Favorites

[Rich Anderson]

I think we can all agree that our favorite shotgun is the Parker but what are your favorite rifles? I have long been a fan of Pre 64 M70's and have owned every caliber except the 458 and 300 Win Mags. My favorite Pre 64 is a 7MM (7X57) carbine.

In the last few years I have leaned towards custom rifles especially single shots. These are the rifles I use more than anything and took three deer with them this year. One with a 7MM-08 another with a 38-55 both single shots and the third with a 6.5X55.

[Mills Morrison]

My only rifle for years was a Ruger 270. I have just recently started adding more. The Ruger has really served me well

[Rich Anderson]

I have one of those as well. It was my little brother's gun and occasionally I take it out for a hunt. I shot a nice antelope with it several years ago.

[John Dallas]

I bought a used left-handed M77 in .270 for my grandson. Has a muzzle brake and a better recoil pad replacing the Ruger Red Brick pad. The gun is a sub minute of angle performer. Great gun for short money

[Harry Collins]

I like Ruger's simply because I can afford them and the ones I have can shoot. My first was a M77 RSI 30-06. I took a 4x scope off a .22 and my first three shots were with factory WW 220 grain silver tips and printed a half inch group at 100 yards. My Ruger 10/22 and M77/22 can shoot as well. I had a Remington 700 in .375 H&H and it was phenomenal. So was an Interarms Whitworth .458 Win Mag. I have two Lipsey Rugers. One a M77 RSI in 6.5x55 and the other a .275 Rigby. There are a few odds and ends I enjoy as well. I have more fun with the .22's just walking the fields and plinking.

[Michael D Hankinson]

My favorite is a 1908 Winchester Model 94, 26" Barrel half round half Octagon with a Marble tang sight. Bought it sight unseen just before Deer Season years ago for $125.00. Bought it from a guy from work out of the trunk of his car after work. He was originally from the UP and told me his dad would hand him the rifle and one cartridge and tell him not to come home unless he had a deer. This was a well used rifle that still gives me good vibes every time I handle it.

[Ted Hicks]

I favor the Win Model 70 and have four of them. One is a newer one (300 WSM) and the other three are Pre-'64 versions. The featherweight in 30.06 is a favorite for whitetails but I've been using a sporterized Win Model 1917 in 30.06 for the past few years.

[Phil Yearout]

Savage 99 for me; this one's in .250-3000...

https://i.imgur.com/XiHgozpl.jpg

[Rich Anderson]

Phil the 250 Savage is a great deer round. I had a M70 in that cambering but sold it for big money and bought a Remington 700 classic in 250 Savage. It's a tack driver with 100gr NBT but just haven't gotten it in the deer blind yet:eek:

[ED J, MORGAN]

For me in the Midwest it's the mod 70 in 257 Roberts. 87 gr. for varmints and 120 for deer.

[Alfred Greeson]

Wow, you guys have the money calibers. I have a 2008 70 featherweight in a 270 but my favorite is my 70 in 30.06 built in 1941, never been taped for a scope, just fits like it was built for me.

[John Dallas]

Hoping to go on a coyote hunt next week. Will carry a Ruger#1 in 25.06

[Steve Cambria]

Have a date with this gritty "single shot" on Nov. 18th, 2020.

Bucks County longrifle by Allen Martin (.50 cal.)

79507


79508

[Rich Anderson]

For all the 25 caliber fans try the 110gr Accubond. I use it in my 257 Roberts, 25-06, 257 Wby and 25 WSSM. It hold together better than the ballistic tip.

[Bob Brown]

My favorite is a Type S Oberndorf sporting rifle in 7x57 made in 1914, just before the non military rifle production was shut down for WW1. The bolt handle was slightly bent by a previous owner to allow the mounting of a Pachmayr tip off scope side mount. It holds 7/8" K3 Weaver scope. Those Germans knew how to build a nice rifle.

[Dave Tercek]

Winchester Model 71 /348/ peep sight for PA deer, until recently.
This past season I used a Bedford County rifle, a copy of Peter Whites' guns,
50 cal. Made by Tom Caster, Michigan.

[charlie cleveland]

i guess the old winchester 94 in 30-30 caliber would be my first choice in a rifle then a 22 in any rifle for me...charlie

[Jack Kuzepski]

My favorite is a Steyr model L in 308 winchester

Jack

[Phil Yearout]

i guess the old winchester 94 in 30-30 caliber would be my first choice in a rifle then a 22 in any rifle for me...charlie

I guess you'd like these then Charlie :)! Model 94 in .30-30 and Model 61 in .22...

https://i.imgur.com/aCOXt32l.jpg

[Greg Baehman]

I've owned a couple of pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters, a .270 and a .30-06, but I was never able to produce groupings @ 100 yards like those that my Winchester Model 70XTR Featherweight in .257 Roberts is capable of producing.

[scott kittredge]

Mine is a model 70 Winchester feather weight in 7 mm- 08 with 140 gr. ballistic tip . Longest shot deer I shot with it was in PA at 335 yds.
Scott

[Dave Noreen]

79561

[tom leshinsky]

mine is a 1960 win mod 70 FTW 30/06 has killed 1 deer and many elk with 180gr Nosler

[Bob Kimble]

My go to deer getter is an early Remington 760 carbine in 280 with 140 grain nosler partitions. Bagged a nice bull moose a few years ago with it with 180s in New Hampshire.

