Thread: Our favourite ever firearms..

Raining in Christchurch and they say there'll be snow soon. Feels like it.. The fire's going and this veteran sitting quietly pondering the firearms I enjoyed most over a long career. Am not a collector - more an experimenter - but must have had 100 or so over the decades. If you've done a few years, you've most likely had a few firearms. Often we only find out what our favourites are after we've sold them!!

No accounting for what becomes a favourite - and no real need to. Can be any centrefire/shottie/rimfire that just pressed your buttons. Could be due to superb build quality, price deal, accuracy, rarity, classic value, effectiveness as a field shooter etc... If you've had a few arms, what are are the ones you liked most? - The ones that put a smile on the dial -the ones you'd like to keep, or have back in the closet? Pick say 3-4 and just add a line or too on each telling us why they're a favorite.. For me - I'd pick these:

* My favourite ever centrefire ever was a little Remington 600 (circa 1965), ventilated rib model, in 243. Small, light, deadly in northern bush conditions with its fixed power Leupold, and equally effective and accurate at NZDA competitions. Delightful little rifle - would love another in original condition.

* Winchester 9422 XTR lever action - had a brace of these in 22LR and 22WMR, and to be honest hardly put a shot through them. Beautiful wee rifles in classic american style, and appreciating collector pieces now. Just plain fun to play with and look at..

* SKB 12g under and over with early synthetic stock. This was the ideal shottie for me as a youngster doing 12g competition shooting back in the day. Light, nicely balanced for me, pointed beautifully, and not too hard on the shoulder. Did well with it - sold it - and then haven't seen one for decades.. Early Jap 12g and a favourite..

* Marlin model 60DL semiauto 22LR - played with about 10 variants but a couple in particular were superb wee hunters. 14 shots, match rifle accuracy, reliable (if run clean and dry), and very fast. Ideal for high volume and precise bunny control out to 100m, and much fun on the bench. When a little rifle shoots 1/4" on the range with hunting HV ammo, it gets your attention..

Some honorable mentions - My Winchester model 94 30-30cal levers, polished JWs which were so lethal in the field, Browning 12g under and over, and Norinco Em332 (best 22 I ever tested at 100m).

There are some from me - let's hear about yours. Rainy day topic..but a useful one

My old Remington 742 woodsmaster in .308 - had a little 2.5 power leupold on it - great bush rifle -man I miss that rifle - handled like a shotgun -never missed a beat

@mudgripz There's a Mohawk 222 on TM at the moment. I wanted one so badly when I first got my FAL (1979). I used to read Nick Harvey's articles in the Aussie Sporting Shooter and that sparked the lust for one. I think his was in 6mm Rem? I always wanted a .308

My favourite centrefire is the one I just bought; a 1916 .303. I've only had it a few months and it has surpassed my other rifles already.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

My old Remington 742 woodsmaster in .308 - had a little 2.5 power leupold on it - great bush rifle -man I miss that rifle - handled like a shotgun -never missed a beat

one more - my old .303 no 4 target rifle - had 2 grove barrel - stamped US property - full Parkerhale sights - 17 yrs old- got third in c grade Hawkes Bay shoot - won $60 - (weeks pay was $20 ) asked Dad if I could have a few beers with mates out in caravan to celebrate - he came out several hours later and saw our stack of 9 dozen lion white -! when I said you boys could have a beer I did not say the whole fucken pub !- claimed a dozen and buggered of - great time

Love it!! No accounting for the rifles that really push our buttons but we do enjoy them. I like the old 303 Bumble - just got character. A round that probly killed more animals in NZ than all the other calibers put together. Crumpy's day..

My dad had the Remington 760 pump-action in 308 back in the day, and like your model 742 semi Barry it was a gem in the bush - esp for that quick shooting at close range. He next had the Remington 600 in 308 - and it was again a wee beauty. Just ideal for northern hunting conditions - but dam good on range too.

Have had a look at the Remington 600 on trademe. Barrel fairly worn it seems, and 222 more costly to run than my current 223. 222 always was an inherently accurate wee round...Worth thinking about.

Absolutely treasure my old Browning A5.
Fitted a synthetic stock years ago. Beat it to death and managed to fix it a few times. Mate did a quick reblue on it 12 odd months ago and it looks heaps better.
Cant hit clay targets like I used to but that's me.
I do also really like my little.rossi 92 357.
Still in two minds a out the oeg I mounted scout style but havent had it out in anger to put me completely off it a d back to open sights

My EM-332 does tick a few boxes. It was cheap as chips, carries the cursed Norinco name, yet outshoots rifles that cost 5 times the price new. It's a bit if an underdog crossed with a dark horse... That really does it for me.

The old canoe stocked ruger. Picked one up in a gun shop a few weeks ago...it was like coming home.

Our favourites rifles may not be our best firearms for a task - they are just fun to use. Old A5 semiauto shottie by John Browning was a beauty, and he also designed the classic Winchester 94 - great favourite of mine in all its variants. John Browning was one clever man.

Old 303s a good example of what I mean by favourites. Take your old WW1 or WW2 rifle out of the closet, head off for a hunt, and somebody will probly come up - well intentioned - and advise you to go buy the latest Ackley or Creedmore variant. But.. at the end of the day and especially if you put a shot or two through it, there'll be a few chuckles as its put back to bed in the closet. Also 100% true but that a brand new out of the box rifle can be a great favorite for us - often are.

Levers are fun rifles - have enjoyed them for decades. A real fun action to use and they are great for northern bush. Everyone should have one in the closet at some time..

Winchester Featherweight in 30-06.
Bought one second hand about 1983.
Had it for about 20 years.
Sold it as not using much. Regretted straight away.
Had it on behalf at Hunting and Fishing Taupo changed my mind went to pick it up, oh we have sold it.
Wasn't too happy about that. Not sure if pulling a swifty or keeping for some one who knows lesson learnt.
Pretty sure I saw it on the yellow site asked a question but someone hit buy now.
But got another a few years ago also in 30-06.
Like the look, fit and not terribly heavy.

Originally Posted by Barry the hunter

My old Remington 742 woodsmaster in .308 - had a little 2.5 power leupold on it - great bush rifle -man I miss that rifle - handled like a shotgun -never missed a beat

Had exactly the same outfit! Great rig!

Mohawk .308...best rifle I ever had! Why did I sell it! Buggered if I know! Sound familiar guys?

@mudgripz As @grandpamac says; the .303's other name is the 7.7 Rimmed Creedmoor

I've said it before, but you asked, so I'll say it again. Bergara BA13. Hardly a classic rifle, but there's something very appealing to me about single shot rifles. Compactness and simplicity are part of it. With this particular rifle, it's also reassuringly heavy. Obviously, this is also a downside, but despite the plastic stock, it feels solid and well made.

Originally Posted by bumblefoot

@mudgripz There's a Mohawk 222 on TM at the moment. I wanted one so badly when I first got my FAL (1979). I used to read Nick Harvey's articles in the Aussie Sporting Shooter and that sparked the lust for one. I think his was in 6mm Rem? I always wanted a .308

My favourite centrefire is the one I just bought; a 1916 .303. I've only had it a few months and it has surpassed my other rifles already.

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I’ve got a Mohawk .222. No open sights on it unfortunately, and the plastic ‘bottom metal’ has been replaced with some homemade alloy bits. Cool little rifle with its crooked bolt.
One of my favourites, was a 1957 model 1894 Winchester 30-30, in mint condition.
Sold it a few years ago for some reason.
Luckily, another minter has just fallen in my lap.


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