While the pre64 M70 is our favorite rifle what others are lurking in the safe/cabinet? I have three Cooper varmint rifles in 223, 25WSSM, 220 Swift, a couple of Weatherby Ultra Lights but my other Achilles heel rifle wise are custom built guns. These range from a 416 Taylor to a single shot 7MM/08. A light weight 275 Rigby (7X57) is in the works.
I admit I'm a gun nut

I am not certain that the Pre-64 Model 70 is my favorite rifle.... clearly they are near the top of the list. I would have to say a Brno 21 and Brno 22 would be my favorite.

Top one is a Pre-War 7X64 Brenneke, the lower one is a 6.5X57.

Nice rifles. When it comes to large factory offerings the gold standards are: pre-War Oberndorf Type Africa sporter and post-WWII Brno ZG-47. When it comes to small or custom makers there is a huge toss up. Personally I pick Hoffman Arms of OH and OK. Others would no doubt disagree.

The only rifle I own is Winchester model 70.

Model 70's are not my favorite, but I still like them. Where to start?

How about rare guns? Here are a couple Whitney Phoenix single shots...

These are my real favorites - the Winchester 1894 carbine, especially 38-55 as these are, but other levers are up there too:



I've also got some Savage 99's of various types as shown in my avatar, but it seemed "un-American" for a gun nut to NOT own at least one pre-64 Model 70, so I've got my required 1951 .270.
yooper

More modern, Sako heavy barrels...

Fab. Nat. DE Armes De Guerre Herstal-Belgique Mauser, C ring Deluxe , Step Barrel, .270, Ziess Claw Mounts , Hensolot-Wetzlar 6 X scope, flip up irons, Made in Belgium, Custom stock carved by an Austrian, artisan. I think early 50's. A General had brought it to the states. It points and shoots very well.



Once I got used to trigger I really enjoy sitting in stand and looking at the fox and weasels ( I guess) carved in it thinking about who ,what and where. very nest WinPoor

Only other hunting rifle I own is a custom based on a Springfield 03 action, has a McGowen barrel chambered in 35 Whelen Improved. Found it in a pawn shop.

Here's some pics of his custom Ruger #1 that GSPfan asked me to post for him. I'm sure he'll be along shortly to talk about this beauty.













yooper

And another of GSPfan's custom's from the same gunsmith. This one's a 257 Roberts on a 1909 Argentine Mauser action.









yooper

That is impressive. Other than scope mounts from a distance it could be mistaken for Dorleac & Dorleac (they use best scope mounting system qd Holland & Holland type). Their trigger mechanism is reminiscent of movement found in fine old wall clock. It is good you mention South American military Mauser. I once examined mid 30s Oberndorf cavalry carbine in 7x57 made under contract for SA army name of which I do not recall. It was better made than my pre-64 Model 70,

Old guns...

That's one nice back action hammer gun.

My favorite! My 58 cal flinter.

A couple of Walther Mauser's, a 7x57 and an 8x57.



An Erfurt in 8x57.



A Pete Grisel small ring double square bridge "Mauser" actioned (#49 of 50 made) 280 Rem.





A BRNO ZKK-602 375 H&H.



An FN 9.3x62.



A pre-64 M70 in 358 Win.

[img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa437/boxhead61/Ericiphoneafricapics258.jpg[/img]

A post-64 416 Remington.

[img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa437/boxhead61/416AR38WCF001.jpg[/img]

A pre-war M70 in 270 Win.

[img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa437/boxhead61/Deanand270013.jpg[/img]

A Swede in 7x57.

[img]http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa437/boxhead61/002.jpg[/img]

Glad to see, you finally trimmed those toe nails...

I have other rifles besides pre 64's as well. They also shoot good:

CZ 550 American 9.3x62mm (African varmint rifle ..) :



Ruger m77 mkII varmint rifle chambered in .223 rem:


Tried to shoot a smiley face:



[img]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/025_zps65caf680.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/028_zps152cd3b0.jpg[/img]

Little varmint rifle: Mossy chuckster 640KD 22 magnum. Kind of an old sleeper rifle:
[img]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/001_zpsfdb43f92.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i1180.photobucket.com/albums/x401/chiefbsa/004_zps72e5a00e.jpg[/img]

That was shot with it's coyote round: 50gr. Federal HP...

Pre 64 Model 70's are my favorite, and between the kids and I they're all when have for BG rifles....there are no others.