[Mills Morrison]

Harry and I just won a zebra hunt in Namibia from the Dallas Safari Club. Mills doesn't want to go and Julia is like B A Baracus and hates flying.

[Bill Murphy]

Don't look at me, Mills.

[wayne goerres]

My CZ in 416 Rigby. Stops everything in its tracks. ( shot a squirrel the other day just for kicks and giggles).

[Milton C Starr]

My favorite bolt rifle is the Winchester made 1917s , they dont have the problems of the Eddystones . I want to eventually get one that hasnt been sporterized .I had one that at some point had been converted into a 300 win mag .

[Joe Graziano]

For me, a Model 1884 trapdoor Springfield carbine, made in 1887. 45-70 government. With 300 grain hand loads from our associate pastor, a real gun guy, it’s a pleasure to shoot and great fun to think of the history behind it.

[Richard Flanders]

Winchester Mod 1885 or 1886 in .45-90 using 300gr cast bullets.

[Rich Anderson]

Mills I was just looking at a hunt in Namibia. A Zebra can be a tough animal to hunt. I've shot two one with a 338 the other with a 416 Taylor. Both performed well. Let me know if I can be of any help with the hunt. Who is the outfitter?

[John Dallas]

Maybe it's just me, but I can't understand shooting a donkey in pajamas

[Mills Morrison]

We're using Pro Hunting Namibia. We will probably see about modifying the package to add some animals. Oryx is high on the list. We will see.

[Rick Losey]

May it's just me, but I can't understand shooting a donkey in pajamas

:rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf::rotf:

[John Dallas]

To be clear. The donkey is in the pajamas, not me

[Rich Anderson]

Maybe it's just me, but I can't understand shooting a donkey in pajamas

It is just you as you obviously have never done it.

[Rich Anderson]

Oryx/Gemsbok is a high priority for me as is a Red Hartabeast. Kudu are fun to hunt. There the Grey Ghost of Africa. Impala, warthog are also usually available. The outfitter will be able to provide you a list of available animals and a trophy fee list. I must warn you Africa is like small bore Parkers, it gets into your blood and won't leave you. Plan some additional time to do some sightseeing as well.

[John Dallas]

Never hunted them, but had to shoo them out of the way to go to dinner

[Garry L Gordon]

I'm in the Savage '99 group...and in both .250-3000 and Savage .303. My sporterized Mauser 98 in 30-06, an inexpensive gun that was my Christmas present when I was 15, has accounted from many(!) deer over the years. Nothing special...except to me.

[Mills Morrison]

We found a cool looking restaurant in Windhoek. I can see it being addictive.

[CraigThompson]

Never set foot on the dark continent but ....... there are a few select ones I’d like to plunk . Number One is Sitatunga , then a Greater Kudu , a Bushbuck , possibly a Buff Buff and last and certainly not least Blue Duiker with a Parker stoked with my handloaded buckshot . Had a big one for a Blue Duiker ever since I watched a video of someone hunting them using Jack Russells to push them and shotgun loaded with buck to knock them over .

[Mills Morrison]

Parker with buckshot. . . . Ideas.

Now what kind of animal can I take with that?

[CraigThompson]

The favorite rifle issue for me has covered a lot of ground in the last fifty years . First I was hung up on Ruger 77R’s with tang safety’s think I had twenty of them . Then I went to Pre 64 Model 70’s along with Kimber 89BGR Super Grades . Then I decided stainless synthetic 700’s were the thing , then Marlin lever actions , then
a pile of Ruger #1’s . Now I’ve kinda settled in with Remington 700 rebarreled rifles , few factory 700’s , a few Savage factory rifles , a few AR’s and of course my covey on Mannlicher Schoenauer’s . Had a taste for Sako rifles in there somewhere but only 7 or 8 of them long since down the road .

[CraigThompson]

Parker with buckshot. . . . Ideas.

Now what kind of animal can I take with that?

Blue Duiker !

[Mills Morrison]

That would be way cool!

[allen newell]

Rich, I shot a zebra in south africa with numzaan safaris. We hunted a small herd of 6 zebra all day long. Did not get a clean shot with my model 70 in 30-06 until very late afternoon. Zebras have keen hearing and other senses. One of the hardest to stalk on foot. Imho

[Rich Anderson]

They are indeed tough Allen. I used a 338 once and a custom 416 Taylor on the other one. People not in the know think they are like a barnyard animal nothing is further from the truth.

[charlie cleveland]

mills there could be a lot of things you could take with a parker shotgun over there...bet they got lots of birds....i bet a fellow could even take a lion with 00 buck in a 12 ga parker... i can see you now foot propped up on that big lion parker in hand what a picture that would be...i bet you could makthe front page of parker magazine..ha..charlie

[Bob Hayes]

MY favorite rifle is Browning 78 in 25-06 it has served me well dropping many deer.
Also very partial to ruger no 1 in any any caliber.

[CraigThompson]

MY favorite rifle is Browning 78 in 25-06 it has served me well dropping many deer.
Also very partial to ruger no 1 in any any caliber.

