This has nothing to do with brand or caliber. Just your favorite rifle because of it's part in a memorable hunt or maybe who it belonged to first.

Mine is Dad's 1917 Remington Enfield in 30-06 A.I. I was there when he killed his big bull with it. I killed my first deer and elk with it. My oldest son Ben killed his first deer and and first elk and later a bigger bull than mine with it. Of all the guns in the cabinet this one gets the most TLC of any of them although it's probably seen the most abuse. From horses falling on it to being dropped down a 50 foot cliff while goat hunting (Dad's story not mine) in the Bob Marshall. Plus it had to go thru some kid (yup me) using it and losing the rosewood fore end that he had promised to fix before he took it out again. :rolleyes:

This rifle is still capable of putting 5 shots in under an inch at 100 yards. With the steel buttplate it hammers you pretty hard , but you know, I wouldn't have it any other way. :D

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0621.jpg

Dad and I

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_1016.jpg

Ben's first deer

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0721.jpg

Ben's big bull (little poop)

http://i64.photobucket.com/albums/h191/recoil_junky/IMG_0717.jpg

Thanks Dad.

RJ

Can't nail down any particular favorite - there's just too many in the vaults.

The one with the most memories is a Ruger M77 chambered in 7 RM that was bought new in 1972. It has taken more game than any of the others and has always been dependable. Can't ask for more than that.

I have three of Grandpa's old Marlins, 1 1893 Sporting Carbine in .32 Special, one 1893 .38-55 Black Powder, and a 1894 .25-20. Can't really say which is my favorite one. If pushed I would have to pick the .25-20, as it was the first Centerfire I ever used for hunting.

Lee L.

A Sako SS M75 .300 Win mag.

Recoil this is a wounderfull post thanks.

My favorite gun is a Winchester 30-30 that my dad baught at Judds drug store in1949 when he was 14. He hunted with the gun until 1974 when my mother baught him a .270. When I was 16 I shot my first mule deer with it, a 28 inch 4 point. Over the years I have killed several mule deer with it. When my dad died in 1991 the gun passed to me. Justin

My favorite would be the Remington Classic in any of the 3 calibers I own. There's just something about the Classic model that appeals to me. Mine are all quite accurate, and have never given me a seconds trouble. Unfortunately Remington decided to cancel the model this year. Bad move Remington. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Marlin 336 in .35 Remington

It would be my 700 remington in a 358 STA just really like this rifle it fits and shoots so well.

Hoeram :D

My favorite would have to be my 1899 Peter Hambrush side by side 16 by 8x57jr hammer gun. I have taken this gun hunting more than any other rifle I have ever owned.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i170/moosepucky/ph-1.jpg
Followed closely by my Meffert drilling (16 x 16 x 8x57jr), mostly because of its very light weight. Next would be my model 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer (the 1st hunting rifle I ever owned)
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i170/moosepucky/M-S.jpg

My top 3 are a .30-06 Model 70 classic, my other Model 70 classic (.270) and a sixties vintage model 94 .30-30 my buddy owns that I have hunted with a few times. It's a sweet and accurate gun. I wish they still made them like that (or at all).

This is a very tough question to answer. I have gotten rid of my dead wood, and would find it hard to part w/ any of my rifles. Most accurate: Howa 1500 .308 bull barrel, 6x24 40mm scope.
Shotgun: Winchester "cooey" 12 gauge. It was my Dads.
Hunting Rifle: Savage 110 7mm Rem Mag. Weaver Classic V 2x10 38mm scope.
Smallbore: Browning A-bolt .22 Mag
Military surplus: I could not choose one!

I do believe the 6.5x55 class may be the best contenders for Mil-surp, but the Longbranch, and 8x57's are great guns also. It's not like choosing blondes or brunettes!

That's why I have so many, my favorites keep changing. I would say an F.N. commercial Mauser in .280 Remington. All the best...
Gil

Well,

My favorite has always been an old savage 22 that my dad had and his dad bought it for him.and I got a picture with my grandad and my dad and me with it and also a black and white with my dad and his dad and grandad and now...a pic of my dad, myself and my older son with the rifle. Heavy barrel, open sights, very long and very accurate, used to buy a brick of 22s down at the western auto for 5.00 and go for the target hunt of a young tennessee boy's life...oh well...sorry for the walk back...thanks for the post.

