Favourite Firearms?

[Blkram]

Now that we have covered the cartridges, and some of the firearms that they are chambered to...
What are your favourite firearms? (Make and Model); and Why?

Mine:
Rifles:

• Bolt action - LH for - hard to choose between Remington 700 and Sako 85...have to go with Sako - quality firearms with great fit and finish, usually better wood, detachable magazine, and excellent accuracy (love the Remingtons as they were easier to come by and I have used them longer, while most have been fair to excellent in the accuracy department, most required some customization to get them to that next level for fit and finish, and desired options - although there are more after market options for the Rem 700 than almost any other)
• Lever action - have to go with the Winchester Model 88 - love the Marlins, for sentimental reason as well as their strong actions and ability to mount scopes easier than on the Model 94, but are so nice to carry as they are slimmer, and love the BLR for the DM and their short, handy handling - but in the end, it is the 88's one piece stock and longer barrels that aid in accuracy and performance potential, the DM for the ability to use spitzers, and while the triggers are not great, now that I know how to improve, it is much better!
• Single shot - hard to choose here too, between the Ruger No.1 and the Winchester/(Browning) Model 1885's (High and Low Wall versions)...have to go with the Winchester Model 1885 - just like the handling a little better than that of the Ruger, the Low Wall is so trim in comparison! And the High Wall has the 28" barrel that adds to velocity potential that steps up a cartridge's performance (e.g., the 6.5 CM is getting closer to the PRC performance level in my High Wall)
• Pump - no favourite here as I have only ever shot a Rem 7600 and a Rem 141
• Semi - Ruger 10/22, which everyone should own!

Shotguns:

• Single shot - Winchester Model 37A - for sentimental reasons - was what Grandpa bought us as kids (.410)
• Pump - Rem 870 - old reliable, and available in a LH version too
• Semi - Rem 1100 - old reliable, and available in a LH version too

Handguns:

• Bolt action - haven't played with one as yet - but need to include here as a certain someone here had a great affinity for these!
• Single action - Ruger NMBH (as I have not had a chance to try the older version) - strong, rugged, reliable
• Double action - S&W Model 57 - only one I have owned or used so cannot say otherwise (although I would have loved to get a stainless version!) and it was a 41 Rem Mag!
• Semi auto - CZ 85 and SP-01 Tactical - fits my hand better than any other tried to date, rubber grips, accurate, and fun to shoot! (I prefer it in the 40 S&W to the 9mm)

 

[xphunter]

This is my favorite...I know this is going to shock all of you
Remington XP-100
From pd's to the largest African plains game.
LR tactical matches and 1,000 yard BR matches.
Hunting at night with thermal in both rear and center grip designs.

Oh yeah, I like other guns too!

 

[JD338]

I'm a Remington 700 fan. I also like the 700 clone actions. We've got 2 Nosler M48's and 2 Nosler M21's in our collection.

JD338

 

[Guy Miner]

This pair of Marlin 22's are my favorite rifles. Sentimental favorite is the top one, the "Mountie" with which I learned to shoot 60 years ago. Dad scoped it sometime in the past 20 years or so. I did a lot of small game and varmint shooting with it. Later, I got my own 39A which is set up with a Skinner rear sight. These two are just so doggone fun to shoot and to hunt with. When I'm wandering the hills and canyons with one of these, I make sure to have a powerful handgun on my belt... In case something bigger than a 22 is needed.

 

[Guy Miner]

Favorite hunting rifle is the 25-06 Remington 700 CDL with the 6x Leupold, 42mm objective version. It's taken game from 20 yards to nearly a quarter mile. Mild recoil. Flat trajectory. Good accuracy. Lethal as all get out on varmints, coyotes, mule deer & pronghorn antelope. Never asked it to do anything more. Carries well. Handles nice. For me, Remington really knocked it out of the park with the CDL series. I like the slimmer, classic style stock and the matte finish on the metal. This one has been worked pretty hard over the last twenty years. Last time it was out hunting was out in the John Day River country of Oregon with Dale (Filmjunkie) and Zach a couple of years ago. For some reason I really enjoy handloading for the 25-06 and stick with 100-115 grain bullets. Everything I've built for it has shot well, some loads very well.

 

[bkordon]

Great photos Guy!

 

[Guy Miner]

Great photos Guy!

Thanks! That top one is my "lucky stump" - shot a good sized muley buck there in 2008 and have hiked back into it almost every year since. Never shot another buck there! Almost shot a bear there though... Called it in with a predator call, had my 30-30 ready but didn't shoot as the bear was a bit smaller than I wanted.

My son cracks up at my "lucky stump" from which I've only taken one deer. But it's a nice hike back to it year after year.

Guy

 

[GregoryB.]