I remmember first seeing a Browning 78 in 22-250 when I was about 12-14 woulda been around 73-75 anyway I always thought they were nice looking . I got a 78 octagon barreled gun in 25-06 about six years ago , did very well on paper but I never hunted it before I sold it . Ruger #1’s on the other hand have killed a veritable pile of deer for me . I did however get one of the semi recent manufacture Winchester 1885’s in 270 WSM and I did knock over a deer with that one . I wish I’d chronographed my handloads in that rifle , I suspect with the 28” barrel they were doing pretty well .

[Bill Holcombe]

My rifle preference varies with what I am shooting. If I am at the range just messing around or in the back 40 shooting rocks its gonna be one of my family winchesters- either the 1873 44-40 from 1892 or the 1892 30-20 form 1898. They are both a hoot to shoot.

Now if we are talking hogs--it will be the Al Biesen Model 70 in 270 or if I am feeling downright mean my 1886 in Turnbull 475.

Coyotes-M70 in 220 swift

Deer- that Biesen 270 or my grandfathers 257 Roberts or Model 71 in 348

Shooting a gong at 1 mile at my friend's private range- Colt M2012 in 6.5 creedmoor

If you told me only one......there would be a lot of nashing of teeth....but it would be either the Model 71 or the Biesen 270.....I literally can't make that choice.

[CraigThompson]

My rifle preference varies with what I am shooting. If I am at the range just messing around or in the back 40 shooting rocks its gonna be one of my family winchesters- either the 1873 44-40 from 1892 or the 1892 30-20 form 1898. They are both a hoot to shoot.

Now if we are talking hogs--it will be the Al Biesen Model 70 in 270 or if I am feeling downright mean my 1886 in Turnbull 475.

Coyotes-M70 in 220 swift

Deer- that Biesen 270 or my grandfathers 257 Roberts or Model 71 in 348

Shooting a gong at 1 mile at my friend's private range- Colt M2012 in 6.5 creedmoor

If you told me only one......there would be a lot of nashing of teeth....but it would be either the Model 71 or the Biesen 270.....I literally can't make that choice.

Very nice collection !

That deluxe 348 is very sporty to say the least :cool:

[Bob Hayes]

Lots of ivory on that top shelf Mr Cobb
Thats the problem with threads like these,so easily sidetracked.

[Bill Holcombe]

Yeah there has been a piece of ivory and mammoth tooth added since that photo.

[Mills Morrison]

If Bill's post was a sidetrack, he can feel free to sidetrack it again. Good looking guns!


I have recently started expanding the rifle collection for a few reasons, the main one being my son Harry has taken interest and has some natural skill

[Rich Anderson]

Rifles are as addicting as Parkers/Fox ect. Pre 64 M70's and custom rifles are my Achilles heel of rifles.

[charlie cleveland]

i too like them early calibers your 44-40 and that 32-20 is some of my favorite al time calibers in rifles...i also like the 25-20 the 220 swift 30-30 35 rem. 22 hornet that little round is a sweetheart....the list of great rounds could fill a book....charlie

[Jim L Lawrence]

I also own a 7MM, (7 X 57) Ruger. Aside from my handy Winchester 30/30, it is my favorite rifle.

Jim Lawrence

[Alfred Greeson]

Beautiful model 71. Mills if you haven't handled a 71, they are given up to be possibly the best Winchester big bore ever built. Upgrade of the 1886.

[Milton C Starr]

Beautiful model 71. Mills if you haven't handled a 71, they are given up to be possibly the best Winchester big bore ever built. Upgrade of the 1886.

Reminded me my oldest brother has two original white boxes of Winchester 348 ammo with the aluminium tip . He picked them up from a local store that resells items from estate sales he got both boxes for 5$ or 10$ .

[Bill Holcombe]

The 71 is an amazing rifle. I have 2. The deluxe in the picture and a standard one. Both prewar long tang bolt peeps. The standard model belonged to a family friend who decided he was tired of playing cowboy in 30s central Texas and wanted to see snow. So he disappeared to Alaska for almost a decade before coming home to be a pilot in ww2. The colonel could tell some amazing stories. I have always heard the 348 kicked hard, but I find them a joy to shoot.

[Mills Morrison]

Here is Harry shooting my Whitney 32 caliber.

[Rich Anderson]

Jim the 7X57 is my all time favorite caliber and at one time I had five rifles so chambered now I'm down to three:shock: My two favorites are the Pre 64 M70 carbine and a custom rifle I had marked as a 275 Rigby just to be different and that I had it built along the lines of a 1930's era Rigby stalking rifle.

I had a nice M71 deluxe a great rifle that I shot very little. I bought it cheap and it went into a multi gun trade for a Purdey 16ga two barrel set.

[Bill Murphy]

Some of my favorites are my Springfield Armory sporters, both original and custom, Springfield prewar customs, 1917 Enfield customs, and early Model 70s and 54s in 30-06, both factory and custom. Why, you ask? Well 30-06 ammo is available at every corner store and at every country gun auction, on the cheap. I also have customs in .375 H&H, .348, 25-20, .22 Long Rifle, .22-250, .220 Swift, .45-70, .25-06, and .219 Donaldson Wasp. My taste in rifles and Parker and Purdey shotguns closely parallels Rich Anderson's, but I have the advantage of a few years on him. He has to worry about when I'm going to go belly up, and I have no such worry about his guns. I will be gone and he will be even more "gun poor" than I am or ever will be. There is a disadvantage to being the "Last man standing".