Well,

My favorite has always been an old savage 22 that my dad had and his dad bought it for him.and I got a picture with my grandad and my dad and me with it and also a black and white with my dad and his dad and grandad and now...a pic of my dad, myself and my older son with the rifle. Heavy barrel, open sights, very long and very accurate, used to buy a brick of 22s down at the western auto for 5.00 and go for the target hunt of a young tennessee boy's life...oh well...sorry for the walk back...thanks for the post.
That is what it is all about!!! Make some new memories! Grandkids?

I think it keeps comming back to 'dads' rifle and mine is the same. I got my dads Win M70 circa 1948 in 06 in about 1975 and hunted with it for several years before I gave it to my oldest son. I had good luck with it, but my son was not have very good luck until he got this rifle. Some of the reason I am fond of it is the hunts we had after I gave it to my son. :cool:

Hello
In 1955,I bought a fine 1894 Springfield Krag,in 30/40 caliber.I cut it down and chopped it up(21 inch barrel)(inletted cheekpiece and pistol grip).Shortly later,I added a Weaver K 2.5 scope.
This has been my trusted partner in the Adirondacks,the Catskills,and the HudsonHighlands.I've hunted with more accurate rifles,more expensive ones and "prettier" ones.None equalled the old Krag as a "partner"
My health has slipped a little,over the last 4years,and I have nothing but kind words for the Winchester "94;30/30 carbine and the 30 cal Carbine sporter.
Frank

:cool: That's what this thread is about. Dredging up old memories and pictures and sharing them. Next best thing to being there. Well, better actually, I don't have to help you drag/pack the deer/elk/moose/bear out. :D


RJ

My favorite would be a Savage 340 in .30-30, that was my fathers. It shot my first Deer, and my wifes biggest buck, and now it is my wifes favorite too.

Ummm, well, I guess I could say my ShtLE 303/25 as it's taken the most medium game or my Anschütz 1400 .22lr as it was my first rifle and has taken more game than any of my other rifles.
But I really love my BSA Martini Cadet sporter in 25-20 with it's old steel tube Weaver K6.
I only bought it recently and had the scope fitted and it'll put 5 shots in an inch at 100yds.
But it took it's first game for me today.
Have a look at this thread if you're interested:
http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?p=205113
I have a feeling it will be a joy to use for many years to come.
I also have a feeling that my 2 boys (who are 2 yrs old and 5 months old respectively at the moment) will quickly divest me of it when they start to go shooting with their father! :rolleyes:
It too has a steel buttplate but with as little recoil as a .22lr, even loaded right up, it's a lovely piece. ;)

:cool: That's what this thread is about. Dredging up old memories and pictures and sharing them. Next best thing to being there. Well, better actually, I don't have to help you drag/pack the deer/elk/moose/bear out. :D


RJ
I use to hunt with a 1962 Browning .270 Win with a Lyman 6x scope. I bought it new with money saved from sacking groceries.
I killed many a deer with this rifle over the years.
Browning used to make this rifle in Belgium and they used a mauser action then.
I owned this rifle until about 5 years ago when everything was stolen.
A lot of memories went with it.

Dad burn it tpv, that's to bad about your rifle getting stolen. Some people's kids, I tell ya. :mad:

Cool picture tho. Nice deer, is that a CJ2A? Betcha wish you still had that too!

RJ

Dad burn it tpv, that's to bad about your rifle getting stolen. Some people's kids, I tell ya. :mad:

Cool picture tho. Nice deer, is that a CJ2A? Betcha wish you still had that too!

RJ
That particular jeep was not mine. It was a CJ but don't remember which one.
I've had my current 1975 CJ5 for about 15 years. Its got the old Ford 302 V8 and I wouldn't trade it for a new Kawasaki Mule,,, no way!

I also had an old Stevens 311 double barrel 20 that hurt when stolen. It was a dove killing fool.( Not me, the gun)

my dads 1913 new england westinghouse (7.62x54r made in usa) he bought in 1969 for 7 bucks at a gun shop in seattle.
my most trusted winchester m-94 (30-30)that i bought with my winters trapping in 1977 for a mere 89.00 bucks at the local hardware store.

