The one that doesn't get the love it should.

[jmad_81]

Everybody has a rifle sitting in their safe that doesn't get the love that it should. The rifle that every single time you take it out it does not dissapoint you, but for some reason just doesn't get the range time, hunting time or bragging rights that it should.

Mine is my Savage 280 AI that I built. It has a 24" #4 stainless, fluted Pac Nor. It has worn two different scopes, two different stocks, and has sot more groups under 1" than it has over. It has taken a 3x4 bull elk @ 420 yards with a single 160 AB, a 5x6 bull elk @ 200 yards with a single 140 BT, a nice 4x4 Mulie buck @ 400 yards with (2) 160 ABs (first shot was to low on the shoulder just clipping the brisket, opperator error), and has taken a 5.5' black bear with a few 120 BT. All of these critters and the only miss was a wounded black bear on the run. It is not the sexiest thing in my safe, but it is not the ugliest either. So far, it has been one of the top two rifles as far as ease of load development, and the top rifle in terms of game taken per shot. It shoots 140 Bts over 3200 with RL-17 under .5", and 160 ABs @ 2950 with both 7828, and RL-22 under .5".

This gun is going to get some more love this fall, assuming I can get lucky enough to draw a tag for something. If not, its going on a speed doe speed goat hunt.

As pictured below it is topped with a Minox 2-10x40, and bedded into a McSwirly. The action has been Dura coated black, and had a rifle basix trigger installed. I did all the work on this rifle my self so it has a pretty big soft spot in my heart.

What one of yours doesn't get the love it should?

 

[6mm Remington]

Shame on you Jake for neglecting that Savage'! :mrgreen: I did even worse than neglect one Jake, I parted ways with it! That was my .280 Remington Model 700 MTN rifle. It shot great, carried like a dream, and killed everything I pointed it at. In a moment of stupidity I sold it expecting to replace it someday. I still don't have another 280 in my safe yet, but I am looking. :twisted: :evil:
David

 

[BK]

I parted ways with it! That was my .280 Remington Model 700 MTN rifle.

David David David....

 

[6mm Remington]

I parted ways with it! That was my .280 Remington Model 700 MTN rifle.

David David David....

Oh I know...............

 

[DrMike]

I'd suppose it is either of my Model 94s chambered in .356.

The .356s are the two on the right hand side. The chambering has accounted for everything from squirrel to mule deer to grizzly and everything in between. I don't carry either of them much anymore--there's just too many other rifles begging to go. However, this cartridge (including the one I gave as a gift to a hunting partner) has never let me down. One of the current iterations of this particular rifle is seen in this closeup.

If there were another rifle that has suffered neglect, it would be a .303 Ross. It is the middle rifle in this picture.

I know it needs to be carried afield this fall, but it will likely be shoved aside for another rifle this fall.

 

[brianwyo]

I have been hunting with stainless/synthetic rifles only for about 5 years. This year I am going to use blued/wood only this year for a change. Here is my His and Hers featherweights. Top one is His in 7 wsm and hers is 7-08. I Like hers a little better but lets not tell her :wink: Brian

 

[DrMike]

Brian,

Two handsome rifles in really excellent cartridges.

 

[Too Tall]

A few years ago Guy asked about having a lot of so so rifle, or a few real good ones. Opened a lot of folks eyes. Mine too.

 

[Oldtrader3]

All of my so-so firearms and rifles that I did not use are gone. I have kind of given the kids and grandkids what they needed to get started and sold all of the more expensive shotguns which I did not use all that much.

What is left of riles that I own is two Mauser (clone) customs, a mini Mauser (CZ), two Model 70's, a Mark V Weatherby and a Sako. All of these rifles which are left in my safe are bolt actions and all get plenty of rifle range use every year. If I had to pick a centerfire, big game rifle which has not been used as much as the others, it would be the Model 70, .30-06 which I have owned since it came from the factory in 1995.