My favorite rifle is a Ruger #1 and if it’s a RSI model that’s even better.
Favorite pistol is a 1911 in 45

 

[Hunter26]

Hard to pick one favorite of anything. I don't have any guns that I dislike or only mildly like, because they get sold. Favorite rifle is a custom 270 Win that started as a stainless factory gun. Dad had the barrel cut back, the whole action coated in some 3M thing in the 80's and put in a Brown Precision stock. He took it everywhere and killed a lot with it. I had a heavy 24" Krieger barrel put on & action trued & bedded. It's a tack driver and reminds me of my dad everytime I use it. Still has all the scuff marks and dents in the stock that he put there hunting. Other gun pictured is a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44 Mag Magna-ported and also an action job done by SSK. It's a deer killing machine. My favorite semi auto is probably a Sig P226 Elite in 40. Sweet shooter. Favorite levergun is the Marlin 336 in .35 Rem. One of my dad's favorites as well.

 

[RL338]

Bolt Action Rifle is pretty simple Wby Vanguard/Howa 1500 have 11 of them.

Single Shot Rifle - CVA in 35 Whelen

Semi Auto Rifle - just 1 in Remington 7400 in 308 Win

Handgun - Wby Mark V CFP Accumark 243 Win. only offered 1 year in 2000 , because I always wanted one.

Shotgun - H&R .410 only shotgun I own.

 

[gerry]

This is my favorite...I know this is going to shock all of you
Remington XP-100
From pd's to the largest African plains game.
LR tactical matches and 1,000 yard BR matches.
Hunting at night with thermal in both rear and center grip designs.

Oh yeah, I like other guns too!

I'm completely shocked that a guy called @xphunter would like the XP-100 platform!

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

These are amazing ideas for threads! Very conversation-starting!

Lets see -

I’m pretty plain jain when it comes to guns. No one wants to hear their pet musket insulted but most of today’s popular guns have as much appeal to me as a handyman jack. I hear “its just a tool, it doesn’t need to look pretty.” Well, maybe for you, but I need something that is reliable, shoots great AND looks fecund to me.

Rifles -

The Winchester Model 70 Pre-64 and Classic models have always been the apple of my eye. “Old Reliable” has been with me for over 20 years now. Together we have hunted coyotes, bobcat, aoudad, whitetail and mule deer, and elk. It is without a doubt my favorite rifle.

My two Pre-64’s are also great guns but as I’ve not had them nearly as long we have yet to rack up the roster that I have with Old Reliable. “Golden Ticket” was built for wet, humid climates such as what is found in western Oregon where I hope to hunt Blacktail Deer, Black Bear and Roosevelt Elk. Like Old Reliable, Golden Ticket loves my pet load of 56 grains of IMR4350 and the 165 grain AccuBond for 2850 fps.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Handguns -

I really love my High Standard SK-100 Sport King 6” .22 LR. I had a second one with a 4” barrel but I sent it down the road as it didn’t shoot as well as the 6” barrel. I bought this gun the same year as Old Reliable at a yard sale. It has been a constant companion.

My Ruger Bisley Blackhawk is rather new to the fold. But the way that 7.5” barrel handles every thing I have loaded into the cylinders, I cannot wait to take game with it. My favorite load is the Federal Blue Box 180 grain JHPs that are clocking 1200 fps at the muzzle. They shoot flat and group tight!

Shotguns -

For years and years my one and only shotgun was a Mossberg 500A 12 gauge, which suited me just fine. I sold it about 10 years ago, deciding that as I very seldom hunted anything besides uplands, a 20 gauge of any ilk (but especially doubles) suited me just fine.

My Stoeger Uplander 20 ga SxS has quickly become a favorite with it’s interchangeable choke tubes and relatively light weight. We will be going for turkeys with it soon and uplands in the fall.

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Rifles…continued

My Remington 700 .25-06 is also a front runner. Like Guy Miner, I have had tremendous luck with mine, even taking a couple of elk with it. It too prefers the 110-120 grain bullet weights. Since taking the pictures below I put it into a lighter weight Bell and Carlson stock which I love. It’s in the shop getting a new barrel right now. I thought about changing it to .257 Roberts but decided in the end that I really do like the extra thunder that the .25-06 brings to the table. The only thing I can find wrong with this rifle is that it doesn’t have “Winchester Model 70” stamped on it. Go figure.

In the future, I will be building a Model 70 pre-64 in .25-06, and another pre-64 with a fast-twist (1-8”) .220 Swift barrel to utilize the heavier .224 caliber hunting weight bullets for deer and antelope.

While I like and utilize a wide array of rifles and calibers, I’ve been trying to downsize and standardize a bit. Simple is good, a lesson I am compelled to learn again and again with each of these ebb and flow shortages.