I'm slowly going that way myself. Dwindling down the non pre's.... I only hang onto the other ones because they shoot so damn good. Hard to think about letting my CZ 550 go, but one of my work buddies is begging me for it...She may be sent down the road, but not for any lack of quality, accuracy, reliability etc. Just cause I'm a dummy, however, I know it will go to a good home. Plus, maybe I can get my work buddy out in the elk fields with me this way.. ...My next rifle I build is going to be an extremely accurate AR.... For some obvious reasons...

What other rifles....grin

Wow. And the #1 above.

GSPfan: You are right - of all the Rifle makes/models I have "collected" over the decades "The Riflemans Rifle" (pre-64 Model 70 Winchesters) are my favorites.
Checking my hard copy inventory I currently also own Rifles made by Browning, Marlin, Mossberg, Kimber of Oregon, Kimber of N.Y., Remington, Weatherby, Ruger, Sako, Tikka and N.E.F.
I shoot most all of them.
I prefer heavy barrel Remingtons (700's, 40-X's and XR-100's) and Rugers (77's, #1-B's and #1-V's) for my high volume Varmint shooting and take pride on those rare occasions when I shoot my various heavy barrel Sakos at Varmints.
For Big Game Hunting I again prefer the Remington 700 line for dependability, durability and accuracy.
I also have several custom Rifles built on Remington 700, XP-100 and 722 actions and a few pre-64 Winchester customs Rifles (both Varmint and Big Game Rifles) as well.
Variety IS the spice of life it seems.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

A tang safety Ruger 77V .308 reworked by ROBAR in the 90's ,Schneider barrel, it is a one hole wonder, lot of mid 90's money to get it there! Untold whitetail notches and informal matches with the old boy. When someone ask which gun I own is the most accurate it is a toss up between this gun and a 56' Win target. very best WinPoor

I truly love my Krags!

I've never really cared for #1s but OH MY GOD!!!! This is a thing of beauty!

There sure are a bunch of beautiful rifles on this thread so I figured I'd ugly it up a bit. You get some looks when you show up at the range with a M70 Ultra Grade and a SCAR 17 at the same time. I love classic bolt guns but I got to tell you this SCAR is really growing on me!

Thanks to all on the positive comments on the two custom rifles. I had wanted a nice single shot for a number of years and just couldn't come up with exactly the right combination and a Dakota M10 scared hell out of 5 figures.
The Ruger #1 action has been tweaked and a different trigger used. IIRC it's a Timmeny trigger. the barrel is a tapered octagon 24 inches in length from McGowen. All the metal including the butt plate is color case hardened, the rings are from Brownell and the quarter rib was custom built for this rifle. Inletted island swivels and a filigreed ebony for end tip add the finishing touches. Topped with a Leupold VariXIII 2.5X8 completes exactly what I wanted for half the price of the Dakota. And it's scary accurate

Early 70's Weatherby 30-06, very accurate and for sale! 600, very best winbroke

The latest one.

OMG... I didn't think I'd ever see a remingotn 700 in the Winchester collectors forum...

I like your style anyway... It's a lefty!!!

How about a couple of '03 Springfields?
Top is an 03A1, bottom is an 03A3. Both have mint bores. 03A3 has a 4-groove.

Probably my favorite rifle (today). Ruger .30-06, rebarreled with a 24" tube and customized by Hill Country Rifles.


A sentimental favorite...factory-rebuilt Remington 7600 in .30-06, wearing a late Lyman 4X. 18,000 rounds of LC Match went down the 1st tube, before a factory rebarrel job.

Lordy ,I keep coming back to drool over this one! Ive turned into a large .25 cal fan, I did just sell my Coyote Lite Win 70 in .25WSSM, the deer would hunch up, maybe do a rodeo kick but go right down, I to ended u loving the 110 accubonds, Winchester had a cheaper ,super X 120 gr PEP load that was both accurate and deadly, they offered it in 25-06 and 25 wssm, same ballistics but loaded hot in the 25wssm just to match the 25-06.
v best WinPoor

Lordy ,I keep coming back to drool over this one! Ive turned into a large .25 cal fan, I did just sell my Coyote Lite Win 70 in .25WSSM, the deer would hunch up, maybe do a rodeo kick but go right down, I to ended u loving the 110 accubonds, Winchester had a cheaper ,super X 120 gr PEP load that was both accurate and deadly, they offered it in 25-06 and 25 wssm, same ballistics but loaded hot in the 25wssm just to match the 25-06.
v best WinPoor
Color case hard and fire blue are just fantastic!

