How many of you hunt with a C&R rifle??? I am a collector but a hunter too. If I can swing it I pick up two of the same. Keep the better one original and sporterize the other to hunt with. I have a 96 swede that shoots 1' groups at 100 yds. The rifle is more accurate than I am. Dropped a whitetail buck with it last year.
I picked up a german made mauser with Chinese stamps last year in 30-06. Gonna try that one out this year.
Doesn't have to be military surplus either. I got a savage model 99 in .300 savage that I will put up against any .308 ever made for power and performance. That is considered C & R.
Does anyone ever pull granddad's old rifle out for a bit on deer season just to remember him by???

swede

my dad still hunts with a german made 8mm mauser 98 that his father built back in the mid-50s (chambered for 30-06)... its a great shooter with great balance. the trigger is still original, and that is a bummer, but that's it.

we'll be putting it to a real test next year when we take on Elk AND Sheep in the rockies... so, far, so good!

All my guns are old, so am I.......

Pre 64s, Savage 99s, Win 94s, Win m-12 and Browining superposed with some nice custom and old English Mauser 98's...

Not a new production rifle in my cabinet and never will be..They just don't have the quality since the bean counters got hold of them.

I have a Remington 03A3 That is sporter/customized, that I have taken a couple of deer with,and a nice hog in Texas two years ago. It has the most beautiful piece of fiddleback walnut for a stock I have ever seen. If I knew how to post pictures I would post a couple I have of it. I also have another 03 that is just a RI arsenal barrel and action in a sporter stock. I am thinking about using it in Texas this year, as I have not hunted with it yet. Most of the rifles I own are at least 20 years old or more. I really don't care much for the new ones.

DGK

I owned a Savage Model 99 (rotary magazine) in .308 topped with a 3x9 scope with see through mounts. I used it for brush hunting whitetails. I have since stopped hunting like that and gave the rifle to my nephew. Between my father (original owner), myself and now the nephew, that gun has killed quite a few deer over its 35+ year hunting life.

My first deer rifle is a now 50 year old Winchester 94 in .30-30 (iron sights). I have lent that rifle to a younger nephew. I missed more deer with that rifle than a boy/man should EVER have to deal with but that was in some rather severe cover with snap shots the norm.

Texas is sooooo much easier now!

My .243 is built on a 98 mauser action that is stamped 1952 by a previous gunsmith. I do not know how old the .30/30 I used this year is. I used it for my deer & antelope. It is a model 94 stamped .30 WCF.

My favorite deer and elk rifle is a Model 70 in 300 H&H that was made in the same year that I was born, 1948. � never thought of it as being all that old though � I also hunt with a Sharps Borchardt, a Newton that has been rebored to a 35 Whelan. I use a 1925 Winchester 52 for ground squirrels, and a J.P. Sauer 20 gauge &an Ithaca grade 4 12 gauge for birds.

So far I have 2 Rem. 1917 Enfield's(a .30-06 that belonged to my father and a .30 Gibbs that belonged to a family friend). A customized 1891 Belgium Argentine Mauser, 7.65mm. A couple of pre-64 M70's. I’m using my father’s 1917 Enfield .30-06 this year and have so far collected a nice Mulie 3x3, that while only a medium size rack(23" spread, field dressed 261 lbs.), with it. Got a few others that I don’t hunt with or shoot much like my father in-laws M71. Lawdog

[ 10-19-2003, 04:27: Message edited by: Lawdog_Gary ]

Just had grand uncle George/Grandpa/Dad's/my Remington Model 8 out for a zero check preparatory to this year's deer hunting. They might be unseen but I'm sure they'll be with me.

I have a mixture of old and new rifles. Also have fun with vintage shotguns at the clay target club I shoot at. Shoot rounds of skeet, trap, and sporting clays with an Ithaca Model 37's and Remington Model 11, both in 16 ga. The latter has a factory polychoke, which for me works just as good as screwing different Brilley tubes in and out.

Actually, using these older guns puts some fun and sport back into things. My next Michigan deer hunt will be with my Dad's .348 Winchester.

I normally carry my type 38 Japanese out a coupla times each season (rechambered by John Hannah and I in 68 to 6.5X257) and it was made way back when. It has a rough bore and still holds 1.25 with Hornday .264 Round points.
I also hope to get my new (to me, it was my Dads gun) 1886 Winchester 45-70 (made in 93) up and restocked to shoot some cast at deer also. Of course I have to carry the type 99 this year and see if I can get a deer with it!

