Use Grandpa's old guns or buy new?

[jeremybflint]

Hey everyone,
New to the thread, new to shooting. I missed the boat on deer hunting and shooting when I was growing up, as both sides of the family lost interest by the time I was old enough to go. I did do a little handgun shooting and reloading with my step-dad about 20 years ago, so not a total newb, but I'm looking at this as starting from scratch. I've recently inherited my Grandpa's old rifles, a Savage 99 .300 and a .250-3000. I don't know the actual age, but my Dad says he shot them when he was in his teens, and he's 62 now. My 13 yo son is FIRED up and wants to learn to shoot and hunt with me, so I'm pretty stoked he's interested in something other than video games for once. Should I use these guns as my primary shooters, both for range and deer hunting? Should I keep them as heirlooms and buy newer? Is the .250-3000 a good gun for him to learn on? For that matter is either one good for me to learn on? I'm joining a family-friendly Sportsman's Association in the area and we're both going to take some safety and instructional classes before we get to the range, so no worries there. Let me know what you guys think, I always appreciate advice from the wily veteran's. (Sorry for the long-winded post.)

 

[Bullet Bob]

Either one or both of those rifles should be perfect for hunting and fun.

For just starting out though, I always recommend a bolt-action .22; you'll never outgrow it, and it will always be fun.

I'm not very wily, but I am old.

 

[AirForceShooter]

let's make it simple. You'll probably never own a gun as fine as your grandpa's.
Old rifles are classic's.

Hell yes. shoot them and use them.

Leave them to your kids

AFS

 

[bergmen]

There is an irreplaceable nostalgic connection here with your Grandfathers guns that is just as important as you and your son hunting together IMO.

When I started deer hunting at 13 years old with my Dad I used his old Marlin 1936 lever action in 30-30, one that he had killed many deer with. He had moved to a Winchester 88 in .308. My younger brother took up the 1936 when I bought my own Savage 99 in .308 while I was still in high school. My brothers son first hunted deer with this rifle and my oldest son did also.

It is in a special place in my gun safe right now available to the next generation of hunters to come down the line.

Dan

 

[rcmodel]

I would second the keep them.

And buy the kid a .22 RF to start with.

Either of the Savage calibers are going to be somewhat intimidating due to muzzle blast and recoil to a kid new to shooting.

Not to mention too expensive to shoot extensively for marksmanship training.

rc

 

[jeremybflint]

You guys are saying exactly what I hoped you'd say!! Hopefully I can can continue the legacy, as I know both of those guns brought down quite a few Northern Michigan white-tails back in the day. Also have a 4 yo son and a 6 yo daughter, and I would love to re-start a family tradition. Thanks for the replys, Gentleman.

 

[Sav .250]

This sure looks like the same post I saw on another forum. J s/n.

As for the Sav 99 in the 250 cal.............. They were made to shoot. As long as you take care of it (cleaning ,etc) Shoot that puppy.
Be mindful that the Sav 99 is long out of production. Gone like the Buffalo.
Most of them anyway.

If it`s in it`s original condition(no mods of any kind) I`d use it for "show an tell." But that`s just me and buy something else.

I`d say by your question you really don`t know what you "really" have.

 

[snorko]

I posted this on another forum a while back...

Once a year tradition, Grandpa's Guns

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I have a tradition I started many years ago. I inherited two guns from my grandfather: a 16 gauge Winchester Model 12 and a Savage takedown pump .22 LR. Technically the shotgun is my brother's but he has yet to lay claim. Both are in beautiful shape and I even have the original takedown canvas case for the Savage.

Backstory: Growing up, my immediate family was non-gun. Not necessarily anti-gun, there were just none in the house and the issue never came up. My father is a classic college professor liberal, one who's positions are well thought out and heartfelt. While he and I disagree on many issues, I learned from him the importance of compassion, personal responsibility and the civic duty to make a difference through, for lack of a better phrase, "good works and deeds". BUT, no guns, no hunting, no tromping through the woods of any kind.