Have a sporterized Springfield 1903 .30-06. It has Weaver 2.5x C-3 scope on now.





Using a 220 gr Hornady RNSP at around 2350+ in it.

FN Mauser .270 Winchester.

That says a lot for the 7600. Very cool. I've always been an admirer of them, since the wingmasters are my favorite shotguns.. I wish they would have made some true left handed 760's like they did the 870's though..

Winpoor I have come to love the quarter bore. I have a Cooper Varmint Extreme in 25WSSM and it's extremely accurate using 75gr V-Max. My 257WBY is a go to Antelope rifle and the Roberts (both the custom and M70) will flatten a deer. The smith that built the two custom guns is building a 25/06 on spec that I might just have to adopt even though he will be building me a 7X57 this winter. God I'm hopeless

Jeeze Mr GSP, Not only do you have the pre 64 ,70 BUG, You have the fine Custom bug as well! the very best WinPoor

It's a disease for sure and we haven't even gotten to shotguns and that's worse yet!:)

I not a collector. I'm still hunting these 2 M70s:


1942 Period correct 30-06 carbine


1939 Custom stocked 270




Have other rifles but these 2 can cover all my hunting (short of my 458).

18,000 rounds! Can I ask what you were doing with it to shoot that many rounds? Just playing or were you shooting some kind of competition with it?

At the time I bought the Remington I was assigned to the FT Bragg AMU. We trained 82nd Abn Div Infantry (11B) Soldiers (2 per rifle platoon) as platoon snipers. Rifles were M1 Garand .30-06s with Weaver K4 scopes. It was a 5-day course. This was in the late '70's, before the designated marksman (DM) course we now have today. I had access to literally a tractor trailer truck load of LC .30-06 Match ammo, so I bought the 7600 at the PX and usually shot it every day for fun when we weren't teaching. All the instructors were gun freaks, so we all shot daily, usually after our instructor duties. Most of us burned out a barrel or two. Remington rebarreled and rebuilt my 7600 for free. Incidentally, my groups had opened up to almost 4" at 100 yds by the time I sent it in. My buttstock was also cracked and the trigger was not resetting about 50% of the time.
Bob

I shot one of my "other" rifles today. I also had to shoot the good ol 375 H&H. Ask me which one I like better....

A little windy today, but I had to get out and do some shooting!!!! I recently glass bed the 375 and had to see how it shoots. Looks like all is ok with it and the swirly....:





I also shot my friends new Ruger American, chambered in 22-250. What a pile of chit.... It was shooting patterns instead of groups. I had high hopes for it, but it sadly disappointed both of us. Next up was his new Savage heavy barrel stainless B-mag 17 WSM. Not much better than the Ruger American... Seems to me, the old guns (pre 64's) are much better at never letting you down...

AMEN BSA , I promise I have yet to have a pre 64 mod 70 that would not shoot in an inch, most with the first box of ammo I grabbed, some a lot better than an inch.Impressed with the 2 fwt's as well, Im sure one day I will get a lemon but so far knock on wood even well worn , hunted hard shot great! very best winpoor

Colt Lightning copy by USFA. I generally don't like clones, but this is superb...

USFA made great stuff. A true tragedy...

I've pared down my collection over the past few years after having owned some really nice Hill Country Rifles customs, NULAs, Tikkas, an Al & Roger Biesen, a McMillan G30, and others. Right now I'm all pre-64 except a McWhorter 270 Wby. built on a Stiller action, Hart 1:10" SS #5 25" in a McMillan Sporter Edge with Jewell trigger and a Swaro Z6i 3-18. It's a fairly new rifle for me and is shooting well. I'm taking it to West TX this fall to chase some Aoudad.

Eric

RS: Nice rifle! That stock suigi maple?

The shaping and styling says Biesen or Goens.....or am I wrong on both counts?

1903A1 USMC replica with a Unertl 10x

Don't have this anymore but it was fun!

Latest project- M98 in .416 Ruger



A long way off from being finished though!

This is my regular hunting rifle at the moment- a Sako roughtech in 300 Win mag, pictured in NZ's southern alps last month on my yearly Tahr hunt.



The thing is a laser!

This is my current bush rifle, hard to beat a paddle stock Ruger in .270 for ruggedness!

Great thread. This one qualifies since it's not a pre-64. FN-made 70 in 7mm Mauser. 3-9X Leupold in lightweight Talleys. It's growing on me; I think I finally got the scope-mount combo on it I like.
Bob

Fiddle-back Maple made by Adams in 1972.

