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Joined: Oct 2003
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I'm leaving on a bear hunt in Idaho in a few days and I decided I "needed" a .45-70 to take with me. After looking around, I decided on either a Winchester or a Browning, if I could find them.

I checked on several, and then things all came together. I'll spare you the details, but I ended up with a NIB Winchester Short Rifle 1886 and then a few days later I did a deal with a guy and picked up a LNIB Browning 1886 - both deals I couldn't pass up. Both are the plain variety w/o much as far as decorations - exactly what I was looking for.

So, that leaves me with this question. Which do I hunt with? The NIB Winchester or the older (but with box, peep sight installed, looks brand new) Browning that's 30 years old? The Winchester has the bounce hammer garbage and the safety on it.

On one hand, I tell myself I should use the Winny, because I don't want to get that beautiful browning scratched up. On the other, I prefer the Browning, so I should use it, right? And leave the Winchester NIB and put it on a shelf somewhere?

I haven't shot either one at this point, so I can't compare them that way.

Thoughts?

GB1

Joined: Sep 2005
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 17,685
id shoot both of them and carrie them around a bit, see what one you like best at that point! one may shoot alot better than the other one! good luck on your Hunt!


Deer Camp! about as good as it gets!
Joined: May 2014
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Browning


I prefer classic.
Semper Fi
I used to run with the hare. Now I'm envious of the tortoise and I do my own stunts but rarely intentionally
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Browning. I want a high grade (1993 vintage?) pretty bad and would hunt with it if I had one.

Joined: Nov 2008
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Browning. Don't worry about getting it scratched up how much longer are you going to live?


"Never force anything, just get a bigger hammer".
IC B2

Joined: Dec 2009
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Joined: Dec 2009
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Browning


Founder
Ancient Order of the 1895 Winchester

"Come, shall we go and kill us venison?
And yet it irks me the poor dappled fools,
Being native burghers of this desert city,
Should in their own confines with forked heads
Have their round haunches gored."

WS

Joined: Jan 2012
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Use the Browning. Having a wood rifle refinished isn't nearly as expensive as most think.

Joined: Jun 2001
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I'd go with the Browning.I had the standard grade,but carried mine in a scabbard enough to get a little wear butshot two bull elk with it. Guns are made to be used and not to be safe queens.

Wish now,I hadn't sold it,but it was 13 pounds fully loaded. A tad too heavy to carry around at 10,000 ft

Last edited by saddlesore; 05/30/15.

If God wanted you to walk and carry things on your back, He would not have invented stirrups and pack saddles

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