Author Topic: Got my old .30-06 out of the safe today...... (Read 1217 times)

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **on:** October 27, 2009, 01:39:20 PM »

While considering what guns to take if I get to make a trip to the east coast, I thought of my old custom .30-06. The gun belonged to my Grandfather, and a very good friend restocked the model 54 with a modern style stock in the middle 1960's. It has an old Balvar 2.5-8 scope on it with the adjustments in the base...
For probably 10 years it was my main gun. Shot varmits, deer, bear, and even hunted turkey with it. But in those days, the big birds were far and few between.
I did not carry it on my first deer hunt 50 years ago, but Grandfather did, so I decided to give it a chance....

The last big game I shot with is was in 1982; it took a doe antelope...

Had 3 bx. of Win. brass and the loading data said IMR 4350 and 150 grain Horn . BTSP.. They were loaded in 1986..

At the range the first round hit 2.5 inches high and slightly right, the next a bit low, and the 3rd right beside the first. Not bad for a gun that hasn't been shot for at least 10 years and ammo 24 years old..... I guess everything else is a go.. Hopefully, I will see if this old gun can still take a deer or not.

When I was a kid, the old rifle had a reputation as a straight shooter, several local guys borrowed it to kill their bucks after Grandfather was finished...... $:-\$

Sourdough · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2009, 01:47:05 PM »

Good Caliber, and I'm sure if you do your part, it will take game.

Brithunter · « **Reply #2 on:** October 30, 2009, 01:02:38 AM »

We wait for the report with baited breathe

Oh it sounds like a nice rifle too

rickt300 · « **Reply #3 on:** October 30, 2009, 04:46:32 AM »

I started with a 270 but was mostly into varmints and targets. My second rifle was a 30-06 which I still have. Anyone would be proud if they had the hunting history behind them that I have with this rifle. I notice lately that I now have 3 30-06 rifles and an action ready to be barreled to 30-06. 30-06's are sneaking up on me!

mjbgalt · « **Reply #4 on:** October 30, 2009, 02:30:49 PM »

brit, i have to bust yer stones on this one...

"bated breath" is the correct term. i learned this the hard way once when i worked at a newspaper and someone called in and left a message on our machine.

we came in to hear it playing, "so, are you planning on baiting your breath with worms or minnows? if not maybe you could put b-a-t-e-d like the dictionary says."

we had a good laugh at the editor, who had written the story.

funny what can trigger those memories...

-Matt

Brithunter · « **Reply #5 on:** October 31, 2009, 12:03:00 AM »

Err OK I'll admit that yep I got kicked out of English

Maths too for that matter. I did a book report as requested but chose a modern award winning book and they refused to accept it so i told her that if she didn't accept it and grade it then well she wouldn't get anymore of them and we were supposed to do six of them through the year. And yep she wouldn't take it so I didn't do any more.

Maths well our teacher was a brain box and one mornign he came iton first lesson like a bear with a bad head. Talk about dictator and he didn't appeciate when I said he was acting like a little Hitler and started rantign just like Hilter so I gave him the salute and he threw me out

.

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** October 31, 2009, 01:00:22 AM »

I was shooting my .30-06 just yesterday. It's my favorite bolt gun caliber.

jro45 · « **Reply #7 on:** October 31, 2009, 03:13:50 AM »

I got my 30/06 out of my safe about two months ago I fired 20 rounds threw it it was nice to hold it and shoot it to point of aim.

Dave in WV · « **Reply #8 on:** October 31, 2009, 05:20:05 AM »

Wyo. Coyote Hunter , sounds like you're going to be hunting with a classic rife. Where are you going to be hunting?

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** October 31, 2009, 07:46:06 AM »

Dave, we usually hunt in central Pa. I used to hunt a great deal in W. Va. but that has be subdivided to death...

It was great hunting. W. Va. is a truely beautiful state.. It is hard for me to accept what has been happening to it in the last fifteen years... $:-\$ Pa. still has some deer, but the hunting ground is more restricted each season. Have family there so, it is nice to visit... Hope you have a great season... Do you do any fall turkey hunting in your section of W. Va.

?

Dave in WV · « **Reply #10 on:** October 31, 2009, 04:44:10 PM »

There is not a fall turkey in the counties I have access to hunting land. Glad you enjoyed coming here. Have a great season. Dave

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2009, 08:01:59 AM »

Well Clean the rifle before you go. Glad also you tried some of your reloads .
Fella came up here a few years ago to hunt bear !! He came to my door , being advised I could maybe track that bear for him .
He had shot the bear right shoulder and broke the leg bone . New Abolt rifle , new equipment , Week off Work , and rented a cabin , and TEN YEAR OLD + 3006 Cartridges !!!!!!
Well the bear went to water and was not seen that season ( We do see the odd bear on three ).
Just Maybe !!! if those were fresh shells . Maybe then by the looks of thee paw print - A 400+ Black bear !!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2009, 09:10:09 AM »

Quite a story... I used this old 06 on my first bear in Ont. near Bancroft.

