Favorite Rifle? Favorite Cartridge?

[Appalachiannative]

My favorite rifle I currently own is a Stevens Model 325-A named "Cathy" I don't name my guns. Got it from an elderly gentleman at a gun show about 6 or 7 years ago for $160 after I talked him down from $200 on account of part of the butt plate being cracked off. Somehow I looked at it, thought about it, and negotiated without ever noticing the name stamped into the stock until my Dad pointed it out after I'd went to his place to show him this strange bolt action chambered in .30-30. It's the only bolt action either of us have ever seen in this caliber. It is also the most comfortable easy to use and just down right accurate (within 100 yards) rifle I've ever used.once A friend who had little to no experience shooting put three shots in a silver dollar sized group right on the bullseye with good ol Cathy

 

[Appalachiannative]

Oh and Cathy's other nice features are her rather light weight construction, ease of disassembly, surprising lack of significant recoil, and easily visible brass front sight. Would love to aquire one of her Springfield little sisters in .225 Winchester one day

 

[bluetopper]

The coolest rifle in my opinion I own is my Remington model 8 semi auto in 35 Remington caliber. The Remington model 8 is the first auto loading rifle to make a profit.

 

[nofendertom]

Favorite rifle---Browning 1886 Winchester in .45-70---A close second was an Interarms Mark X Yugoslavian Mauser in .30-06.
Favorite cal.--- .30-06---Could shoot everything from 130 cast to 190 jacketed.

 

[Nature Boy]

I’ve attempted a few times to contribute to this thread but I have too many favorites competing with each other to pick just one.

Right now it’s my old Browning BLR .358 Win. I gave it to my son this year as his 18th birthday present and he took his first buck with it last week

 

[Poper]

Nice buck!

 

[Catpop]

I can appreciate those the admitted to “favorite this week”. I can relate to that
I guess my most rifle would be 1873 Winchester ( 38 WCF made 1887)
My most favorite cartridge would be 300 HH (REM 721 made 1958)
I reload both. But then it’s so hard to choose!
Both have their place.

 

[I6turbo]

I have several centerfires and like them all, and several 22 LR and WMRs, and like them all. But the one rifle that I think about and look forward to shooting the most is the 1958 BRNO Model 4 (22 LR, in case you're not familiar with the gun). Pretty much every time I walk outside the house, the thought crosses my mind.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Went through this thread thinking, I cant choose just one. But I kept coming back to one. A Tenite stocked Stevens 22-410. Its a do all rifle. 22 for small game, 410 bird shot for birds, and slugs for larger game. Its extremely light and the 22 barrel is dead on with the sights. It was also the first gun my dad ever bought.

Mine looks exactly like this, down to the patina.

Second choice has to be my 1956 Romanian SKS. Hate it all you want, but thats the gun i would grab if I could only grab one. It runs like a thoroughbred. Ive put 1000s of rounds through it and it still is minute-of-pumpkin at 100 yards with factory iron sights. It never jams unless I use a 30 round detachable mag. I prefer the box mag.

As for cartridge, i like a lot of em. I reload for almost 40 calibers. Some I like for their performance and some for their history. For performance I like 243 and 270 WSM. For history I like 22 Savage HP and 300 Savage, of which I own a pair of '99s. But again I come back to the lowly .410. Can be loaded with slugs or shot, and was originally a rifle type round. Its small and lightweight but mighty within its limits.

 

[someguy2800]

Went through this thread thinking, I cant choose just one. But I kept coming back to one. A Tenite stocked Stevens 22-410. Its a do all rifle. 22 for small game, 410 bird shot for birds, and slugs for larger game. Its extremely light and the 22 barrel is dead on with the sights. It was also the first gun my dad ever bought.

Mine looks exactly like this, down to the patina.

Second choice has to be my 1956 Romanian SKS. Hate it all you want, but thats the gun i would grab if I could only grab one. It runs like a thoroughbred. Ive put 1000s of rounds through it and it still is minute-of-pumpkin at 100 yards with factory iron sights. It never jams unless I use a 30 round detachable mag. I prefer the box mag.

As for cartridge, i like a lot of em. I reload for almost 40 calibers. Some I like for their performance and some for their history. For performance I like 243 and 270 WSM. For history I like 22 Savage HP and 300 Savage, of which I own a pair of '99s. But again I come back to the lowly .410. Can be loaded with slugs or shot, and was originally a rifle type round. Its small and lightweight but mighty within its limits.

My father in law took his first 3 deer with a break action single shot .410

 

[HowieG]

I picked up a Marlin 57M (.22 mag) about a year and half ago and really fell for the rifle and cartridge. The short throw lever makes it a heck of a lot of fun.
When I go to the range I almost always bring it along no matter what other rifle/handgun I bring because I can't resist putting at least a few rounds through it. View attachment 1045514

And the Model 62. Can't ever find the 56, 57 or 62 in the shape I want that isn't priced out of sight.

 

[Appalachiannative]

My father in law took his first 3 deer with a break action single shot .410

Buckshot or slug?

 

[someguy2800]

Buckshot or slug?

slugs

 

[FL-NC]

Depends on what we're doing with said rifle/cartridge.

