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

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[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!