Used or new and which manufacturer

[Thankful Otter]

I was going to pm Charlie, Dr Mike, Jim, Fotis and Scotty, but thought perhaps their are others that might want to help give me some guidance as well.

I have bugged my grandfather so much about the Dakota 300 H & H that he obviously is considering shutting me up. however now I am not sure which way to go--typical female I am afraid. I will ask you the same question he ask me

If you had the opportunity to own a 1950 s Model 70 super grade 300 H & H in 90 to 95 percent condition or a new Dakota 300 H & H or have Aleena look for an older 300 H & H made by Holland and Holland, that is still above 90%---- Which would you like to own

his second question was if its a Dakota, Model 10 or 76

his third question. instead of 300, how about a 275 H & H

I have been also asking for a 275 H & H

A little info for you which will help you--help me.

My husband and I have a good collection of guns and my grandfather even a bigger collection. BUT, I use a 30-06, 375 and 45/70 90% of the time--but I love my grandfathers 300 H & H and his 275 H & H and was thinking the 275 might be a fun gun to own and use. It and the 280 Ross are far more gun than most people realize ( the 275 H & H , not Rigby )

What make, model and caliber would you get ?

 

[Mortis]

My own take on this situation is that I would take whatever projectile launcher my Grandfather granted me. And cherish it till it is passed down to one of my children.

I have my Father's shotgun and one of my Uncle's shotgun. My family knows they are never to be sold.

Just my $.03 cents worth..... keep the change.

 

[DrMike]

Cheyenne,

You wouldn't go wrong with any of the platforms you name. Whilst the 300 H&H is perhaps more practical, the 275 H&H would sure be neat. There wouldn't be many seen in any hunting camp in North America, nor in any other hunting camp so far as that goes. This sounds like a delightful conundrum--a most wonderful and enviable challenge to unravel. Since the rifle is coming from your grandfather, it will be treasured for generations to come. I have little from my grandfather; however, I do have his Bible (he was also a preacher, like me) and I treasure it, though it is old and extremely well worn. Now, your query may just prompt me to get off my sorry backside and start loading for my Ross.

 

[pre6422hornet]

Cheyenne,

Hands down I would take the SG Model 70. I absolutely love the 1949-1950's. My dream is a 49 in .375 H&H to go with my 49 .270.

The older Holland and Holland would be number 2 for me..

Pat

 

[sask boy]

Cheyenne, I wish that I could be so blessed. I believe that I would take your grandfather's 300 H & H and then keep his 275 as well. Every time you look at them there will be great memories for you :wink:
You will have everything covered for hunting and it is still in the family.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[BeeTee]

If you had the opportunity to own a 1950 s Model 70 super grade 300 H & H in 90 to 95 percent condition or a new Dakota 300 H & H or have Aleena look for an older 300 H & H made by Holland and Holland, that is still above 90%---- Which would you like to own

What make, model and caliber would you get ?

Just my thoughts... If you're considering the rifle as an heirloom, as a legacy rifle that will remind you of your grandfather, and one that might be only lightly hunted with in nice weather, I'd get the "1950 s Model 70 super grade 300 H & H" or the Holland & Holland (if you have a particular fondness for England). On the other hand, if this will be your front-line all-weather hunting rifle, I'd get a new Dakota (given the choices you mentioned)... It's hard for me to hunt with a rifle that's too valuable or impossible to replace. But, I sure do like looking at and handling them, and shooting them once in a while. BT

 

[IdahoCTD]

I would get a new Winchester (in stainless if it was me) and put a new tube on it in .275 H&H and then get the 40-50's .300 H&H to kill two birds with one stone.

 

[SJB358]

Cheyenne,

Hands down I would take the SG Model 70. I absolutely love the 1949-1950's. My dream is a 49 in .375 H&H to go with my 49 .270.

The older Holland and Holland would be number 2 for me..

Pat

I'm with Pat. The Supergrade 300 would be so Awesome Cheyenne it almost hurts my head to think about owning that exact rifle.

The H&H is also very awesome, but me being a Winchester fanatic is #1.

The Dakota, while beautiful and well built, isn't a Supergrade or H&H. Those two will never be made again like those two.

Mike said it best, it's a great problem to have.

 

[Anonymous]

Wow...what a awesome offer. That would make my head spin.

I'd be way tempted to go for the H&H. I just love English rifles.

From a using standpoint the Dakota is the more sensible choice but it lacks the panache' of the others.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Cheyenne, I had to stop and think about this for a few minutes. For as much as I love the Super Grade Model 70 .300 H&H and would give my left thumb to have one, I would probably trump that for either a .300 H&H or a .275 H&H in an original H&H rifle from Jolly Old.

I guess by proxy, that makes the Dakota third choice (I can't believe that I just actually wrote that!!). Anyhow, you can not go wrong with any of those choices, as far as I can see. All of the choices are win, win. Let us know what you decide.

 

[Thankful Otter]

Charlie, I feel the same way. I have been whining about wanting a Dakota like forever and now that possibly I have that opportunity, I am going to turn it down. Crazy!!!!

I agree with the majority of you gentleman and I am strongly leaning toward accepting his old winchester which is in excellent condition. I know the gun, I love the gun and it is his and as some has mentioned that in itself is a selling point all by itself.

