School me on old husky 30-06s, I want one for sentimental and practical reasons

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I'm just getting into firearms and hunting and have been researching a bit on what to get for a hunting rifle. I've already decided on a 30-06 since it seems like a good, all-round choice. I want to start hunting deer and moose, but might try my hand at other things.

The sentimental part is that my Grandpa (who was half grandparent and half father growing up) used to have a husky 30-06 that from what I've heard was a beautiful rifle. Sadly it was passed on and sold before I showed any interest in getting into hunting. He was the greatest man I've ever known, and will ever know so I try and pay tribute to him when ever I can.

From what I've read the old husqvarna rifles are a good choice so I would like to find out what I should be paying for one and any quirks that might come up with using something of that vintage in the bush.

I don't know how old his rifle was but I do know that before I was born in the '70s he loved to get out and hunt but I don't think he hunted after that so I think it would be safe to assume it would have been made sometime around the '50s.

I'm not looking for something in mint condition, just something that will be accurate and reliable. Although it will be special to me to be out hunting with something my Grandfather used and enjoyed, it will still be just a tool and will be used and although unintentional, probably abused a little.

I am getting all his old reloading stuff that is still around so I'm also wondering if there's anything wrong with using reloading gear from back then or if newer stuff is the way to go. I've got some wrenches in my tool box at work from the '50s that I think are better than what they have today so old tools don't scare me either. Quality is quality if you know what I mean.

What can I expect to pay for something like this?
What models should I look for/avoid?
Am I out to lunch?

Thanks!
 
Tradex of course is going to provide you with the best selection of these rifles to choose from. I'm rather fond of the commercial 1600 series myself, which retains the Mauser controlled round feed action, and the ones I've handled have been smooth functioning. The stock has sufficient drop for shooting with iron sights, but you might find it a bit low with anything but a very low mounted scope, which will require your cheek weld to be more of a chin weld. The 1600 series cam in both 24" rifle and 21" carbine configurations. I doubt that it really makes much difference, but one "advantage" of the 1600's action over the 98 Mauser is that it does not have an ejector groove through the bolt lug, which in theory, if not in reality makes the action stronger. Accuracy is good with these rifles. There does seem to be quite a variety of wood that these rifles were stocked in, most are dark with straight grain, which has a nice look and is strong. Somehow I managed to find a rifle with light colored stock for my wife, which was subsequently cut down and had a Decelerator pad installed.

This is my wife's Husqvarna 1640 carbine in .30/06. The bases are Weaver, the rear sight is an XS ghost ring and the front sight is a Ruger scalloped barrel band with an XS rectangular post. A filler was made up for the rear sight dovetail, and the metal was finished in black GunKote. The LOP is 12" with the Decelerator and the stock is both glass and pillar bedded. The sling is Galco's Safari Ching Sling.


A few pics of my grandson shooting the Husky with gentle 125 gr loads @ 2600 fps




 
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There's a '50's vintage Husky at Accuracy Plus in Peterborough right now... google the name and you'll find it. Most of the rifles of this period had beechwood stocks, which has a nasty tendancy to split and crack... this one appears to be walnut. Price is fair... not a steal, but you won't be ripped off either. The 1950 models used FN model 98 Mauser actions, and those are the ones I prefer, but I've had to put both of mine in new wood.
 
Most of the Husqvarna related questions are there;

http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/486796-Husqvarna-Sporting-Rifles-####-ALL-MODELS!!!
 
Thanks for the link. I guess I forgot one of my life rules, "don't post on internet forums while drinking". It is only a sticky...
 
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