Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Unexpected Pleasure -Hunting Rifles You Like More Than You Thought You Would

Have you ever tried out a rifle and been surprised to find that you like it more than you first imagined you would? If so, what was it?

I had that kind of thing happen fairly recently when I found out that I had won a c.2013 Browning A-Bolt II Medallion in .257 Roberts as a raffle prize drawing.

I had a co-worker in law enforcement who became a "huntin' pard" of mine who was in to the A-Bolt platform and while they seemed okay, I never found myself "jonesing" for one of my own.

When I found I had won one in .257 Roberts, I wasn't too inclined to keep it. I already have a Ruger M-77 RL Ultralight in .250 Savage that I've cherished since buying it new back in 1985 and I haven't worn the new off of it yet after three decades of use.

Since the A-Bolt II didn't cost me anything beyond the price of some knife sets that each came with a raffle ticket, I decided I better try it first before deciding its fate.

It was M.O.A. or better at the range, so I decided to hunt with it.....

Turns out that I like it, and more than just a little bit, but it took using it and giving it a chance to "win me over" to appreciate it as much as I do.

I wonder if anyone else has had a similar experience?

not with an A-bolt.....

I traded for a Ruger m77 tangsafety in 300mag a few years ago
I never had no use in magnums and always sold em. Got in this one good and went as far to tell a buddy I'd bring it by and try to work a deal. Well before I could make it to him I was at the range sighting in something else and decided to test out the 300. Sure Glad I did, shot really well and I kinda fell in love with it. Its been my main goto gun for 3 years now.

I lucked into a custom 30-06 mauser with an octagon barrel and the rifle is accurate at the range and I have been fortunate to have hunted with it.

The 155 Berger VLD is it's bullet.

788 in 308.

Yeah... Roger that!! My now-deceased co-worker and friend was a huge fanboy of the things so I got to shoot his once in a while,,, I didn't understand his rabid fascination for them and believe me, an A-Bolt is the LAST THING I thought I'd find joy in. But mine has a good trigger, shot sub M.O.A out of the box, has a really comfortable stock fit for me, and I kinda-sorta dig the funky bolt knob once I got used to it and like the magazine arrangement more than I ever imagined I would. I really like the caliber it is chambered to, which probably adds a bunch to my joy, and I got it for the price of a couple of knife sets, which probably plays a role, too. I never thought I'd see the day when I'd own an A-Bolt II, much less enjoy it, but it came and I do.

Now, that right there is something I'd be a lot more inclined to spend my Simoleans on than a Browning A-Bolt!!

I've made that same "mistake" a few times -getting something with the notion of "flipping" it but shooting it first.... And then NOT flipping it... At least not immediately.

I bought a Savage Model 10 Sierra in .243 at a local gun show a few years ago. The pawnbroker dealer at the table seemed to have it confused with the "Walmart Model 10" and offered to let me take it out the door for $200.00. Already having a similar rifle, conceptually, as this one in the form of an M77 Ultralight in .250 Savage, I expected to capitalize on the seller's ignorance at some point and flip it. But then I shot it. It fired cheap Winchester Power Point ammo in to a five shot, 100 yard group that was a tick over a 1/2" c.t.e. extreme spread. It became a favorite for a time... It changed my attitude about Savage rifles forever.

I would have Never bought a Tikka T3 w/out the constant approval of the campfire members. I did buy one and now wish I had bought one ten years ago. I bought a 338Federal w/a limbsaver pad and am using a LA mag to seat my bullets further out. It's quickly becoming one of my favorite rifles. powdr

My stepson used to have a beautiful A-bolt Medallion .30-06 that his Dad bought for him. That was a really nice gun and pleasant to shoot. After several years his Dad sold it for casino money. Sad but it made me realize that I wouldn't kick a Browning A-bolt out of bed. Lately though I only have eyes for Winchester model 70's.

I was gifted with a Browning M81 BLR in 308 WIN a couple of years ago. I decided to put a cheap riflescope on it (Redfield Revolution), it already had Weaver bases on it and I had some Weaver rings. I worked up a load - really a chance to experiment with the then new CFE-223 and start using five boxes of 150 Nosler BT I had traded for here on the Campfire five or six years ago - damn was I surprised - I own a nice, accurate, and lightweight carry gun for whitetail (or hogs and black bear).

I think I could fall for one of those in 358

Was cruising GB a couple of years ago when I saw a M70FWT in 270. Was not really in the market for another rifle but it was at what I considered a bargain price and had no bids. I'm sort of going through a personal Jack O'Connor revival so I bought it. It is an FN gun with decent wood and shoots sub MOA. It has become my go-to even over my custom guns.

I was cruising a gun show a few yesr back when I spotted an M70 .270 Win.in what appeared to be a featherweight but with a synthetic stock that looked supiciously like a McMillan, but with a Winchester butt pad. It had a decent scope on itand the asking price was $50. O ffered $400 and we had a deal. I figured I could turn it over for a couple bucks profit. One theway home I stopped byWalmart and picked up a couple boxes of Winchester 150 gr. ammo, Power points IIRC to test the gun out and get a bit of brass for the .270 I already have. A couple of days later I got to the range and as the guy said the gun was sighted in I set up at 100 yards. I shot three rounds letting thebarrel cool down about two minutes between shots and as the group looked awfully small decided to make it a five shot group. Total shock as the group was exactly .50". A fluke? After letting the barrel cool down to at least outside air temperature I shot another five shot group that was only slightly larger. I ended up shootin two more five shot groups and the smallest group was that .50" and the last the largest at .80" I decided that rifle was a keeper.
The only question I have is, did Winchester ever use McMillan stocks on some of their rifles? I also have a .300 Win. Mag. M70 that has what appears to be a McMillan. Both rifles have pads that say Winchester. Both rifles are extremely accurate.
Paul B.

The Winchester/USRA 70 Win-Lite featherweights have McM stocks, some with and some without hinged floorplates.

The CLRs have impressed me more than I thought that they would, even with the original injection-molded stocks.

I've hated a Handi-Rifle more than I thought I ever could!

Marlin XL-7 30-06 NIB for $230!

Ive got three,I found these pictures posted, but they are virtual clones to my rifles a browning 78 with a 26" length barrel similar to this picture, that I had rebarreled by shillen in the 1970s, and chambered in 300wby,



my sako 375 H&H



MY BROWNING BLR in 450 marlin

Not the rifle as much as the cartridge. Several years ago I spotted a SS model 70 Classic in 300 WSM at a gunshop priced at $400. The someone had tried unsuccessfully to put an aftermarket recoil pad on it and had ruined the tupperware stock, but it had a Burris FF-II scope included.

I didn't really need a 300 magnum, but had a stock at home that would fit. I planned on keeping the scope and trying to flip the rifle at a profit.

Until I shot it. I still don't need a 300 magnum, but I can live with this one. Recoil is very tolerable, almost exactly 1/2 way between 30-06 and 300 WM. And I just like the rifle. The SS Classics are about as close to the perfect hard use working rifle as anything ever made. I've since put it in an Edge. 7.5 lbs scoped