[Harry Collins]

Bill,

My father customized a 1917 Enfield and took it to Africa in 1956 as his main rifle. He hunted Kenya and Tanganyika. Unfortunately he sold it for something else. I was a very poor manager of my inheritance.

Harry

[Rich Anderson]

My smith has a single shot action with a side lever, I think it's a Lancaster but won't swear to it. He thinks he's going to build something but he never will. I'm trying to get it off him and have him build me something special. If he does it I'm leaning towards a 300 H&H.

[Craig Larter]

I have a very nice condition 1886 45-90 antique, great bore. Having difficulty getting a Nitro for black load to pattern with lead bullets 300 grains to 330 grains. Anyone have a good load for me to try??

[CraigThompson]

I have a very nice condition 1886 45-90 antique, great bore. Having difficulty getting a Nitro for black load to pattern with lead bullets 300 grains to 330 grains. Anyone have a good load for me to try??

Try the 45-70 loads using AA XMP-5744 . I’ll push cast just like jacketed if the cast has a gas check . You can also try 45-70 data using H322 . I’ve loaded a pile of 444 and 45-70 pushing them pretty well with H322 .

[Dennis E. Jones]

My favorite firearm is the one I have in my hands at that moment, and most of the time it is older than I am.

[Harry Collins]

Craig,

If I remember correctly, Ross Seyfried used H4198 as a substitute for BP. His formula was 40%-46% of the Black Powder charge with a compressed Dacron polyester filler. He cautioned against any other filler such as serial, plastic, or foam.

Harry

[wayne goerres]

What is the rate of twist in your 45/90. Bullet selection is most likely your problem. 36gr 5744 a large magnum rifle primer and a 550gr cast postel bullet out of 20 to 1 will probable shoot well. NO FILLER!

[Daniel B Sweet]

Pre 64 Model 70 Featherweights are my favorite, I have owned 4 all aluminum buttplates circa 1955. Had a 1956 African Super Grade .458 very early gun with one crossbolt, this was a gorgeous rifle. I'd add a picture of my favorite but I haven't figured that out yet, computer dummy.

[Kevin McCormack]

.505 Gibbs bolt gun. Somebody from WI or MI had one at the Southern SxS last year that was the best one I've ever seen.

[Brett Hoop]

.505 Gibbs bolt gun. Somebody from WI or MI had one at the Southern SxS last year that was the best one I've ever seen.

Interesting, I hope it comes back around this year. Barie Duckworth ( legendary Zimbabwe PH, and former Parks Ranger) has the only original 505 Gibbs rifle I have held. I know he bought it from Marshall Fields rep at SCI back in the 70’s. Barie’s friend and fellow former Parks Ranger/ Hunter Richard Harlan also has another Gibbs in 505, with there being just one serial number between those rifles. Those fellas both did a lot of cull work back in their Parks ,days, but they did most of that with MS in .458 Win. Today Neil, Barie’s son, carry’s his dads .505 daily.

When that 505 goes off, if your in the same concession you know it, and you know the $hit hit the fan.

[Russell E. Cleary]

Here is a favorite from my small collection of rifles, and used for my semi-purposeful walks in the woods during Deer season. It is a 1906-era Model 1894 octagonal-barreled 30.30 cal. Winchester; and it was once owned by Robert Bumford, of Concord, Massachusetts, a hunting and fishing buddy of my father’s, and a friend who died of cancer in his mid-30s.

I retain the original buckhorn sights, but replaced them and added the Skinner aperture sights, without having to make any permanent alterations.

Another photo below shows "Bobby” on the left and my father on the right (an unidentified man is in the middle) after a day Blue-fishing in Nantucket Sound.

The rifle was inherited by my father, and then by me.

It is heavy, but carries easily, when straight-armed pendantly, and without a sling, due to its convenient balance-point and rounded forearm.

For years I puzzled over what had crudely been scratched, probably with a pocket knife, into the forearm: “L. Allen Scott/ Phantom Valley Ranch”. It sounded to me like a name right out of a Hollywood Western. It is he who probably carved a horse’s head on one side of the stock, and a daisy on the other.

Such carvings surely do nothing but diminish any residual collector value to what is a prosaic 1894 Winchester, to begin with. But for me, they invest the gun with a unique intrigue.

Due to the internet, I now know that it was probably owned by Lester Allen Scott, who ran a dude ranch, in Colorado, at one time, named Phantom Valley Ranch. It existed from early in the 20th to the mid-20th Century.

I attach a link below.

It is one of those firearms of a category where the monetary value is slight, but the story is meaningful.

[CraigThompson]

When that 505 goes off, if your in the same concession you know it, and you know the $hit hit the fan.

I’ve shot a CZ 550 Safari in 505 quite a bit , but the only other I’ve ever held was a Granite Arms I was appraising for someone . The 505 is not as violent recoil wise as one would assume . It does move you when it goes off but it’s more of a big push rather than a violent sharp recoil .

[CraigThompson]

Craig,

If I remember correctly, Ross Seyfried used H4198 as a substitute for BP. His formula was 40%-46% of the Black Powder charge with a compressed Dacron polyester filler. He cautioned against any other filler such as serial, plastic, or foam.

