Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Classic hunting rifles - European vs American

When I was stationed in Spain with USAF, I had the chance to hunt fallow stag with my guide's 7.9mm rifle. It had two triggers and a receiver sight but I can't recall the maker of this fine rifle. If I was seeking a vintage European rifle, it would have these features, too.

Sherwood

This might be called a classic European hunting rifle. A Haenel System 1909 that was made in 1912, chambered in .25 Remington or, as it is called in Europe, 6.5x52 Rimless. It's for sale.

Above my pay grade!



So, an Imitation RSR











ya!

GWB

Just my opinion and a generalization but about anything Sauer, Heym, Manlicher-Shoenauer, Blaser, Mauser, Sako, and others from the continent.

Very few American riffles can compete with the refinement and quality of most European rifles. From eye-ball to function.

Agree. Production cost was the least of their worries when they made/make these guns.

A few years ago, I started leaning towards the classic guns and now have a very small collection of those as well. No safe queens allowed.

1. M700 Varmint in 222
2. M721 in 300H&H
3. M760 Carbine in 308
4. FN-98 in 275 Rigby (faux Rigby Highlander)
5. Fox SxS 12ga

.... and a few other clunkers not worthy of mention.

I also have some modern SS/synthetic guns in older chamberings as in 257Roberts, another 300H&H and a 280 so there's quite a mixture down there.

I didn't go for euro or N/A guns in particular, but did end up with more American guns by chance. I bought what I liked.

Nice rifle, but looks a bit unfinished without sights. Just sayin'.

You haven’t experienced perfection in a rifle until you get your first Mannlicher Schoenauer preferably a pre 1924 model. They are the perfect still hunting rifle. Wouldn’t trade mine for any 10 other guns. It took me 40 years to acquire my first.

I've tried and sold a bunch of rifles and shotguns over many years, and keep trading "up" in quality. I have kept mostly classic European firearms from about 1950 onward to 2000, so I completely agree with the goal of the original poster. As I traded up in quality, the American built arms dropped away and were gradually replaced by European. Fit, finish, and style of each of these are exceptional, at least when compared to the money I spent to acquire them.
So below is a list of what I've ended up with as a working collection of Classic European arms that I think are notable: One American shotgun snuck in there because I think the Win. Model 12 is a classic. And the Browning Superposed is a sort of hybrid.

Anschutz 1418 Fullstock .22 LR
CZ Brno Model 5 .22 LR
Anschutz 1415-1416 Sporter .22 WMR
Anschutz 1433 Fullstock .22 Hornet
Anschutz 1513 / CIL 900 .222 Rem
CZ Brno ZKK 601 .222 Rem
Sako 461 Vixen HB .222 Rem
Brno 22F fullstock 7x57 carbine
Steyr-Mannlicher model GK 7x64 fullstock carbine
Sako L579 Deluxe .308 Win
Brno ZKK 600 30-06 custom by Chris Griesbach
Brno 21H Halfstock 8x57IS rifle
Krieghoff Hubertus Kipplauf .30R Blaser
Krieghoff Trump Dural Drilling, 16x16/7x57R & .22 WMR insert
Merkel 211E/251E O/U combo W/16x16 - 2 3/4" & 2nd Barrel set 16 / 7x57R
Browning Superposed Lightning 20 ga. O/U
Win. Mod 12 12 ga. pump
Brno ZP47 12 ga SxS Sidelock
AyA #1 12 ga. 2 barrel set SxS
Aya #53 12 ga. SxS

That's enough for now. I do have a few more more modern arms. A couple of lever guns, a competition Beretta shotgun, a take down travel rifle and a big bore Merkel double, and a Sako stainless steel/laminate.375 for versatility and travel. I don't crave any more. I could cut the collection down to about 6 or 8 and not feel deprived, but where's the fun in that? Anyway I hope this list inspires. I've had fun during both collecting and shooting.