Winchester Model 54

The first thing I did (after making sure that the gun was unloaded) was take off the Weaver scope mounts. For me, they're unnecessary for this rifle. (Not to brag, but to kinda brag) when I have better than 20/20 vision (w/in 6 mo. of a trip to the optometrist) I can consistently shoot sub-2 MOA with peep sights. I'll be using this rifle for deer and pigs in coastal California, where shots are usually over 80 yards and under 200. I'd rather risk scaring away a deer by sneaking up on it than get bulldozed by a pig that I couldn't find in a scope. I'm also an eccentric, and a bit of a luddite.

Under the scope mounts was some caked on dirt, which has been stubborn to Hoppes No.9, but it's coming off. The bore was dirty, which scared me at first. The seller said that the bore was perfectly clean. I guess he didn't give it a swipe after test-firing it, but everything came off with the boresnake (boresnake is the best thing ever). The rifle is a bit short (something like 13 3/4 LOP) for me, but all rifles are short for me (6'3").