What did you add to your Parker collection in 2018?

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by Rich Anderson

Tom I have collected pre 64 M70's for decades. The 250 has a 1 in 12 twist rate and even with careful hand loading groups were bigger than I like as it's to slow a twist rate to stabilize 100gr bullets. I also sold two 7MM mausers (7x57) a std rifle and a carbine but I still have a carbine and it's a great deer rifle. Also sold std rifle in 35 Rem but rest easy as this purest still has a dozen or so left. including a 300 Savage, only about 360 built

The 250 Savage was not designed for 100 grain bullets, which came much later in factory loadings after the cartridge was introduced. It shoots the original 87 grain bullets just fine. I like the 250 Savage. It’s a classic caliber. I wouldn’t have a problem using the 87 grain bullet on deer. My 243 handloads for deer use an 85 grain bullet. I hope you at least have some seller’s remorse Rich. That was a great rifle and caliber you sold. I wish I owned one.

[mobirdhunter]

I have three 99s, two in the .250-3000 load. One is from the late teens and the other from the 40s. Both will handle 100 grain bullets, but I had some 87 grain bullets loaded for them and they are deadly accurate. I've read lots of accounts of this load being effective on deer. I've almost quit deer hunting entirely (the dogs don't like it when they have to stay home), but taking out one of those 99s for deer is still on my "to-do" list.

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by Garry L Gordon

I have three 99s, two in the .250-3000 load. One is from the late teens and the other from the 40s. Both will handle 100 grain bullets, but I had some 87 grain bullets loaded for them and they are deadly accurate. I've read lots of accounts of this load being effective on deer. I've almost quit deer hunting entirely (the dogs don't like it when they have to stay home), but taking out one of those 99s for deer is still on my "to-do" list.

The early 99s were great guns. Classics for sure. I always wanted one in 300 Savage but never got around to it. Is your other 99 a 300 Savage?

[mobirdhunter]

Originally Posted by Tom Flanigan

The early 99s were great guns. Classics for sure. I always wanted one in 300 Savage but never got around to it. Is your other 99 a 300 Savage?

My 3rd 99 is chambered for the Savage .303. It is in nearly new condition and I've only test fired it. I seem to gravitate to loads that are hard to find, and I shoot these rifles so seldom I don't see investing in reloading equipment. My older 250 has a peep sight which I really like. I grew up in Virginia deer hunting in a "poor man's" hunt club and was influenced by an old guy who shot a 99 with a peep sight. He was deadly with that gun (not sure what caliber it was). He wore climbers and would pick his tree when the conditions struck him as "right." I and another younger member went on a squirrel hunt with him one day and using his climbers (and a cut sapling with a notched limb cut in it) we got 6 squirrels and two 'coons without firing a shot. He climbed the trees with the sapling between his teeth while I or my friend held his 99 just in case a buck might wander by. Yep, we were breaking laws pulling squirrels out of den trees and nests, but it was great fun in that long ago time. I can still see that well worn, old 99 of his. They are great rifles in my book, biased as my book is...

[C.O.B.]

I've sold off some nice M70's Tom and someone wanted that 250 Savage in the worst way. The proceeds help fund the Purdey light game gun so it was for a good cause.

[Tom Flanigan]

Originally Posted by Rich Anderson

I've sold off some nice M70's Tom and someone wanted that 250 Savage in the worst way. The proceeds help fund the Purdey light game gun so it was for a good cause.

That’s the way it goes Rich. We sell some of our great guns for the next gun we just have to have. But I have some guns I would never sell and will get passed down someday. My 270 pre-64 is one of them. I grow attached to some of my guns because of all the memories and those are the one’s I would never sell. The wood, fit and checkering done by Johnson of Seattle in the 70's on my 270 is much like the work that Al Biesen used to do and rivals his guns. Plus I have taken many heads of game with it and just plain enjoy shooting the gun. To me, some guns are just like old friends. The other inventory gets rotated from time to time.

[C.O.B.]

I think we all have guns and then there are the go to guns, the ones we enjoy using more than another even if it's the same gauge or caliber. My favorite rifles are a pre 64 M70 7MM carbine and a custom Ruger #1 7MM-08. I've really come to enjoy the Purdey with the 2 inch shell and Gunner's gun is an old friend that evokes smiles and tears at the same time. I have no one to pass these down to with the exception of Gunner's gun which will go to a PGCA/Fox member who also has a son who I believe will be a shooter/hunter and it can be passed to him as well.