Classic rifles in the field

[Ghostcoyote]

Cool rifle!

What are you running for an alloy? and what's your rifle weight?

I've got a Win .40-70 (2.4" case) in an 1885 High-Wall that I used for silhouette. I've also got a Shiloh #1 in .45-100 (2.6") and another 1885 in .45-90 (2.4") that I shot long range and buff matches with. All of my were put together for match use with exhibition grade wood etc. So, not "safe queens" but not roughing it either. All of mine were built to maximize the allowed match weights, so my 74 comes in at 13+ and the .40 and .45-90 come in at just over 12lbs. Makes it steady for off-hand and you don't get beat to crap after a 60 rd match.

I use Starline brass for all of mine, the .40-70 is necked down .45-90. With Swiss 1.5 I get 1330 or so with a .408 410 grain in 20-1. Screaming for a BPCR loaded with BP!

I had a C-Sharps 1875 with a 34" "sporter" weight barrel in .45-70 that I should have shot something with, it was closer to an actual hunting rifle. It moved on because shooting a match with 550 grainers out of that light gun wore me out by the end of the day.

Currently running 300 gr. Hawk bullets. Haven't weighed her. It's a 28" shorter barrel since I purchased for hunting. Buying molds soon. I have an old 40-65 wcf mold dropping 252 grainers. To light for my 1874 but will be perfect for my arriving 1886 winchester. Been gathering and learning all I can on 400 grain cast bullet designs. Shopping lube sizing presses as well.

 

[Chuck R.]

Currently running 300 gr. Hawk bullets. Haven't weighed her. It's a 28" shorter barrel since I purchased for hunting. Buying molds soon. I have an old 40-65 wcf mold dropping 252 grainers. To light for my 1874 but will be perfect for my arriving 1886 winchester. Been gathering and learning all I can on 400 grain cast bullet designs. Shopping lube sizing presses as well.

Skip the lube-sizer and research "pan lubing". It's actually better as long as your mold spits a round bullet and it's a lot faster.

 

[Ghostcoyote]

Skip the lube-sizer and research "pan lubing". It's actually better as long as your mold spits a round bullet and it's a lot faster.

Thanks, that's really good Intel. I've been reloading since I was a teen but only cast bullet experience I had was for smoke poles. I did pan lubing with those old mini ball rounds. That's why I like these old rifles, they keep me engaged. Again thanks.

 

[22250Rem]

Based on that Mosin in post #28 I figure they are qualified as classic rifles for this thread topic. Been trying to fill a deer tag with mine the last couple seasons but it only gets out when I hunt the rifle zone and even then I alternate among different rifles. Haven't had this one in hand yet when the deer show up. Filled an antlerless tag last Nov. when it was the Marlin '30-30's turn in the rotation. Perhaps this fall the Mosin will be in the right place at the right time. It's ready to go with a no gunsmithing scout scope mount to help my aging eyes and avoid any "Bubba" type modifications. Here's a shot of it in the woods in Nov. 2020; the first year it got out deer hunting. Its favorite handload launches a 150 gr. soft point over the chrono at about 2880 fps which is just about what Russian Mil-Surp ammo does velocity-wise. All I need now is a legal deer in the crosshairs this coming fall. Perhaps if I use this one exclusively in the rifle zone this year I could make it happen.

 

[kingfish76]

Small ring mauser chambered in 243

 

[Ghostcoyote]

Skip the lube-sizer and research "pan lubing". It's actually better as long as your mold spits a round bullet and it's a lot faster.

It was here when I got home from work.

 

[M65Man]

Mod 64 Win made in 1971 in 30-30 Win. It's a NRA 100 year commemorative.

 

[M65Man]

Marlin 30-30 made in 1977, I got from a buddy in 81, who bought it new.

 

[M65Man]

Well the Marlins made plenty meat, the 64 has done fine since I got it! Haven't blooded this one yet, but its really an apparent rare classic. One that makes me smile every time I think about sitting on a log in the deer woods! It's actually IMO, a rifle that's made the Sakos kinda bow to! A Tikka(when Tikka was original, before Sako got them) made in 1975, 30-06, and I've got the Warne QD rings and mounts, so I can also use the fine iron sights! I've yet to kill a deer with a scope, but my old eyes are asking for help!
It's an Ithaca LSA65 which means made in Finland Mod65 Tikka! Laugh if you want, but I doubt I'd trade it to a Mod 70! It's a jewel!

 

[Ghostcoyote]

Mod 64 Win made in 1971 in 30-30 Win. It's a NRA 100 year commemorative. View attachment 1071146

Love them levers! Still get the job done and very effective.

 

[M65Man]

Ya, I love em, and almost feel guilty getting a scoped bolt gun, but my eyes are lacking. I didn't say nothing about quitting em yet!
I'd love to heat the details on yours, fine looking rifle!

