Unblooded Rifles

[R Flowers]

The only rifle I have in the safe that is unblooded is a Remington 700 XCR chambered in .375 H&H. I bought with the idea of going to Africa, good excuse, right? The Africa thing looks pretty iffy with the economy and all, but I always wanted a 375 anyway.

It shoots pretty darned well with a number of loads, but I have pretty much settled on the 270 grain TSX. I took it hog hunting one day, but the hogs did not cooperate. We will try again, though.

 

[russ808]

DrMike, I did some research and they cured the stocks in salt!!!! to get them to dry faster. Got the rifle from a friend who got it from his friends wife. It had been sitting for years and was cover in dust. When I took it apart to clean it, the butt pad screws had rusted off at the head. Trere was white residue (salt) on the wood.

 

[Guy Miner]

Interesting that we've got more rifles than hunting opportunities in many cases anymore...

Whatever happened to Grandpa with his one center-fire rifle and a family to feed?

The only un-blooded rifle I've got is my "new" 30-year old Ruger Number One. It may well have killed along the way, or not. I don't know. Hoping to get it a look at a mule deer this coming season.

Best of luck to all of your hunters! Guy

 

[DrMike]

Russ,

When you say that, I do remember that was the case with the older models of the T-bolt. Mine is one of the newer models. I don't anticipate the salt curing problem, but the finish seems soft to me. I am aware that some have complained that the magazines are plastic, but that has not been a problem for me.

Guy,

Ouch! Good point. Of course, I could respond that grandpa didn't have opportunity to acquire as many rifles as we do today. Nevertheless, there is that nagging saying that rattles around in my head, "Beware the man with one rifle. He probably knows how to use it."

 

[JD338]

I have to admit that all my rifles have been bloodied. I guess that means that I need to buy a new one! :shock:

Stay tuned, there is a new one in the works.

and it will be perfect for Black Bear over bait. :wink: Details @ 10:00.....

JD338

 

[DrMike]

You mean I have to stay up tonight just to see what some lucky black bear will be shot with this spring?

I've gone on a wild spree of acquisition this winter. I had a lot of credit built up at the gun shop, so I squandered it all. Otherwise, I'd not be in the shape I'm in. It's an embarrassment, for sure, and I'll work hard to remedy the situation as fast as I can.

 

[russ808]

Oh POP, looks like another cannon for you. Good luck, hope you get it.

 

[taylorce1]

Taylorce1,

Sounds like a busy spring and fall for certain.

Well unfortunately there are no spring hunts this year for me, would love to do a bear hunt but I'm afraid it isn't in the cards. I've been collecting these calibers but hunting muzzle loader for the last few years. I had to bloody my .338-06 on a little old pronghorn doe last fall.

I'm going to try and hunt pronghorn this year with my Encore pistol or the 6.5X55. Elk will probably be with the .375 Ruger but I'm really considering the .30-40. Deer will either be with the .35 Whelen or the .30-40. I really want to put a 180 grain round nose through something this year. Here is the rifle I want to use!

 

[bullet]

My Mark V custom 30-06 and now my 358Win are the only rifles I own that have not drawn blood, hope to rectify that this coming season.

 

[DrMike]

Taylorce1,

Sweet! A machinist in the Rocky Mountain Rifles shop is refinishing a 30-40 Krag. It looks like a sweet rifle. I have no doubt it would be a lot of fun for a hunt. That one looks as if it is in great shape.

Bullet,

It sounds as if the 358 will shortly be blooded. The 30-06 should do the job on deer and pigs.

 

[Teknys]

This has got me thinking....
a BAR 338 and a Marlin 336-35Rem have yet to get blood on them.

 

[jmad_81]

Well if your not counting the five unlucky yotes this fall my wifes 7mm-08 is not bloody yet. Other than that everything I own has been bloodied by what it was intended for.

I'm with JD on this one... time for a new one? Maybe I should start my 270 WSM project now. 8)

 

[DrMike]

Coyotes don't count?

On the other hand, any excuse to buy a new rifle.

 

[jmad_81]

Well I was counting yotes for my .223 and 22-250, but that is what I bought them for. The 7-08 I bought for deer and elk for my wife, and she hasn't drawn a tag since. The yotes were just in the wrong place at the wrong time during load development, soooo that doesn't count right?

 

[DrMike]

Of course. You will definitely need to buy another rifle. What calibre were you wanting? I'm sure your wife will understand. Aren't all wives understanding about our obsession?

 

[JD338]

Well I was counting yotes for my .223 and 22-250, but that is what I bought them for. The 7-08 I bought for deer and elk for my wife, and she hasn't drawn a tag since. The yotes were just in the wrong place at the wrong time during load development, soooo that doesn't count right?

If you don't count coyotes, then the gun isn't considered bloodied. If you have unbloodied guns in the safe, you don't need a new one.
I think you better count coyotes so you have the NEED for a new rifle. :wink:

JD338

 

[jmad_81]

Wow I really thought that one through :shock:

 

[DrMike]

This thread is going to the dogs ... the yodel dogs. Still, if it gets someone a new rifle...

 

[Greg Nolan]

Dr Mike
This could be embarrassing
I re-cycled almost all of my rifles over the last year or so.
Here they are and I'm not sure I can justify a few. That havn't drawn blood yet.
Win 223 WSSM. 450 Marlin XLR. 257 WBY Vanguard. 30-378 WBY Accumark. 300 WBY Vanguard. 458 Lott in Ruger #1 (that's a real hard one to justify), 7mm-08 Rem Model 7 (the safe queen from antiquity). and a Stevens mod. 200 in 22-250 (probably the only one that made sense since I still have 200 loaded rounds to deal with) so of course I sold it and still have the 200 rounds of ammo. and a 270 Win. Marlin XL7 that is still on order . This one I am proud of because I kept the the bullets (but sold all the hand loaded ammo) from my old 270 Win..
Hi, my name is Greg and I am a Gunaholic!
Good Hunting
Elkhunt :grin:

 

[JDMAG]

Dr Mike
Hi, my name is Greg and I am a Gunaholic!
Good Hunting
Elkhunt :grin:

And all of Nosler said.....
HI GREG