Harry

I’ve never been much of a fan of H4198 , well that was until I started using it in my Remington ML . I used to have a BallistiCast 462-550GC mold that I used in a 45-70 lever action . I had a couple folks suggest loads to me using H322 and RL-7 . I also had a BRP 462-465GC mold that I pushed hard with H322 in a leveraction Marlin . The 465 grainer was very accurate and a relatively practical bullet for my use . The 550 grainer shot very well but not as well as the 465 also obviously the size of the bullet inside the case hurt your powder volume a bit much . While I would be fine for deer elk moose and blackies I don’t think it would be my choice for a big brownie in a 45-70 . That 465 grainer with a bit tougher alloy going as fast as possible and still being inside 2 MOA would be my choice if carrying the lever gun . Personally I’d rather have a 375 H&H for big Brownies on Kodiak .

[Harry Collins]

As I recall, my fathers White Hunter, Norman Reed, used a 505 Gibbs. Papa's first cousin, Bill, had shot a beautiful Cape Buffalo with a 375 H&H and it staggered into the wait a bit thorn. Norman congratulated Bill and they disappeared into the bush only to reemerge at a run with the buffalo behind them. Norman was 6'4" and the buff flipped him separating him from the Gibbs. Bill had been a olympian and was fast a foot and side stepped the buff several times shooting the buff in the neck as it passed. Bill tripped and fell just as the WH recovered his 505 and dropped the buff with a shot behind the ear.

[Rich Anderson]

Bullet placement is everything no matter what your shooting at. I folded up a buff with a 400gr Swift A Frame from a 416 Taylor but made a poor shot on a Zebra with the same gun and we had a chase on our hands for a half mile or so.

I have a Ruger #1 450-400 NE that I'm trying to turn into a deer rifle:eek:

[Andrew Sacco]

I have more rifles than I can shoot, but for me, a simple Marlin 336 in .30-.30. I bought it 20 years ago, took it to my new deer camp and I got some looks. "A lever with a peep sight?" I got a "You'll never reach out and hit them with that." It carries like a dream in one hand around the receiver and is just there, doesn't need a sling, is light...well, kind of like a good SxS or OU. So as we're coming back to the camp a few doe coming screaming past no doubt spooked by someone else coming back, and in full stride I dropped the leading, big doe with one shot. After the "Holy **** nice shot!" I just had to add, "Try doing that with your howitzer and Hubble scope..." Truth be told, as I pulled the trigger I was saying "For the LOVE OF GOD don't let me miss!!!!" It all happened in 5 seconds, just like bird hunting : )

[CraigThompson]

I have more rifles than I can shoot, but for me, a simple Marlin 336 in .30-.30. I bought it 20 years ago, took it to my new deer camp and I got some looks. "A lever with a peep sight?" I got a "You'll never reach out and hit them)

I’ve been down the Marlin road to the tune of approx 125 rifles worth and still have a trio now . But I found something a couple months ago that’s light has a scope carries well and reaches far enough for most of the places I might shoot a deer . Mannlicher Schoenauer model 1903 carbine in 6.5x54 MS .

[CraigThompson]

As I recall, my fathers White Hunter, Norman Reed, used a 505 Gibbs. Papa's first cousin, Bill, had shot a beautiful Cape Buffalo with a 375 H&H and it staggered into the wait a bit thorn. Norman congratulated Bill and they disappeared into the bush only to reemerge at a run with the buffalo behind them. Norman was 6'4" and the buff flipped him separating him from the Gibbs. Bill had been a olympian and was fast a foot and side stepped the buff several times shooting the buff in the neck as it passed. Bill tripped and fell just as the WH recovered his 505 and dropped the buff with a shot behind the ear.

My friend that owns the CZ in 505 asked me to work up a load for it with the Barnes 525 TSX bullet if my memory is correct I load ONE HUNDRED and THIRTY grains of RL-22 in the thing and that’s actually a medium load . Now the knee slapped in this whole thing is he uses it sometimes in AR to shoot feral piggies along with another CZ in 416 Rigby another CZ in 375 H&H a Remington model 7 in 300 SAUM and a host of tacticool stuff with suppressors and thermal imaging stuff . Falls under the “whatever floats your boat” category . When I went I took a Ruger #1 in 7 Mag a 444 lever and a W&C Scott 10 gauge double . My battery was a little lacking in comparison LOL’s !

[Harry Collins]

Rich,

I made deer rifles out of a .375 H&H as well as a .458 Winchester. For the .375 I used the Speer 235 grain bullet and 64 grains of IMR 4064 @ 2300 fps. The .458 load is Speer 405 grain flat nose and 65 grains of IMR 4064 @ 1800 fps. Both very mild loads and you could shoot them all day plus they didn't bruse the meat at those velocities. I took them from an article by Finn Aaggard. Have you thought of paper patching a 40 cal 180 grain lead bullet? I think you would have to use WW 231 or Bullseye to get the velocity low enough to regulate.

Harry

[Rich Anderson]

My High Wall in 38-55 is a joy to carry as well. I picked it up the day before deer season and the smith hadn't put sling swivels on it yet. It's not a light rifle but carries and handles well and I think I'll leave the swivels off of it.