LouisB

My oldest hunter is a circa 1954 M70 in .300 H&H. With another std M70 in .30-06 as my 2nd oldest a 1955 gun.

FN in MT

I have 3 guns near 100 years old, 3 more that have passed the 1/2 century mark, one of which is unfired. Except for my truck gun which is S/S(yuk!) my 'newest' piece was purchased new in '93. .405 Win/.358 Win/.22WRF...on and on. My favorite pigeon gun is an Ithaca NID built in '26.

Most i play with now adays are old timers
Rolling Blocks,45-70,45-90,38-55,40-85, 43mauser,45reformado,8mm dannish
Highway 40-65
Winchester 1886's 40-65,38-56,45-70,33
94's 2 take downs in 25-35, rifle with the 26" bbl in 38-55, and a couple of 32's and a 30-30
One Savage 99 take down in 303, and one old octagon model in 30-30

I have two old rifles that I love to chase the local whitetails around with. The first one is a Savage 99 made in 1936 in 300 savage. I have an old Redfield receiver sight on it. The other is a Savage 99 made in 1941. This one has the original open sights. This one is also in 300 savage caliber. What I need to find is a nice 250 savage model 99.

For some reason I have the desire to find an old 30-40 Craig and use that also. I remember my grandfather using one untill the day he died. An old sporterized model. Maybe this will be my next "old" toy

[ 10-19-2003, 19:19: Message edited by: Iron Buck ]

My Deer and Antelope rifle, for years, has been a custom rifle based on a 1893 Mauser action. 24" McGowen barrel and a Bishop stock. Caliber is .257 Ackley Imp. It has accounted for about 15 Mule Deer and about 6 Antelope. 100gr Nosler Part at about 3150fps.

I must really be getting old. You guys calling rifles made in the 50s old really dates me. I wouldn't consider anything made after WWI, The Great War, as 'Old'.

I love Old Cartridges and, let's face it, nothing much has changed in the last 70 years regarding rifles or cartridges. The Golden Age of firearm improvement was in the last half of the 1800s.

[ 10-19-2003, 20:24: Message edited by: Mickey1 ]

Well folks, I guess you know your getting old when it suprises you to hear people talk about guns made in the 1950s as "OLD GUNS"!

I regularly hunt Cape Buffalo with a Westley Richards 500/450 double rifle that was sold out of the London store in 1892! I have other doubles that were made in the late 1880s, all the way up to last year, and I find no difference in them as far as there suitability for serious hunting!The double rifles are the only format, that seems to have the precicion fitting, today, of the old masters! I have several bolt action Mauser rifles that were made in the 1930s. Some factory combination rifle/shotguns that were made in the late 1890s, that are as good today as anything out of a custom shop, and in chamberings that will toss a 200 gr bullet along at 2500, to 2800 fps, and I don't feel handicaped at all. In fact, I feel more comfident in those rifles than I do with the new K-Mart special junk coming out of most bean counter maker's factories today.

Let's see:
A Ernst Kerner 9.3x62, full stock, half-octagon-half round barrel, built in 1933 and still shoots 1".
A German guild gun in 9.3x72, it's an underlever stalking rifle, set triggers.. weighs only 4.8 lbs.
A pair of Cogswell and Harrison double rifles, the first in .375 Nitro and the second in .475 Nitro.
A pre-WWII Brno in 7x57 with full stock.
A 404 Jeffery on a Oberndorf Mauser action.
A 1911 Mannlicher in .375 2 1/4" Nitro with the folding peep that fits in a recess in the tang.
A 1873 Winchester in .32/20...
A Model 12 Winchester pump in 16 gauge..and I forget the rest.

I have found that a well placed fat, bullet trudging along at 2000 fps that's heavy for caliber will do just fine at iron sight ranges.

[ 10-19-2003, 21:55: Message edited by: JudgeG ]

I'd better add my newest aquisition or Uncle Ray Atkinson will write me out of his will... a 1953 Featherweight in .308 (if fifty years qualifies as old?). A really nice piece, for sure. And then there is the pre-WWII standard Model 70 in .30/06 with old steel Lyman peep.

Over the last year I have begun to "discover" older guns. I have sold off some of my more modern and bought some older guns. I currently have two pre-64 M70's: one in .30-06 (1956) and another in .270 (1950-51) (BTW the .270 is for sale on the classified forum , when I found it, I jumped on it, but a .270 really isn't that practical for my type of hunting), I've also picked up a Savage 99 EG in .300Sav (1951) and a Winchester 71 (1946). I really enjoy the quality and character of the older guns. I look forward to hunting with them as all of this buying and selling has occured since the close of last season.

