What sporting rifles have achieved cult status?

[mtelkhntr]

For me the Savage 99's for sure and on the Sako side, left hand AV's.

 

[rburg]

Borrowed Grand Dad's 71 for deer season this year ... jumped on gun broker to look for his own, and quickly returned it when he saw the prices.... thought I think it has his name on it now.

The last part is pretty common. Grand dad's are easy like that. We put on an act of resistance, but its pretty transparent. We also know we're not going to last forever, and we prefer to pass things along. We just want the illusion that its our decison, when we know good and well we lack control over such things. Maybe we fear someone helping things along or moving the time table up!

I had such a gun in the past. It was my grandfathers Springfield (1873). I kind of adopted it when I was about 16. I loved that gun. There was no question who wanted it most. So I took it when we got married. I kept it for a fair period of time. But a few years back I was disposing of a bunch of guns. Its going to my grandson, in the temporary care of my youngest. The gun wasn't my dad's, it wasn't mine, and its not my son's. Its his son's, until it can be passed along properly.

Unless severe financial stress gets in the way, guns seem to pass down like that. Its an ancient American tradition. Few Grandsons ever do anything bad with Grandpa's gun. Its not allowed to rust, sit dirty, or get some foolish refinish. I guarantee it'll never be loaned out, grandson's just don't do that.

 

[Eltioloco]

I think it depends on what era you are talking about and also what part of the country or even what country you are in. I guess you could do a time line starting with the Kentucky rifle and ending with the Remington 700, hitting all the high points along the way.

My favorite sporting rifle is the ones that Griffin & Howe built.
Here is a .22 Hornet made from a 1922 Springfield.
Ken

 

[chud333]

It's a small cult but the .22 shooters just love them. The 452s have had trigger kits available for a while now. just start a thread asking which .22 you should buy and 80% of the replies will be "Get a CZ".

I have a CZ bolt gun in .17 rimfire that i would'nt trade for nothing. A flat-out tack driver..

 

[Cooter Brown]

Eltioloco, that G&H 22 Hornet is a VERY nice rifle. Just superb in every way! I've never seen one of those and almost wish I hadn't! Outstanding!

You stole my thunder a little bit--I was gonna say a Griffin and Howe Springfield, let's say in 30-06. That and the Mannlicher Shonauer were Hemingway's two main African Rifles. I've got a tearjerker of a story of a great deal I missed on a high condition G&H Springfield because I hesitated for a couple of hours.

I'll add the Marlin 39A, particularly the older ones, and particularly right now the Mountie variation.

Nice stuff here, fellers.

 

[armadillo]

If it's not too much to ask, I have a 16yr old son, who would get in that line... Borrowed Grand Dad's 71 for deer season this year (he decided it was to "easy" to shoot em 200yd out with his 25-06) and it was love at first sight... jumped on gun broker to look for his own, and quickly returned it when he saw the prices.... thought I think it has his name on it now.

The Winchester 71 is my choice too. I once had 3 of them. I have 1 left for myself and gave 1 to my son - who appreciates it as much as I do.

 

[VAdoublegunner]

Judging from what I'm seeing at gun shows over the last few years, high quality classic sporting bolt action .22s from the 30s through the 50s are becoming a bit cult-y.

Try finding a good quality Win 69a for a reasonable price!

This is completely understandable, of course...who doesn't like a good 22!

 

[brucev]

I'd like to add the Remington 700

Yes. Yesterday I put my beloved 1985 Remington 700 Left-Hand .30-06 on consignment at the LGS. I asked him what price to set. He said, given the condition and quality of the rifle/wood, etc., $500. Only God knows how many rounds have gone down that barrel. When first bought, it would shoot several loads into 1 inch at 100 yds. Last time I checked the zero, it produced less than 1 inch groups with plain Jane Remington factory ammunition. The shop owner said he knew of a number of folks who would be interested in my rifle... and that it would not sit long on the shelf. For my part... I'll hunt next year w/ a Smith Corona 1903-A3... or a M-1 Garand w/ a scout scope.

 

[gregintenn]

88 Winchester
100 Winchester
1920 Savage
24 Savage
1894 Marlin
#1 Ruger
92 Winchester

 

[sceva]

Kimber of Oregon rifles are pretty much of a cult item, and I know I shoot mine, even though I have a couple of "One of A Kind" Kimbers. Best,Gary

+++111 on the Kimber of Oregon (pre 1990 Kimbers)

I have one of the 535 S-Series Supergrade 22 rimfires they made.

I don't have one (yet) But I would place the Win 52 sporter and the 63 in cult status also.

 

[Wyo]

.50 Cal. rifles of almost any brand and let's not forget the Browning SA-22, especially the early Belgian rifles.

 

[hittman77]

Remington Nylon 66 ~ especially the black and chrome model.

 

[keith44spl]

Well Boys,
I'm late to the party as usual...Didn't bring any pictures or dough.

But, I'm kinda diggin' my lit'l gaggle of cult favorites that I'm a usin' fer nows,

The Winchesters,
'86 45-70
71 .384
70 .300 Win Mag. (pre-64)

Browning .22 Auto - grade III (Belguim)
Marlin 39 or two.
Aw, maybe a couple of Kimber...One in .22LR and another in .257 Roberts.

Su Amigo,
Dave

 

[ogilvyspecial]

If it's not too much to ask, I have a 16yr old son, who would get in that line... Borrowed Grand Dad's 71 for deer season this year (he decided it was to "easy" to shoot em 200yd out with his 25-06) and it was love at first sight... jumped on gun broker to look for his own, and quickly returned it when he saw the prices.... thought I think it has his name on it now.

DL, it sounds as if your son has good taste, maybe it's the Michigan in him.

Below is a shot of my Grandparents, with my oldest 71. This one has a serial no. just over 100.
The other one I have was my Dad's and that's in the middle four digit range.

In the picture my Grandmother is holding an Ermine, which I still have right here in this room.
The mount has definitely seen better days but it'll be around as long as I am.

My Grandfather shot that Weasel, with of all things, his 71.
He said it was running along the trunk of an old downed tree and he purposely shot under it.
The term he always used when telling that story was that "He barked it."

 

[A10]

Seems that those little Winchester pump .22's are a bit hard to come by these days. Not all that many years ago you'd see several in any gunshop, and find them for less than a hundred bucks. I always thought they were a slick little shooter, but never picked one up. My brother has my dad's.

 

[bushmaster1313]

I'll hunt next year w/ a Smith Corona

How close do you have to get to a deer to hit it with a typewriter?