 

[Ghostcoyote]

Ya, I love em, and almost feel guilty getting a scoped bolt gun, but my eyes are lacking. I didn't say nothing about quitting em yet!
I'd love to heat the details on yours, fine looking rifle!

I catches all of us. Got me at 50. Light prescription but still limiting. So I just get closer when I can. I'm in Ohio so bottleneck cartridges are out of play but a .375 wcf is a 300 yard gun. They have their games and I have mine.

 

[M65Man]

Ah Ha, 375, Great cartridge! I've wanted a 375 BB, but before that I've had an infatuation with the old 38-55, but have never found one. One time planned on buying a new one, and setup for cast bullets, but never spilled the $. I just buy local guns, what comes my way. If a 375 comes around reasonable I'll get it!
That bottleneck business makes about as much sense as a safety on a ready safe levergun. But can't help it.
I like your rifle, good luck with it!

 

[M65Man]

Dropped him like a wet dish rag with the tang sight. Got the barrel sight set at 100yds, and can fold it and the tang sight zeroed at 175yds with the Hornady ftx.

 

[Ghostcoyote]

Ah Ha, 375, Great cartridge! I've wanted a 375 BB, but before that I've had an infatuation with the old 38-55, but have never found one. One time planned on buying a new one, and setup for cast bullets, but never spilled the $. I just buy local guns, what comes my way. If a 375 comes around reasonable I'll get it!
That bottleneck business makes about as much sense as a safety on a ready safe levergun. But can't help it.
I like your rifle, good luck with it!

Agreed!

 

[Ghostcoyote]

Ah Ha, 375, Great cartridge! I've wanted a 375 BB, but before that I've had an infatuation with the old 38-55, but have never found one. One time planned on buying a new one, and setup for cast bullets, but never spilled the $. I just buy local guns, what comes my way. If a 375 comes around reasonable I'll get it!
That bottleneck business makes about as much sense as a safety on a ready safe levergun. But can't help it.
I like your rifle, good luck with it!

Lost a winchester 94 big bore on Gunbroker last week over $50.00.
It wasn't spotless I went to grand even and stopped. The dam thing was only worth $850 to $900.00.

 

[Ghostcoyote]

Ah Ha, 375, Great cartridge! I've wanted a 375 BB, but before that I've had an infatuation with the old 38-55, but have never found one. One time planned on buying a new one, and setup for cast bullets, but never spilled the $. I just buy local guns, what comes my way. If a 375 comes around reasonable I'll get it!
That bottleneck business makes about as much sense as a safety on a ready safe levergun. But can't help it.
I like your rifle, good luck with it!

Spoke with ruger/marlin earlier this year. The fella said he would push it up the chain on the 375 wcf. I told him we don't need any more new marketing cartridges.

 

[M65Man]

The old 40-72 would be great cartridge for deer, like one in the 1895, Townsend Whelens favorite rig until the dawn of the bolt action.

 

[Boattale]

I'm 70 and not an open sight 70 either. Been using my scoped M-77 for everything since I got it. But come November, I'm taking this one out. It was made by Husqvarna in 1944. The red dot sits where the rear sight used to live. It can go back on anytime, but for now this set up makes the rifle actually usable to me.

 

[Ghostcoyote]

I'm 70 and not an open sight 70 either. Been using my scoped M-77 for everything since I got it. But come November, I'm taking this one out. It was made by Husqvarna in 1944. The red dot sits where the rear sight used to live. It can go back on anytime, but for now this set up makes the rifle actually usable to me.



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[9x56MS]

I'm 70 and not an open sight 70 either. Been using my scoped M-77 for everything since I got it. But come November, I'm taking this one out. It was made by Husqvarna in 1944. The red dot sits where the rear sight used to live. It can go back on anytime, but for now this set up makes the rifle actually usable to me.



View attachment 1071456

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Good luck filling your tag with a great old rifle. They really don’t make them like that anymore but I am sure I don’t need to tell you that sir.

 

[Ghostcoyote]

Good luck filling your tag with a great old rifle. They really don’t make them like that anymore but I am sure I don’t need to tell you that sir.

Thank you and I aim to do just that. It's going to be a fun journey.

 

[9x56MS]

There is a special satisfaction in taking game with these old classic rifles. I recently aquired a 7x57 Mauser hunting rifle proofed in Germany in 1940 that I will be returning to the game fields this fall.

 

[troy fairweather]

There is a special satisfaction in taking game with these old classic rifles. I recently aquired a 7x57 Mauser hunting rifle proofed in Germany in 1940 that I will be returning to the game fields this fall.

Need pictures man, 1940 is a good year for a mauser. 7mauser is a dream to use in the woods, almost like it was Designed for 150-180 pound game lol.

 

[9x56MS]