I purchased this stalking rifle earlier this year off of an auction site. The rifle spoke to me. I had a hunch that it was a diamond in the rough. I bought the little Steyr 1893 and performed a conservation on her. Later I found out that was made by George Gibbs. I made the 6.5x53 brass from 303 Enfield and worked on finding an accurate load with Prvi 129 gr bullets.
I decided that this little rifle was heading out into the PA woods for buck season this year.
Yesterday afternoon, I had an opportunity to shoot a 7 point buck with the rifle and my plan came together. I downed the deer with a 100 yard shot with aperture sights offhand. The right antler popped off when he rolled down the hill.
It was a great day!

Nicely (and classically) done, both rifle and hunt!

Thanks bpesteve. It's nice when a plan comes together.
I get a lot of ribbing at camp for not using a scope. I tell them that as long as I can shoot accurately with aperture sights, that's what I want to use.

Great story, thanks. Made my day.

Mike

fjrdoc, you might enjoy this related thread. Congrats on your success.

https://forums.accuratereloadi...401047612#4401047612

Mike
Thanks for sharing the link to your thread. I love your rifle and it's accuracy is impressive!
These rifles are so nimble and light. The 6.5 has very little reoil. It's hard to imagine that kind of penetration in such a light shooting rifle.

I've had a couple of Dutch 95s pass through my hands, but the barrels were too far gone to fool with. Absolutely classic rifle and caliber. Excellent job!

Nice! As a fellow (successful this year) PA deer hunter, I know the feeling of taking a project or pet rifle afield and bringing home the venison. Any thoughts on how you're going to handle the dislodged antler? Screw it back on when you mount it?

I'm going to do a European mount and probably glue/epoxy the antler in place. I was hoping to get a doe this year but that didn't work out in rifle season. I was using my 1905 Mannlicher in 9x56. I reloaded with my own cast 200 gr hollow points. I was anxious to see how they perform on game. Maybe next year.

Well darn it, now I want one...