My First Hunting Rifle
A first gun is something we always remember. I know I do. And going even further, I remember my first shotgun and my first rifle. Each has a special place in my heart and I still have both of them, even though I only use them from time to time for actual hunting.
Even though a first gun is memorable, no matter the type, a first hunting rifle holds a meaning all its own. It is a sign of progression from a young hunter going after small game to a big game hunter. It’s a right of passage of sorts.
My first rifle came about after a hunting trip that I missed a deer a couple times with a borrowed .30-30 rifle. After determining it was either actually the gun or my ability to hit with it, my parents made a trip to the local Otasco store to take a look at the .30-30’s they had in stock. What they found instead was a Winchester Big Bore 94 .375 that had been mis-shipped in place of an order of .30-30’s. So, for a price of $125, I ended up with my first hunting rifle.
The .375 Big Bore was a lot of gun. The shells came in either 200 or 250 grain and both of them carried quite a wallop in the light lever action rifle. After a couple shots using the 250 grain bullets they bought with the gun, the rifle was sighted in and my shoulder was smarting quite a bit, but I was ready to get back to the woods for an afternoon hunt.
That very evening, I got my first deer using my first rifle. It was a broke horn buck that field dressed around 110 lbs. He was running full out across a ploughed field when I shot, hitting him in the head just below the base of the antlers. The buck hit the ground and slid through the dirt, raising a small dust cloud before finally coming to a stop.
After many years of hunting since then, with many different types of rifles, I still pull out my .375 from time to time, and have even taken it out hunting a few times. It has been a trusty companion and will continue to be for as long as I have a say in the matter.
hunting, rifles, Otasco, Winchester, first deer
May 22nd, 2007 at 10:16 am
a great memory and story, I remember my first rifle well. Thanks for sharing.
May 22nd, 2007 at 11:02 am
Cliff
I remember that,thanksfor sharing. I remember my first rifle,a 30-30 Winchester.
After many years and many deer,your brother reached the age,for his first rifle.
Not being able to buy one,I took my first rifle ,wrapped it up,gave it to him for Christmas.He was so excited,till he saw it was mine.I told him how omportant,it was to me for him to have it. He still does,Thank you for,bringing back,such special memories,of my sons.
Love Ya