This rifle has recently been upgraded in stock and bottom metal to be the same as the new Browning made Model 70's. I suspect that I just for some reason always select either the custom Model 70, .270 Win, or Mauser 7mm Mag for deer hunting and the .338 Federal, Sako 95, or the .340 Weatherby, Mark V for elk and larger game.

I think that it is just "old habits die hard" or familiarity with these particular rifles which makes me select them over other rifles in my safe for hunting. Now that I have another Mauser .257 Roberts, I will probably give it more use on deer than the .270 Win. Nothing wrong with the other rifles, like the .30-06 Model 70, just force of habit and familiarity making the decisions. In fact the .30-06 is one of the most accurate rifles that I own. I also suspect that the brand and type of scope on these rifles may affect the decision as well. The rifles that I use the most, have the best quality scopes mounted on them.

 

[SJB358]

Mine is probably my Model 70 270WSM. It is the rifle that shoots really well, everytime I take it out. It isn't really fussy and has worked so well, I have tried to find something that really tops it. Haven't figured it out yet, but I have a small squad of rifles that try.

It has taken my best elk, a couple of nice mulies, a few good WT's and always shoots on the range. It might get some field time this year, but the 300WSM will probably beat it out...

 

[FOTIS]

My pre-64 Winnie 94 in 32 WS.

 

[DrMike]

My pre-64 Winnie 94 in 32 WS.

That one needs field time, Fotis. It deserves to be carried afield.

 

[BK]

You could probably say all of my rifles deserve more of my time...

 

[Elkman]

I still have a ton that don't get used enough, even tho I have been purging the herd for a few years now. Of course I have the Whelen, (actually my first rifle) that hasn't been out of the safe for 4 or 5 years. A Mauser 98 semi custom 280 that hasn't been out of the safe for 14 years, the 350, 25 years, and several more 300's. It isn't that they are not good shooting rifles nor lack quality or accuracy. I have one that I have killed a lot of game with and I always ask myself, if its worked for 40 years why foul up a great record and change? Why take the chance of something going wrong, just because I think that I "need" to hunt a particular rifle. So I fight those urges and use what works, the same way everytime. It may be dull and boreing to some but to me it makes sense.

 

[gerry]

Right now the one that is getting the most neglect is my CZ 452 22 lr, it doesn't even have a scope on it right now

 

[Guy Miner]

I've got one rifle that I even bought back after selling it. I know it's too good to let it go. On the other hand I sure don't use it much. That's my Model 70 in .300 WSM. Despite being from the older plant, not the FN plant, it shoots well and functions perfectly.

A previous owner set it up for long-range shooting and hunting. It's got a Jewel trigger and a 20 MOA scope base. Barrel is free floated. Really a nice rifle, if a little heavy for general purpose hunting. Although it shoots well, I seldom grab it for a hunting trip. Yup, my under-appreciated rifle.

Maybe I'll take it to Wyoming this year and learn to appreciate it more!

I think the big problem is that I'm more of a mule deer hunter, not much of an elk or bear hunter - so I don't usually hunt with anything more powerful than a .25-06 or my .308 Win. They're more than enough for any mule deer. The .300 WSM just sits there in the gun safe - ready when I decide I might want to use a more powerful rifle.

This of course begs the question as to why I like the .375 H&H Number One so much. I have absolutely no rational answer for that.

Guy

 

[DrMike]

Our preference in rifles doesn't have to be rational, Guy.

 

[FOTIS]

Rational is housed in the subconscious my friend.

 

[SJB358]

Guy, I hope it gets some love this Fall buddy! It is a nice rig..

 

[akhunter]

I would have to say my Van Horn Model 70 358 norma mag. Was my go-to rifle for a few years after I first got it, but the last year or two I have gave lots of love to my 7mm WSM Model 70s, and custom 300 RUM. I didn't get the spring bear that I was looking for in terms of size or hide quality, but this fall I'll take it out and kill the first bear I see with it.