Well, what's next, then

[tominboise]

So I have reached my 6th decade on the planet, and figure I have about 10 good years of serious big game hunting left in me. I hunt in Idaho where the terrain ranges from high sage desert to lung busting mountains. I have a safe full of hunting rifles, including 243 Win, 250 Sav, 25-06, 270 WCF, 7mm-08, 7mm Rem Mag, 308 Win and 30-06. I am contemplating chucking most of them and end up with something like the 243 for deer and antelope and the 7RM for elk, moose and probably sheep if I ever draw the tag.

I don't need the $$ or the safe room. On the other hand, by the time I sell off the rifles, the scopes, the dies, the bullets, the brass, the ammo it would amount to a considerable stash. So maybe then I invest in a nice long range target rifle or two.

Just random thoughts on a Sunday night when it's 97deg F outside. What do you all think?

 

[357Mag]

Tom -

Howdy !

What are the barrel length & twist on your.243 and your .250-3000 ?


With regards,
357Mag

 

[bluealtered]

Well it sounds like your heading to my age, (70's) i have been selling guns that haven't been used for quite awhile but they still have to be cleaned for a few years now. For me since my ability to hunt is winding down i have been going to places that i haven't been for many years and either just hiking and seeing the changes there or hiking and hunting them again.

You have some mighty pretty country in that state, just have fun while you can.

 

[AWS]

Seventy three here, looking at cleaning out the safe also, more to upgrade some of the ones I'm using. Don't sell yourself short, plan to hunt to 100. I just bought a hunting MC last fall, had a ball hunting coyotes on the desert.

The big hand guards are to keep my hands warm as it is in the 20's when I leave the house in the morning.

 

[rjtfroggy]

At 62 I had a back surgery (#7) and thought I just helped to prolong my hunting and fishing, boy was I mistaken. I haven't stepped one foot into the woods since.
Two years later they said they could fix all the leg pain so 1 more surgery, it is now worse than it ever was and I am lucky just to walk down the driveway to get the mail with out pain.
Sold off a half dozen portable tree stands gave one away to a beginning bow hunter and kept one praying for a miracle I guess it aint happening. I am about to sell off all my hunting guns and my lone bow- gave 3 away to friends who had teen agers wanting to start bow hunting.
What I am trying to say in a round about way is take care of your health because there is no garantees in this life, your world can change over night.
Thank God for bench rest other wise I would be stuck home with nothing to do for hobbies or relaxation.

 

[mongo chicago]

I sold what I don't use or need. I am down to 11 pieces total, rifle, shotgun, and handgun. Having a collection is nice but not practical. Now is the time when you may be able to get a premium price.

 

[tominboise]

Tom -

Howdy !

What are the barrel length & twist on your.243 and your .250-3000 ?


With regards,
357Mag

The 243 is a 22", 1-9-1/4" twist; the 250 Savage is 20", 1-10" twist

 

[TheOtherZilla]

73 here. I only big game hunt in certain draw areas here. Don't draw we go to Moab Jeepin. Summers I spend driving around blasting pdawgs and coyotes. Winter, it's wabbits and coyotes. Seems I don't sell guns just buy more. Unless one is a real pig of a shooter then bye bye.

 

[tominboise]

73 here. I only big game hunt in certain draw areas here. Don't draw we go to Moab Jeepin. Summers I spend driving around blasting pdawgs and coyotes. Winter, it's wabbits and coyotes. Seems I don't sell guns just buy more. Unless one is a real pig of a shooter then bye bye.

Yeah, since I can't in good conscience sell reloads, I'd have to shoot up what I have before I sell anything. That'll likely take a few years anyway,....

 

[CaptainMal]

Heat stroke put me down today. Cutting acres of brush in Georgia for food plots and to see. 75 and climbing. Age is a bitch.

 

[K22]

Some thoughts from an "old fart":


1. Don't surrender to old age - don't assume you won't be able to hunt into your 70's and beyond. Something I was taught in the Army many years ago - adapt and overcome.

2. At 73, with degenerative disc problems in my lower back I'm still hunting. Sure I can't do as much as I use to but I'm still at it especially varmint hunting - last year I had "38" ground hog safaris. Only have "9" so far this year due to double hernia surgery in early May so I'm getting a late start. I'm addicted to ghog hunting.

3. Thoughts in the 243 Win - been shooting this caliber since the late 1960's - it was my first center fire rifle. I hunted everything from deer to ground hogs to foxes (no coyotes in my area in those days). I never found it lacking. In those days due to financial limitations I was a one rifle guy. With a simple Redfield 3 x 9 scope and my Model 70 243 Win I had a lot of great hunts and become quite skilled with it. Really started to shine once I started reloading for this caliber.

4. Due to spinal problems I had to unload most of my heavy recoiling rifles but I replaced them with 243's and 223's which are a joy to shoot - cheap to reload. I shoot a lot so having several 223's to spread the barrel wear over works for me. Also by scaling down on the number of calibers I've simplified my reloading and component inventory. Still have 4, 243's that I use mostly for deer hunting and an occasional predator hunt.

5. Nothing wrong with becoming a range shooter - while I still hunt a lot I spend 2 to 3 days a week at the range. I love practical shooting drills practicing off my shooting sticks. I also shoot pistol about 2 times a week. It's all about having fun and getting out.

6. Don't sell any guns that shoot really well and you like shooting - you'll regret it.

Best Wishes on your journey into the senior years of your life.

 

[dedogs]

I just bought a hunting MC last fall, had a ball hunting coyotes on the desert.

Seems like that coyote on the right would be well cooked by the time you got to wherever you were going.

 

[AWS]

He only stayed there till I got to the nearest windmill to skin him. The exhaust isn't very hot on this thing either. Just enough to warm your hands in front of.

 

[284winner]

At nearly 60 I've contemplated the same thoughts. I have guns I'll never use. I only really seem to use those that I've built in the last 15 years. The others are mostly my father's or grandfather's whom both have long passed on. My health is very good. I try to keep it that way. That's not the issue. I don't want to die wondering where all the rifles and guns will end up so I'm passing them off now. Kids, grand kids. I figure why wait. I'm 100% in my right mind and they all can use them today while they are all healthy as well rather than them sitting in a safe till I'm wheels up. I've reduced my guns by 50%. I feel good from it also. Made my kids, grandkids happy that they have a gun or two passed on by me that they can use or keep for the same. My hunting buddy is 75 years young. I remember him telling me, " John, I'm probably not going to be doing any of this bear or deer hunting stuff in the next few years". That comment was about 10-12 years ago. He gets a new truck every 4 years. About 3 trucks ago, he said something similar. He said this will probably be my last truck (12 years ago) because I won't need one when I stop hunting. Don't sell yourself short. Work to keep doing what you love. Another buddy (83years old ) said to me about 20 years ago, " If I'd have known I was gonna live this long, I'd have taken better care of myself". Think about that comment. Start taking better care of yourself no matter how old you are and keep doing what you love. Just those two things can make a huge difference.

 

[Siko12]

I would like t hunt Croc somewhere in Africa as i have never done that before. I few of my friends have been hunting abroad and so many tales to tell. I have to go see it in person.