Curiously enough, yesterday I became the proud owner of a used 580+ series mini-14 ranch rifle, with all my desired features: stainless, synthetic stock, scoped, and most of all, a 20-round magazine.Iunnrais wrote: ↑Mon Nov 18, 2019 9:02 pm That's very close to the scenario that made me invest in a 6.8spc AR... Went out to the farm with my .45-70 to help my dad out and shoot a pig or two... Seeing several dozen come across the fence line when you've only 4+1 in the rifle and 6 .44 Mag in a revolver isn't a great feeling. It's much better with a 30 round mag in the rifle and another in a pouch.
On the plus side, both the .45-70 and the .44 Mag are confirmed do the job on hogs :)
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Return to “This is How Custer Must Have Felt”
- Wed Nov 20, 2019 10:54 am
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: This is How Custer Must Have Felt
- Replies: 18
- Views: 11319
Re: This is How Custer Must Have Felt
- Fri Nov 15, 2019 12:49 pm
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: This is How Custer Must Have Felt
- Replies: 18
- Views: 11319
- Fri Nov 15, 2019 10:49 am
- Forum: General Gun, Shooting & Equipment Discussion
- Topic: This is How Custer Must Have Felt
- Replies: 18
- Views: 11319
This is How Custer Must Have Felt
My hunting habit these last few years involves still hunting in the National Forest. At my age, it’s the hike that matters. Getting in range of deer and pigs is kinda like what the U.S. Army experienced chasing Plains Indians - it’s hard to even see them, and when you do, they scatter.
With that experience, I have bow-hunted, and toyed with thoughts of hangun hunting or black powder. Why not? The emphasis is more on the process than the outcome.
Which brings me to yesterday. Hoping the rain would stop, I left work early and got to the bottomland by mid afternoon. Good, soft, quiet stalking under the putter patter of the drizzle.
With my back to a swollen creek, I heard deep, guttural grunting and squealing, and here they came. A long line of wild hogs, about 70 yards away, across a tributary. Maybe fifteen hogs, mostly black with Russian-looking features. There were all ages, including some huge boars, and some sows with piglets.
I was on foot, carrying an open sighted 30-30, loaded with four rounds. Also carrying a concealed 5-shot revolver. When I first saw them, I was thinking about the logistics of dragging one out, and could I get over that tributary, etc. But after a few moments, I realized that this collection of hostiles could, if they wanted, probably overpower me. Never felt this before. Vulnerable.
At a similar moment of revelation, Custer sent a message “Benteen: Come on. Big village. Be quick. Bring [ammunition] packs. P.S. Bring packs.” For my part, I said goodbye to thoughts of future handgun hunting and black powder. Maybe something with a 30-round magazine.
With that experience, I have bow-hunted, and toyed with thoughts of hangun hunting or black powder. Why not? The emphasis is more on the process than the outcome.
Which brings me to yesterday. Hoping the rain would stop, I left work early and got to the bottomland by mid afternoon. Good, soft, quiet stalking under the putter patter of the drizzle.
With my back to a swollen creek, I heard deep, guttural grunting and squealing, and here they came. A long line of wild hogs, about 70 yards away, across a tributary. Maybe fifteen hogs, mostly black with Russian-looking features. There were all ages, including some huge boars, and some sows with piglets.
I was on foot, carrying an open sighted 30-30, loaded with four rounds. Also carrying a concealed 5-shot revolver. When I first saw them, I was thinking about the logistics of dragging one out, and could I get over that tributary, etc. But after a few moments, I realized that this collection of hostiles could, if they wanted, probably overpower me. Never felt this before. Vulnerable.
At a similar moment of revelation, Custer sent a message “Benteen: Come on. Big village. Be quick. Bring [ammunition] packs. P.S. Bring packs.” For my part, I said goodbye to thoughts of future handgun hunting and black powder. Maybe something with a 30-round magazine.