Have two most favorite rifles:
1. Model 1903 Mannlicher-Schoenauer in 6.5x54mm, marked "Made In Germany" on the front receiver ring.
Used it for my caribou iron in Alaska years ago...
2. Ruger #3 carbines in general. I'm just a carbine guy at heart... Have one rebored to .257 Roberts, and one just rebored to .308 WCF, and a third in .30-40 Krag.
I can run between two trees in the woods with a carbine!! lol

My Favorite rifle is an older 1960's Marlin 39A. Still shoots great and much smoother than the new ones.

My old H&R Topper Jr model. I worked like a boy of 12 should all summer long to earn the money for it. I bought a 30-30 and 20g barrel for it. I killed my first whitetail, a large 8 point, with it. I also took my first turkey, a 22lb tom with a 10" beard, with it. I used it to trade for a Remington 870 12g when I grew too "old and sophisticated" for a SINGLE SHOT. Life lessons are everywhere aren't they?

- My Steyr-Scout.

Whew! I guess my loyalty changes with the seasons. I've kept those that carry and shoot good and are built with the proper parts. Lately only because of the attention I have put into the rifle(first time do it yourselfer) is my FN 98 30-338. Carries well, LOP is perfect, etc.....it has instilled a great sense of confidence so far-have not used it but for creating loads and changing scopes. Second would be my Win. 94 30-30AI. :D

My all time favorite hunting rifle was a Mauser bolt action Belgium Browning, in the 300 Winchester magnum caliber. I hunted everything back in those days with one rifle and 3 different handloads fore various animals.

My favorite is a Savage Model 99F in 308. This was handed on to me by my father in law who is my best hunting partner. In 10 years I have not had to take a second shot. The Savage is highly accurate, not to mention just great to look at. I recently purchased a Winchester Model 70, 30-06 manufactured in 1954. I look forward to having some very good memories of the 70 in the near future. I would hate to think of deer hunting without either my hunting partners or the Savage.

My favorite is whichever one I happen to be holding at the moment! I guess if I had to choose it would be a 4/48 Fazakerly Enfield my dad bought in the 50's for $17.00. I shot my first deer with it back in the mid 70's. The front stock was cut down and sanded, and I have since replaced the original wood and buttplate with some British surplus wood I got a few years ago, and it looks almost as good as the day it was first issued. My 2nd would be a Ithaca model 72 saddle gun in .22 mag I bought in the early 80's when I was stationed in Idaho. It shot very accurately and a couple boxes of shells only cost a few bucks at the base range. Unforunately I ended up selling it.

RJ, my favorite is also a 1917 Enfield sporter since it was my first centerfire rifle. Bought it ($78) with money made helping neighbors make hay after our hay was in. Got my first buck with it when I was 12 and parents got me an RCBS press , dies and scale for christmas that year. A nice old sporter, it shoots cast very well and jacketed into 1 1/2" pretty much on demand. Even with all the other rifles I own or have built, this is the one that goes in the field the most often. 2nd favorite is a Rem 30S in .30Gov't. This was Remingtons' way to use all the extra recievers on hand after WWI. It is everything an Enfield can be in a sporter, really a nice rifle. When you compare it to a M54 Win, it's easy to see why Winchester needed to develop the M70. Had I owned it first it would be my favorite. I've bought a few Enfield actions and barreled actions over the years with the intent of building sporters. Truth be told though, I haven't the time to spend with the ones I already have!

My favorite rifle to shoot and hunt with nowdays, is a model 70 Winchester Classic (pre-64 action) in a caliber known as the 25-06.

However, I am starting to realy like that 6.5/06 in a featherweight model 70 more and more everytime it is taken out of the vault.

First rifle I bought after I turned 18 (little over ten years ago) was a Marlin 880 .22 with synthetic stock. Killed many a groundhogs over the years with that rifle.

Close follow up is a Ruger No. 1 in .218 Bee. Shoots with the best of them with handloads.

Great thread... keep 'em coming.


steve

Currently? I love my new Kimber model 84M in 7mm-08 topped off with a leupold vari-x III 2.5x8x36. Very light and deadly accurate!!!

my favorite is would have to be my Winchester m70 in 243 with the "win-tuff" nutmeg laminate stock, I also would love to have my grandfathers pre-war M94 in 32 Win special

my favorite is would have to be my Winchester m70 in 243 with the "win-tuff" nutmeg laminate stock, I also would love to have my grandfathers pre-war M94 in 32 Win special

My wife likes her model 70 in the .243 a bunch! There is no borrowing her rifle either. :D

RJ,

Favorite rifle??? As in, just one? ;) I'd have to say my Ruger 77 Liberty in .257 Roberts.

