I in LOVE with an older lady (rifle)

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

CarJunkieLS1

Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2013
Messages
1,628
Location
N. Alabama
So a few years ago I got a Winchester Model 100 in .308. I got it for a great price and I've been offered considerably more money than I paid, but I just gotta hang on to it. It is a 1962 Model and is easily in 95% or better condition. I cleaned it up when I got and got the new designed firing pin under the recall. After that I just let it sit in my safe.

Well a few months ago I decided I would see what the old girl was capable of doing. I mounted a spare Redfield 3-9-40 scope on it. Grabbed a box of the Hornady American Whitetail 150gr Interlock and headed to the range. I really wasn't impressed with the accuracy and the ammo seemed to be a little "warm" for this old lady so handloading was in order, but the feel and natural way it pointed was just perfect. I just had to try and see if I could get serviceable accuracy from it.

A suggestion from a friend lead me to try some heavier bullets. I took some LC brass I had laying around and some 165gr Speer BTSP bullets. With a minimum charge of IMR 4064 it was basically magic...like I had found unicorn poop at the end of a rainbow. I'll be carrying her into the woods this season :)

Here are some pics and the group she shot after a couple scope adjustments.
20160828_2237561.jpg
20160828_2238211.jpg
20160828_2238351.jpg
20160828_2239001.jpg
20160827_1248421.jpg

All those repair stickers are from my dad's AR-10 from earlier in the day BTW.
 
Excellent!

Finding a load that an older rifle (or any firearm) loves indeed feels like magic.

Thanks for the range report and cool photos.
 
Thanks I will be hanging on to this rifle and I won't be shooting it very much. I'll just shoot it to check zero before season and carry it a few times a year on good weather days.
 
CarJunkieLS1

Nice group there! Good to see an old classic like that getting a new lease on life and being put to use as it was originally intended for. Thanks for sharing.
 
Thank you! I'm so happy the rifle is shooting good and I'll use her for the intended purpose of sight in before season then hunt with her. I'll pass this rifle down to my soon to be born daughter.
 
She's a beauty!!! I have one also, mine is first year production 1961.
 
I would shoot it as much as you want. Don't abuse it but no need in saving it for the next guy. That rifle was made to be used, not to sit in the safe.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top