Dad and I used to go into First Stop Guns 3-4 times per week. This was long before the fire while they were still in the little pawn shop.
The only rifle I owned at the time was a Marlin 60. I did have a TC Contender in 30 Herrett though.
Whenever we were there, I would pick up this Savage 110 in 7mm-08. It was on the shelf for like 6 or 8 months.
On this day, we had gone to another store that sold furniture, appliances and sporting goods. While we were there, dad bought me a Tasco World Class 3-9x scope. I had no idea why, but I'm not one to turn down a nice gift.
We got to First Stop a little later and were looking at all the rifles and pistols. After looking and feeling my way through the racks, I picked up that Savage again.
As I'm fondling it, dad asked if I liked it and of course I said yes. He then asked if I wanted it and my response was that I couldn't afford it. Dad said "I didn't ask if you could afford it, I asked if you wanted it".
Once I understood what he was saying, I was stunned. I told him hell yes. He sent me out to the truck to retrieve the Tasco and that's when I realized he had planned this.
We got the scope mounted, bought two boxes of ammo and went back to the house to grab our shooting stuff.
The rifle shot amazingly well and got even better with a handload of IMR 3031 and a 140 ballistic tip.
Over the last 32 years, that rifle has taken dozens of game animals, countless numbers of prairie dogs, coyotes, rock chucks, foxes, jack rabbits and even a few badgers.
It will always have a spot in my safe.
