It's not unusual to find that some of your most valued possessions are those that were the least expensive. I'm not sure why, but I seemed to have fallen in love with a little Marlin 336W rifle that I picked up at Academy over the summer. I read somewhere on the Internet that the "W" stands for Walmart, the store in which Marlin targeted the model to be sold. Whatever the case, it just seems the have the right balance, weight, and overall punch that makes it fun to carry and shoot. Heck, I even like that it came without a scope.

Mossberg 500 12 ga.Also, Stoeger P350.

Oh, and my 1187 MO camo I got from Walmart for $450.

My Marlin (JM Stamped) XL7 in 25-06 that I bought as a "beater" for $269.00 several years ago. I have all of the confidence in the world in that rifle - shoots great, feels good, good trigger. It is one that I don't think that I will ever let go of.

Grandpa's old Iver Johnson 12 gauge.

JC Higgins marked commercial FN Mauser (Belgium Mfg.) in .270 Win. Manufactured in the mid '50's. It was a gift from one of my closest friends.







Tough, VERY accurate and dependable C.R.F. go-to rifle. It's even got that 'spensive scope and mounts combo on it. I kinda view it like a pre-64 Model 70 without all the Winchester "value" attached.

I wouldn't hesitate to grab it first. Absolutely love this rifle.

Yes, sometimes our most valued firearm is one that costs nothing because it was given to us.

I bet with a high brass duck load that thing is real pleasant to shoot

Dan, 3 years ago after coming in from working out of town for 3 months, I lucked into a Marlin "JM" stamped early 80 model 30/30 with scope and sling for $300. I wouldn't ave paid that much for a new one, but those old Gold trigger ones are good quality. I'd sure like to get one that matches in .35

I bought my 1st Marlin 336 in 1979 or 80 at Walmart for $89, wish I had kept it many times.

Yea, that was back when recoil pads were for wimps. The cool thing is, after shooting a high brass load, I can clap my shoulder blades together. I only hunt squirrel and rabbit with it now so low brass is plenty.

I bought a cheapo Savage Edge (now Axis) .308 for $289 when they first came out a few years ago. This was the manufacturers' first attempt to mass market the "cheap" rifles that are so popular now IIRC. Saw a Dave Petzl article about how accurate they were in F&S. Put a Leupold VXII on it. That thing rides around in my truck, has a pretty good layer of rusty spots, and gets banged around a pretty good bit. Always shoots right where you put it. Since it's my hog shooter, it has probably killed more animals than all my other rifles put together.

I have several of those cheap Remington 700's. Most of my money is in the scope that sits on those cheap Remingtons.

Stoeger M2000.... lots of people hate them
Mines been great and I wouldn't trade it. My next shotgun will be a M3000 or M3500

Winchester 1200 (12ga)
Given to my dad from a guy who just bounced it around in his car trunk. Dad gave it to me and after 35 years, I gave it to my son. Always my go to bird gun...now my son's go to Shotgun!

CVA Stalker Elite in 30-06. Best $150 gun I have ever owned.

1979 Rem 788 in .243 Win. Shot my first deer with it when I was 11, and a slew more over the next 15 years until we needed a third gun. My dad still carries it around the place and took a really nice buck with it two years ago.

except for my brownings and the
one benelli i have, all of my
stuff is "cheap".
bows are old hoyts and martin
and bear recurves, and my
using rifles are h&r's and old
marlins that nobody would have
given a second look 15-20 years
ago (but now sell for 600.00 up
for jm and no safety)

animals know no snobbery when hit properly

I'd say either my old Mossy 835 12 ga. or the Win. 120 Ranger that I bought recently. Of course, I've got the O/U bug right now, so both of those are for sale right now. A very close third would be my $597 S&W Sport that is a pig killing machine that just doesn't quit. It's been cleaned twice since I bought it (I know, but do as I say, not as I do:D). I also love my old PA-63 pistol that cost a whopping $169 with two mags and a cleaning rod. I only bought it because I build grips for them and wanted one to fit grips on, but it became one of my favorite CCW's.

Savage 111 .30-06 that thing out of the box will shoot super straight.

Not cheap, but good values...

Ruger 10/22 (have several ranging from Wal-mart special to VolQuartsen)
Mossberg 930 (Love autos and have had more hunts ruined by failed 870s than 930s)

H&R Handi Rifle. Have a .223, .308, and 20 gauge. Rifles are very accurate. Shotgun is very light and mobile.

my deer rifle was my Grandpa's Remington Woodsmaster 30-06. Uncle took it back from me for awhile, so I went and bought a Savage Model III 30-06. Oh my that is the most accurate gun! Great cold shot. Only thing I have been warned is not a great target gun, you really have to let barrel cool off between shots.

H & R SB2 Handi-Rifle in .223 with a 3x9x40. Puts it right where I want it everytime I shoot something. Longest shot (so far) is a ranged 125yds to a 150 lb hog standing at a feeder. Right in the ear! DRT. This goes to the lease just about every time I do.

Next on the list, but not cheap anymore, is a Savage 24F Over/Under .223 over 12ga 3". It has a 1.5 X 4 on
it and the 100yd zero for the .223 is perfect for a 35yd pattern with 7 1/2 shot. This goes when the H & R doesn't. When Ms. HnF goes she carries one and I carry the other. .....AND, before someone asks, it's NOT for sale!

The bow that I'm still using is an old Bear compound that I bought here during the Stub auction. It was well-used when I bought it, no idea what year it is. But, it will throw an arrow accurately and plenty fast enough. No plans to replace it.

Only gun I ever regret selling was a Remmy 788 in .243. But they have such a strong following they ain't a "cheap" gun anymore. You'll pay more for an "old" 788 than many a new "700".