In those days, I did not keep shells long enough for them to be old..... $:-\$ $:-\$ I shot the 06 all the time. If game was not in season, then I shot woodchucks, foxes and crows...

Does Ont. still have a have a spring bear season?

I only hunted there one time, but had a great trip.. I suppose like everywhere it is greatly changed... Oh, I cleaned my rifle the evening I fired it.. I seldom leave a rifle with a dirty bore even over nite..

Swampman · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2009, 10:29:48 AM »

I wouldn't clean a rifle before or during hunting season. It isn't necessary & it ruins your accuracy.

Brithunter · « **Reply #14 on:** November 01, 2009, 01:53:38 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on November 01, 2009, 10:29:48 AM

I wouldn't clean a rifle before or during hunting season. It isn't necessary & it ruins your accuracy.

well if I am a long way from home and for a period of more than a few days I always take cleaning materials and a rod

in fact back in 2003 on my Missouri trip I cleaned the rifle before putting in it's case and fired 3 shots to verify zero the day before the season opened on the farm in Missori and we had frost and later rain during the 9 days we hunted and my kit was borrowed by one of the others hunting to clean out his stainless Weatherby MkV and I also wiped mine through to get the wet out of the bore. Leaving it to rust would most certainly have affected the accuracy

.

I always verify zero before using a rifle for hunting

.

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** November 01, 2009, 02:05:33 PM »

A clean rifle will shoot all over the place. Since the advent of non-corrosive primers once a year is enough.

Brithunter · « **Reply #16 on:** November 01, 2009, 04:38:55 PM »

Quote from: Swampman on November 01, 2009, 02:05:33 PM

A clean rifle will shoot all over the place. Since the advent of non-corrosive primers once a year is enough.

Hmmm perhaps your Remingtons will

Oh boy I couldn't miss that opertunity

So swampy your saying that NC primers will stop rust from a rain soaked gun, in the bore I mean

, the wet and moisture will have no effect due to using NC primers?

somehow I don't think so

.

And another thing it seems according to you using NC primers also negates or totally stops copper fouling

no matter how many rounds your fire through the barrel in one year.

Hmmm I think not and you have just made an ass of yourself ..................................... once again

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #17 on:** November 02, 2009, 03:12:45 AM »

Brith, I have decided to ignore statements about not cleaning rifles, and that rifles don't shoot into the group with a cold clean barrel. Honestly I have heard this many times, and have had a couple rifles out of hundreds that were that way. They do not live in my gun safe. When I was hunting woodchucks everyday, I put Hoppe's in the barrel each eve. after shooting, wiped it with another wet patch the next morn. and wiped it dry and hunted again. Those chuck rifles shot perfect with a barrel cleaned in this manner. I shot my 25-06, .220 Swift, .222, 358, .25-35, .300 Sav. 30-30, 300 Win., 300 Wea. and .340 Wea. this fall to check where each shot the first shot from a cold clean bore. All but the 358, .300 Sav. and 30-30 are custom barreled.. All shot to the point of aim or with in the normal group. Not cleaning one's rifle after use is either lazy or something else. For my own use, a good clean rifle is the way to go.

Swampman · « **Reply #18 on:** November 02, 2009, 04:36:01 AM »

I don't get rain in the bore. If you wish to continue the ancient and unlearned practice of cleaning every day that's up to you. It's a waste of time and ruins your accuracy. I finally got my buddy to stop and now he can actually shoot a group.........novices.......grrrrrrrrr!

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #19 on:** November 02, 2009, 05:14:18 AM »

Quote from: Wyo. Coyote Hunter on November 01, 2009, 09:10:09 AM

Quite a story... I used this old 06 on my first bear in Ont. near Bancroft. In those days, I did not keep shells long enough for them to be old..... $:-\$ $:-\$ I shot the 06 all the time. If game was not in season, then I shot woodchucks, foxes and crows... Does Ont. still have a have a spring bear season? I only hunted there one time, but had a great trip.. I suppose like everywhere it is greatly changed... Oh, I cleaned my rifle the evening I fired it.. I seldom leave a rifle with a dirty bore even over nite..

There is no spring bear hunt in Ontario for many years now . Since then there have been more problems with bears coming into contact with people than ever before . The fall bear hunt has been extended with an early opener , and there is of course a good population to hunt .
I too hunted Bancroft distict ( Mc Arthers Mills ) Many years for deer . Presently I am near North Bay where the main game hunted is Moose .
I suggested you clean your rifle if it was shored all that time with out being used . And should the Ammo be that old maybe some "new" would be in order .
We sighted in my fathers in laws 300 WM with his old ammo and it was five inch's low compared to a fresh box . So buying a new box or rolling your own is indeed a good investment before the hunt .
Happy hunting