I once had a really nice Ruger # 1 .270 beautiful rifle but sold it because it was just too nice to carry in the field on miserable cold wet days ,my old swede 5.5x55 was my choice and what I shot most of my deer with. What do you carry,your really nice rifles or your more untilitarian rifles that you don't mind if it gets bumped around or wet ? I really like the look and feel of a nice hand rubbed oiled walnut stock ,but got to admit a synthetic is more practical and probably holds zero better than my walnut stocked rifle
nice rifles in the field
- Thread starter ratherbefishin
- Start date
As I get older, I appreciate the character marks that live on my gun stocks. Reminds of different places and times. Its all just stuff at the end of the day and generally doesn't effect the rifles performance if you store them properly afterwards.
I too like oil finishes on wood stocks as they tend to wear better in the long run.
I too like oil finishes on wood stocks as they tend to wear better in the long run.
It depends on the weather and terrain conditions.On nice day in easy going type terrain I ll take out one of my nicer guns on lousy weather days or thick brush I ll take one of my lesser quality guns.Gives a guy more excuses to have more guns.I ve hunted for years with my nice stuff and never had a real problem.
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- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Prefer to be carrying a stainless/synthetic or stainless/laminate if I get caught in the rain while out hunting because these are more moisture-resistant. No worries if I happen to be carrying a blued/walnut rifle unless it's exposed to rain for an extended period. Any rifle exposed to rain needs to be dried and lubricated as soon as possible afterwards.
I picked up (another) swede with a synthetic stock...love those old European walnut stocks many of them come with from Tradeex ,I've steamed out dings and sanded and refinished them,and they come up beautifully but the synthetic stocked swede is the best of both worlds for a hunting rifle,pretty good value for the money too
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
This is my best foul weather rugged use reliable rifle. Just about impervious to the elements. If it does get harmed who cares it's just a Zastava. 
.308 Zastava LKM70PSS with Leupold FX-II 6x36mm
.308 Zastava LKM70PSS with Leupold FX-II 6x36mm
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I hunt with my nice ones. I find a pride of ownership in good quality firearms, and when you take an animal with one it just makes it that much more satisfying. On a slow day, when nothings moving, I can sit there and admire the beautiful wood and craftsmanship.
Btw, check out Whynot's sig line for the right attitude.
Btw, check out Whynot's sig line for the right attitude.
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- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
I'm with others on keeping my finer rifles from thick bush & wet conditions.
Nice day rifle.
View attachment 167488
Soggy day rifle.
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Nice day rifle.
View attachment 167488
Soggy day rifle.
View attachment 167497
I've got a couple of older pics taken just after I got it. A few things have changed since, most obvious is the glass, the rear sight was swapped out for one with a folding leaf, and a Timney trigger added.
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nowarningshot
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Just picked up a Win 1885 high wall in 270. It has a couple of rubs.....just enough that I don't have to baby it.
Yup .... I bought a #1A in 275Rigby a year or so back just because I wanted one "nice" rifle apart from the fiberglass forest in my gun safe. The longer I own it, the more I like it. All those #1As should have 24" bbls.
If you will be horrified by a scratch leave that princess gun at home. Unfortunately you will slip while walking in the woods and your gun will knock around a bit.
Options:
Hunt with a Milsurp, they survived one or more wars what can you do to them.
Hunt with a modern sported, your composite stock will get knocked and scratched just like a wood stock get over it.
Hunt with a older rifle, already has a few knocks maybe you don't feel so hesitant to use it.
Rifles and shotguns are tools a better quality tool will generally work better and be harder or specific to certain features. Better tools generally cost more money, some people are fine using the $10 hammer bought at the end of the aisle at the hardware store. However the roofer who hammers all day long will respect buying that $85 hammer. Guns are very similar. You can buy a savage axis rifle or you can buy a Sako Bavarian both get the job done but if you had to shoot the savage axis more than many people use a cheap hammer, you'll wish you had the Sako.
Options:
Hunt with a Milsurp, they survived one or more wars what can you do to them.
Hunt with a modern sported, your composite stock will get knocked and scratched just like a wood stock get over it.
Hunt with a older rifle, already has a few knocks maybe you don't feel so hesitant to use it.
Rifles and shotguns are tools a better quality tool will generally work better and be harder or specific to certain features. Better tools generally cost more money, some people are fine using the $10 hammer bought at the end of the aisle at the hardware store. However the roofer who hammers all day long will respect buying that $85 hammer. Guns are very similar. You can buy a savage axis rifle or you can buy a Sako Bavarian both get the job done but if you had to shoot the savage axis more than many people use a cheap hammer, you'll wish you had the Sako.
A lot of real nice rifles probably get more marks on the them in the gun safe than from being carried in the field.Like I said I do use my nicer guns for hunting but try to be as careful as I can be but a little scratch here or there is not the end of the world as they were made to be used just not abused
The two rifles I use most are both chambered for the Remington 280. One A bolt Medallion which stays in the cabin when the weather is nasty. The other is a stainless Savage in a plactic stock that goes hunting with me when the weather is not cooperating. I have used the A Bolt in bad weather but not often. They both shoot about the same and to the same point of impact. I had to rebarrel the Savage because Savage doesn't make (or at least didn't when I bought it) a 280. Love both rifles but the Browning is prettier.
