My son and I each have a Howa/Hogue in .308 with the Nikko Sterling..consecutive serial numbers, also. We’re both impressed with the way they shoot. Perfect field rifles, too, with the synthetic stock and plain jane finish. Can’t really be hurt.
Don’t get me started on the Savage 250-3000. I had one I inherited from my grandfather, model 99 lever action. Had the original sling on it. Some jerk broke into my apartment and stole it.
I was sick when I found out.
I’m planning on purchasing another rifle late in 2010. I’m either going with a Weatherby in a belted magnum round or buying a stainless Savage in 250 with the accu-stock.
I'm so sorry about the theft. My Savage 250-3000 is much older than I ... my late FIL bought it, probably in the late 1930's. It is a model 99 lever action with a single power scope and a piece of (used to be) white cotton rope for a sling. I never changed the scope or piece of rope because it had become part of the tradition associated with the gun.
My FIL killed many a deer with that rifle, my husband killed his first deer with it some 50 years ago, and I killed my first deer with it 5 years ago. My youngest son never harvested a deer with the Savage before he bought my Howa. However, his wife is now target practicing with it and will hopefully use it to kill her first deer this year.
We love the tradition.