Regards,
Bob

[ 10-19-2003, 22:50: Message edited by: bobvthunter ]

I'm a little like Bob except I couldn't bring myself to get rid of any modern guns. Over the past year I've picked up a sporter 1891 Mauser in 7.65 Mauser with peep sights, a Remington 81 in 300 Savage and a pre-war 8x57JS '98 Mauser sporter. I've been practicing with the two Mausers and plan at least one hunt with iron sights this year.

I've got four Martini action rifles also but these are strictly small game numbers, 300 Sherwood, 360 No. 5, 380 centerfire and a 450 1-1/2".

I converted my Spanish FR-8 to a "Scout Rifle". I saw one previous to mine on one of the curio boards a couple of years ago and just had to have one like it. I have to admit that it turned into a money pit, but what a unique money pit. And yes I have read all of the articles about FR-7's and 8's, it shoots beter than I do, because some days it will let me shoot 1 1/4" groups at 100 yards and some days 1 3/4" groups and thats with a Leupold 2X fixed EER scope some 40years old.
Oh yeah,took her deer hunting last year.

I want to get a deer with my 1867 Harriger custom muzzle loader before I'm through. Just need to find a smith I can trust for a few minor repairs before I head out.

I usually use the same old Mark X '06 for everything, but I do drag out a relic a few times a season.
1894 win 30/30
1903 MS
Whitworth .451
Enfield .58
Akah 6mm flobert
Sharps .45/70
ED

This year I hope to use my 1860's 3band snider enfield on a mulie buck and doe. I'll hav to get pretty close though all my loads so far group around 4" at 50 yards with a .590 435grn cast bullet at about 1100fps. I've shot out to 100 but would rather have the deer within 75.

Next year I plan on having my 577-450 martini's ready to hunt with.

Brett

I took my calf moose this year with a Rem. 721 in 300 H&H. It has an old Weaver KV 2 3/4-5 variable on a side mount. I got it off an Internet gun auction this year.

Story I was told was that the gun was in the possession of a widow, who had just stuck it in a corner, when her husband died about 35 years ago. When the new gun registration came in, she decided to sell it rather than go through the hassle of registering.

Apparently, there was a box of ammo with some 12 shots out of it, that was thrown out about 20 years ago. So, it's entirely possible that this gun had only ever shot 12 shots in it's lifetime, till I got it. The gun really is in immaculate condition.

if we're talking shotguns...

model 12s, 3 of 'em, the earliest bares a sub-100,000 serial number and is in excellent, original, condition. there is a 1922 16-gauge that was re-worked to accept 2-3/4" shells, and had a vent rib added, great gun, but the action is really about done for. the third is 500,032 (IIRC) and its a 12-ga with somewhere around 50,000 rounds through it without a misfeed or misfire. it looks its age to some degree...

I hunt with a late '50s Ithica Model 500 o/u 20ga., easily the easiest shooter I've ever used... you just can't miss with it. looks pretty damn good too! I'd like to add a couple new SKBs to the collection and retire the old dog before she really starts to show the wear... but I can't swing the minimum $1500 for a new 785 right now... and buying a twin to my dad's benelli montefeltro is tempting.

I have a custom 7mm-08 built on a German Mauser made pre WW-II. Last year I hunted with my Grandfathers Savage Mod 99 in 300 Sav.

But my oldest gun is a double barrel flintlock 24ga (not a typo) fowler built between 1790 and 1810. She is a lot of fun but the squirrels dont really care for her.

I guess that my Modelo Argentino 1909 is just right. Late enough to have good design and modern steel, old enough to have quality craftsmanship.

I haven't used it for hunting yet, but maybe i'll roam a little with it this winter. Its a us springfield 1903 made in 1915. 30/06 in a fajen stock.

William Evans .400/.360 Nitro Express double delivered in 1927. I rarely use anything else - except for when I'm using my 1912 vintage A. Hollis .450/.400 double.
---------------------
"Serious rifles have two barrels, everything else just burns gunpowder."

This thread is really what it is all about to me, Tradition. Hats off to Wyoming Swede for making this post.

I have tried to start a modest collection of " older" rifles with some history to them. ( Isn't that how a BIG collection usually gets started??).

Total agreement with LawDog. Bought a 1917 Enfield in 30/06. Now I want to buy everyone I see before they are all gone. What a tack driver and with a 1918 Military Barrel!