Harry I have a reduced load for my 375. I'm using a 225gr Sierra pistol bullet and IMR 4227 IIRC. You can eat right up to the hole. My 500 BPE is using a 365 gr cast bullet and 30gr of Trail Boss. I'm thinking either of these powders will work in the 450-400 with some 300gr Hawk soft points.

[CraigThompson]

Rich,

I made deer rifles out of a .375 H&H as well as a .458 Winchester. For the .375 I used the Speer 235 grain bullet and 64 grains of IMR 4064 @ 2300 fps. The .458 load is Speer 405 grain flat nose and 65 grains of IMR 4064 @ 1800 fps. Both very mild loads and you could shoot them all day plus they didn't bruse the meat at those velocities. I took them from an article by Finn Aaggard. Have you thought of paper patching a 40 cal 180 grain lead bullet? I think you would have to use WW 231 or Bullseye to get the velocity low enough to regulate.

Harry

My now deceased friend I got the custom stocked Interarms Mark X Whitworth 375 H&H from used the 235 grain Speer in PA for deer but don’t think he ever shot one with he did however plunk a couple groundhogs .

[Bill Murphy]

Perfect weapon for groundhogs.

[Harry Collins]

You are absolutely right Bill. I've had to stop a charge more than once from those tenacious little beast.

[Richard Flanders]

I recently gave 54 rounds of vintage Winchester factory silvertip ammo to a friend with a mod 71. I found it in a can at a gold mine if you can believe that.

[Bill Bates]

Here are a few of my favorite rifles.

First is my old tang safety Ruger M77 .243 win. I've put a lot of meat in the freezer with this rifle.

https://a4.pbase.com/o12/10/209910/1/169880013.J9dRCKbH.m77243.jpg

Next is this BRNO #5 Deluxe .22 LR. It is a great little shooter.

https://a4.pbase.com/o12/10/209910/1/169880327.BV2OXhi9.brno5dlx.jpg

This new Ruger M77 Hawkeye African 9.3x62 is rapidly becoming a favorite because it is just so fun to shoot.

https://a4.pbase.com/o12/10/209910/1/169879456.C2lO9672.ruger93.jpg

[Richard Flanders]

Winchester .45-90's were designed as an "express rifle" and are rifled to shoot bullets in the 300gr range and shoot straighter with those than with the 400 and up size bullets. And there's no need to push the big cast lead bullets at high velocity to get accuracy or killing power. 1400-1500fps is more than enough. I keep all my loads well below 1600fps. There's no way you could even cycle a 500gr bullet in a Win '86 without stuffing the bullet wayyy down into the case to the point where there was no room for the powder. I have to seat my Lyman 400gr bullets up over the first band at the base of the ogive on the bullet to make them short enough to cycle in my '86. I think they can be a tad longer for the High Wall, but not much. I much prefer the 292-337 gr bullets from Lyman and Saeco moulds.

[Harry Collins]

I'm lusting after a Ruger African in 9.3X62 as well Bill Bates. It would go nicely with the Ruger 275 Rigby.

[Rich Anderson]

Harry thats one of my favorite calibers. I came close to buying a Ruger #1 just because it was a 275 Rigby.
Here is my custom Rigby built on a VZ 24 action

[Bill Bates]

I'm lusting after a Ruger African in 9.3X62 as well Bill Bates. It would go nicely with the Ruger 275 Rigby.

It does match nicely with the .275 Rigby.

I have one and I like it but it doesn't thrill me. No matter what I try I accuracy is only just okay. The best loads seem to come in at 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inch. Some loads pattern more than group. Of course for a big game rifle with a reasonable maximum range of 300 yards or so the accuracy is fine but I sure wish It was better.

https://a4.pbase.com/o12/10/209910/1/169879553.pnEX7GLr.Pair_to_hunt_the_world.jpg

[Harry Collins]

Rich, That is one beautiful rifle! WOW!!!

Bill, The last two Lipsey's, 6.5x55 RSI and .275 Rigby, had loose screws. Just a thought.

Harry

[Rich Anderson]

Here's another favorite. I have a thing for single shot rifles and the Ruger has a 24 inch tapered octagon barrel, custom quarter rib and is chambered for the 7MM-08. It's nice and handy in a deer blind, light and easy to carry.

[Harry Collins]

Damn, Rich! What a beauty. It's a shame I must continually remind you that I am up for adoption.

[Bill Murphy]

I got an email message from a neighbor last night about a pack of wild dogs in the neighborhood. I went to the gun room to select the proper rifle for the job. Three hours later, I came out tired and confused. I have way too many rifles, it seems.

[Harry Collins]

Bill, my father said, "Anyone that doesn't have 30 guns is underprivileged." I took him to mean in each category.

[Rich Anderson]

Harry I gravitate to the custom rifles more and more. The new High Wall will quickly become a favorite. It's in 38-55 and I'm searching for load data now to have her in proper trim for next season.

I also have to many rifles but it's a problem I can live with for now anyway:whistle:

[Bill Murphy]

Rich, custom rifles are also my weakness, but mine have some age on them. Most, if not all, are prewar. I am the reincarnation of Michael Petrov, but on a much lower knowledge level.

