My Dad and I used to hunt and fish together a lot. A lot of non-success as measured by kills, but a lot of fun. My Dad was a real handyman. We built rods, some of which i still use. He also built rifles. One was a .243, that he stocked, blued, scoped, and then reloaded the shells. I inherited all of them.

This year I had the chance to go on a depredation hunt. I used the .243, which was the first time I had hunted with it in 30 years. The long and the sort of it is that using the gun he made, the cartridge he loaded, I tagged one. While i am not able to share this with him it was really meaningful to use tools he made.

He's sharing it with you!

Cool story....full circle.

Old shootin' irons are indeed imbued with the essence of the men who toted them afield, adding a scratch & ding here and there in accord. That said, you did share your recent experiences with him. A toast to making many more fond memories with that particular .243, and adding to its character....

How much ya want for it....

Kidding

The most valuable guns I own are not the most expensive. Dad and Grandpa's 06s, the kids 243, my first 30-30 and a beat to hell 870 are my prized possessions.

Really good point. I have his Model 12, which was his dad's before him. I have his uncle's Remington that is the basis for the classic Browning. Maybe I will use them someday, but they probably are the most valuable.

The stories that accompany each one............................

I shoot an antique 300 savage. not because it is the best but because of the history and sentimental value. nice work!

Huscvarna? I only think of chain saws.... sounds cool. any pics?

Always love hunting with "family" firearms. Some guns will never be sold.

nice!

I should add that over the years the family has given me presents such as a gambrel, bone saw, and other gear to outfit the hunt. Some of my knives and other tools are home-made. When I sat down and thought about it, even though I was the only one there, the whole family was involved.

Just reading threads here it is obvious that many on PP have a wide "support system" that makes our time in the field/on the water even more precious as we are tied together.

Thanks.

Very true! I'm of the mind that I've done more in my 42 years than I had ever imagined. I am slowly passing the torch on to my 10yr old. I'll not take very many more (if any) big trips without him. He'll be my new Alaska companion. As I've gotten older and spent a lot of time doing some epic trips but something was missing that I couldn't put my finger on. Last August on a high Mtn lake in the Chugach I realized that my Son should be with me and vowed he would from then on.

Nice thread Carcassman!

Good thoughts Row, I like it!

Nothin better than watching your kids hunt. My greatest trophy is my daughters first Buck.

This is a 5-star thread.
Lovin' it.

It's a good one!!!! I was changing diapers in the boat salmon fishing. When my son was that little the racket from the big guns scared him. He got over that by 5. I never...or it was vary rare to ever leave him at home on any trip. We missed a few years while he was in the Marines, but made up for it. I didn't shoot my first deer until I was 23. By the time my son was 23 he had 13. The memories.........I had a 3 point or better regulation with grades when my son was going to school. He got a 2.8 as a freshman in HS. I left him at home on a deer hunt that year. It hurt me waaaay worse than it did him. I spent the rest of the season that year trying to get that trip back. I still regret it, and it's been years. Lol