Doc Holidude

My Marlin 444T... It always seems to be with me at the right time and place!

http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Hunting/2005/Deer111605_002.jpg http://home.awesomenet.net/~ranch-dog/Hunting/2005/LaRucia01A.jpg

BTW... These two deer were taken with BTBs!

Right now I don't have a particular rifle that's my favorite. BUT I absolutely love the BLRs and the Marlin Levers. They just fit me so well and do all I need in a big game gun.

Those are some nice dear RD.

This is turning in to an interesting thread. Everyone sharing their thoughts and no one has started bashing any caliber in particular. :cool:

Pictures of guns and hunters w/game are cool :D

RJ

Well, I've had a change of heart.
Before I said it was Martini Cadet sporter in 25-20 but it's moved to second place.
In first position is a custom Cadet switch barrel rifle I saw at the range today with stainless barrels in 222 Rimmed and 30-30.
I'm in the process of picking up a Cadet action on the cheap and I WILL be getting it converted to a switch barrel.
No offence but it's much cooler than a H&R or those exy Sauers and Swiss Arms bolt guns. ;)

I would have to say the Winchester M70 Sporter in 7mmSTW. I owned a Remington for years , but the Classic Sporter edition was just a beauty to shoot and handle. Accuracy was top notch and the kick was relatively minimal compared to other rifles on the Market. The downside is the cost of ammunition which makes reloading extremely practical. I would own this gun again and highly reccommend this caliber to anyone to try out.

I've pared down my hunting rifles to those that keep good accuracy and produce the game. My three favorite are my BLR 7mag, Marlin 444 guide gun and my Marlin 375Win.

It's a toss-up between my original 1886 Lightweight takedown in .33WCF and my M71 Deluxe .348 WCF.
Dave

I have three favorite rifles. I shoot these more than any I have and these will never leave me. I have a 700 Varmint in 22/250 in a walnut stock and 12x Leopold Target that puts Nosler 55 gr. balistic tips under .3 of an inch. I have a model Seven in 7/08 that has been to **** and back that shoots like a varmint barreled gun. I also have a 541T that is just plain fun and keeps my wife happy and occupied while I work up loads and test rifles at my range.

541T, forgive me but I don't know what that is. :o A Remington or Winchester 22 perhaps? I've got a Nylon 11, 511 and 513T. (all Remingtons).

RJ

Lots of years ago I hunted with a buddy that had a beautiful pre-64 model 70 that came originally in 300 H&H and had been rechambered for the 300 ICL Grizzly. This fella was the deadliest person on earth with than gun and I so badly wanted a 300 magnum.

At that point in time aside from the 300 H&H the 300 Weatherby was the only factory option on the market. Then along came Norma with it's short action 308 Norma mag. I bought a Mauser action and had a Hobaugh barrel put on it chambered for that 308 Norma with no freebore.

I can't count the deer and elk that gun did in. Years later with more guns in the safe that old Norma went to my nieces husband as a wedding present. He's still shooting deer and elk with it 42 years after it was built.

In the meantime two more guns have ended up going on most of the hunting I've done. In 1978/9 I bought a new Remington 700 BDL in 8mm Rem mag. I was living in Alaska and basically just wanted to one up my hunting buddies 300 ICL Grizzly. It turned out that that 8 was both accruate and deadly. It did in Griz, Moose and caribou with aplumb. When I rotated back to the States it worked wonders on elk and deer.

As time has taken it's toll on me I picked up a little Rem 700 Mountian rifle in 280 Remington last year. I can't climb the hills like I used to and this little rifle is easy to carry and it's low recoil makes it nice to shoot off a stand. It's starting to replace that old 8 mag as my favorite.

I'm gonna follow what so many of you have already said. Mine would be Dad's old .303. Hasn't taken alot of deer and has been restocked and reblued, but it's still Dads old gun. When I take it out of the safe and hold it, I can relive those days long ago hunting with the old man. I can smell the campfires and hear him laughing. Sure do miss that old sea dog.