[Bill Murphy]

How did we ever let this great thread get away from us? Since we left it to rest, I have scored two great Model 70 Van Orden snipers, one with original Lyman Targetspot, the other with a Marine Corps issue Unertl. Another acquisition is a CSMC Model 21 in .22 Long Rifle, prewar Skeet Grade configuration, straight grip, splinter forend, checkered wood butt, unengraved. Finally, a Model 98 Mauser London Rigby in .375 H&H. Wow, two .375s and I've never shot anything bigger than a groundhog with a center fire.

[John Bastiani]

I think we can all agree that our favorite shotgun is the Parker but what are your favorite rifles? I have long been a fan of Pre 64 M70's and have owned every caliber except the 458 and 300 Win Mags. My favorite Pre 64 is a 7MM (7X57) carbine.

In the last few years I have leaned towards custom rifles especially single shots. These are the rifles I use more than anything and took three deer with them this year. One with a 7MM-08 another with a 38-55 both single shots and the third with a 6.5X55.
I collected Winchesters for over 40 years and started with model 70's. You probably already know that you have one of the rarest model 70's made. A 7MM is scarce(Without looking I think its the 4th rarest pre-64 M-70 caliber) but a legit 7MM carbine(20 inch barrel) is almost impossible to find-especially with condition. The 458 and 300 win. mag are late guns and easy to find even though they didn't make a whole lot of them either.

[Gary Carmichael Sr]

Just an old Weatherby 30-06 Gary

[Mike Koneski]

Vintage single shots and custom built .22 varmint caliber rifles. :)

[Mike Koneski]

Wow, two .375s and I've never shot anything bigger than a groundhog with a center fire.

Bill, I used my .50-70 black powder Sharps to take a woodchuck this past summer. With a trigger pull of 11 lb 5 oz, that takes some doing!! :shock:

[Chris Pope]

Weatherby Mark V Southgate 30-06. Bought it used when I was in my late 20's for pretty cheap as someone had put a big ding in the stock and then tried to refinish the wood with some god-awful shellac over the original finish. Took me forever but I stripped all the finish and refinished it with Linseed oil (not the smartest finish for a deer rifle). But I took deer with it and it now sits idle in my safe. And I feel guilty about any firearm that sits idle!

[Tom Pellegrini]

I have a 1974 vintage Remington Model 700 Varmint Special in .222. I shot many a wood chuck when I lived in PA. Also a 1970 vintage Remington Model 700 in 7mm Rem. Mag. i took an elk in Colorado in 1997 at 460 yards. I put together my self a Model 12 Savage in .22/250. I obtained an unfinished thumb hole stock and did all the fitting myself. Worked up a load that shoots the same hole at 300 yds. These are my favorites.

[Phil Yearout]

Vintage single shots... :)

Yeah :)!

https://i.imgur.com/nBlV2L3l.jpg

[Craig Larter]

M 1922 NRA Springfield .22 with a Unertl 15x scope

[Michael Moffa]

Two 10 year old M70's in Stainless and synstock. 30-06 and 25-06, both tack drivers. Also a 1969 Steyr Mauser version in 30-06 with set triggers.

[George Davis]

Remington 511 .22 with Alaskan 2 1/2 scope, plain fun blinking

Marlin 1893 38-55 octagon barrel

Sold my Stevens 44 1/2 heavy barrelled 25-21 with original Winchester scope several years ago and owner called last night and sold it back to me. January at the range will be FUN!!!

[Bill Murphy]

Mike, Rich, and Craig are speaking my language. I have a rather large covey of customs, varmint rifles, single shots, and my favorite .22 is an over the top prewar custom M2 that looks like it came from Griffin and Howe. I get to the range about twice a year. My last trip was to the 200 yard range at Fairfax Rod and Gun club to break in one of my Van Orden snipers. Things were going great and into one hole at 100 when my Unertl mount screws came loose. My fun was over for the day. I have a 100 yard range about 12 minutes from my house, but its on hilly ground, not suited to my debilitated condition. I'm looking forward to shooting the .375s, the next project on my list. I'm especially eager to try the iron sighted four digit Super Grade Model 70, stocked by John Oberlies in 1937.

[Reginald Preble]

My first high power rifle in 1973, when I turned 21, was a Belgian Browning Safari Grade Mauser in 30.06 with a beautiful stock that resembled tigers eye. At that age, I could put 5 shots in the same hole, prone at 100 yards. Browning marketed to 'The Browning Man' with the slogan, "It must be flawless." And they were: beautiful wood, deep blue, superb machining and finish, total reliability with controlled round feeding, and superb accuracy. Since then, I have added Belgian Brownings in .270, 7mm Mag, .308, .458 Win Mag, and .243 (Finland) to my collection.

For today's choice for foul-weather, deep woods hunting, I prefer Tikka (owned by Beretta) T3's made in Finland, push-feed, synthetic stocks (no worries about dinging walnut in the woods), stainless fluted barrels, guaranteed 1 MOA, light weight and regarded by some as, "The Modern Model 70."

Old World Brownings for collecting, admiring, and shooting under controlled circumstances, Tikkas for hunting under any conditions. How could you go wrong?

[Alfred Greeson]

Love my Winchester 71's in 348. Just heard an old bear guide on Kodiak Island say he tells his clients to bring whatever gun they want as long as it is a 375. He carries a pre war model 70, of course 375. I hope to own one of those one day but for now my 7 mag built by Sako on an AV action is a poor mans tack driver.