This one is kinda nice. 1957 336SC in .30-30. Scope is a Lyman 3X that was rebuilt and resealed by Parsons. Perfect deer combo out to 200 yds or so.
Bob

Eric, you are just a damn good shot. Probably give those guys in your unit that are specialists a run for their money. I can't wait to see how the 338 shoots for you. One thing you'll notice about it vs. the 30-06 you got from me is it doesn't foul as quickly....Nice rifles you got there. I know the one on the left is a shooter as well

Scope is a 4x Zeiss.

Pics give detail for rifle.

I like that rifle and scope combo! So classic. Are those Talley lows or super-lows?
Bob

RGK,those are Talley lows.

Stock Browning 1885 7mmRM


Rem 700 7mmRM with Shilen barrel and Bansner stock and Holland lug


Uberti 1885 257 Roberts Ackley rimmed with Shilen barrel


VZ24 Mauser 7mmRM with Lothar Walther barrel and Bansner stock


Ruger #1 7mmRM stock

MRC .375, built by Hill Country Rifles. I toyed with the idea of selling it awhile back. Glad I still have it.
Bob

Bob, you have some beautiful rifles sir!!!!!

Sako L-469 heavy barrel in 222 Mag...

Very sweet rifle Shrap... I'll bet it shoots damn well too..

Love the Sako...and Mr Shrapnel has a few. The little short-action ones are gorgeous. I'm down to just one Sako now, an AV lefty that I put a 3-9x Zeiss Conquest on today. Can't wait to zero it.
Bob

Posted for GSPFan:

"Rifle is a Cooper Varmint Extreme with upgraded French Walnut and case colored action. 25WSSM and it's minute of Prairie Dog at 400 yards."

Sakos are known for good shooting, this one does too. It is a 6mm PPC...

Here's an AV in .25-06...one of my "never sell" rifles. A new 3-9x40mm Zeiss Conquest (one of the Conquest overruns from Euro Optics) is on top. I like this combo. If I were right-handed, I'd have a bunch of Sakos, just like Shrapnel.
Bob

Being a lefty is a bitch, but that is a good combination and a great picture...

Thanks!
Bob

Bob, being a leftie, too.. that rifle is just pure poetry.

Beautiful pre 64's, Sako's and other very nice rifles here and yet, I'm thinking about the sporterized/custom m1917 I saw the other day.... Grew up using/loving them and really miss the ones I've had and let go. For some reason, they are just too user friendly for me to not have at least 1 in the safe. The one I saw the other day won't sell in the shop either because there isn't another screwed up left handed m1917 user in these parts....

1903-A3...

That's cuz I'm not around there. I am however a screwed up left handed Krag user

M-1 Garand...

[img:center][/img] [img:center][/img]Sako Finnwolf .243 and 1940 Rem 37

Very cool.... Well in a screwed up left handed way...

Thanks, BSA! We're getting CLOSE on the 338. I was figuring August timeframe. I can't wait to see how it turned out. Also good to hear that it's not a huge fouler. lol. I need to start scouting out some ammo.

Eric

Very nice! I like the figure in the wood and case coloring.

Eric

I made the 30-06 sound bad, but you know it isn't too bad. It lets you know when it's dirty though...That 30-06 shoots lights out when it's clean!!! . Glad to see you made it back home safely...I'm also waiting patiently for the 338 to get done!!!!

M-1 Garand...

[/quote]

Lovin the surplus rifle hunting shots Shrapnel, a great challenge going with the iron sights!

After lugging a Garand around Ft. Leonard Wood in the mud, dust and rain, plus nursing a swollen face from an "M1 thumb" coming back into my lip, I swore I'd never shoot one again. And 50 +/- years later I haven't.
yooper

Sounds like a good enough reason to me...

A few "others" for now

M1 NM
Lyman Great Plains 50 cal
Ruger 10/22

Remington 700 I spruced up 7mm rem mag cerakote, yes I own one


That's all the others for now, more to come.

I'm a man of the 90's. It's just the 1890's

Pugs were on the same page with the Ruger #1 and the Parkers. I just finished a SXS shoot in Duluth, MN and shot a Boss 20ga from 1874, Parker lifter from 1880 and several other Parker hammerless guns from the early 1900's. I never have owned a Savage 99 and have one lever gun a M94 in 38-55.