 

[RL338]

Dale you sure got that all documented well

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Dale you sure got that all documented well

I’ve been taking pictures of guns and game etc. for years. I would say a goodly portion of the pictures on my phone and computer are guns and dead stuff.

 

[Blkram]

These are amazing ideas for threads! Very conversation-starting!

Lets see -

I’m pretty plain jain when it comes to guns. No one wants to hear their pet musket insulted but most of today’s popular guns have as much appeal to me as a handyman jack. I hear “its just a tool, it doesn’t need to look pretty.” Well, maybe for you, but I need something that is reliable, shoots great AND looks fecund to me.

Rifles -

The Winchester Model 70 Pre-64 and Classic models have always been the apple of my eye. “Old Reliable” has been with me for over 20 years now. Together we have hunted coyotes, bobcat, aoudad, whitetail and mule deer, and elk. It is without a doubt my favorite rifle.

My two Pre-64’s are also great guns but as I’ve not had them nearly as long we have yet to rack up the roster that I have with Old Reliable. “Golden Ticket” was built for wet, humid climates such as what is found in western Oregon where I hope to hunt Blacktail Deer, Black Bear and Roosevelt Elk. Like Old Reliable, Golden Ticket loves my pet load of 56 grains of IMR4350 and the 165 grain AccuBond for 2850 fps.

There are no wrong answers to anyone’s choice of a favourite firearm, or cartridge for that matter.
It is a personal choice, and we all support each other’s choices, as they support ours.
The why I ask is purely for interest only, as it helps broaden perspectives, and aids in our understanding of desirable features in firearms we may not know of, or appreciate until someone shares those with us.
While many of us are fairly experienced or knowledgeable about firearms, there is always something new to learn! I learn so much from others on this forum, And this is the basis for many of these threads!
Thanks to all that continue toshare!

 

[TexasLife]

not just my 1st, but my favorites as well!

bolt rifle (and only bolt action type) is a pre64 ('61 model) 264wm (my dad's 1st purchase from hs graduation) i started shooting in '76 @ 11yo.
1st revolver ('84) 629 44mag
1st semi pistol s/w mod1 core 4.25" ported 9mm
1st ar was a s/w viking tactics 5.56
i've only shot 1 ss firearm ever and that was a 410 (no idea what brand it is or what year it was made)

 

[salmonchaser]

rifles; while I still have my Ruger 77 and my Jarrett the rest are all #1s
Shotguns; Well I have yet to break 100 straight but I’m consistently shooting 96 with my M2 Benelli. Doing pretty well at sporting clays as well, but I’m brand new to that also. I now own two side x sides with cast on for a left hand shooter. Crushing clay birds with those but the real test will be next winter when we get back down to Tucson trap and skeet and real quail. I need a 28 gauge side lock sxs as well.
Pistols. Not much beats a good 22 like a Buck mark or a Ruger. Other wise a 1911.

 

[Wolfshead]

These have been great threads to read through and hear everyone’s experiences with. It is such a great way to share and learn from!
Another reason this is a great site!
I’m a late onset hunter. I spent 40+ years on the field, or on the sideline of a Football field, as a player and then coach.
Most years from August to November were consumed with the sport.
Circumstances changed and I began hunting in 2011, and took my first Whitetail with a CVA Optima .50 muzzleloader.
Thus began my new interest (passion) that takes up my Falls.
My first firearm was the Optima.
My first rifle is a Remington 700, chambered in 30-06. I always admired the 700 from seeing the advertisements in the old outdoor mags, and always wanted one. It has taken the most deer and is a very accurate rifle out to my limit of 300 yards, with the 150 Accubonds I handload for it.
For a while it was all I needed as I most hunted ag field edges and the close to 10 lbs, and 24” barrel were fine for that, but then I started still hunting/tracking and needs changed.
So I picked up another bolt gun which is my Tikka T3x in .308 Winchester. It is a compact and 38” long with a 20” barrel which makes it very easy to use for the thick woods on public land I like to still hunt.
Also likes the 150 AccuBond.
Being scoped it makes a perfect compliment to my favorite.
My Favorite rifle is my model 94, 30-30. I handload the 160 grain FTX and Leverevolution.
It is a terrific still hunting rifle and is so easy to carry in the thick stuff all day.
I will not scope it as I believe it takes away the aesthetics of the rifle. I have a Williams fool proof peep sight on it and it works just fine.
As kids we always watched the Saturday morning westerns and played “cowboys and Indians” after.
We had the colt cap guns and toy lever actions. Always wanted a 94, even though I know that it wasn’t the gun that won the west, but it is the one that, in my mind, was the one the cowboys had. I fell in love from a young age and hoped one day to acquire one.
Have not taken anything with it thus far but I am hopeful.