Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Single Shots The Great Temptation

I stumbled across one of these today while out hunting down some reloading supplies.

I've never owned one, as my tastes run towards the Ruger No. 1, but this one has me thinking...

It has a big gouge in the left side of the buttstock likely caused by a pistol hammer while being carried by a sling. Other than that, it is super clean!

It has bases and rings, but no scope. Chambered in 30-06, which I need like another hole in the head, but what can you do...maybe have it bored to 35 Whelen!

Anywho, the guy wants $1050 for it and I'd imagine I could get it for an even grand....

What do you think?

Big Sky, I just jumped back on this thread after a holiday hiatus. It would depend on how boogered up the wood is. I'd start offering 975 while I ran my fingertips over the gouge. And I'd shoot it in '06 before I'd let them take a reamer to it.

Ya, I went and looked at it again...

The gouge is completely through the shellac like finish and into bare wood. I'm not a super big fan of them, my tastes running towards No. 1's, but I've never owned one....

I'm gonna sit on it for a week or so, then hit him at $850, and come up to $900. If he says no, so be it....i don't need another '06 anyway!

I would not pay more than 800.00 for this gun save your money and buy a better one,check out guns international. myself I would rather have a ruger no. 1 any day

I like the Brownings much better than the later Winchester 1885's. Much nicer wood. If that were mine, I'd strip the stock, fix the gouge and refinish in oil.

I have one like that... Was a .30/06, but I had it rechambered to a .300 H&H.

It sure is good seeing you post again Grasshopper!

Todd

To add to my conundrum on this little endeavor, I found a 131 prefix No. 1 in 45-70 that I'm sure I could get for $900. Not a stellar piece of wood on it, but not fence post plain either...

Ahhh, if only I were independently wealthy and money didn't matter!

I can't even use the old "buy myself a birthday present" trick because my darling bride just gave me a Lipsey's stainless 44 Special flattop! Whatta girl!

BigSky, I understand the conundrum. I’ve been through it. Bought 3 1A’s because I like them but every one has suffered from the wandering POI and one had a mild case of the sloppy lever issue but not a deal breaker. I’m counting on this 78 to deliver the predictable accuracy of my 1885. The hammer is a bit of a PITA but an easy trade off for the merits of the rifle. I’ve either been on the road or waiting out the weather since I got the 78 and I’m itching to get to the range. I bought some 117 Sierras and want to get a box of 100 grainers for all purpose work but prefer the 117’s for deer. It’s the same as my thing about not hunting deer with 6.5’s lighter than 140.😜

Beautiful rifle. I like them better than the Ruger. The Ruger just doesn't fit me. You have to really crane your neck because of the poor scope mounting position.