My grandfather was different. A bricklayer from northern Ohio, he hunted and fished all his life, bagging his fair share of rabbit, squirrel, woodchuck, a variety of upland birds and a mess of pike and perch. He often took trips to Michigan and upstate New York to do so. He stopped hunting long before I knew him. And while I enjoyed fishing with him, it was only a little before the time he died that I myself started shooting - feeding that life long curiosity about firearms.

Which brings us back to the model 12 and pump .22. Every spring, when it starts to warm up and it is pleasant again to be outside, I haul my trap thrower, that old model 12 and that .22 out to the range. For maybe an hour I will dust a few clays from the air then pick off the larger fragments with the Savage.

I won't shoot a lot, price of 16 gauge alone assures that, but for a short while I get a little taste, I think, of what I missed by a few years: sharing some good shooting with my grandfather, or at least his guns.

 

[mgmorden]

Both of those guns are absolutely perfect whitetail rifles. Plenty of range and power. Heck the Savage 99 is also a classic action that is no longer available (not to the point of not shooting or using it though). It's on my own wish-list for sure . There's no technical reason you would need to buy anything newer.

 

[jeremybflint]

Yessir, definitely going to get the .22 for him. I think that would keep him interested, as well as let him learn without getting the crap kicked out of him. Might give him a sense of pride to have his own gun to start out with, too. X2 on the expense of the ammo!!

 

[Kiln]

I have a couple of old family guns that I rarely use for anything, I just prefer that if I'm going to wear something out or break it that it be a gun that hasn't been in the family for 2-3 generations.

 

[mgmorden]

I have a couple of old family guns that I rarely use for anything, I just prefer that if I'm going to wear something out or break it that it be a gun that hasn't been in the family for 2-3 generations.

Everyone looks at things differently, but I kinda equate that with living as a vegetable on life support. People say "I wouldn't want to live like that - pull the plug.". An old gun that only sits in the safe is in much the same predicament in my mind. If it doesn't get used it's pretty much dead already .

 

[jeremybflint]

This sure looks like the same post I saw on another forum. J s/n.

As for the Sav 99 in the 250 cal.............. They were made to shoot. As long as you take care of it (cleaning ,etc) Shoot that puppy.
Be mindful that the Sav 99 is long out of production. Gone like the Buffalo.
Most of them anyway.

If it`s in it`s original condition(no mods of any kind) I`d use it for "show an tell." But that`s just me and buy something else.

I`d say by your question you really don`t know what you "really" have.

Could have been me. I actually got the guns a while back, but just recently have finally got enough time and money to persue the hobby. I did post on another website then, trying to find out the year they were made and what they were worth (priceless to me, and definitely NOT for sale, just wondering if I should insure them.)

 

[dab102999]

As a owner of many 99' s passed down i would have to say u r lucky. Expessially the 250, getting hard to find that one. Just gave my youngest boy a 300 this year. Those are absolutely very shootable but there r a couple things you need to watch to keep them that way. One of the most important is the space between the stock and the back of the action. If there is not a few thousands space kept there then your stock will eventually crack. Google savage 99 and you will finf a couple sites that will tell you year of manufacture...and sign on with 24hourcampfire.com. there r some very dedicated 99 owners on there. And i dont know if it is because it came down thru the family or not but for me the 99's are the funest guns out there to shoot.

 

[jeremybflint]

I have a couple of old family guns that I rarely use for anything, I just prefer that if I'm going to wear something out or break it that it be a gun that hasn't been in the family for 2-3 generations.

That was my inner dilemma, but I guess if they've been around and used as much as they were....I'm that way even with my pick-up though. Love to drive it, but hate putting miles on it!!

 

[Kiln]

Everyone looks at things differently, but I kinda equate that with living as a vegetable on life support. People say "I wouldn't want to live like that - pull the plug.". An old gun that only sits in the safe is in much the same predicament in my mind. If it doesn't get used it's pretty much dead already .

