The big game chambering with the longest uninterrupted reign in your safe

[Ardent]

I'm struggling to come up with a new conversation topic and this one strikes me as interesting. I change rifles like I change underwear, but a few stick, often for reasons I struggle to explain. Like most here I've had way too many chamberings, with a gazillion partial boxes of one dimension brass or bullet I never became stuck to littering my gun room.

My safe (will be wetter behind the ears than some here)?

.30-30, reign 15 years, used it earlier than that but the rifle was only promised to me, not given to me until 15 years ago.
.375 H&H 8 year anniversary shortly, honeymoon continues.

No others have stayed, without gaps, long enough to be noteworthy... yet.

Now make me feel young again with some truly long reigns.

 

['Boo]

.30 WCF and .30-06 I have had each of these in my care for the last 40+ years.

 

[Cleftwynd]

7mmSTW 27 years.

7x57 23 years

44 Ruger carbine 22 years

7mm08. 20 years

30-30 17 years

308 10 years



crapload of others less than 10 years.





Just realized I have had far too many .284 when compared to any other caliber. Hmm

 

[cam1936]

.280 Rem, 7 years. Not my first rifle, but the one I've held on to the longest. I'm a young pup though.

Why? It's an effective chambering and I really like the rifle. Plus the rifle has some sentimental value to it now, although I haven't taken it hunting for a few years.

 

[kamlooky]

1892.....44-40 fifty years
A-5....... since 1982
21H for 45 years
Couple 22's for 20 plus years
Ruger 77 for 15 or so years
Dad's old A5 and Schultz are here as well.
I guess I can't count them?
A-5 is slightly older than me.
I've got less than ten years on the Schultz.

 

[galamb]

My 740 Rem 30.06

My Dad bought it new in 1957 for $134

He gave it to me in the 1970's when I was "big enough to shoot it".

 

[furry]

256 Newton since 1917 - in my care since 1967, will go to my son soon and he will harvest a deer in her 100th year.

 

[Silvertip13]

BSA 30-06. Since it was passed down. 18 years
30-30 win94. 17 years

 

[35Wailin]

.303 British in a P-14. I've had it since about 1986. Second place is .35 Whelen since '92

Latest addition is .243 Win.

Oldest cartridge is the .43 Mauser, aka 11mm Mauser, aka 11.15x60R that I inherited 9 months ago. Rifle is an 1871 Mauser, made in 1876.

 

[prarie_boy]

.30-06 12 years running, not the most exciting cartridge but cant argue with the results over the past 12 years.

 

[StoneHorse]

Not a cartridge but I've had a .50 cal muzzle loader for 35 years.

 

[mrgoat]

The old fellas of the vault.

Win. 100 in .308 44yrs.
Win. M-70 in 30-06 42 yrs.
Win. SX-1 in 12 ga. 41 yrs.
Win. 94-22 in 22 mag. 31 yrs.
Ithaca SXS in 20 ga. 48 yrs.
Rem. 5mm 25yrs.
Ruger 44mag carbine 22yrs.

 

[propliner]

.444 Marlin, 30 years.

 

[Royzo]

A Remington model 14 in 25 rem (built in 1921) and it came with two of first three boxes of ammo ever purchased when it was new. Given to me by my Grand dad 42 years ago.
It was bought new by my great Grand dad. My son is next in line.

Not really a big game chambering, but......

 

[1899]

7mm RM - going on 28 years

 

[altaberg]

30-06

since i collect old Mausers i also always had som 7mm Mauser but rarely shoot those

 

[FLHTCUI]

7mm Mauser aka 7x57 ��
Interesting thread Ardent, ThankYou for some interesting reading.
Tight Groups,
Rob

 

[BwanaDave]

.270 Win, since 87

 

[Mauser98]

My .270 Win Mauser 98 build by Richard Gibbs for me in 1974.

 

[Rembo]

A paltry 6 years is all I can claim for the oldest surviving big game rifle in my safe. A 1987 vintage 700 ADL/FS in 7 Mag. It's too darn accurate and handy to part with.
If all guns were included in this conversation I'd have more years to offer,... I have a Win 1300 XTR 20 gauge that I've had for 25 years.