Something to hand down.

D

Drummer101

New member
I come from a family that does not really support firearms and also does not really have anything in the way of family heirlooms...

I am currently in college and it is my hope that I have something that I can pass down to my kids with pride that I have used all my life.

Nice rifle seems to fit the bill (hunting rifle for the most part, deer, hog, elk (dreaming) ect.).

Now I have to shoot lefty because of my eyes and want it to be ambidextrous as possible and also want a caliber that will still be around decades to come.

1.5 MOA would be plenty, 1 MOA really really good. 2 MOA if I have to...

My choice was a 30-06 in either a single shot, lever action or semi auto.

Semi auto:
Browning Bar Safari without BOSS (hear about iffy accuracy and kind of heavy)

Lever:
Browning BLR take down
Marlin 1895 GBL (but I hear of iffy build quality as of late so I am not too keen on it).

Single shot:
Ruger No. 1 Tropical in 30-06 or 45-70 (I like the style of the tropical, not the others. But I hear about iffy accuracy).

Any thoughts?

Highest on my list so far is the BLR...
 
Ever thought of a CMP M1 Garand. A real piece of history. Based on being a college guy, by the time you're ready to give it to your grandkids, CMP will be out.

I have guns from each of my grandfathers to hand down. I also will start my own with my S&W Model 28 I was issued when I was LE and it was given to me by the department when I retired.

For one starting out, the Garand w/its history would be a winner. If you get one now, you'll be getting one on the Garands 75 Birthday. Keep the paper work that you get from CMP with the rifle for an added benifit.
 
Having never shot left handed, I can't put myself in your position. Depending on what condition your eyes are in, I would recommend that you still pick up a right handed rifle with a decent scope on it and shoot right handed (sounds like you are right handed) unless you have lost sight in your right eye.

My recommendation would be a Savage Model 111 Lightweight Hunter, nice walnut stock and very good blueing. Excelent accurate rifle. Not a semi-auto but a bolt action rifle. Can be purchased in 30-06 Springfield, but I would recommend the one in 270 Winchester unless you expect to hunt bear with it.

They do have left handed rifles, but without the American Walnut stocks.

And since you are still in College, you will find their rifles to be well within you budget.

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/#

Take a look at the 110 GLXP3 Package Series Rifle.

Jim
 
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I respect the M1 Garand a lot but I had one and I did not much care for it (think I got a dud)...

I would prefer to buy new rather than used or surplus on this occasion.

I am still open to ideas.

But in terms of being a lefty, I can not see out of my right eye basically.

I do not care for right handed bolts because in field positions it is basically a single shot in which case I would get a single shot...
 
Have you concidered a T/C Encore? The Pro Hunter model comes with a swiveling hammer to make it ambidextrous. Should meet your accuracy requirements also.
 
RUGER #1! Fits your criteria perfect. It is ambidextrous and beautiful. As good as a T/C Encore is, it just doesn't say heirloom like a #1 does. Get a 1-A in either 30-06 or 270 and be done with it. Also, look around on Gunbroker for one. Find a good used one with nice figured wood on the stock. Trust me, you will fall in love. Don't believe all the internet stuff about how in-accurate they are. They are easily under 2 moa which is plenty good for hunting. Remember, this is one that you want to pass down to your kids, go with the #1.
 
My choice was a 30-06 in either a single shot, lever action or semi auto.

Semi auto:
Browning Bar Safari without BOSS (hear about iffy accuracy and kind of heavy)

Lever:
Browning BLR take down
Marlin 1895 GBL (but I hear of iffy build quality as of late so I am not too keen on it).

Single shot:
Ruger No. 1 Tropical in 30-06 or 45-70 (I like the style of the tropical, not the others. But I hear about iffy accuracy).
Click to expand...

Yes. Put me in your Will for that Ruger Tropical 30-06. Thanks!:D
 
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I have three (3) sons.

For the past 2 decades, I've been collecting firearms with a goal of passing them down to my boys. The boys have learned to shoot - and generally enjoy going to the range, together. We spend most of our time with the .22s - but occasionally shoot trap or long-range rifle.

We have:
- 3 rimfire rifles (.22s) -- a Winchester, a Remington, and a Marlin
- 3 shotguns (12 ga) -- a Winchester, a Remington, and a Beretta
- 2 centerfires --- a Winchester, a Remington, and working on #3

That said - my collection has 3 Winchesters, 3 Remingtons, and will have 3 "others."

My "favorite son" (yes - I have a favorite) will receive the Winchesters.
Another son will get the 3 Remingtons.
The final son will get the 3 others.

Lest you think I short-changed any of them --- "Other" includes a custom Beretta A302.

I told my favorite that he should always ask for the Winchesters (I have some brand loyalty, as well).
 
Highest on your list would be the BLR for me also.

Have you looked at the Browning designed M-1885? A falling block like the Ruger, but considered by some to be nicer. Gunbroker has 3 pages of them for sale including a beautiful Browning built High Wall in 45-70 :)
 
another option...

limited editions...

often go for reasonable prices selling down the road...

I just bought a very early Rossi lever action, fully engraved nicely blued gun, with extra grade wood... mine was unfired ( or so lightly fired as it looked unfired ) I bought it for cowboy action shooting, & paid less than a brand new "plain" one which has no where near the build quality of my pre safety model... the lever action type of rifle ( marlins, winchesters etc. ) contains more limited edition models than probably any other... most all should shoot better than their cheaply made new counterparts, & often they are unfired & not much if any more money than a new rifle & are generally thought of as more ambidextrious than a bolt action ( for example )

also last year I bought a stainless extra grade wood Remington 700 "100th aniversary of the 30-06 cartridge" model gun... a nice looking stainless & walnut bolt action rifle, that was also unfired... traded another used / blued remington 700 & a cheap chinese lever action shotgun ( I think I got an awesome deal ) I haven't shot that gun, but only because it has no sights & never had a scope mounted on it, & I have several other 30-06 rifles... in reality I traded for less than a new Remington 700 would cost...

for sure the Remington, & any number of limited edition Winchesters or Marlins would be guns to pass down... & if it's a common model... go ahead & shoot it... an extra classy rifle at a new "lesser quality" rifle price
 
Drummer, find the weapon YOU want. The rifle will be only a part of the memories you create with your future children. If you do your part, they will love whatever rifle you leave behind, not because of what it is or what caliber it shoots, but because it belonged to a good dad.
 
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