Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles What to do?

Ok, say you're an idiot with a hunting rifle obsession that won't let you pass up anything that looks halfway classic, cool, in great shape for its age, or at a good price. You already own well over 100 hunting rifles, you prefer long actions, most of your rifles are chambered for classic cartridges. Also, you are not loyal to 1 specific manufacture or model. You like bolt actions, pumps, and levers all the same. You are definitely NOT a snob when it comes to firearms.

Recently you decided that you should probably downsize your collection or at least stop expanding it. You hate the decision but are trying to make it work.

Now you were offered a New In Box - Ted Williams Model 53 in .30-06. It's basically a post 64 push feed Winchester model 70 from the 1970s and looks brand new.

$275 FTF deal...do you buy it?

Hard to pass on that impressed acorn & oakleaf "checkering" they used back then.

No,don't buy it.

Even I would pass on that one.. Sorry..

Since YOU asked-- I'd walk away and never look back.

Jerry

No.

Another no.

If you had nothing, and were looking for a good utility gun, that would be your Huckleberry.

Otherwise its like collecting Rolexs and picking up a deal on a Timex.

A lot of Winchester guys telling you no, is a good hint....

Gotcha

Buy it and give it to a kid.

Depends on if it has the anti bind slot cut into the bolt head. the very early post 64 actions that did not have the anti-bind slot cut into the bolt head SUCK. Actions built after serial number 866,000 have the anti-bind feature and are smoother in operation. Of course some hate those push feed actions regardless.

"Ok, say you're an idiot with a hunting rifle obsession ... You already own well over 100 hunting rifles..."

you're definitely in good company here!

although with that much experience, I'm surprised you had to ask for advice....

Poole

Stick with the plan.

new in box, decent rifle, $275? I am always a buyer lol

Found the cross-reference.. It's a M70A, blind magazine with cheaper wood.. Made '72-'78.. I'm thinking it does NOT have the anti-bind slot.. But I'd have to see it to make sure..

I've got a Blue Book that's a couple years old now - and it shows 100% at $450.. But again that's for the Winchester nameplate.. The Ted Williams version was for Sears and will command a much less price..

Just passing info, FWIW.

Well, since the title to this thread is "What To Do".....since you have so many rifles you can't possibly use them all, I'd sell some and book a badasss trip to Africa and hunt your azzz off.

Make your best investment EVER and give that rifle to a kid of a single mom. Take him to the range and then hunting.

I agree with JG and Fireball. Do both of those things. Hell with over 100 guns you could reduce your collection by 25% and hunt Africa and Alaska and still have the problem of too many to choose from.

He doesn't need to buy another rifle to give to a kid!

Well, put it this way. I'm a big fan of the old JC Higgins 50 etc. that had the FN Belgium actions. They are amazing rifles and shoot quite well even though they weren't "name brand" rifles.

I'm also into the old Interarms Mauser because my dad always shot one.

I don't really know anything about these Ted Williams rifles so I figured I would ask. You never know what information you might find.