Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Hunting with rifles that are at least 52 years old.

I have a 721 in .300 H&H that I could probably hunt all my big game with. I have no idea when my M99 was made, but it still has the brass spool magazine.

Looking for a 16 gauge Model 12, from about that era. I guess a 20 would be cool, too.

Cripes - can't believe I forgot my Mexican Mauser 7x57...sheesh

A few deer with a 1950's 99 Savage.

And a doe with a 1896 Krag:

For me it is the stock designs...Mostly I don't care for them.

I buy a lot of classic stocks.

I really enjoy these. Thanks for posting them.

Haven't hunted with anything younger than 70 years of age for about 7 years now. This is the main provider, he just simply gets the work done. 1945 Savage 99EG in 300 Savage.

I bought a Rem 721 in .300 H&H a while back and it was made in the month I was born... 62 years ago this month. I watched Gunbroker for quite a while before one with a date code of OWW came up. I plan to carry it elk hunting this fall with Nosler partitions, no less.

1949 M70 30-06 is my only hunting rifle. My wife uses a Rem 721, surprise, in 30-06.

Can't seem to find enough reasons to pry my wallet open for something else.

Sadly, I am nearing the point where several that I purchased NIB are approaching that number.

Damn, a lot of old timers shooting old rifles around here....

1946 Mossberg 44b - .22
Swedish Mauser - 6.5x55
1927 Breda Mannlicher Schoenauer sporterized - 6.5x54
1930 Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer carbine (original) - 6.5x54
1952 Steyr Mannlicher Schoenauer - .270
1914 Enfield p14 - .303
1943 Lee Enfield mk4 noI Long Branch - .303
1954 Lee Enfield mk4 noII Irish Contract - .303

Pretty sure I've never owned a bolt-action younger than the 1954 - just don't see the point.

1940's BRNO 22F 8x57

Hunting with the old ones is something I really like doing. My list would be longer if I hadn't screwed up and sold some I should have kept.
Remington model 14 35 Remington 1920's
Commercial Mauser 1898 small ring in 8X60

Savage 99 (1953 EG) in 300 Savage. It was my dad's and the first centerfire rifle my brother and I shot.
Converted (very nicely) Swedish 6.5X55, one of the old/rare ones actually manufactured in Germany.
Husqvarna 1640 in 30/06.
Marlin bolt action 22. Dad bought it used in 1954 while working highway construction.
Plus a Fox 12 Gauge (I know ...not a rifle) ; Philadelphia gun
Savage 99F in 300 caliber

What's the big deal with hunting with rifles that are 50+ years old.

Just think of the handicap of a new rifle, hunting with a hunter that is 50+ years old. Aches, pains, lesser eyesight, painful joints, etc. all make the rifle's job harder!

Custom FN Mauser 9.3X62
FN Mauser 30-06
Husqvarna "FN" 9.3x62
Custom Carl Gustov M96 Mauser 7x57
JP Sauer pre-war Mauser Sporter 35 Whelen (rebore)
Walther Model B Mauser Sporter 7x57
Walther Model B Mauser Sporter 8x57
Custom Erfurt Mauser 8x57
Custom 1956 Win M70 358 Win
Custom 1938 Win M70
1958 Win M94 30-30
1936 Rem M34 NRA 22 LR

Winchester 62A 1939
Winchester Model 70 .30-06 1939
Winchester Model 12 16 ga. 1939

The above came from an estate sale about 30 years ago.
Those below are gone, but I still have not figured out why I sold them.

Winchester 94 25-35 1905
Ithaca Model 37 1960's
Winchester 1895 .30-40 Krag

I like hunting with the old stuff because it makes me "hunt" more rather than just shoot a deer. I have to get closer, be quieter, and stay still. It to me is very similar to the way I bow hunt and the range is limited more by my skill rather than how far I can see. My scoped 308, that I have great confidence in, just seems to give me too much of an advantage. I don't question what friends hunt with but I have found that I really look forward to a hunt knowing that my Remington model 14 is going to be what I take to the woods.

Remington Model 141 in 35Remington. Made in 1950.

Man..I like that gun.