My Dad waxes poetic about his rifle....

[2rocky]

So my 82 year old Father sent me something he wrote in 2020, and updated today.

AN OLD FRIEND​

It was July of 1963, and oh, how I wanted that rifle! I pored over the Winchester catalogue, reading and memorizing the statistics and checking the ballistics data. I was thrilled with its looks, the smooth walnut finish and the graceful 26” barrel.

A pre-64 Winchester Model 70 in .264 Winchester Magnum.
Even the name was cool – they called it the “Westerner.” And if I remember correctly, the price tag was $110.

This year I was finally 21 and in my junior year at UC Davis. Since I was taking ROTC it was the year that I was required to attend summer camp at Ft. Lewis, Washington. At the end of our tour of duty we were paid in cash. And the payment was the same as the price of my dream rifle! With the cash burning a hole in my pocket a couple of buddies and I made an all-night drive home to make the opening of our local deer season. I was lucky enough to be invited to a neighbors for a morning hunt. Borrowing my dad’s Model 94, 30-30, I was assigned a stand near a large rock overlooking a heavily wooded canyon while others worked out the brush with their dogs. The morning was warm and the rock made a nice backrest. My eyes grew heavy after the all-night drive and I soon was dozing, only to wake with a start to find a doe about 30 yards away staring at me. I said “Good Morning” and she bounded away. The 30-30 was a nice rifle, well maintained and accurate but it wasn’t what I wanted. With that cash stashed in my dresser drawer, I still had my eye on that .264.

I restrained myself, however, and asked a bunch of questions about my choice from folks my dad hunted with. Without fail they, including our local gunsmith, advised that a 26 inch barrel was much too long. But I suspect their advice was motivated by the fact that they wanted me busting brush and running the dogs in our California chaparral and felt that a long barrel would hinder my progress through our brush choked canyons. But all advice aside, I still had my heart set on that rifle.

In due time I found my way to the gun shop to look at the real thing, to run my hands over the stock, to throw it up to my shoulder and see how it fit. Needless to say – I left with that rifle in my hands.

Now in 2025, 62 years later, with many bucks and bulls to its credit, I still appreciate the smooth walnut stock even though it has some nicks and dings from falls and wear. The barrel shows some shine where the bluing has worn off from repeated firing and rub spots from the saddle scabbard but it still shoots where I point it. (Which, I will freely admit is sometimes a weakness!).

It has the status of a comfortable old friend – because that is exactly what it is. May we hunt together for many more years.

This is the Guy....https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/family-elk-big-game-tradition.316023/

 

[mtmuley]

So my 82 year old Father sent me something he wrote in 2020, and updated today.

This is the Guy....https://www.hunttalk.com/threads/family-elk-big-game-tradition.316023/

A Gunwerks won't ever get you that. Awesome. mtmuley

 

[BAKPAKR]

Tell your dad I hope he gets a lot more years out of it!

BTW - how many rounds does he think he has through that in 62 years?