What is a stalking rifle ?

Let’s go back to the definition of what “to stalk” is; if I refer to my Webster Dictionary (1951), “to stalk” refers to “approach one’s quarry stealthily” or to “approach under cover or by stealth”.

These definitions cover much hunting situations - from hunting dwarf buffalo in rain forest to hunting mountain game and to hunting squirrel, each of one requiring different rifles and associated ammunition.

Most common usage may have narrowed the terminology of “stalking rifle” to light bolt action and to single shot rifles; this may not be correct as, if we refer to the definition of what “to stalk” is, big bore bolt action or double-rifles used in dense forest or bush, combination rifles (BBF, drilling, etc.), bergstutzen-type rifles, and even rimfire rifles may qualify as stalking rifles.

Every type of rifle used to harvest a quarry by stealth should therefore be qualified as a stalking rifle.

Louis