My Ma and her brother recall that the 308 was quite the sensation at the time, and considered a "serious" big game rifle.
Grandpa hunted with rifle that over the next several decades, taking a heck of a lot of Mulies, Elk and Antelope with it.
Upon his deathbed, he requested to his oldest son and my Ma that this rifle should go to me, his oldest grandson.
I was damn proud to take possession of it (now a decade or two past) and cherish it immensely.
To date, I have shot it at the range a fair number of times, and considering it's age, and the archaic scope that is on it, I was really astonished just how well it grouped! I have taken it on a few hunts, babying it along the way, but have yet to take an animal with it yet...
The rifle is in pristine shape. GrandDaddy was always very fussy about that end of things!
Here she is as she looks today:
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/eHlIfAK.jpg)
I thought the scope was an ancient Weaver, but now am not so certain.
It has NO markings on it anywhere.
Fixed four power with very thin wire reticles, and a rather small objective lens.
And external (no caps or protection) sighting adjustments:
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/w7CpUSB.jpg)
If anyone does know what the branding on that might be, I'd be interested in hearing from you...
As far as the checkering goes, I am not the best to ask in this regard. A Buddy did ask if it was pressed or cut.
My answer is Hell, I dunno...
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/zpWT6Ko.jpg)
From the minor over-runs and errors here and there, I would guess it was done by hand.
But then again, I know little of such matters...
Since I was digging in the Big Box anyway, and recalled a thread about Winchesters, I thought I'd take one final picture today:
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/zDo6dR2.jpg)
From the top:
GradDaddy's Winchester Model 88 in 308, manufactured spring, 1957
A Working Cowboy Buddy's (now mine) old Model 94 in 32 Win Special manufactured in 1954
My Model 9422M in 22 Magnum manufactured in 1972
The Ruger Blackhawk, although not a Winchester, rather fit with this lot.
She is chambered in 45 Long Colt. Can't rightly recall when it was made, but it too has seen some use over the years...
The first looks damn near new.
The second shows some signs of loving use, and the third shows it has been a saddle, skidoo and truck gun for most of it's life (still shoots VERY well for a lever though!)
Don't have many pictures of my Grandparents on hand, but did manage to find two that fit with this post...
GrandDaddy processing a big Mulie he had taken with this very rifle:
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/L74wgN5.jpg)
And Grandma riding out to elk and deer camp around the same time period:
![Image](https://i.imgur.com/5kfoKv8.jpg)
Be interesting to know what kind of rifle she was packing, but I never did get that confirmed.
Not to tough to tell where I get my love of, and dedication to The Game from
I have now made a commitment to myself to get GrandDaddy's gun out and try to take a Blacktail with it this fall.
Will of course letcha know how that goes...
In the meantime, if you happen to have your GrandDaddy's gun, or even just your Pa's, or an Uncle's etc that fits with the theme, post them up Folks!!
And with that, I will leave you with:
https://youtu.be/H74RqPzKrY0
Still puts mist in my eyes every time I hear this one.
Love & Miss ya GrandDaddy.
Save me a warm spot around the fire Sir, for I'll be coming along eventually...
Cheers,
Nog