His 275 H & H was not made by Holland and Holland. Sooooo, I am thinking a 275 H & H made by H & H in the 1940 s or 1950 s wold be a cool gun to own. So when and if aleena ever returns to Civilization, I will ask her what are the odds of finding one in 90 % or better condition and would I have to sell my husband and dog to afford it.

Charlie, like you I cannot believe the Dakota has dropped out of the picture (-;

Gentlemen thank you for helping to put things into perspective and your right

 

[DrMike]

I am thinking a 275 H & H made by H & H in the 1940 s or 1950 s wold be a cool gun to own. So when and if aleena ever returns to Civilization, I will ask her what are the odds of finding one in 90 % or better condition and would I have to sell my husband and dog to afford it.

Cheyenne,

I would think that you would be able to keep the dog. :shock: Fortunately, my wife is not into collecting rifles. Additions to the house? That's another story. :mrgreen:

 

[Oldtrader3]

Cheyenne, if your grandfather already has the Model 70 Super Grade in .300 H&H, I would take him up on that because of the familial love factor of having something of his! Besides, you do not have another .300 Magnum in your gun collection now and that is a cool gun with the provenance of your grandfather as well. It is a win, win situation. Just my opinion of course.

 

[RiverRider]

To have what was my grandfather's---even if it is just a beat up old Model 12---is more precious than the gold which can buy a Dakota.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

To have what was my grandfather's---even if it is just a beat up old Model 12---is more precious than the gold which can buy a Dakota.

exactly.

 

[JD338]

Cheyenne, I had to stop and think about this for a few minutes. For as much as I love the Super Grade Model 70 .300 H&H and would give my left thumb to have one, I would probably trump that for either a .300 H&H or a .275 H&H in an original H&H rifle from Jolly Old.

I guess by proxy, that makes the Dakota third choice (I can't believe that I just actually wrote that!!). Anyhow, you can not go wrong with any of those choices, as far as I can see. All of the choices are win, win. Let us know what you decide.

Cheyenne,

I am with Charlie on this.
As Mike said, what a tough problem to have! :grin: They are all good.

Let us know what you decide on and post a picture for all of us to see.

JD338

 

[cloverleaf]

My uncle has grandpa's Rem. model 10. The outside of that short barreled 12 ga. had no bluing, it was dinged and beat and rusting in places. He actually took good care of his firearms but I think he bought the Rem. used and boy was it. But the grin on his face when he told one of us "boy go get the ten" was a sure sign that we were gonna go shine jacks or jump a couple stock dams for ducks, or the dog had cornered a badger.... The model 12 was a proper shotgun for serius ducks or geese or pheasant hunting but that old Rem.....that was when the "fun" started. Would take any of the ones he carried , but I guess you know my answer.... CL

 

[Thankful Otter]

Wow...what a awesome offer. That would make my head spin.

I'd be way tempted to go for the H&H. I just love English rifles.

From a using standpoint the Dakota is the more sensible choice but it lacks the panache' of the others.

Gentlemen---thank you!

I have chosen my grandfathers 1950 -M 70 Super Grade, which turned out to be even better than I expected as he allowed me to keep the Swarovski scope he had on it. I am stoked. There was one stipulation. That I do not mention Dakota again in his presence in his lifetime LOL

Hodgeman, I agree 100% and if the Winchester had not belonged to my Grandfather, that would have been a definite consideration. But the fact that he has owned and hunted with the winchester since before I was born, was as much of the determining factor as any other.

Hodgeman, what is your favorite English gun builder, today or even in the past ?

The 275 H & H my grandfather owns will eventually go to my husband, but we hope that is a long way off. Also it was not made by Holland and Holland and it is very used as it has been one of his favorite rifles through the years, until he started collecting Weatherbys--but he still takes his 45/70 whenever he is just hiking through the woods or fishing or sometimes even for hunting.

so my husband, has given me permission to ask aleena, when she surfaces again, to look for a 275 H & H that was made by Holland and Holland in the 1930, 1940 or even the 1950 s, that is still in 90% condition. She goes to a lot of estate sales and pawn shops throughout Europe and Africa and finds some unbelievable deals. Approx 10 years ago she found a Westley Richards double rifle ( I forget the caliber but it was one of the big bores ) and bought it for 200 pounds, as the seller who had it thought it was a shotgun and didnt want a gun in the house. She said the lady was real arrogant and snotty and after the transaction told Aleena that she had just spent 200 pounds on something that was worth nothing. It was still in the case and had every part that it originally came with and was close to 100%. Her and her husband actually gave the rifle to an old friend in Alaska who collected doubles, but he has since passed away.

 

[DrMike]

Good choice, Cheyenne. I do like the old Winchesters, especially in Super Grade. I even like the new ones. :grin:

 

[Oldtrader3]

Cheyenne, I also think that is a good choice. You have a remembrance of your grandfather which happens to be a 90%+ Winchester Super Grade, .300 H&H. Win, win on that one and I think that you will find the .300 H&H to be a very satisfactory medium game cartridge. Great choice and fine solution for everybody, IMHO. I hope that you like and enjoy that rifle.