[Bruce Hering]

My favorites are Ruger #1's. I have them as follows: Lilja barreled 17 Fire ball, 22 PPC, 6mm Bench Rest, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 338 Winchester. I also have a Browning single shot in .270 Winchester. I really want to add a 1A in 275 Rigby and a 416 Rigby.

[Mike Koneski]

My favorites are Ruger #1's. I have them as follows: Lilja barreled 17 Fire ball, 22 PPC, 6mm Bench Rest, 6.5 Creedmoor, and 338 Winchester. I also have a Browning single shot in .270 Winchester. I really want to add a 1A in 275 Rigby and a 416 Rigby.

.17 Fireball! Now you're diggin' where the taters are!! :clap:

[Jay Oliver]

I am late to the game as usual. Going with the varmint theme, I picked up this Ruger #1 in .218 Bee with a 26” barrel that has just been a dream to shoot. It is my first #1 and gosh I like it…and want more!

My other passion is Sharps rifles with a mix of reproductions and originals. I really enjoy paper/percussion Sharps. I have a few originals in this category along with a Shiloh. I have a 45-70 in a Shiloh sharps that is wonderful and a 40-70ss on the way. What I need to find here near Rhode Island is a shooting range that is longer than 100 yards to really have fun with these rifles.

[Mike Koneski]

.218 Bee!! That was a heck of a find in a #1 action. Jay, I like the Sharps rifle too. See my post in the Off Topic forum. :)

[Jay Oliver]

Mike, that was a great hunt with your 50-70. I agree if only that gun could talk. From the Civil War to putting meat on the table. Did you ever look up the serial# to see if there is information on it?

I bought a conversion Sharps early this year and the barrel was just too rough, but everything else on it is pretty nice. I am having it re-barreled in 50-70(which is a new caliber for me).

[Bill Murphy]

Rhode Island? Isn't that one of those states where 100 yard ranges have to be built on a side hill to stay within the state boundaries? :rotf::rotf:

[Jay Oliver]

Very true Bill! It's something like that here in little Rhody. I feel fortunate that there are as many shooting opportunities as there are.

There is a 300 yard range I have heard about, but I am not a member. That would be all I would need.

On the plus side, I live 10 minutes from a Sporting Clay place and Addeiville East(another well know sporting clay place) is 35-40 minutes away.

[Joseph Sheerin]

For Western Deer and Antelope, my .280 Rem Model 52 Cooper Classic.

For deer here in Missouri, Ruger No1 in 6.5x55 Swede.

That said, I have a lot of others I sure like a lot too. 38/55 Win 94 & a 1961 Marlin 336 SC 30/30 come to mind.

[Mills Morrison]

My new favorite is a Model 70 .308 with old Burris sight. Not too much to look at, but I dropped two deer with it this season. One fell dead in its tracks and the other made it about 20 feet. Handles well with a light trigger pull

[Stan Hillis]

Ruger No.1V 7mm Rem Mag
Ruger No. 1 .45-70
Ruger Precision 6.5 Creedmore
Husqvarna Sporter .220 Swift
Ruger 77/22M
Ruger 10/22 Sporter
Spikes/Rock River AR15 .458 SOCOM
Spikes/???????? AR15 .300 BO w/ ATN Thor thermal

I assume this is for breechloaders only so I will not list the muzzleloaders.

No favorites .............

[bob weeman]

Another Winchester 71 fan. Have my dad's that he bought new and a custom stocked one. Shoot them both a lot as I managed to stock up on both Hornaday and Remington core-lokt bullets for reloading. Favorite load is 59.0 IMR4350. When the hunting gets rough a Marlin Glenfield in 35 Remington goes out.

[Bob Kimble]

My favorite is an early Remington 760 carbine in 280Rem. Most of our hunting is in hilltop scrubs and swamps, both deer and bear havens. Foul weather backup is a Winchester model 70 in 7MM08.

[bob lyons]

Thinking about this one, not the one that has taken the most deer, however the one that I like to carry the most.
It usually stays in camp unless the weather is cooperating.
Hunting mid coast maine, shots from 20 yards to 300 plus.
While walking I remove the scope and it handles like a shot gun, but while hunting in a stand the scope goes back on.
270 drops them like a rock.

[todd allen]

I love the classics. Here's one:
112484
This was owned by one of the early Nevada cowboys from days long gone now.
Built in the year 1900.
He was a rifleman, now long gone. Put a lot of meat on the table with this carbine.
This came to me from a descendant of the family about 20 years ago.
I don't understand how family members can let these heirlooms go, but here it is.
Winchester M 94, Saddle Ring Carbine. .30 WCF. If it could only speak.
Lives on my living room wall above a mule deer I took way back in my younger days.
112484

[CraigThompson]

This little 18” Mannlicher Schoenauer in the somewhat anemic 6.5x54 MS has worked its way into the fav category . I’ve killed four deer with it using four different 140 grain bullets .

[Rich Anderson]

I recently took custody of a custom build (maybe my last as the smith has retired). I came across a shortened Mauser action allegedly done by Pete Grissel. I had it stocked in a nice piece of American Black Walnut just to be different from all the English on other guns. With the scope (Leopold VariX3 2.5-8) it weighs just 7lbs. Caliber a classic of course 250 Savage.