I'm preparing to pick up my newest rifle, a Weatherby MK V, 300 W'by Magnum, fired less than twenty times, with a 3-9 Pentax on it.

No money out of my pocket, either.

Why is this a bittersweet moment - should be happy as a clam, right? Well, it was my Dad's. He died late last year, and Mom told me last week that he wanted me to have it. The rifle was a Christmas present my brothers and I went together and got for him about 8 years ago. He'd always wanted a Weatherby, but, with eight of us running around eating and wearing out clothes on a weekly basis, he never could afford it. Then he got "too danged old to spend that kind of money on a rifle I'll never use", so we did it for him.

I'd much rather walk in the house and see him sitting there than the rifle

R-WEST

Man, what do you say at a time like this....?

But go get it, take it out, and relive some fond memories of your dad with it...

Shoot the rifle, your Dad would have approved.
- mike

Thanks guys. I still haven't walked across the road to Mom's to pick it up. Tonite's the night, I guess.

R-WEST

Back in 1994 I bought my father a 700 classic in 6.5x55. He'd been complaining for years about the pounding the custom featherweight 30-06 his dad had left to him as a deer rifle. My dad is still living (for now), but I can't help but look at the 6.5x55 sometimes, which he loves, and be reminded that someday soon that rifle will be around to go deer hunting, but he will not.

Heirlooms are the frozen concentrate of memories.

Best Wishes,
Mike

I am glad you have the rifle and sad for your loss--I too carry a couple of rifles to the hill that I picked up under similar ways.

One is a old Mark V/ .300 it is sort of a better day on the hill when that old rifle hits the hill. I am sure that G-pa is a smiling when it comes ut of the truck and into the scabbard.......

"GET TO THE HILL"

Dogz

Sorry to hear of your loss - I understand the feeling from when my own Dad passed away some 30 years ago. I still have (and use) much of the equipment and stuff he left behind, and EVERY time I pick them up, I think of him. I also tell my son what I'm thinking, and although he never knew my Dad (my son is 12), I think he gets a bit of a 'feel' and respect for some things that matter. He also seems to show an extra bit of respect for my father's things, that (like all kids) he doesn't show for mine! When my time comes, nothing would give me greater pleasure than knowing that my boy was using whatever he could that was 'mine', or that he and I had used together. I fully understand the 'bittersweet', but believe me, in time it will become 'sweet'. The good memories will overcome the sad loss you presently feel.