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Opinions vary on the best of the best

4 min read

Saying something is the best is a very questionable statement because it is based mostly on opinion. We all know what opinions are like – we all have one – but realistically, another’s opinion can at least tell us the object of discussion is at least good. So it is with things related to the outdoors.

Someone recently asked me who was the best outdoor writer? Of course, we all know it is me, but let’s look at a few others. Just the other day, Dennis Fredericks, a past president of the Pennsylvania Game Commission board and I discussed that subject. It seems we each had a famous writers’ autographs and were comparing the signatures. The letter content was not important to me, but it was that we both placed importance on the signer.

As I think about writers who influenced me, I can’t help but recall Warren Page, Pennsylvania’s own Bob Bell, Russell Anabell, John Jobson and, of course, Jack O’Connor.

Today, I find Ken Waters interesting when it comes to reloading. But there is no doubt in my mind O’Connor was the best.

When reading O’Connor, his stories seem brief – although they were just as long as those written by others. The difference? You did not have to go back and read them again to understand what he was saying.

This is a rare commodity in a writer. He also came across as believable. While he was often accused of favoring the .270 rifle and creating its’ popularity, he did a good job of that didn’t he?

Of the others, Anabell was the most descriptive and a good writer to read in the comfort of bed. When Anabell wrote about two bull moose fighting, you not only could see them, but the reader could hear the crashing of the brush and the antlers slapping together.

That was Anabell at his best, but he was weak on firearms, which is why O’Connor ranks higher. But that is not to suggest I am putting Anabell down, he was good and should be read by every outdoorsperson.

Page might have been a little too intellectual, but Jobson was almost as good as O’Connor, just not as prolific. Incidentally, he was a friend of O’Connor.

Then comes the question of what is and was the best big-game rifle? The people who know me already know my answer to that one.

The Remington 700 would take the honors as the best-selling bolt action sporting rifle, but I hardly think of it as the best. When shooting little holes in paper, it hardly can be bested by another factory offering. Paul Mauser designed a good product and those F.N. Brownings represent good examples, but still no cigar.

If you like good wood and a potent package there is always the Weatherby. They are pretty and well made.

I must admit, I am a bit prejudiced when it comes to rifles. I would really have a hard choice between what I consider the best and the runner-up.

I have said many times, I have never seen a bad Sako. I have owned more than a couple of rifles made by this gun from Finland and have also owned some built-on-Sako actions.

My first Sako was a little L46 chambered for the .222 round. It was one of the best made and nicest little rifles I ever shot. I also have owned or own a .300 Winchester mag a .243 and .222 magnum. They are all good shooters and pleasing to the eye. While I regard the Sako highly, I am not talking about its’ brother the Tikka.

Sako and Tikka are now joined as one firm, but I do place the Sako as a near top choice.

Of course, my absolute choice would be the pre-64 model 70 Winchester. I would even refine it a bit more and whittle it down to the featherweight configuration in this model rifle.

The workmanship of these rifles is superb and the design is the best. It might not be as strong as the Weatherby or Remington but it is strong enough.

It’s like comparing a well-made car that goes 100 mph and another that is not as well-designed that can top 120 mph. I say so what when the strength is mentioned. Give me an old Model 70 featherweight. It’s the riflemans’ rifle.

George H. Block writes a Sunday Outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter.

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