Just got an "Old Friend" back...

[achildofthesky]

About 30 years ago I (very stupidly, I might add) traded my deer rifle, a Czech VZ24 based sported in 30-06 Spfd my dad gave me when I was 13. I had traded it for a Remington pump shotgun. I recently tracked down my buddy and offered to buy it back. He graciously said sure. It has more sentimental value I reckon, but it did shoot well and I shot it a lot back then, from 'chucks to deer. Learned about reloading with that gun... Got it back late this afternoon and did a clean up on it. Not bad. No rust or pitting just missing the front sight ramp and bead (it has open sights and low mount rings) heck the crest and CZ logo on the receiver is still sharp. A bit of blue wear here and there. Ain't ever going to sell that gun. WooooooooHooooooo. Can't wait to go shooting with it after I put a scope back on it I'll strip off my M700 .338WM. Off to the range tomorrow for sight in and fun... I really have to thank my buddy Hoss from High School and my luck in tracking him down after nearly 30 years. I have lamented on this forum a few times that "I wish I hadn't sold it". If you have had a similar lapse and sold a favored piece, try to find it and I hope you have the luck I experienced. You never can tell... It feels like I got a long lost friend back. Silly, I reckon, but true...

Patty

 

[Catshooter]

That's great!

Not knowing the story behind it, I allmost traded away the pistol that my dad carried and used to save his life at the gun show. That would have been tough to get back.

Good for you.


Cat

 

[Chipperman]

Wow, 30 Years!!
That's cool. Buy your friend a case of beer as a thank you for selling it back.

 

[achildofthesky]

Got back from the range a bit ago...

Man was it STINKING hot today at the range. Way steamy hot. Anyway, I put on a Leupold vx II 3-9x off my 338 WM and sighted the Mauser in about 2.5 high and well centered at 100 yards with 125gr psp. With my impromptu range bag rest I got about 1 1/2 to 1 7/8 groups. I'm sure I can do better with some practice but it was fun getting reacquainted with the old rifle. I tried some Hornady 165 gr sst light mag and those were shot off a lead sled a fellow had and those shot about 3 1/2" higher and 3" left of the POI of the 125 gr but nicly grouped at about 1 1/4"... Funny how much things can be changed with just an ammo change. The 165 gr has noticably more shove to it but still comfortable to shoot. I'm going to bang away some more this weekend, grinning like a fool the whore time, I'm sure. I'd like to find a longer distance range here in NW Arkansas for grins and giggles. Time to find another reloading press and get back into the whole thing after so long. Sure was a nice day...

Patty

 

[frank c]

I still have my dads wards hercules 16 ga. and remington 1100 12 ga.

 

[Oldnamvet]

A lot of memories in having a gun passed down. I have my fathers JC Higgins pump 20 ga (Hi Standard) that I am saving for my grandson. Every now and then I take it out for a round of skeet. Shoots like it was new -- and looks just about new too.

 

[EddieCoyle]

Congrats achildofthesky, I'm glad you got it back. I love stories like this.

 

[dfaugh]

Very cool.

Unfortunately, over the years I traded away my first .22, my first shotgun, and my first centerfire rifle (Win 70 in .270).

I'd do ANYTHING to have them back today, even though I have plenty of other similar guns, now.

 

[critter]

Those old Czech VZ 24's are awsome and make really good actions for a custom rifle. I have one in .35 Whelen. Slick and a good shooter. A real game-thumper too. I have a story on a VZ.

A person I know had one in .270 he had built. He and a friend were shooting it and trying out loads. Friend was doing the loading-3 rounds & try, then 3 different loads & try. Friend loaded a 7mm bullet on top of a max load in the .270 case. BOOM! Kicked shooter off his seat and required a 2 X 4 to beat open the bolt. NO HARM TO SHOOTER, FRIEND OR GUN! Pressure must have been unbelievable. Tough actions!

 

[Squidward]

A bit of Family History

My Dad left me his Colt Woodsman. It shoots nice and I will never sell it!