I have an interesting story on the rifle I wish I had back....and someday will. My father bought his first rifle, a Remington 700 in 308 when he was just out of school in 1963. When I turned 12, I had begun deer hunting, and my dad would let me shoot the 308 as he felt his 30-06 was too much gun for me. I killed a lot of deer and bear with the 308 and made modifications to the bases and rings, trigger and added a much better leupold scope. I bought the gun from my dad when I was 14. That gun stayed with me until my father turned 65. At that time I had really gotten into long range hunting, and the 308 normally sat in the safe. My father asked to buy it back, as he missed this great gun and a milder recoil would be apprecaited by his aging shoulder. With the better optics I had installed, jewel trigger, as well a Lifetime of my hand loads that the gun shot very well, I reluctantly let her go back to her original owner.
I know the gun is in great hands, and is being used every year, but man there have been few hunts since when I am going into the thick woods, or in stands with 200 yard or less shots where I still do not reach into the safe searching for the 308. I am aware that one day I will probably get the old remmy back, and I am in no hurry as much prefer having my father around, but it is one of those guns you just connect with. My first shotgun, an 870 wingmaster I bought with my own money at age 11 is still in my safe, and will never be for sale. The only way that gun will change hands is when I pass it on to a grandchild, just as I plan to do with my all grand fathers guns that I cherrish.
Thank you for starting this post. It was a fun ride down a memory lane.
Roger