I guess, I've got a couple of things that were passed down that are worth $1500+ and parts are not so common. I'd rather take a $100 91/30 out and blast away with it than any of those.

Even if they weren't worth money I'd still opt for something that isn't an heirloom.

 

[jeremybflint]

As a owner of many 99' s passed down i would have to say u r lucky. Expessially the 250, getting hard to find that one. Just gave my youngest boy a 300 this year. Those are absolutely very shootable but there r a couple things you need to watch to keep them that way. One of the most important is the space between the stock and the back of the action. If there is not a few thousands space kept there then your stock will eventually crack. Google savage 99 and you will finf a couple sites that will tell you year of manufacture...and sign on with 24hourcampfire.com. there r some very dedicated 99 owners on there. And i dont know if it is because it came down thru the family or not but for me the 99's are the funest guns out there to shoot.

Thanks for the advice on the stock, I will definitely check that out. Will check out that website, too, I was just messing around today and found this one. Looks like I struck gold!!

 

[Salmoneye]

I have no experience with the .250-3000, but that Savage in .300 needs to be shot and hunted...

 

[Zeke/PA]

The .250-3000 Savage is an excellent deer cartridge and the Savage 99 a super rifle.
My Dad's rifle resides in my safe, a rifle that he purchased in 1941 for $35.00.
He harvested a bunch of PA whitetails however.
Ammo avalibility MIGHT be a problem though.
Another thing, some of the earlier .250's were barreled with a 1 in 14 twist and could be "choice of bullet" sensitive.

 

[FROGO207]

I have a couple of Savage 99's here in one of my safes. Both in 300 SAV and one is a featherweight. Nice firearms deserve a little care. I reload for mine and when the weather is reasonable I will use them for hunting or target practice. Now if it is pouring outside or something I will not take it out. Ditto for throwing it behind the seat in the truck and leaving it there for a truck gun. BUT anything I own is there to be used and enjoyed and I do that as often as I can rotate them all through my hands. Yes your son (and you) both could use some inexpensive trigger time with a rifle. My sujestion would be a lever .22 for familiarity of use rather than a bolt or semi-auto. The semi-auto will use a lot more ammo IMHO also. Then if you want branch out to other calibers/firearms after the basics of becoming an accomplished rifleman are achieved. You said that you reloaded in the past. This will help you shoot your rifles with less expense if you reload for them. The 300 is OK to reload but the cases do not have as long a life as the 308 when reloaded and are a bit trickier to assemble but mine work well with 180 grain core-Loct bullets. Ammo and dies are available for both presently and I would get both if I planned on reloading someday.
Welcome to the forum BTW.

 

[jmr40]

No way I'd not keep those guns and use them. Down the road you may decide to buy newer more modern guns but those would always have a place in my safe and would get used.

I have a few shotguns and 1 revolver belonging to my grandfather and great grandfather. Unfortuntely they were cheap budget guns over 100 years ago and are no longer safe to use. But I do own a pre WW-2 FN made double my dad "liberated" from a German town during 1945 right after the war ended. He mailed it home for $1.25. It is not my primary shotgun, but it still goes duck hunting at least once with each year with safe non-toxic shot.

 

[MrDig]

If they are in shooting condition shoot them, you will have a connection to you Grandfather that cannot be duplicated.
I also agree that starting out with a .22 cal for your son would be a good idea, and or a .410 possibly a 30-30 but the .22 is the least expensive of the three options.

 

[lobo9er]

i have taken my grandpa's '71 ithaca 37 slug gun out every year for deer. I didn't get to hunt with him but get to think about him everytime it goes out in the field with me. I can't think of a better shotgun on the planet to be using hunting.

 

[lobo9er]

RC makes a good point maybe better not to learn on though.

 

[rskent]

Jeremy I don’t mean to be a buzz kill but I believe where live are you are going to need a shotgun if you want to go deer hunting.
You might want to check it out. Other than that, shoot the guns.