The Savage 99's are a neat obsession all themselves. I'm not full blown yet but only my M70 slutdom keeps it at bay. I just ordered some .228 cast bullets from Montana Bullet works to play with the 1913 M99 in .22 Savage Hi-Power

Between the M70's, Parkers, English shotguns & custom rifles I'm amazed there is any cash left over for the mundane things like the mortgage, food and electric

Wait, I'm supposed to do that too? I may have a problem.

Sharps conversion 50-70...

My grandpas 1899 303 savage

Tikka T3 338 win mag


Marlin 1895 CB 45/70

As much as I like the pre 64 mod 70. They are pretty heavy...and my favorite hunting rifle is a sako l61r...06 Varmint rifle would be l461 in 222 or 20 tac...toss up..very close second is an 1885 hornet...
Every da pinker and truck gun would go to the 92 win in 25/20

When they discontinued those Parker Reproductions by Winchester we should have bought more than a few. They went no where but up in price. Jacqua in Ohio had them by the hundreds for $1700. Can't come close to that today.

Every part is interchangeable with the Parker originals. One of the great deals in a SxS in our lifetime.

I think you're right about the Parker repros. Beautiful guns that were a bargain early-on. Wish I'd bought a couple. That one you have is awesome.
Bob

Can't really tell in this pic how nice this one was.

Killed one Grouse with it, but couldn't get used to the straight stock and let it slip away.

A nice original model 95 in 40-72...

Colt Lightning SRC in 44-40...

Sako 220 Swift heavy barrel....

LOVE that Sako!
Bob

I had a Sako like that in 22/250. Unfortunately the operative word is had.

A couple buffalo rifles in 40-90 bottleneck...

While my 99F .358 is the favorite woods rifle in the open I favor this custom on a mauser with an octagon barrel in 30-06. It has made some memorable shots.

Savage, that is a beautiful rilfe. However, I'm surprised you don't have a safe full of side by sides for those stellar 2 shot groups...

Shrapnel, Please let me know when your next garage sale is. You have some of the most unique rifles. Congratulations on your "writeup" in this months Rifle magazine. When a collector car gets published in a magazine, it's value usually increases. You are probably worth much more money now. Nice article, but you forgot to mention how great these old Winchester model 70's are.

Which article is that? I don't get Rifle magazine...

New issue of "Rifle magazine". You and one of your hunting friends are in it. I read the article at the book store I was at, so I can't tell you much more. It was at the beginning of the magazine and was a very nice writeup on you, your hunting skills and some of your rifles. Should not be to hard to locate. If you can't find it, let me know and I will pick a copy up for you.

July issue Mike Venturino calls you his "surrogate hunter" because of his health issues. Favorite quote "Tell people you don't shoot animals with groups"

O.K. I have got that one, I thought that issue was already off the shelves...

A few more

Remington model 8 35 rem


Remington 1903A3, may turn into an A4



Weatherby Vanguard 243

Sako Finnwolf 243...

Got enough gun for rabbit for sure....

Mr Southwind, great photos but the last one makes me feel like a kid again!, wood door meat locker! nice buck and gun, ( my eyes are shot? single shot) , Your Dad or Uncle in the early to mid 60's? the very best WinPoor
Remember the toes you step on going up for they may be attached to the ass you kiss coming down!

Thanks Winpoor, that is actually my grand dad "Pop" and that is early to mid 50's I think. I got the date around here somewhere by an order for gloves he had made from the hide for my grandma and him.

He is the guy that got me dreaming about chasing big game animals. I would lay over a tooled leather ottoman from Peru under the shoulder mount of that deer reading Jack O' Conner and others in his "Outdoor Life" magazines. I miss that man, but he is always with me in the field for sure.

GSPfan asked me to post these pics of his Sako. His description:
Rifle is built on a Sako L61R action. It features a 24 inch straight octagon barrel and the rib was milled out of the blank meaning it wasn't attached later it's solid with the barrel. Three folding leaf rear sights and the trap door in the butt is drilled to hold three additional shells. Stocked in an ok piece of English walnut it's chambered for the 7X57AI.

Yooper35, that's a beaut! I wouldn't normally be a fan of a vent rib on a rifle but I think that one pulls it off.

Here are some more others, kind of like those other relatives you don't talk about

My walk about armadillo whackin machine


I'm not sure what to call this yet, been putting it together one piece at a time, probably will have a different butt-stock and lower before I'm done.


My John Holliger White Oak NM Service rifle, about 12lbs plus with all the lead I have stuffed in the butt and forearm.