When your new rifle is too beautiful to use for hunting!!

Podzols

Podzols

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Hello

3 months ago, I bought a Winchester 70 30-06 super grade Maple.

I went deer hunting in November and I realize that I am too afraid of damaging it.

Has it ever happened to you to almost regret it because you don't want to damage it!! Or is it too bad, it will be part of the history of the rifle?

Podz
 
I have a nice 7x57 that I don't mind dragging around the woods. I use it and do not mind getting a mark on it here and there. The trouble here is that I do some hunting using an ATV and that can get a bit rough on guns. I still use it, but baby it in a good soft case. I'd rather a SS in a good synthetic stock for that. No use owning it if your don't use it.
 
I admit I have done the same thing a few times. Yeah I know they are just tools and are made to be enjoyed. A lot of guys are gonna tell you that, but likely most of those same guys buy a new truck and immediately put seat covers on it, rather than enjoy the deluxe seats.....(you know, so the next guy gets mint seats to enjoy.....)
 
The guns I hunt with most frequently have dings, and minor scratches - and it's hard to avoid that out in the bush. I also have guns that haven't seen much time out in the bush and they remain in great condition. If it's raining I'll take and older rifle. Same if it's snowing. On a nice day I'll take out one of the more prestine rifle, and try to be careful with it. So in my experience - over time, all guns get marred at some point.
 
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I have a few nice rifles in the safe, stuff that could look better and be worth more if I didn’t use them… I also have a custom rifle coming soon(I hope) and that will be the most expensive and the most beautiful rifle I will ever own, and you can be sure it will follow me in the bush, will I be cautious, for sure but not to the point of not taking it out even in harsh condition! Life it too short to hunt with a ugly gun! Take care of your rifle but take it out hunting, that is what it was made for!IMG_1508.jpegIMG_1506.jpeg
 
I spent a lot of coin on a custom hunting rifle last year. I don't abuse my stuff, but I bought it to be used in rough conditions. It's starting to show that in some areas, even the scope. If you bought it to be a show piece that's fine, but if you bought it to hunt with, accept the marks as character and be happy you're using it for its intended purpose instead of coddling it and being afraid. Own the rifle, don't let it own you.
 
I have a bunch of CZ 455's and a few 457's that I use for gopher shooting. I am very careful with them. I paid my money for them and am not interested in scratching and banging them up. That said, I shoot them lots. I have a CZ 452 full stock .22 that I mistakenly took gopher shooting one time, but just used my usual setup for shooting. The rifles I used to take hunting whitetail show signs of use, so I am not a complete loss.

Each to his/her own. If you have a real nice rifle, it is solely up to you whether you use it to hunt with or not. I see guys driving a (whatever) sports car at 50 kph down a perfectly good highway because they are likely afraid of the bottom getting scratched. Their money, their choice.
 
Accidents may happen, but I have several hunting rifles and shotguns that are very high quality and they all are used as intended. And cared for properly. I don't have a single rifle that I've ever put a serious gouge or scrape in wood finish or metal. Never broke a stock. Tiny dings and scratches don't count, and don't really matter much anyway. Rust pits, and most scrapes and gouges are just operator error, not from proper use and care.
 
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Funny enough it's part of why I don't mind cheap guns or scratched up old surplus, I have no feelings about seeing them take a few scratches or dings in the pretty thick and twisty North Sask. bush. I do like to use my guns, not abuse them, but also not feel like I have to be avoiding every potential scratch opportunity. One reason people bought/buy Norinco guns I think, myself amoung them, was that so long as they functioned they didn't come pretty, and aren't expected to get any prettier out in the woods getting bumped around, seen that sentiment quite a bit.

As some have mentioned, I think the little stuff adds to the story, especially if it's something you start with and carry through the years out there, it'll start to feel more and more your own as you go. That's the kind of stuff that makes me pause when I consider upgrading or letting go of some of the stuff I have now actually.
 
If you can afford to buy hunting rifles that are to pretty to use…..all the power to ya!!!!!
They are made to use and if proper care and maintenance are performed, they will last a long time and still look great. Like any tool, you look after it and it will look after you.
As mentioned, the nicks and scratches just add character and memories.
 
Coming from someone who put about 200 hours into a $1600 walnut blank for his mountain rifle, I’m on the side of using, but not abusing. That maple model 70 would look and feel stellar in the field!

I’ll sometimes pack one of those rain slick covers in bad weather if I’m not expecting to bump an animal.
 

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