Safari Club Int'l Convention Jan. 23-26 in Reno
The world’s largest international hunting show, SCI’s Annual Hunter’s Convention, will be held at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center (RSCC) in Reno, Nevada from Jan. 23-26, 2008. Most of the major bullet, rifle, and optics manufacturers will be exhibiting at the show. If you can’t make it to the SHOT Show in Las Vegas (Feb. 2-5), the SCI convention gives you the opportunity to view many of the new shooting products and hunting accessories to be marketed in 2008.
The SCI show has long been known for its elite gun and trip auctions. This year more high-end rifles and safaris are up for auction. 2008 Convention attendees can bid on fine firearms, hunting trips, and hunting-related artwork throughout the show. Auctions will be held on the show floor and North Fork Pavillion during the day, while evening auctions will be conducted at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino in the Tuscany Ballroom. CLICK HERE for a schedule of all auctions.
If you want to view some spectacular rifles, some valued at over $100,000, download the Firearms Auction Guide. It contains glossy photos of dozens of custom rifles including classic big-bore dangerous game rifles as well as modern ultra-light hunting arms. Here are three examples from the auction catalog.
Piotti Savanah 3 Double-Gun in .470 Nitro Express
Engraving by G.S. Pedretti
Donor Valuation: $112,000
John Rigby & Co. African Express in .416 Rigby
Donor Valuation: $43,5000
Blaser R93 Selous Ltd. Edition
Two-Barrel Set in .416 Rem and .300 WinMag, each with a Swarovski Z6 scope
Donor Valuation: $29,250
We wish we had the big bucks to bid on these one-of-a-kind special edition rifles. On the other hand, there are two dozen gunsmiths listed on this website who can build you a superb hunting rifle that performs as well (or better) than these glamour queens, at a fraction of the cost. But like Rolex watches and fine wines, these rifles are more about conspicuous consumption than bang for the buck.
