Heirloom straight-wall rifle?

[Annapolis]

I recently started a thread about 350 Legend that sort of touched on this, but I wanted to pose the question in a smarter way.

I’m in a straight-wall state and am looking for a new rifle that I can use for white tails out to 200yds. I’d like it to be something beautiful and well made that I can leave to my son someday after I’ve made some memories with it (and probably put a few scratches on it).

Right now I have a Winchester XPR that’s served me just fine and I may stick with that, but it’s not the most impressive object—fit and finish is just ok, some plastic parts, clunky action, etc.

I’m not married to the 350L or to bolt action. Open to other suitable deer calibers and to lever or even single shot, though that last option would be my least favored choice.

I’m aware of the Henry in 360 Buckhammer and the Weatherbys available in 350L. I’ve owned a Marlin in 357, but I’m not sure how pistol caliber carbines would work out to such distances—have read varying reports.

What would folks do? Get a full custom build?

I’m drawn to wood stocks—classic hunting rifle style, not tactical.

Thanks in advance!

 

[keystone112]

If you’re going to use a scope, I would recommend a Marlin. I prefer the older version without the cross bolt safety.

If legal in your state, the 444 Marlin is worth a look. If you have the budget, you can find excellent condition ones on GB.

I’m getting 2325 fps with a 265 grain bullet from mine. That’s with the Superformance ammo.

 

[Deere_Man]

Winchester 1885 350 Legend:

Winchester - 1885 Low Wall 22" 350 Legend - Consecutive Numbers Sold as 2 Piece Set ONLY

Limited Series 1855 Low Wall single shot 350 Legend rifle sold as a set ONLY with 2 consecutive serial numbers. Total Price $3790.

www.gricegunshop.com

 

[Annapolis]

Been consider the 444—only worried about ammo accessibility (I’m not a reloader) and meat damage with that caliber, but a lot of folks seem to like it just fine for deer. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Annapolis]

That Winchester is amazing!

 

[Wrench]

I have a Shiloh Sharps in 45-70 that is heirloom as it gets and accurate to Quigley ranges.

They're expensive because they're worth it.

 

[UnckleBob]

That Winchester is amazing!

You get two rifles for that price. At under $2K per rifle, it isn't a bad idea.

 

[Deere_Man]

You get two rifles for that price. At under $2K per rifle, it isn't a bad idea.

There are plenty of places selling them as singles.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1135297048

 

[UnckleBob]

There are plenty of places selling them as singles.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1135297048

Exactly, if you buy one of them, you get an heirloom rifle for less than $2k.

 

[CodyAK]

I have a Shiloh Sharps in 45-70 that is heirloom as it gets and accurate to Quigley ranges.

They're expensive because they're worth it.

I’m waiting to pick up a 45-110. Getting drawn for a Bison tag force me to put a deposit on a build.

 

[LIWolverine]

I have a Pedersoli Sharps 45-90

Killed my bison with it last December.

Any of Uberti or like kind Winchester 1886 45-70 would be amazing to have.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Chris in TN]

Buy an older marlin 336 and have JES rebore it to .360 Buckhammer. Make it a two-shooter with the Hornady 200 grain .35 FTX bullet.

One of a kind, very practical, functional, classic rifle.

 

[robtattoo]

I've have an Uberti 1885 .45/70 for years.

Absolutely LOVE the thing!

 

[RockAndSage]

I recently started a thread about 350 Legend that sort of touched on this, but I wanted to pose the question in a smarter way.

I’m in a straight-wall state and am looking for a new rifle that I can use for white tails out to 200yds. I’d like it to be something beautiful and well made that I can leave to my son someday after I’ve made some memories with it (and probably put a few scratches on it).

Right now I have a Winchester XPR that’s served me just fine and I may stick with that, but it’s not the most impressive object—fit and finish is just ok, some plastic parts, clunky action, etc.

I’m not married to the 350L or to bolt action. Open to other suitable deer calibers and to lever or even single shot, though that last option would be my least favored choice.

I’m aware of the Henry in 360 Buckhammer and the Weatherbys available in 350L. I’ve owned a Marlin in 357, but I’m not sure how pistol caliber carbines would work out to such distances—have read varying reports.

What would folks do? Get a full custom build?

I’m drawn to wood stocks—classic hunting rifle style, not tactical.

Thanks in advance!

Guys have posted some pretty cool guns here. Personally though, if I'm going heirloom-grade, it'd probably be a custom gun. If I'm hunting regularly with it, it's probably also going to be a bolt gun that really maximizes performance, while also looking stunning.

So, definitely a custom gun, precision built, and bedded into really nice, high-grade wood crafted by someone who knows that they're doing.

As to cartridge...if we're talking 200-300yds and in, I'd want it to hammer all the way out, but also not be a sledgehammer on my shoulder. The .400 Legend seems to be a really good middleground between .350 being a bit on the light side, and .450 bushmaster or 45-70 being a bit on the heavier side.

I'd also definitely choose a cartridge that uses common pistol bullet diameters - the .350 and .400 legends are essentially 9mm and 10mm ultra-mags, as is .450 Bushmaster, IIRC, while some of the other straight walls use slightly different diameters than the pistol bullets. I'd go this route for ease of loading up high volumes of downloaded practice ammo, and would shoot the absolute living daylights out of that gun.

 

[Te Hopo]

Other option would be to convert a classic bolt action rifle, like a CZ 527 into 350 Legend or a Winchester Model 70 or Sako into 400 Legend or something