What would you do if had some catastrophe and lost all your old friends (your rifles and reloading eqpt)in a fire or theft?

I thought about this the other day and much as I love my mausers I reckon I would buy a a tikka 243 and 30-06 and stick to factory ammunition. I would be very tempted to go for a single 6.5x55 but would be a tad limited on foxing and feel a trifle undergunned for moving moose.

I don't think I'm a true handloader.

I'd probably get a M70 30-06 and a M70 375H&H. But I'd still handload for them. I'd get another RCBS rockchucker, mine has served me well for 30 years!

Don

1894,

I handload all my calibers, but I use factory ammos too. It is not only for the money tha we reload, it's for the "fun" too.

Take an insurance for your rifles and all reloading eqt. if you want to sleep all the night

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BER007
Keep the faith in any circumstances
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BBER007@HOTMAIL.COM

I guess I would replace every thing with stainless syc.

Currently I have a .308 Sako, but if I were starting again I would try a 6.5x55 or 6x5x57mm in either a CZ550 American or maybe even their fully stocked version.

About 150000 mooses died in front of a 6,5*55 in Sweden, they don`t agree, that 6,5 is to small for moose.

Kimmo,

I don't think IT'S too small for moose, it's just that in my hands on a MOVING moose it might be better to have a touch more oomph.

Dillon Precision, Midway USA, Springfield Armory and Remington would be getting a lot of my insurance money.

All my firearms and bows were stolen just prior to elk season in 1976, except for a Remington in 243. I ended up taking my 243 elk hunting because of insurance being late settling up(I got a big bull anyway). I didn't feel comfortable buying a bunch of new guns right away, and it was a good thing. I was burglarized again within a year; seems thieves know about insurance as well.

By the way, your insurance will not cover the guns unless you insure them for the actual value and have replacement insurance. I learned the hard way when I found out a Pre 64 Winchester was only worth $150, and 2 Colt Single Actions were depreciated, instead of appreciated.

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JD

If I were to lose my rifles I would call up my gunbuilder and have replacements built.I would make no changes as my current rifles suit me fine.

If time was short I know where there are 99's for sale in .300 Savage at fair prices. I would use one of those. If I had more time I would buy a pre-64 M-70 in a Featherweight in any caiber. But the 30/06 would be my first choice. For a scope the Leupold 2-7 is ok with Weaver mounts.

For loading gear I have not surveyed the market. I have a RCBS A2 and other stuff. I guess I would grab a RCBS starting kit because I would want to start loading the next day. I would give the kit to my son after I got the tools I really want but that would take time.

It would be a tough loss, but they are only things, and things can be replaced.

If I was starting from scratch and trying to be conservative on amounts spent, I would buy, not necessarily in this order, a used Smith and Wesson K-22, some variation of a Colt 1911, probably a Kimber, a used Smith 629 or a Ruger SBH/or Bisley. A Sako .22 LR rifle, either a model 78 or a Finnfire(although a 10/22 to fix up might be an option), a Rem 700 in 7mm mag, and a Winchester m70 .375. A starter kit from RCBS would be in there as well. I would almost have to have a Colt Python, as well as some type of varmint rifle, but they would not be essential. A Marlin in .45-70 would be in there too. List could go on.....

I'd buy a used Sako or Tikka in 308 win, high quality for a low price. The 308 works just fine with a fmj for grouse and training and a soft point for roe/moose. It's not perfect for anything I hunt, but why bother when it works?

I'm actually selling my reloading stuff after 2 years, because I'd rather spend my time and money hunting and shooting instead of making perfect loads for every possible application. But it was fun to try anyway.

