Three inherited long guns...
I just had these handy and they gave me reflection. They all were given to me prior to their passing too.
The .30-30 is an "Antique" model 94 variation from the 1970's. It's a bit crusty but is fine as it is. It sort of reflects my old friend Dave. You could try and change it but why, it is what it is. Every time I pick it up I think "It's fine like it is, just enjoy". I'd not mind having it at my side in any situation. I may one day get energetic and "Jim Taylor" it just to have an entertaining project. I know from Jim's work it will only make it better and more handy.
The Browning is a Grade - II I think 1970's gun. It's a whopping .338 Win. Mag. 4-shot semi-auto. The Nikon scope is well suited to it with BDC to something like 800 yds. It's a hefty beast at near 10 lbs., but while it roars like a lion with it's tail under a tire, the recoil is quite manageable for something shooting a 1/2 ounce bullet at 3,000 fps. I'm not sure if I'll use it in anger but It's worth keeping around. I have another .338 I shoot more but load for. Shooting cast is relatively cheap for me. Craig kept it for long range Elk. He did shoot an Elk at HHC, with a BAR in .308!
The Ruger is semi-custom, just like Bill. It gets better every time we mess with it. The barrel is carbon wrapped and light. I have the adapter for suppressor too. The match chamber causes more problems than accuracy being enhanced. Even changing to an aftermarket extractor it can still leave a round in the chamber and jump the extractor. You got to be a little extra careful. Next is a scope and mount upgrade. I miss Ol' Bill to bounce the ideas off of. Maybe after the scope I'll try some trigger work.
In all I truly relish the memories and enjoy the guns that rekindle them. I'll pass on the stories to my kids in hope they will use them in the future for their own stories and adventures.
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The 10-22 reminds me of my old Frankenruger,
which like George Washington's axe is all original except the handle has been replaced 5 times and the head replaced only twice. Bought mine in 1982, shot it so much the grey magazine follower wore to the point it would not feed the last round, but still have it as a 9-shooter. Extended truck duty neglect had the barrel liberally speckled with rust, so when stainless was available, a barrel was bought. Then it spent several decades in a stainless Butler Creek folder with high capacity mags and later Tech Sight M16 sights added. Then I realized I did not like the folder cheeking and could no longer use peep sights really effectively and really did not like the magazines protruding. So, sent the stock to a friend with fond canoeing memories, he sent me his stock, he also had a scope mount unused, and it is back to near original.
I installed the Power Custom hammer and sear kit with no overtravel, super pleased with trigger. You might simply open the chamber a bit more for reliable extraction on yours. I swapped extractors after a run of poor extraction, only to look at the ammo and find it not the expected Standard Velocity, but near identically boxed CB Longs.
Mine is no match shooter, essentially bone stock, with the low power scope all I can say is it will do an inch at 50yds with my Federal bulk HPs and CCI Standard velocity, but an inch at 50yds is about all I can see at 50yds anyhow with the low power 6oz scope. I was after handy, not match shooting. The gun has accounted for more game than all my other guns put together, including quite a few species both unrecommended and illegal for a .22 LR, but it has put them where it mattered. Sooner rather than later, someone else is gonna end up with this gun, and it will serve them well.
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Three long guns
Three very fine rifles anyone should be proud to own.
In a collection levers get a free pass, unlimited.
and .22's don't count either, too fun and useful. I can hang onto the big gun just in case. While Canada and most destinations abroad are out of question (semi-auto) you never know what opportunity might crop up. Plus one day I might even get too shaky for a handgun.
It's a heck of a thumper and fun to see those big belted hulls pinwheel out about 3'.
Years ago we took a 338 Win Mag Browning
BAR and converted it to a 416 Taylor. Kase shot a big hog with it. The shot hit the hog in the ass and came out his lower jaw. When we got up on the hog he was still trying to fight us and Kase put 2 more into him to slow him down. The taxidermist I use was with us on the hunt and took one look at the hog and admitted he couldn't do that one.
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