I cant say on shotguns because each one I buy really only fills a niche purpose. Now as far as rifles go I had a Winchester 1917 Enfield that at some point was rebarreled to 300 win mag. It was a odd rifle the thing had to weigh 9lbs but stick kicked worse than larger caliber rifles ive owned, I think it was probably sporterized sometime in the 50s. I really like the cock on close on the 1917s though. I hate to see it when someone converts one to cock on opening takes alot of the personality out of the rifle to me. Shot my first deer with that rifle too, someday I wouldnt mind getting one that hasnt been sporterized and having a repro Malcom scopes put on it.

I define best by the one I enjoy carrying the very most. For me, it's the beater I laid on the PGCA table at Ernie's. A 28" VH choked C/IC 16g on 1 frame. A grouse and woodcock slayer. She's easy to carry, shoots where I look, I don't have to worry about scratching her anymore than she is, and it's the only one I carried in Maine although I brought three others. Second place is a Marlin 336C with Williams peep sight. I just love carrying that gun by the receiver while still hunting deer.

Now that’s quite the revolver. What a find. Definitely a “ BEST “

Best Firearm
 

Thanks Phil...Lucky to have acquired it from a family in Missouri some 20 years ago...

The easiest carrying gun I have ever owned (besides the little sawed-off 16 ga. Lifter I sold) is my Winchester 94 in .30-30. I can hold it by the grip pointing it straight down, never worrying if snow or mud of field debris might get into the muzzle. And I can carry it like that all day long even with a relaxed grip because the lever loop prevents it from slipping from my fingers.

I have relegated it to my grandson Cam... for the time being of course. He seems to want a rifle with a scope and more fire power for some reason...? Heck, I killed my first 5 bucks with one shot each from that little deer slayer.





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Your VH sounds like a best gun to me.

I am reluctant to include a collector gun, but research on my "Gold Hearts" gun is about as far along as I can bring it. It was built for Annie Oakley together with a gun for Frank Butler to shoot in the 1902, last Grand American at Live Birds, the most historical and widely attended Grand American up to that time. It has been a struggle, but I have gotten the dates together. I don't own the Frank Butler gun, but I know the serial number. Frank's name is not on the participant list, probably a nom de fusil, but Annie's name and score is on the list. The search is on. As to the "favorite gun" theme, this baby is in high working condition, great stock dimensions, great barrels, Parker single trigger, and, unfortunately, doesn't get shot as much as it should. The 34 inch Titanic barrels seem to be closer to the bird than anything shorter. Annie shot the Grand with the 30 inch Damascus barrels, but they don't get much use lately.

Like Andy my best's are a Parker VH 16 ga 28" cyl/full on a 1 frame. Had it for over 50 years and used it for everything, ducks in the "salt", upland, turkey and my go to Cowboy Action gun and an early Winchester 1894 38-55 SRC with a tang sight, easy to carry all day deadly accurate and plenty of power for deer and bear. Got this one 58 years ago. These two will never leave me.

There is no such thing. :D

My best shooting rifle is a nice Cooper 52 in .280 Rem.

Shotguns, well there are so many different things you use one for, that one that's best for one thing is likely not best for other things.

I duck hunted for 30+ years with a Browning Citori Field Grade, so if I had to pick one..... But really that's just the shotgun that has the most field time with me so it's got 40 some odd years of memories embedded into it's wood and steel. :D

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