 

[BreechFace]

Depends on what we're doing with said rifle/cartridge.

This exactly.

 

[BJung]

My favorite rifle is the one in my hand and the one I happen to be shooting a lot at that time. Once I shot a Romanian M69 with open sights. I'd lob the bullet out to 100 and 200 yards for fun. I'm now playing with a T99 Arisaka. I'm testing Hornady 174 FMJ BT and 180gr cast bullets through it now will probably shoot at targets at the distance like my M69. It's pretty light to carry and makes a fun hunting rifle. I took it once during a storm with a friend. Their scopes fogged up and I was the only one who could shoot. Next year I plan to start loading for my 7RM. It'll probably be my next favorite rifle.

 

[chicharrones]

My favorite rifle I currently own is a Stevens Model 325-A named "Cathy" I don't name my guns. Got it from an elderly gentleman at a gun show about 6 or 7 years ago for $160 after I talked him down from $200 on account of part of the butt plate being cracked off. Somehow I looked at it, thought about it, and negotiated without ever noticing the name stamped into the stock until my Dad pointed it out after I'd went to his place to show him this strange bolt action chambered in .30-30. It's the only bolt action either of us have ever seen in this caliber. It is also the most comfortable easy to use and just down right accurate (within 100 yards) rifle I've ever used.once A friend who had little to no experience shooting put three shots in a silver dollar sized group right on the bullseye with good ol Cathy View attachment 1045573 View attachment 1045575 View attachment 1045577

That's a sweet rifle you have there. Looks like a long term keeper.

 

[Appalachiannative]

That's a sweet rifle you have there. Looks like a long term keeper.

Thanks. I just stumbled upon it at the gun show. Only flaw in the design is that it is totally possible to put the rounds in the clip backwards. They will go in the backwards and the clip will go in the gun like that but then it won't feed. Scratched an arrow into the clip to prevent this error.

 

[gotboostvr]

Thanks. I just stumbled upon it at the gun show. Only flaw in the design is that it is totally possible to put the rounds in the clip backwards. They will go in the backwards and the clip will go in the gun like that but then it won't feed. Scratched an arrow into the clip to prevent this error.

Hk has the same problem with it's pistols

 

[Appalachiannative]

Hk has the same problem with it's pistols

Really? I've never owned, used or seen one but now I know. Thanks for the heads up. Part of what makes the Stevens that way is the way the magazine is held in place. It simply has a spring loaded claw thing that hooks under the clip when you put it in. So the claw will grab it regardless of which direction it goes. I notice new production mags have the word front written in the appropriate place. My original does not. Probably messed up collector's value putting the arrow on there but I don't care I'm never selling it. They were only made from 1947 to 1949. In the 50's they're made under the Savage name then in the 70s the Springfield name. If you find one under the Stevens name it's too rare to part ways with. Any body ever seen another bolt action in .30-30?

 

[gotboostvr]

Really? I've never owned, used or seen one but now I know. Thanks for the heads up. Part of what makes the Stevens that way is the way the magazine is held in place. It simply has a spring loaded claw thing that hooks under the clip when you put it in. So the claw will grab it regardless of which direction it goes. I notice new production mags have the word front written in the appropriate place. My original does not. Probably messed up collector's value putting the arrow on there but I don't care I'm never selling it. They were only made from 1947 to 1949. In the 50's they're made under the Savage name then in the 70s the Springfield name. If you find one under the Stevens name it's too rare to part ways with. Any body ever seen another bolt action in .30-30?

I was just making a joke



https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thefirearmblog.com/blog/2013/05/08/hk-bullets-real-story/amp/

 

[Poper]

For me, it would have to be the Tikka T3 Hunter as a favorite rifle. For the cartridge it would have to be the 6.5 Swedish Mauser. Fortunately, I happen to have a Tikka T3 hunter chambered in 6.5 Swede. And a fine High Power Silhouette rifle it is, too. I have taken deer with it as well as competed with it. One inch groups at 200 meters with 108 Gr. Berger VLD's. What's not to like?

 

[Officers'Wife]

My favorite? That's like asking which one of my kids is my favorite. Day to day it's an ancient Winchester 92 in 32-20. During deer season... I love my husband but I spend my spare time with Lee Enfield.

 

[Obturation]

Favorite currently is my Henry in 45-70. I'm not a long range shooter, 100-150 yards is about all we get around here. Not much on earth will stand up to heavy lead at low velocity. (Smokeless) Trapdoor loads for general use, trailboss for plinking, copper barnes tsx over a stiff charge for an expanding bullet, 405 grain cast & coated for everything else. A few 500 grain bullets for other uses. It's just such a versatile cartridge for the type of shooting I do and the Henry is a wonderfully made rifle that shoots as good as it looks.

My ruger 77/357 is a close second and gets the pick for hiking and camping - it's light, compact and durable .

I'm really not much of a rifleman but just like any red blooded american, I've got several others. I rarely shoot my 30-30s but I used to prefer that cartridge for general use, may become a favorite again but for now I'll stick with the old 45-70, better now than its ever been.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Rimfire: Kimber M82 with 4X Burris scope.
Centerfire: Pre-64 Model 70 Winchester in .30-06 with 4X Leupold scope.