I inhereted a 300 H&H from my brother. It is used, but in very good, not NIB, condition. It is a early Model 70, Serial # 77,396, marked 300 magnum, so I assume that it is pre 300 win mag.
The problen is, the stock is too long for me. I have had one gunsmith tell me to leave it as is to maintain it's value, but I would like to hunt with it, Botswana next year. On the other hand I don't want to be stupid and I have other options for next year.
What would you do?
Shorten the stock.
restock it and keep the origional
leave it as is and put it in the "museum"
Thanks
TerryR

Terry. Get another stock for it that fits you. Keep the original. That way you haven't defaced a classic rifle.

If I had inherited the gun from a brother, the money value of the gun would not mean anything to me. He would obviously want you to use and enjoy it, so why not have is altered to fit you, and go out and hunt with it. I have inherited two shotguns and a rifle over the years, and I wouldn't think about selling or trading them. Whenever I use them in the field, it helps keep memories alive. That is how heirlooms are made.

I kind of agree with JohnDL. On the other hand, pecuniary value only means something when it's sold. If it lost no personal value by making the gun work for you, make it work. If you want to play the 'what if' game, what if you swap the stock, take it to Bots, and an elephant steps on the barrel? In your quest to preserve the condition or value, you may be overlooking a minor occurance we know as Murphy's law.

For example, I have a beauty little Auto 5 20 gauge I got from my uncles collection, I mean near perfect condition. I get many funny looks when people see this shiny stocked perfect little shotgun slung across my back chasing quail, mostly followed by the question' Arent you afraid your'e going to scratch it?" I answr, 'No' I'm not a collector, I'll do the best I can to take good care of it." but when I think of all the good times I have had with that shotgun, the little scratches don't nearly compare with the value of the experience I have had using one of my late uncles shotguns.

That's pretty sentimental for a non-sentimental guy...

_Baxter

It would not be too expensive to have another stock made for it that would fit you perfectly. I would just restock it and use the heck out of it. The only down side of using it in Africa is of course trusting it to the idiots/gorillas that handle guns on the air planes these days. They make a specialty of breaking stocks at the wrist. A new synthetic will avoid a lot of that possibility.

I would contact some custom stock makers. The better ones will have several Pre-64 Mod 70 stocks that they have taken off of rifles that they have stocked for customers. I'll bet it wouldn't be too hard to find a pre-64 stock that you could then modify to our measurements.

465H&H

Get a second stock as several have suggested. Either a have one custom made or even easier find and modify someone's take-off stock as 4655 H&H suggested. Then take the rifle to Africa - it is part of your family so go enjoy the rifle and enjoy the memories!!

Phil

I will restock it and keep the origanal stock. One day when the barrel is shot out, replace the original stock and add it to your collectables.

If, you are worried about the original stock. Find a pull off from somewhere and have it fitted. A new custom stock will probably cost more than your rifle is worth now, and thus be finantuly pointless.

Keith

Terry you need to make sure what it is be fore you try to shoot it. I do not know if a 300 H&H round will fit into a 300 win mag chamber,be carefull!!!!! You need to shoot it,to see if it you would use it to hunt. If it shoots poorly then you decide if it is a keep sake or a seller! Either way I would leave it a lone. If it shoots well and you want to hunt with it,then decide if you will ever sell it.If it might ever be sold leave it alone and get a spare stock, other wise make adjustments to the stock to fit you.

JD

Terry. Your rifle appears to have been made in 1948. Unless it has been modified, it is not a 300wm.

I would try getting used to the dimensions of the origional stock, I would not alter the origional stock under any circumstances. Dr.C

I may have been a little unclear. It is a 300 H&H, I have verified that and shot it. It's good to go.
Thanks for the advice, I'm going to modify it and use it in my brother's memory. I'm meeting a gunsmith tuesday to talk about restocking or adjusting this stock.
Thanks

TerryR

You made the right choice.

quote:

I'm going to modify it and use it in my brother's memory.

That is what I would do!!! Just modify the stock then it will be "his" rifle you are creating new memories with. It is not like that rifle is going to be worth enough to retire on or something! I have one just like and am in the process of doing the same thing.

Your brother would want you to use it. Do with it what you have to, to use it properly. Then, wear it out on game. Your brother would be proud. You can look back at the end of your hunting career and think what great memories you have because of him.

Take off stocks are a dime a dozen on eBay, $40-100.

If it was mine, I'd cut it to fit and hunt with it.

I wish my brother had 300 H&H to leave me!!! I would hunt with it. The world has enough safe queens.. Good Luck on your hunt.