Thread: "Too pretty to use"

@Flyblown brings up some valid points, and I'm a firm believer that there are some in this game that really amplify the 'wank factor' when it comes to gear.

I like nice kit. Definitely. But there is a point where it just gets beyond reasonable and sensible. If we look back at some of the great rifles that came from the Rigby workshops around the turn of last century, there was nothing 'fancy' about them at all. Plain wood, no engraving, no gold leaf, no cheek pieces for a lot of them, and reasonably plain checkering at a sensible # of lines per inch. They were made to be functional and reliable, and that exactly what they achieved. The famous Corbett .275 was rather plain-jane by todays flashy standards.

I'm all about nice woodwork, because I can build if for myself. But they will still get used (and looked after appropriately). But they also have to be functional. My next stock is going to be for a Model 7 .308, and it will have nice but not flashy wood, no cheek piece (because they're just extra weight) and sensible but not over the top 24 LPI checkering. I'm building it because 1. I can. 2. It will be a better shape than the HS precision it came with. 3. It will be lighter than the HS precision too.

Perfect form, follows perfect function.

Originally Posted by Hunter_Nick

@Flyblown brings up some valid points, and I'm a firm believer that there are some in this game that really amplify the 'wank factor' when it comes to gear.

I like nice kit. Definitely. But there is a point where it just gets beyond reasonable and sensible. If we look back at some of the great rifles that came from the Rigby workshops around the turn of last century, there was nothing 'fancy' about them at all. Plain wood, no engraving, no gold leaf, no cheek pieces for a lot of them, and reasonably plain checkering at a sensible # of lines per inch. They were made to be functional and reliable, and that exactly what they achieved. The famous Corbett .275 was rather plain-jane by todays flashy standards.

I'm all about nice woodwork, because I can build if for myself. But they will still get used (and looked after appropriately). But they also have to be functional. My next stock is going to be for a Model 7 .308, and it will have nice but not flashy wood, no cheek piece (because they're just extra weight) and sensible but not over the top 24 LPI checkering. I'm building it because 1. I can. 2. It will be a better shape than the HS precision it came with. 3. It will be lighter than the HS precision too.

Perfect form, follows perfect function.

Yeah, I don’t know if it’s “wank” factor, but depending on what we are talking about each have their own reasons.

You could say the same about people who want to shoot the biggest trophy or drive a nice car etc as they don’t really gain anything from them except the sense of self satisfaction and pride of ownership.

I see buying a really high end (ie English best quality fully engraved double rifle which start at £160k and go up from there) in the same light as buying a piece of art or engineering (ie a Ducati over a jap sport bike), it’s function becomes secondary to the enjoyment of owning and handling a true piece of art.
You may hardly ever use it but there is something to behold in the thousands of hours of precision hand craftsmanship that go into them and the beauty of them. Also something about the romance of the African big game safari.
Great piece to have a conversation about with someone else that appreciates it.

I also like nice things so have no issue with people that would rather spend a bit more and have something that they really like and is aesthetically pleasing, but as I said, have something more suitable to the task for rough trips.

Everyone is different and has their own needs, some just want a tool, others want something that they are proud of, each to their own.


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Originally Posted by Spudattack

Yeah, I don’t know if it’s “wank” factor, but depending on what we are talking about each have their own reasons.

You could say the same about people who want to shoot the biggest trophy or drive a nice car etc as they don’t really gain anything from them except the sense of self satisfaction and pride of ownership.

I see buying a really high end (ie English best quality fully engraved double rifle which start at £160k and go up from there) in the same light as buying a piece of art or engineering (ie a Ducati over a jap sport bike), it’s function becomes secondary to the enjoyment of owning and handling a true piece of art.
You may hardly ever use it but there is something to behold in the thousands of hours of precision hand craftsmanship that go into them and the beauty of them. Also something about the romance of the African big game safari.
Great piece to have a conversation about with someone else that appreciates it.

I also like nice things so have no issue with people that would rather spend a bit more and have something that they really like and is aesthetically pleasing, but as I said, have something more suitable to the task for rough trips.

Everyone is different and has their own needs, some just want a tool, others want something that they are proud of, each to their own.


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Double Rifles are crashing in price.There is a looming lead ban in the UK and Europe and you cant regulate traditional doubles with homogenous bullets. I know of a H&H in 375 flanged that changed hands for £5000 recently.That gun was advertised for £15,000 for ages but due to America being difficult to import into for the time being the dealer just wanted it gone.The price of nice double shotguns has been artificially inflated for years,when the lead ban comes in they will be radioactive.

Originally Posted by norsk

Double Rifles are crashing in price.There is a looming lead ban in the UK and Europe and you cant regulate traditional doubles with homogenous bullets. I know of a H&H in 375 flanged that changed hands for £5000 recently.That gun was advertised for £15,000 for ages but due to America being difficult to import into for the time being the dealer just wanted it gone.The price of nice double shotguns has been artificially inflated for years,when the lead ban comes in they will be radioactive.

I shoot normal copper projectile out of both my 500BP express and my 450/400 nitro?

Originally Posted by Maca49

I shoot normal copper projectile out of both my 500BP express and my 450/400 nitro?

Copper jacketed lead core or homogenous bullets like Barnes?

Originally Posted by norsk

Copper jacketed lead core or homogenous bullets like Barnes?

When I was hunting in Africa a lot of double owners had switched to mono metal copper (Barnes, goodnel, gs custom etc.) with no issues.


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