After 25 years of effort it's coming up on reward time. I'm cashing in and starting to prep for my retirement. That being the case it's time to move away from Savage 10's and Howa 1500 rifles (as much as I really do like those) and move up a notch or two. My whole life names like AI, Steyr, Sako, Heym, Holland & Holland and Blaser had been hugely far out of reach because all of my money was going to either raise a family or sock away for my retirement. So now as I stand at a new dawn I find myself looking like one of Kubric's apes staring down a monolith. Since I've ever heard of the brands above I'm wondering if there's not some other really special makers that my poor butt had never heard of. So, what else is out there in the higher end of rifles?
Time to level up.
- Thread starter ballisticxlr
- Start date
6MMsteve
Gold $$ Contributor
that would be a WOW rifle
That seems like maybe not a bad idea and I will have at least one fully custom rig built but here I'm really looking for a "factory" rifle, something really uncommon, hand crafted by skilled craftsmen using ancient craft secrets yadda yadda.
As far as what shall the rifle do: Well like many of you I have multiple hobbies that involve rifles from big game hunting in Africa to long range competition (PRS/F-Open/NRA Sporting Rifle/Metallic Silhouette) to hanging rifles on walls. I think a double rifle might not be my cup of tea but even then I just don't know what I don't know about yet.
The LW Butlers look very interesting and right up the alley I'm looking at.
Dang, you're funny. My "leveling up" is buying acreage to live, hunt and shoot on, walk across the street in the spring and fall and fish the salmon runs.
But, for that day you pull the plug, given your reference, here's a link to the infamous "Also Sprach Zarathustra" -- hoping that on your first day of retirement, you open your eyes with wide excitement, ready to devour all those adventures you eschewed during your grindstone days.
Edit: watched a documentary on the making of Rigby guns. Truly gifted craft men and women there, turning out incredibly sexy guns.
But, for that day you pull the plug, given your reference, here's a link to the infamous "Also Sprach Zarathustra" -- hoping that on your first day of retirement, you open your eyes with wide excitement, ready to devour all those adventures you eschewed during your grindstone days.
Edit: watched a documentary on the making of Rigby guns. Truly gifted craft men and women there, turning out incredibly sexy guns.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
We have builders in the USA that are as good or better than the butlers, rigby, and other uropean builders. LR or FClass, and BR rifles can be built by some of the guys on this forum and others. You need to make a list of your priorities and do your due diligence checking out your gunsmith.
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
Welcome to retirement. My goal the last ten years is to spend my children's inheritance. And yet still keep my investments making money. Doing a pretty good job so far. And like you I am buying high end stuff I could never afford before.
That said, Browning needs a mention, as well as Volquartsen. And I have a local gunsmith who has built a few toys for me.
That said, Browning needs a mention, as well as Volquartsen. And I have a local gunsmith who has built a few toys for me.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
The good stuff. Quality. I believe that the quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten. In the case of firearms. Highly accurate weapons. Ugly is OK.
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
I guess we disagree on high end and quality, but that is what makes the old World turn.
TheOtherZilla
Pull my finger
I don't think so. To me high end is quality. Then again I am probly not expressing myself clearly. In the case of firearms, performance is king. If it shoots itty bitty groups that's high end in my world.
Depending on your goal with this, if you are just wanting to own and have for show higher end firearms, then look to any number of high end makers.
But why not just stick with the ones you have and make some sweet hunting trips/safari's and hunt and enjoy getting out and about, with the extra money ?
But why not just stick with the ones you have and make some sweet hunting trips/safari's and hunt and enjoy getting out and about, with the extra money ?
butchlambert
Site $$ Sponsor
I
guess the difference is I don't consider the Volquartsen and Browning top end. I don't see either of these fitting his wants.
My situation with hunting in Africa is pretty wonderfully unique so doesn't cost me like it costs most people. I think most people think Africa is expensive to hunt anyway and it's not. My guns now are not the flavor of the poors, I must admit. They're just not "special" other than having gone through iteration after iteration to get where they are (to a point that I'm happy with their performance) and I'd like a couple that are "special". I'd thought I could just go and grab an AI ASR and call it a day but I'd still have to pop for a couple of additional custom barrels. I want something like the Korth revolver of the bolt action rifle world.
joshb
Gold $$ Contributor
Please show us some of your pics! I remember cooing at some of your guns. Great photography, too!
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.