I would be extremely pissed if I lost my stuff, because I honestly couldn't see buying anything other than straight replacements for the guns I have except for my Model 7 in .300SAUM, I would probably have a .300WSM built with a Nesika action, Hart barrel, RimRock Stock, and Jewell or Timney trigger.
I salute those of you who would choose the Tikkas because I have a lot of Sakos and I heard the Tikkas shoot just as well. I just wouldn't waste my time with the inefficient ancient (for me obsolete) calibers such as 30'06 and .375H&H. For me it is not worth wasting the powder and taking the extra beating when I could go with one of the newer calibers such as the WSMs and SAUMs or in the case of the H&Hs the full size RUMs. Just my opinion.

I'd end up with less stuff in the middle (270 through '06), and more on the outside (22's, small 6's, Whelen and maybe a small 400 cal). Maybe a 270WSM, for mulies and antelope. I'd also have less bolts, and more pumps and single shots. FWIW, Dutch.

quote:

Originally posted by JerrBear356:
I just wouldn't waste my time with the inefficient ancient (for me obsolete) calibers such as 30'06 and .375H&H. For me it is not worth wasting the powder and taking the extra beating when I could go with one of the newer calibers such as the WSMs and SAUMs or in the case of the H&Hs the full size RUMs. Just my opinion.

Whats the chance you are right and everybody else wrong?

I had my entire guns collection stole more than 30 years ago. I didn’t buy anything for many years.

No more than I get to hunt anymore I would buy a SS Sako in 300WM or 300 Short Mag if they make it to replace my SS 300 Win Remington. Sako may be a better rifle?


The rest of the money I would put in the Bank hopefully it would be safe there.

If all my guns were gone I buy Ruger stainless MkIIs to replace them in 22rf 223 30-06 338 wm and 375 ruger and a 416 ruger if it was offered.

I would buy a coulple nice sxs shot guns a 870 pump and brettea auto loader.

for pistols a couple of glocks and the ruger stainless in 357 44 and ruger 22 autos.

i'd get my steyr tactical and ammo can out of the trunk.

I am like KSTEPHENS and always have at least one rifle in my truck at all times, and as far as the reloading equipment, that is why I pay for insurance.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Sullivan:
I am like KSTEPHENS and always have at least one rifle in my truck at all times, and as far as the reloading equipment, that is why I pay for insurance.

this bring up an interesting point...
while i dont live in NY or NO and the crime certainly isnt as high here as other places, I like many of you carry a pistol ALWAYS.
As i was told by a Gunney years back "a pistol is an intermediate weapon whose sole purpose is to allow you to fight to a bigger gun". i always have a long arm avail. I have a 1750 pelican w/ a steyr tactical w/ 2 loaded mags and an ammo can full of AMAXs. you never know whats going to happen.
In fact the police here in the city dont even carry shotguns in thier vehicle. they have 40 caliber pistols w/ 2 mags and thats it.

Even though 57 is not old by any means, at my age, and with the reduced amount of hunting I do and with the future of hunting looking so bleak, I do not know if I would try to replace anything.

well i wouldn't have a large collection anymore and if stolen spend rest of my life if took that long to find the criminals and show them true justice a very slow death and as far as rebuilding i would probally have only 5-6 long guns and 5-6 handguns my friend i work with was looking through my pistol permit papers in my county it is 1 for every gun and said i have as many pistols as he has long guns and he said he has alot of guns

If I were to start over, I would have fewer rifles, but the best I could get; custom made rifles by guys posting on this Forum. And, I'd be searching for an old Bob Owen Springfield Sporter too.
For pistols, I would only have a few, like a Python, a Colt Woodsman, plus a carry piece.
Maybe I should sell off the stuff I have now and start over???

Don

I think I would get a Ruger Hawkeye in .358 Win. and call it good for anything I want to hunt or maybe try to find a model 70 Featherweight in .30'06 or .308. Oh who am I kidding, probally get all 3 plus more!

Since I keep mine in a commercial class B fireproof, that means I'd have to go hunt down the low life that stole them and gut that sucker out without shooting him first since he had my guns.

I'd track down the first good Mauser I could find (or build another) in .30-06. Of course if I came accross a nice 8x57, 7x57, or .270, I could live with those just as easily. All have good fairly available factory ammo.