If you could have just one rifle back ?

[Buck Buster]

Remington Model 700 .270 I bought when I was 13. Not because its anything great of anything. Just more or less it was My first gun I ever bought! Sold it and bought Winchester 670 30-06 when I was 14. Still have that gun.

So how long have you had it?

 

[NEMTHunter]

So how long have you had it?

15 years this year. Yea I know not a long time. Also that dates me as a young buck.

BUT I did meet the guy at a Walmart parking lot and wrote a check for it. Not sure that would fly now.

 

[memtb]

I've only sold two rifles....really don't have any regrets. One I didn't care for and (IMO) impractical....helped buy a shotgun I do really like.
The other a .300 WM (won at an elk banquet), that I didn't need/want....sold new in box! memtb

 

[reloaderlen]

Good stories guys ! Some that I can really relate to and some just make me grin ,keep them coming!

 

[Deleted member 48126]

A custom built 300wsm by Chris Matthews before he went crooked. Stiller predator short action, jewel trigger, Mcmillan HTG ADJ, broughton 5R barrel, badger ordinance bottom metal, badger rings and rail. I sold it on this forum to help my wife pay for our wedding. I hate it that I did that. I'm actually rebuilding it now. I miss it that much.

 

[JJMoody]

Mine would be a Howa 1500 300WSM that was given as a gift. I worked loads and put in some serious time on that rifle, and it was my first cloverleaf rifle. I was Bragging ( a lot) to my cousin and anyone else within hearing distance about how well it shot..., yadda yadda... even carried a target plastered on the pickup dash. We lived to hunt and were competitive about it. On my birthday, I got off work early and headed to a big canyon I knew had deer in it. I saw 14 bucks in 45 minutes on that hunt! The one I settled on was a 150 plus whitetail at 250 I aimed, fired and he didn't move. I fired again and he just wandered off, not too concerned. I was trying to wait a bit, but it was getting dark so I went down to find a blood trail.... nothing! Then I watched him bolt uphill doing 9-0 and never saw him again. I re- shot my rifle the next day and it was 2' high right in that same cloverleaf! I lost all confidence and eventually sold the rifle. Years later, my dad was saying how my "so in so" cousin had messed with his scope to prevent him from winning the big buck contest. The lightbulb went off in my head... I'd been had. He's lucky I haven't seen him since. I want that one back.

 

[LoneTraveler]

There is 1 rifle I would like to have back to be a safe queen. In 1967 before all the gun laws. I ordered a Sako Finbear 7mm Rem Mag from Herters. I got a post card from the mail carrier and had to go to the post office and pick it up. It had a beautiful French Walnut stock.I had bought 243 Win. Sako Forester at the Rod and Gun Club in Chinon France. Finbear was its big brother. Hoped to use it to Elk, Caribou and Moose hunt with.
A wife and kids later, Times got rough and I had to sell it, To pay the bills.
When I went on my first Moose hunt. Bailing water out of a canoe, Made me happy I had a Rem. 700 SS 338 WM instead of that beautiful French Walnut Stock on the trip.

 

[dmj]

First of all I'd like to thank those of you that shared your stories as I enjoyed all of them. My comments probably don't count. I've never parted with a firearm yet. To many memories and sentimental values. Dad gave me this one. Worked extra jobs for this one. Cut and sold fire wood with my son so my son and I could purchase matching rifles. First deer first elk and etc, etc. And hopefully I will remain lucky enough to not to have to sell one. Hunt safe and shoot straight.

 

[Axl]

First rifle i bought m 670 win 270. Sold to a guy at work that had just divorced he didnt have a rifle or $$ and it was his sons first year hunting. sold him the gun w/ weaver 4x + 100 rounds of 150 gr Speer Grand slam reloads for $125- he made payments.
His son killed a dandy 5x5 muley that year.
I had just purchased a new winchester winlite 270 with the factory Mcmillan stock (still have it) the year was 1986 it had been 10 years since as a boy just starting out hunting, read a story in field and stream about "the ugly rifle" a green stocked fiberglass 7 mag. And i wanted one bad!

 

[Greyfox]

Back in the 80's I traded a Mauser Action 7x57 Mannlicher. That rifle that was awarded to me by the President of the company I worked for. Now, recently retired from the position of President of the same company, that moment of stupidity haunts me.

 

[GSP814]

NIB Browning Safari Grade 30-06, I thought I had to have the newest lightweight mountain rifle! It still hurts when I think about it!

 

[Sealesniper]

I have an interesting story on the rifle I wish I had back....and someday will. My father bought his first rifle, a Remington 700 in 308 when he was just out of school in 1963. When I turned 12, I had begun deer hunting, and my dad would let me shoot the 308 as he felt his 30-06 was too much gun for me. I killed a lot of deer and bear with the 308 and made modifications to the bases and rings, trigger and added a much better leupold scope. I bought the gun from my dad when I was 14. That gun stayed with me until my father turned 65. At that time I had really gotten into long range hunting, and the 308 normally sat in the safe. My father asked to buy it back, as he missed this great gun and a milder recoil would be apprecaited by his aging shoulder. With the better optics I had installed, jewel trigger, as well a Lifetime of my hand loads that the gun shot very well, I reluctantly let her go back to her original owner.

I know the gun is in great hands, and is being used every year, but man there have been few hunts since when I am going into the thick woods, or in stands with 200 yard or less shots where I still do not reach into the safe searching for the 308. I am aware that one day I will probably get the old remmy back, and I am in no hurry as much prefer having my father around, but it is one of those guns you just connect with. My first shotgun, an 870 wingmaster I bought with my own money at age 11 is still in my safe, and will never be for sale. The only way that gun will change hands is when I pass it on to a grandchild, just as I plan to do with my all grand fathers guns that I cherrish.

Thank you for starting this post. It was a fun ride down a memory lane.

Roger

 

[Md reloader]

I had a Rem 788 in 243Win I bought in 1974. It was my first centerfire I owned.

 

[reloaderlen]

You are most welcome Sealesniper !
I enjoyed reading every post that has put up . Cheers to all !