At 73 years of age I want to build my last rifle. I am looking for something to kill elk size game up to 1200 yards, as I am entertaining a red stag hunt in New Zealand. Due to health issues this will most likely be my final hunt so, in some respects, I consider it a hunt of a lifetime. I have a budget for up to $12K. I don't want under a 6.5mm cal or over a 30. I already have a 300RUM so that is outside of the choices. I want to keep it under 8 lbs.
What caliber would you build if you could build your favorite rifle?
So, let's first look at which action will be the best? What barrel and length? What trigger and pull weight? What magazine? What stock and style? What bipod assembly and mount? What recoil pad? What scope mount? What scope rings? What scope and crosshairs? What type of finish and color? Lastly, what Smith should I use for my build?
Hopefully, after ferreting through your thoughts and suggestions, I will be able to blend as close to the perfect build I can put together. Then see what your thoughts are on what I have chosen to build and who will build it.
Thanking you all in advance!
First--I'm just a couple of years younger, so I understand where you're coming from. I wish I had your build budget, but maybe if I wasn't doing things like planning for my 5th trip to SA next year, I would have. Unfortunately I just had to postpone my trip to NZ I was supposed to leave for in two weeks. I had planned it and had dates set for two years. It was also planned to help celebrate our 50th anniversary, and I had booked an additional 3 weeks of travel in the North and South Islands. That's something you might want to consider. Make certain you apply for your entry permit at least 120 days prior to departure, and that you have proof of its approval with you.
Unfortunately there are many changes in gun regulations going on in NZ which you need to keep abreast of. Confiscation of some firearms by the police has already been reported, and there are indications that it's just the first wave. I had planned on carrying my rifle with me, but new regulations make traveling with a rifle as a non Kiwi almost impossible. My outfitter was adamant that I not do so, in case we were stopped by the police while driving, or if we incurred problems bringing the gun into lodging/leaving it in the hotel/car.
An additional note--make sure your boots are pristine clean--you'll have to have them on top of your gear, as they will be checked, hauled out and dipped in chemicals to prevent you carrying in organisms/foreign matter into the country. Have a plastic bag ready to put them in after the treatment.
As for guns--sorry, not a custom gun guy. But years of experience shooting out to the high 400's with a 300WinMag makes me an advocate of that round. At SCI I've talk to the Gun Works and Best of the West guys and have learned a few things. One--if you want to shoot that far--take a resident course. Two--although they show the 700-1000 yard shots on TV, those guys rarely if ever let the school clients do it. When in the field they always have spotters and use radios to help locate the game shot at those distances. The owner of one of the shooting schools that includes a hunt told me he has a test for students who want to hunt at ranges beyond 500 yards. He takes them to a place that has plates at various unmarked distances and gives them one bullet. He picks the plate to shoot at. If they can hit it on the first shot, they can pick their hunting distance. To date only one client has met his test.
Good luck, I hope things go well. If you know the outfitter you want in 2021, you best book now as all this year's and next year's clients are having to be accommodated in 2021, and things there are a mess.