This old gun

[Alex4200]

Looking for opinions on what to do with this gun. For bit of history. This is my dad's old hunting rifle. It is a beast weighing in at close to 11 1/2 pounds. Has a 24" barrel. 30.06 Caliber. Standard enfield trigger. 4x Leopold scope. I inherited it 35 years ago when he passed away. Have only shot it once in the last 35 years. No one else in the family is interested in it.

I have narrowed the options of what I am going to do with it down to three.

First option - do nothing, in which case I will most likely sell it and use the proceeds to get more of a varmit gun.

Second option - get the trigger tuned up and put a nicer scope on it and turn it into a long range shooter/coyote gun. Yes, a 30.06 can be a long range gun. We spent one summer shooting metallic silloettes and easily made offhand shots at 400 meters with this gun.

Third option - upgrade the caliber to something more substantial. I just haven't decided what yet. Would like to stay with something that is commercially available. Spent a fair amount of time when I was younger at the reloading bench and not really interested in working with wildcat rounds.

I am interested on hearing some opinions that maybe I haven't considered yet. So let's hear what you would do if this was your gun.

[jay.sharkbait]

375 H&H
458 Lott
300 WM
300 Norma

The P17 will take just about anything.

I dig the old military stuff

[Lefty315]

Keep it as it is and shoot it and/or hunt with it from time to time.

[bobcat]

Option number two, as long as the bore is still in good shape. Put a Timney trigger in it, and maybe an aftermarket stock. I like Boyd's laminated stocks.

[csaaphill]

yeah keep it and do the trigger thing and hunt with it!

[Alex4200]

I probably should have mentioned my go to deer/elk gun is a Rem 700 BDL in 30.06 that was given to me for my HS graduation gift some 40 years ago by my dad.

[Whitelightning]

I would say keep it, do the trigger if you want too, there is something special about having lost loved ones firearms with you while hunting.

[JakeLand]

I would say keep it, do the trigger if you want too, there is something special about having lost loved ones firearms with you while hunting.

[Alchase]

If you are not going to hunt it, I would keep it just like your Dad had it, and mount it somewhere significant, over the fireplace man cave, out of respect and memory of your Dad.

[jay.sharkbait]

If you are not going to hunt it, I would keep it just like your Dad had it, and mount it somewhere significant, over the fireplace man cave, out of respect and memory of your Dad.

Yes, I think you would be crazy to sell it.

Those old sporters come from an era that will never be seen again and when you combine that with it being a family heirloom it's just something that can't be sold in my book.

[grundy53]

If you are not going to hunt it, I would keep it just like your Dad had it, and mount it somewhere significant, over the fireplace man cave, out of respect and memory of your Dad.

Yes, I think you would be crazy to sell it.

Those old sporters come from an era that will never be seen again and when you combine that with it being a family heirloom it's just something that can't be sold in my book.

Agreed

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[yorketransport]

Keep it and try to hunt with it at least once a year when the weather cooperates. I love a gun with some character and history.


I don't have any of my own so I bought somebody else's and I'm giving it a good home for a while before I tear it apart and turn it into something stupid like a 22-'06 improved.

[garrett89]

Keep anything passed down or inherited. Sentimental value is greater in my opinion. At worst if you have kids/plan to have them you have something to pass down. Shoot coyotes with it I guess.

[Bofire]

  and I bet it has never been registered!!! a good thing these days
Carl

[jay.sharkbait]

Keep it and try to hunt with it at least once a year when the weather cooperates. I love a gun with some character and history.


I don't have any of my own so I bought somebody else's and I'm giving it a good home for a while before I tear it apart and turn it into something stupid like a 22-'06 improved.

For the love of God don't molest that!

[Alex4200]

I am enjoying reading these comments. Really leaning toward making this a dedicated coyote gun. Although, since the state is hell bent on bringing grizzlies to the north cascades something in .375 might be nice. (Oops, did I say that out loud)

[yorketransport]

Keep it and try to hunt with it at least once a year when the weather cooperates. I love a gun with some character and history.


I don't have any of my own so I bought somebody else's and I'm giving it a good home for a while before I tear it apart and turn it into something stupid like a 22-'06 improved.

For the love of God don't molest that!

It's safe for now. I need a rifle to test .358 rifle bullets so it should be good for at least a couple more weeks.

[HighlandLofts]

Other then minor things I'd leave like it is, if you do a redo on it or make something else out of it you'll regret it down the road.

Most of us that had handed down firearms and either sold them, traded them or altered them regret it.


ONCE GONE/ALWAYS GONE!

[Trapmark]

It shot well off hand in part due to the weight.  Keep it and take it out now and then.

[JL]

I hope you do nothing to it and don't let it go. If you don't have any direct family to pass it down to, than I hope one day you pass it on to a young hunter that will learn the sport with it. Otherwise, cross the river with that beast!

[Browndawg]

You have to hang on to it. I've got a few heirloom firearms and hope someday I've got some grandkids to pass them down to.