Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post

Slims · 08-10-2009, 12:30 PM

The rifle doesn't look in bad shape. The caliber is certainly sufficient for deer and provided nothing is broken it should be more than adequate.

I would start by unloading the rifle (google for step-by-step procedures if you don't already know) and checking to make sure it is empty.

Then I would inspect the rifle for rust, obvious cracks, etc. Then clean the rifle up using some Hoppes 9 or Break Free CLP and a simple gun-cleaning kit. Take a look down the barrel while the action is OPEN and stick a flashlight in the chamber. You should be able to see the rifling with no obstructions, pitting, etc. You may need to re-check this after you clean the barrel up a bit more. With the weapon Unloaded and pointed in a safe direction, cycle the action, put the weapon on safe and attempt to fire it (of course, it should not), then put the weapon on fire and attempt to fire (you should hear the hammer falling). There are probably some other things you can do, but without being familiar with your particular weapon I am going to stop there.

If everything seems to work your rifle is probably in good working order, but unless you know 100 % that the rifle was in good shape when it went into the closet, it should still be checked out by a gunsmith to check the headspace/chamber dimensions, etc. which you just can't do without the proper tools (b/c it is possible something was wrong with the rifle and your grand father just put it away and forgot about it)

.308 is a very good deer round and is perfectly fine for all but the most extreme distances (which most of us can't get hits at anyways). The rifle looks like it is a decent size/length which should make it well suited to moving through brush/trees. It has a good sling which is always important. The scope is probably the most likely part to be broken so if you can't hit anything try shooting with the Iron Sights. The weapon is a lever-action and it won't ever be a precision weapon, but I think you will find it can probably shoot better than you can and should do just fine at the range unless you need less than 3" groups at 100 yards or so.

08-10-2009, 12:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	The rifle doesn't look in bad shape. The caliber is certainly sufficient for deer and provided nothing is broken it should be more than adequate. I would start by unloading the rifle (google for step-by-step procedures if you don't already know) and checking to make sure it is empty. Then I would inspect the rifle for rust, obvious cracks, etc. Then clean the rifle up using some Hoppes 9 or Break Free CLP and a simple gun-cleaning kit. Take a look down the barrel while the action is OPEN and stick a flashlight in the chamber. You should be able to see the rifling with no obstructions, pitting, etc. You may need to re-check this after you clean the barrel up a bit more. With the weapon Unloaded and pointed in a safe direction, cycle the action, put the weapon on safe and attempt to fire it (of course, it should not), then put the weapon on fire and attempt to fire (you should hear the hammer falling). There are probably some other things you can do, but without being familiar with your particular weapon I am going to stop there. If everything seems to work your rifle is probably in good working order, but unless you know 100 % that the rifle was in good shape when it went into the closet, it should still be checked out by a gunsmith to check the headspace/chamber dimensions, etc. which you just can't do without the proper tools (b/c it is possible something was wrong with the rifle and your grand father just put it away and forgot about it) .308 is a very good deer round and is perfectly fine for all but the most extreme distances (which most of us can't get hits at anyways). The rifle looks like it is a decent size/length which should make it well suited to moving through brush/trees. It has a good sling which is always important. The scope is probably the most likely part to be broken so if you can't hit anything try shooting with the Iron Sights. The weapon is a lever-action and it won't ever be a precision weapon, but I think you will find it can probably shoot better than you can and should do just fine at the range unless you need less than 3" groups at 100 yards or so. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence Last edited by Slims; 08-10-2009 at 12:32 PM..