Big Bore Rangers??

Kansas Ed · Post by **Kansas Ed** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:38 pm

While looking at the 307 thread, I noticed that it was stated that Winchester never made the BB in Ranger configuration...I know I've never seen one, so assumed it was probably correct. But then a few minutes ago I ran across this.

http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=89843781

So what's up with this?? He says they are XTR's, but they look like Rangers to me. I can't figure if this is a fake, or if it's some Wal-Mart XTR run that Winchester did.

Any thoughts??

Ed

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:43 pm

The angle of the photo provides kind of an optical illusion. That should be the standard 20" barrel but it's hard to tell that with the barrel angled away. Appears right proportionally for a 20" barrel. Looks like a standard "canoe paddle" Big Bore from 1983-4+ until the stock changed back over to the standard stock shape. Can't remember the year when they transitioned back at the moment but my 1992 Big Bore had the standard stock with XTR checkering. Hope this helps Ed.

Kansas Ed · Post by **Kansas Ed** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:47 pm

Hmmm....see I was under the impression that all XTR's were factory checkered. Is this not so? I know our two top eject .375's were built in 78 IIRC, and both are checkered.

Ed

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:49 pm

Oops! Sorry Ed. I see what your saying...it's not barrel length that your talking(I had Trapper stuck in my head), it's the lack of checkering. Yeah, the lack of checkering is a bit strange. I do believe they made some without the checkering though. Slim Iorg could probably answer the checkering issue as he has seen a bunch of these.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 9:58 pm

I have the 1984 Gun Digest open in front of me, has the Monte Carlo stock with fine checkering advertised. Have to look some more at when this change might have taken place.

Marlin .35 · Post by **Marlin .35** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:02 pm

These are not Ranger Models. Ranger Models had hardwood stocks. What you see is Walnut!! Art

william iorg · Post by **william iorg** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 10:26 pm

Chris, Youre close. Look for the 1985 Edition of the Gun Digest and go to the rifle review section.
The rifle has no checkering, a paddle stock and sling swivels. I put the picture up on Beartooth awhile ago but dont remember where.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Tue Jan 15, 2008 11:53 pm

william iorg wrote:Chris, Youre close. Look for the 1985 Edition of the Gun Digest and go to the rifle review section.
The rifle has no checkering, a paddle stock and sling swivels. I put the picture up on Beartooth awhile ago but dont remember where.

Aha! I thought I remembered you mentioning this over at Beartooth on one of the Big Bore posts but couldn't recall. My brain ain't retaining much these days

Thanks Slim!