Second time around

[James B]

After the seasons were over last year I decided that I had a few more guns than I needed and having a new 308 That I really liked I traded off my 7600 30-06. Every since I have been looking at the empty spot in the cabnet where it used to set. A few weeks ago I came through the town where I traded it off and stopped for a look see. I saw my old 30-6 still in the used gun rack. Well today I couldn't stand it anymore and gave them a call to see if it was still there. Well it was and I caved in and ask them to set it back behinde the counter and I would send them a check to lay it away. I feel like a fool thats found a lost family member. I will never let that one get away again. It shot good groups, always 1 1/2 inches or better. Most of its fault as far as pin point accuracy is the less than bench rest quality trigger. It shoots Federal 150 grain Speer grand slams very well at 2940 fps. Those are a good factory load. I shot mostly 150 grain Sierra pro-hunter bullets in it. I loaded them to about 2800 fps for mule deer.

[Virginia7]

Your a lucky fella' JamesB. I can think of several rifles I've sold or traded over the years that I wish I had back, but alas, they're gone. One in particular was a Marlin 336,
30/30 that I acquired back about 1975 or so, just before moving to Wyoming. I installed
a Willaims FoolProof peep on it, and as my eyes were a bit sharper back then, I could
shoot 100yd. groups of about 1-1/2" with that rifle. I never did scope it. Shooting gallon plastic milk/water jugs at 200yds. was easy. Anyway, after getting to Wyoming I foolishly traded it, in part figuring I needed something flatter shooting, etc. The funny part - the longest shot I ever had in my years of hunting while living in WY. was approx. 225yds. The joke was on me! Now, here I am back in SW Virginia, and I sure do miss that rifle. I've tried two other Marlins, but never found one quite near as accurate as the one I let go of.[] Then again, maybe it's just the aging eyes
can't do as well - even with a scope
Good luck in getting reacquainted with your old "buddy"

[James B]

I know what you mean. I have pulled off some bonehead trades in my day. My wife heard me talking to the gun shop. She just shook her head and went down town shopping. It only took me ten minutes to regret the deal when I first traded it in but I held off for several months before caving in. Two reasons that he still had it. 1. The seasons were over and folks are not thinking about a new gun for next year. 2. The old 30-06 is suffering a little loss of sales to the new WSM's. He told me when I traded it that he wished it were a different caliber because the 06 doesn't sell as well as it once did. However I know it will do the same job its done for 100 years. I have been checking out the 270 WSM Savage weather warrior with great interest.

My wife loves to hunt but she shoots a 250-3000 and see's no use for any other deer type rifle. She will shoot my 25-06 and 6.5x55 in a pinch. She hates recoil.

[Knightia]

It found its way back home. Thats good.

Have a 7600 in 270. may look like a skinny shotgun& odd to some - but it shoots very well for me always has.

Been thing of thinning some of my guns out too...i find it rather painfull[&o]

[Virginia7]

ORIGINAL: James B
..... The old 30-06 is suffering a little loss of sales to the new WSM's. He told me when I traded it that he wished it were a different caliber because the 06 doesn't sell as well as it once did. However I know it will do the same job its done for 100 years. .....

I'm quoting here from Jack O'Conners book, "The Hunting Rifle" (pg.66):
....."Nine-day wonders in the way of cartridges come and go. One year rifle nuts are in
a lather about one caliber; the next year they are swooning about something else.
In the generation that has passed since the end of WWII it is probable that more fine, classic custom sporters have been built in the U.S. in .270 caliber than in any other, except possibly the 30/06. The peasants may be conned by every pitchman that introduces a new super magnum, but the members of the cognoscenti stick with the
classic calibers."

Now, he wrote that about 30yr. ago, but the way I see it things haven't changed much.
I mean, what can we do today with all the new fangled cartridges that we couldn't do
then - within reasonable ranges. Heck, the guys at Remington, Ruger, Winchester, etc.
they know they got to sell rifles, and what better way than to bring out a new cartridge (ultra-mags, WSM's, etc.), get the writers to drum it up, work up crowds, convince a bunch of folks they can't live without 'em, make a few model changes/modifications now and then, and viola = profits!
Not saying that every thing new that comes along ain't useful, but needed? Mostly not.
Hunting is hunting. Unfortunately, most folk don't have the time, and in too many cases
don't have the real inclination, to develope proper hunting skills, and think the latest & greatest will get them by. Then there's those that want to impress their buddies in hunting camp with their newest acquisition, and/or win those endless arguments over
ballistics.
The "older" cartridges still work, and most even better today with modern ammo/bullets.
For big game hunting I like the following: 257Roberts, 6.5x55, 270Win., 7x57, 280Rem.,
308Win., 30-06, 358Win., 35Whelen, and 375H&H. And, of course, 30/30 & 45/70.
Make your selection from any of these, and you won't go wrong. And, as has been said
before, the 30-06 is never wrong
Right now, I've got a hankering for a Ruger 77 in 280Rem.

[James B]

The 25-06 and the 280 are kind of my current favorites. My 25-06 is a Ruger that I just had the Smith at that same gun shop do the trigger on. Its a sweet shooter. My 280 is an NEF cheap but a good shooting rifle. It has a 26 inch barrel and the velocity is right up there with the 7 Mag. I don't load it even close to its limits but It has the ability to really shoot fast and flat. However I am one of the guys who would take the 30-06 anywhere and not feel under gunned. I have a couple 45-70's for the big stuff. Right now I am loading one of them with the 500 grain Government RN and Goex 2F black powder. Going back to yesteryear. (even before my time)

[SWAMPMAN]

I know how you guys feel. due to an overgrowth of my rifle collection, i'm having to sell two of my beloved 280's to keep the peace. I feel like I'm losing children. jamesb, congratulations on finding your lost one. I hope it'll stay at home for good. I have always stuck to the classic calibers for hunting, specializing in shooting and loading for the 280. What a fine cartridge. Remington ruined it with all that 7mm express crap, and loading it for the 740 at much lower pressures. Anyway have fun with your "new" old rifle.

[James B]

I have to call them in about an hour and get their mailing address and send them a check to put it on layaway. I stll have the scope that I took off and the base is still on the rifle so it won't take long to get it ready again.

[rick_reno]

You're lucky it was still there. How much did this valuable lesson learned cost you?

[DM]

You're lucky it was still there. How much did this valuable lesson learned cost you?

Well, if he REALLY learned the lesson, it will be "cheap" at twice the amount!!! :&gt)

Drilling Man