Thread: "Too pretty to use"

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?

I’m real hard on gear in the bush but look after it clean/service before it goes back in the safe. But il be the first to admit I sold my first sako for this reason it felt wrong using it as a paddle sliding down screw slopes chasing Tahr . I couldn’t care less about banging up my soulless stainless carbon rifles

Tools are t be used but also looked after, that is why I still use on a daily basis nail guns that are 30 years old, hand planes that I have had for 30 years and were second hand when I bought them.

Use them and let them get the knocks, look after them as well and they should outlive you.

When i was farming up North I had no time for hunting and despite shooting rabbits, pheasant and ducks etc all through college. I just never had time after leaving school.
When I moved into Sth Cantab I decided to spend real coin on a rifle that inspired me to get back out. I sought out Hugh Bradley in Alex and purchased my first Blaser. It had exactly the effect intended. I’m still farming but hunting and shooting has become a bit of an obsession lol.
Everyone has their own reasons for buying beautiful high quality gear, or cheap mass produced lower spec stuff. Personally I think a bloke can do what he pleases with his money.

I've got a bit of a foot in both camps. There's some stuff out there I consider to good for general hunting use, however I'll still use it somewhere less taxing where It is less likely to get damaged. (Easy farm hunting/shooting)
I struggle with the idea of not using a rifle at all though, at that point why not just get a nice bit of wood/engraved metal to look at?

Originally Posted by Dan.22-250

I've got a bit of a foot in both camps. There's some stuff out there I consider to good for general hunting use, however I'll still use it somewhere less taxing where It is less likely to get damaged. (Easy farm hunting/shooting)
I struggle with the idea of not using a rifle at all though, at that point why not just get a nice bit of wood/engraved metal to look at?

Depends what you are into, lots of people buy lots of things they never use because they like them.

For someone that is into fine firearms, a piece of engraved wood probably wouldn’t do it!

Quite similarly, at the moment I am trying to find a vintage Gibson SG, I don’t even play guitar, I just like them and want it to hang in my bar


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The only rifles I take this view on are my nice mil surp bolt action rifles - I really can't be bothered taking them out in the ran and then stripping them down afterwards.

As for sporters, thrash them, you only live once.

Rex Forester said that he liked a well used rifle and didn't worry about the external look. So long as when he opened it it was slick and oiled and the insides were looked after.

I'm the same. Tools to be used. They need their badges of courage and rites of passage. But always dried and oiled after use. Blue or stainless.

I have just bought an immaculate Steyr Mannlicher in .30-06 with 40 rounds fired. I’m going to use it for target shooting and the odd hunt, but it will stay in the safe for West Coast missions. Rain and scrub would be too much for such a lovely thing.

Originally Posted by Hurricane

I have just bought an immaculate Steyr Mannlicher in .30-06 with 40 rounds fired. I’m going to use it for target shooting and the odd hunt, but it will stay in the safe for West Coast missions. Rain and scrub would be too much for such a lovely thing.

Pictures please, either here or in the Walnut and Blued steel thread

I need these pictures.

Originally Posted by jakewire

Pictures please, either here or in the Walnut and Blued steel thread

I need these pictures.

Might have to wait until he gets back across the Tasman.

Originally Posted by jakewire

Pictures please, either here or in the Walnut and Blued steel thread

I need these pictures.

I haven’t taken possession yet as I am still waiting for my Aus firearms licence. These are pics from the dealer.