Let's kick this great thread back to the top...

My favorite is a Rem. 700 ADL in 30-06 that I bought in the mid-1960's. Over the years it has worn three different stocks on it and a variety of scopes. In its current and final form it wears a laminated, mountain rifle-type stock, a Leupold M8 4X in Leupold 2-piece mounts and has been accurized by Hill Country Rifles in TX.

Just yesterday a veteran benchrest shooter, wildcatter and rifle builder said to me, "A 30-06 is all the gun anyone needs in this country. If you can't take it cleanly with an '06, you don't need to be shootin' at it."

In my hands and the hands of family and friends who have borrowed it, it has accounted for a huge number of whitetails, mule deer, antelope, elk, and one black bear. Even while I served with the Marines in Vietnam this rifle stayed in the game. My Dad took a beautiful non-typical 13 point whitetail with it in Missouri and my best buddy shot the black bear in Canada. Last Fall I used it for an antelope and a nice 4x4 mule deer here in Wyoming.

Within the family this rifle is known as "the Legend." I own several rifles but the Legend is the one that will be with me the rest of my life.

Very tough call for me...

For hunting I would have to say my Model 94 in .356 Win
Its all I need in the Northeast.

But for all around shooting my 1884 Springfield Trapdoor in 45-70 is just too much fun not to list here.

whizzum

I don't think I could pick just one if I had to.

There's a 77V Swift that's just waaay too much fun. Or a s/s 70 7-STW that's accurate beyond belief. My late grandpa's Stevens 325 30/30............

I don't know. I'm just going to stop or I'll have listed every rifle I own. I can't see a reason not to love any of 'em.

Go ahead and list them all. Some have. It makes for interesting banter later.

RJ

I always longed for a .264 Win Mag in a model 70 Winchester but often as not, somehow are wants and dreams come in another form . I wasn't real sure I was going to like this new image I had been given in my mind years ago. Like how could I when I had read the .264 magnum was a Draggon Slayer!

Well, low and behold I found out the hard way and usually that is the best way for some of us. It was the day I robbed my mothers 2 pound coffee can off the shelf and used it as a target for this new found dream rifle. A 300 Win Mag in a Belgium Browning......Man it looked like a genuine big game safari rifle, with that great wooden stock and band over the front sight.

Oh yeah! The coffee can was somewhat destroyed after the second shot at 50 yards and so was that pony post my father put in (with my help) 2 days before my practice session. The first shot went clean on through the can (dead center) I thought I missed completely but not the case I found out later.

The second shot found me aiming a little lower at the bottom edge dead center and Bingo! The empty can went 10 feet into the air and splinters from the top of that post went in all directions. Dog Gone! I was sure mighty proud of that rifle from that day forward. It never let me down, not in the slightest sence. ;)

Go ahead and list them all. Some have. It makes for interesting banter later.

RJ

Won't bore you with all of my favorites. But a few more.....

...A little accumulation of Big Bore 94's and AE XTR's in the odder calibers.

...Trapdoor Springfield

...Custom A-Bolt Stainless Stalker in .375 Wby.

...My go-to "meat gun": a 77 MKII stainless .300 Win

That enough for future banter ??? :p

Which part of West Central PA are you from Strut?

Early 80's Remington Model Seven in 243 Winchester with the short bbl (either 16 or 18 inch, don't recall). This was the gun I learned to shoot with (not counting my Marlin 75-20 22LR). This rifle has taken many caribou. Great rifle, I love it.

Which part of West Central PA are you from Strut?

Indiana/Armstrong County line.

541T, forgive me but I don't know what that is. :o A Remington or Winchester 22 perhaps? I've got a Nylon 11, 511 and 513T. (all Remingtons).

RJ A 541T was an accurate rear lug .22 made by Remington. Years prior Remington made a 541S; that was loved by all who shot them. It was a little pricey then and Remington dropped it. Years later it resurfaced as the 541T and not wanting to miss a chance at one I bought it. Now sadly not in production but they really shoot and mine will shoot a ragged hole at 50 yards with Ely TenX and nearly as good with Federal's Gold Medal Target 711B. Good fun on a shoestring and a teaching tool like no other.
Doug