 5 or 6 +1. Non-detachable magazine preferred and blind magazine with a large capicty the best choice. Then you can't shit your pants and dump your ammo.

Laminate or Fiberglass stock. No buffalo alive could break a McMillan stock if it was used to block a charge. Laminate is also tough, but I won't claim it's that tough.


I haven't hunted dangerous game, but I have hunted people at work as a COP and a Sailor. I would have to say the things that make a great rifle for hunting people would equially apply against buffalo. Obviously with some increases in caliber and adjustments for rifle action.

quote:

Originally posted by nkonka:
Something many do not consider is the dang safety. OK, I may be Polish, and at times I deserve the jokes, but make sure your dangerous game rifle has the same safety as your not so dnagerous game rifles. It's called muscle memory, and you don't want a three position safety where you are used to a two position safety. You don't want it behind the receiver if you are used to one on the side of the receiver.

I learned that lesson bird hunting switching between a Remington and Winchester. Both have safties on the trigger guard, one in the front, the other in back. More fowl than I'd like to admit owe their lives to me fumbling around with the safty. That's why every rifle I've bought is of the same type, just happens to be Win M70.

What features do you look for on your dangerous game rifles?

Two large holes in the muzzles of two barrels,with good iron sights, two triggers,
a manual safety, and well fitted stock, on a well ballanced S/S double rifle!

Glad somebody talked about the safety lever/button issue. The ergonomics of a deer rifle may not be overly important, but on a DG rifle it seems pretty important. And its not just a matter of training, else we'd still be using muzzleloaders.

Along with the issue of mechanical reliability, if I ever build a DG rifle it needs to have shooting reliability. Something Aagaard wrote about. The rifle needs to group to the same POI year in, year out, and shrug off whatever bumps and bruises occur in transit and in the field. I have the impression buff and elephant don't provide too many "do overs". The weakest link in the chain surely is the shooter aiming shooting properly, but the rifle still has to "do its part" which means function safely, load and fire reliably, and put the first shot where it is aimed. Who wants a DG rifle that groups to 0.5" but is 3 minutes left of the POA?

A good English bolt gun fits me to a tee. I don't like bulky stocks, give me a good piece of Turkish, French or whatever if its hard and cut as much excess wood off as possible, a low comb, quarter rib and shallow V or peep. barrel band sights and swivels..Make it a Henry Atkin, Wesley Richards, Holland and Holland in Mauser persuasion in a .404 and I'm happy.

Unlike some I have no problem shooting a scope with a low comb stock, I learned to shoot that way on the old pre 64s, something I am grateful for as it give me an option of using both irons and scope without compromise.

A good double in 450-400 suits me fine.

Make my rifle long, lean and mean.

quote:

Originally posted by G L Krause:
Call me a sentimental fool, but I think a DG rifle should have some sort of attachment to the hunter beyond the technical. I searched long and hard and found a Pre-64 Model 70 that was made the same year that I was born. I secretly like to think that the numbers were stamped at the same time the doctor slapped my bottom. When I pick up this gun I always get a feeling that I don't get with my other firearms.

Like I said, a sentimental fool...

It would be impossible to find a Pre-64 Model 70 that was made in the same year I was born

quote:

Originally posted by Jarrod:

quote:

Originally posted by G L Krause:
Call me a sentimental fool, but I think a DG rifle should have some sort of attachment to the hunter beyond the technical. I searched long and hard and found a Pre-64 Model 70 that was made the same year that I was born. I secretly like to think that the numbers were stamped at the same time the doctor slapped my bottom. When I pick up this gun I always get a feeling that I don't get with my other firearms.

Like I said, a sentimental fool...

It would be impossible to find a Pre-64 Model 70 that was made in the same year I was born

Damn Jerrod, I've got hunting boots that are that old!


It's hell to be old, but considering the alterative........