Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Winchester Collectors Pre 64 African .458. Shoot or No Shoot?

I have an unfired pre 64 African. as many know because there were only about 1200 made these guns have really climbed in value. I have an unopened box of .458 ammo. The questions would you shoot it, or not?

Sure why not? Just a club if you don't shoot it - and not a very good one at that.

Well,that gun is worth about $9000-$9500..just sayin'
Damn nice and rare! I would be more worried about the ammo? how old is it? If it's vintage to the gun,it could be caked up by now and some high pressure could follow....?

And there lies my dilemma.

What do you mean by shootit? Punch paper at the range or take it hunting...there are a lot of M70 collectors that will pay $$ for it now
If you need something to punch paper,buy cheap... I would not dare let the airlines touch it...
I did not help much..but I say no, leave it alone.

I always said I would not be one of those collectors who wouldn't shoot there guns. However, I also never thought that some of these Winchesters would appreciate in value so much. I have taken this to the range a couple times, but can't pull the trigger.

I can put you in touch with a buyer...

Let one out of the barrel. Life is short and you aint taking it with you when you go.

It's just me but I would not shoot it. Even a little shooting could end up costing you a lot of money. Heaven forbid that the stock cracks because where are you ever going to find another stock for it? My advice is that if you want a 458 to shoot spend $1000 and buy a new one. For the price you could get for that gun you could buy a really cool SXS big bore!

sell it and go to Africa with another rifle.......

I say no shoot....if and when you decide to part with it the fact that it is unfired will command a few thousand $'s more. Would think that being able to look at pre-64 African and bring it to the shoulder when one feels like it is pretty satisfying. By the way....it's a beauty.

Probably this. It's just too valuable to make a shooter out of it.

For me, it's a real no-brainer. I would leave it unfired. Nope, no question for me.

Shoot the thing or sell it. You will die off one day and someone else will shoot it for you.

I would keep it as is. You're sittin' on a lot of money.

Not to me. A gun with no history, no experience, no stories, is just a factory gun of little special interest. It would be shot or sold. Probably sold as I have little appreciation for factory bolt rifles. But if it's worth that to you to hunt with, then hunt it. If not, sell it.

In the end, it is a question that only you can answer.

If it were mine, the answer would be easy.

really?...a gun worth 9K...then, bang! .....now worth 6K or less.....that's a good bit to pay for experience, history, or stories...

If there was 1200 made , how many are unfired. I usually shoot everything but in this instance No Way. That is big time prime gun. It is remarkable that you have such a fine and desirable Winchester in the condition you have. I crave the African model 70. I was at the Cody museum last year and they have one not as nice as yours. Only if you never plan on selling it I still would be reluctant to fire it. It's just to nice. I could go on and on, but you get the idea. By the way, what would you sell such a gun for. I love it.
Mouse

These two have been waiting to meet for over 50 years.

Cartod
If those cartridges are 50years old, I'd be willing to bet that powder is like cement. I've broke down some old ammo and I had to use a screwdriver to get out the old powder. Still don't shoot it. Oh yeah, do you also have the box. I'm sure you know all there is to know about this rifle that needs to be known. Thanks for the Winchester HIGH. Just too good.
Mouse