Kick myself for every 1903A3 I have passed by.

I love the excellent shaped 1898 Krag Carbine I got locally after someone died, who had sporterized it back in the 1950s or so. With an 1898 made barrel, it will shoot a 2 to 3 inch group with open sites at 200 yds. Even with the shooter barely able to see the target with open sites at 200 yds. Wonder what this thing can do with someone who can see GOOD??

1920 Made Swedish Target Mauser in excellent shape. 1923 Made CZ Mauser in 8mm in excellent shape, 1924 made CZ Mauser that has been sportized with a Fajen Stock, aftermarket trigger, Lyman Receiver sites and a tack driver.

Or the final one, an 1893 Marlin model 93 in 25/20 with a Lyman receiver site.

There just isn't enough seasons each fall to go out and have fun with them all. While I don't hate new rifles, as some of the others on this thread, NO new rifle you buy can come with the history that each one of this rifles came with!
Least not in my life time.

That is what makes the old rifles the best, and the hunting experiences with them the best.

Thanks for the thread there, Wyo Swede!

The pre 64 Model 70 was discontinued because they couldnt afford to make them anymore, what does that tell you about the direction they went in afterwards?

Most older guns in good condition are simply better concieved and better constructed with some exceptions. For instance, I think button rifled barrels are a good thing, stainless has its place as well. Technological advances can be real pluses, but they dont take the place of quality.

The only "new" gun I own is a 22LR. The others are my pets. Nice to see so much mention of the model '99. I like mine too. I also have a tendancy to gravitate toward "older" cartridges too. They, like the guns they were chambered in, were also well concieved.

There is one "new" gun that Ive been eyeballing a lot latley though, it is a Winchester Model 1895. I guess I just have boring taste.

Only one old gun, a 6.5x55 swedish mauser that I have had custom work done on. Original barrel that I will leave. 129grsp cloverleaf at 100yrds, best shooting rifle I have ever owned.

Myupland gun has been a 1930's 16ga NID but I'll be trying out a late 1920-early 1930 Chas Hellis 2inch 12ga, this year. I have a bunch of other older American doubles that I rarely shoot.

A 1939 Nimrod drilling 16x16x over 8x57.

Plenty of old levers, Win 94's, 64, Marlin 336 39, 2 Sav.99's .303 & 300.

A Sporterized Swede 96 still in 6.5.

There are others in the works.

I hunt from time to time with my late gradfathers winchester model 100, it was made in 1961 and is therefor older than me. Does that make it old? Probably not to some of you guys.

[ 10-25-2003, 06:46: Message edited by: Pumpkinheaver ]

Me thinks I might be a bit younger than most on this thread, but growing up in WI chasing whitetails in the cedar swamps and hardwood ridges of Northern WI somehow got me in touch with the feeling of tradition that a northwoods deer camp instills in one. That said, I started with a Win 70 (push feed) in 30-06 that later on became a 280 Ackley. Not really 'traditional' in that area.

After my fast and flat fiasco, I yearned for more than just a surgically placed round and picked up a Win 71 in 348. Let me tell you that my enjoyment increased ten-fold when I started 'hunting' rather than just looking for a good opportunity. Much of it had to do with that rifle. Sneaking along the edge of a cedar swamp bordered by hard maple ridges and poplar thickets just gets my blood pressure up. Harvesting a deer with that old lever action .348 in the same conditions is twice as nice.

Since that time I have acquired an old Rem 141 carbine in 35 Remington along with a Marlin 336 Carbine in the same caliber. Both are great woods rifles and fit in those conditions without a hitch.

Now if only the state DNR would allow you to wear red or green plaid instead of blaze orange I would be in heaven.

I also have a couple of Swedish Mausers (96 and a 38) that both shoot under 1 1/2" with their open sights but I haven't taken either hunting yet. That may change soon, but I also do the muzzleloading thing and have a 45cal Kentucky long rifle in the works (42" barrel and full lenght curly maple). I think using traditional gear is just more fun...

I took two rifles to Africa this last July. A Remington 721 in .300 H&H (date of mfg not known but probably before 1960) and a winchester m-92 in .25-20 (mfg was 1917)

Is that old enough?

That little .25-20 fired twice and collected a Duiker and a Springbok. The .300 H&H was used on the larger animals with superb success.

Every rifle I own is older than I am. I'm starting to see a connection between my birth and firearms quality. Everything made during my lifetime is pretty much crap.

[ 10-25-2003, 07:52: Message edited by: KurtC ]