Your Ol Faithful?

I have had a bunch of hunting rifles and still have too many. I have one which has been with me for 56 years and has killed more than all others combined. It is a Parker Hale No4 Mk1 sporter; currently in 30/40 krag. Right behind it is a Mauser in 35 Whelen which I built around 1986. The third is a pre-war Model 70 which is a 308 Norma, 338 Win Mag, or a 7mm Rem Mag, depending on my mood. The rifle I grab when I'm taking a walk is an old, ugly, No.1 Mklll with lyman peep sight and sourdough front. If I had to choose only one, I would probably take the Mauser 35 Whelen with a couple extra barrels but the truth is, I'll probably keep them all for now! There are a dozen others which I like enough to hang onto as well.
 
track said:
I have no go-to rifle, never did..............maybe one day I will. I utilize a different rifle/cartridge for that particular application of big game animal.
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Yeah, alot of us play that self-deception mind game... otherwise we would all be shooting a .30/06.
 
Had a Winchester Model 88 in 308 with a Bushnell 2.5 scope that was my grandfathers, all my hunting buddies and myself used it for over 15 years. (only rifle amongst us with a scope) I can only guess that close to 40-50 whitetails saw their demise in that period. It and 3 other rifles were stolen from my farm house in 1982. It had just snowed and I followed the vehicle tracks right to their lane. II called the authorities and they couldn't come until the next day. Bought one of them back 3 years ago at the local gun shop were it was on consignment.

Replaced it with a Remington 760 in 270 calibre and it was my goto rifle for the next 10 years. It was my first pump and I loved it. My best day was 4 dead whitetails, a group of 7 came out of some willows in mid-day, 1 clip later 4 of them had their demise. We were party hunting at the time and it was close to the last day. A couple years after that when I had moved to the west coast, funds were really tight I sold it to my brother-in-law for a minimual price with the understanding if he sold it I could buy it back for the same amount.

I managed to buy the 760 back in about 1998, first time out I realized Ithe 760 has never been the same and I ended up putting it back in the corner of the safe and purchased a BLR in 300 Win Mag. fitted with Trijicon optics, I love it too!

I really think it boils down to whatever you have, make sure you shoot it enough that you are comfortable with it, and the accuracy is automatic.
 
Ruger MKII .280 Remington started life in boat paddle, Bedded in a RhienHart Fajen lite weight laminate, butt and factory hollowed .

Tuned trigger

8lbs 1oz with a Leupold 2.5x8 Scope and loaded magazine.

Shot really well with 139Gr Hornady FB Interlocks and IMR or H4831






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Steyr scout.
308
Bipod built in to the factory stock
Spare mag in the butt stock
Flip up irons factory
Single set trigger
Reasonably light
Easily 1moa with factory premium ammo

I keep trying to replace this rifle with something that is more versatile, but it simply has not been possible yet
 
Been reading this thread, mine has to be Marlin 45/70 Stainless steel, and wood Guide gun. Take it on most of the river trips 1st week in August each year. Happened to have in my hands when i got a moose 2 seasons ago in September.
 
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300wsm stainless/polly stock, 19" barrel, 38.5" overall length, 7lb 14oz loaded. 165 at 3000fps, zeroed at 300yds. 3.4x10 Leopold. Paint experiment this year, recoil pad was looking ugly so I wrapped it in calfskin.
 
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I use a number of different rifle/cartridge combos , everything from 6.5x55 , 303 , 308 , 30/06 , 358W and 45/70 . I have noticed that , more often than not , I end up carrying a 30/06 of one flavour or another . But I don't have a go to cartridge / rifle lol .
 
Mine would be my Ruger M77 .300 Winchester magnum in stainless with a its DU canoe paddle stock topped with an old Leupold fixed 4x. A super reliable good shooting rifle. It is a bit ugly, but we have seen some good times together.
 
I bow hunted most of my life so never got a center fire go to. Right now I grab what ever suits my fancy ‘cause it’s to back my daughters up. They recently rejuvenated my love for going pew pew.

Mine just switched from a lakefield Mark II that was topped with what ever was the cheapest scope the basement gun dealer had. I bought it after walking out of the RCMP office with my FAC oh way back when. I remember the whole package was $100 ‘cause that was all I had. One side of the extractor broke back in ‘90 trying to pull a stinger out so unless very clean won’t extract anything. I used to have my truck keys in my hand to eject shells. It will hammer out 1” groups at 100 yards with just about any ammo all day long. It road in my truck for decades and is heavily scratched and pitted but still shoots and is now my daughters (10 yr old) fav 22 as she often wins our plinking games with it. Now it’s a .17 HMR in a Tikka T1x with a cheap busnell 4-12x, it’s crazy accurate shooting 1/2 “ MOA with most ammo.

When I can I will share photos.

SCG
 
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