AlvinMack
Member
Reged: 10/02/03
Posts: 2776
Post Bucks: $1.04
Loc: Lino Lakes, MN
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Just curious to hear any stories good or bad about your very first deer rifle. My first deer rifle was a pre-64 M94 lever action in 32 Winchester Special. This was the first and last time I hunted with this rifle. I had a big buck come out at 350 yards in an open pastor and all I could do was sit there helplessly and do nothing. What was your first deer rifle and do you have any interesting first hunt stories surrounding the rifle?
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Calvin Svihel
IDA Ice Pro Staff
Reged: 10/08/03
Posts: 1659
Post Bucks: $1.28
Loc: Northwest Metro, MN
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I used a ruger 44 mag!!! Very similiar gun to a .22 ruger. Semi Auto. short, light gun. Well my stand was on the edge of a swamp and I over looked a hill side that deer would use to travel from there bedding to feeding areas. I was about 150-200 yards across the swamp..I remember having to "lob" those 44 shells across the swamp...It was a lot of fun!
This gun also made for a sweet gun in the heavy brush! 
It was my grandfathers gun, I used it only 2 seasons...I really liked it...I have looked all over for one of these and still have not been able to find one!
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Calvin Svihel - Ice Pro Staff
As always, Think big fish and lots of them!
calvin.svihel@in-depthangling.com
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Rootski
Member
Reged: 10/12/03
Posts: 1109
Post Bucks: $1.00
Loc: South St. Paul, MN
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British war surplus .303 Enfield (not to be confused with the more common .303 Savage). The Brits used corrosive primers so the barrel was all shot out. That meant every third or fourth shot the bullet would tumble. It wasn't a MOA gun, that's for sure  Never shot anything but paper with it.
Rootski
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"Illegitimati Non Carborundum"
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waterfowler99
Member
Reged: 11/24/05
Posts: 1466
Post Bucks: $0.98
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I HUNTED W/ SHOTGUN ONLY UNTIL 5 YRS AGO. I BOUGHT A 300 WIN MAG, 30-06 REM, AND A 270. HAVE SINCE KILLED DEER W/ ALL OF THEM. I AM AMAZED EVERY YEAR AT THE DEVASATION A RIFLE WILL DO. THE 300 NOT ONLY PUTS THE HURT ON THEM BUT MY SHOULDER AS WELL 
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muskyman
Member
Reged: 02/06/04
Posts: 505
Post Bucks: $3.46
Loc: Arkansaw, Wisconsin
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I too shot the .32 special my first season...never shot any deer til I got my .243 Win. I would give it a 10 for a youngsters first gun.....doesn't kick and is very accurate out to 300 yards. I'd still use it if I didn't hunt in shotgun territory! Brad
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I can accept failure, but I can't accept not trying." - Michael Jordan
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AlvinMack
Member
Reged: 10/02/03
Posts: 2776
Post Bucks: $1.04
Loc: Lino Lakes, MN
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I wish this would have been my first deer rifle 
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fish any time
Member
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 686
Post Bucks: $1.86
Loc: Champlin, MN
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I borrowed my uncles Winchester 94 chambered in .30-30 to shoot my 1st deer.
It was the second Saturday of my 1st season (zone 1). My cousin, Grandfather and I met for lunch and greeted another gentleman on his way out of the woods who hunts the area. After lunch I decided to jump into the gentleman's stand that stood on the edge of what used to be a road. I was there for maybe an hour and a huge doe appeared from what seemed like air on the opposite side of the road. I never saw her coming. This was the first deer I had ever seen at shooting distance, she was maybe 25 yards from me. I sat and watched her for what felt like forever and I remember as if my hart was going to jump out of my chest. I still remember this like it was yesterday. The doe was very nervous and stayed on the opposite side of the road for a few minutes. Finally she looked up directly at me and gave me a loud snort then turned and was gone. With my lack of experience at that time the snort was so loud I remembering flinching/jumping at the sound. I sat in the stand catching my breath, calming my nerves and heart for maybe 30 minutes longer and another smaller doe showed up on the opposite side of the road near where the 1st doe came. Up went the heart rate again as I watched her. Out of the corner of my eye I saw more movement. As the deer came to view from behind a tree I saw antlers. I had to patiently wait for the buck to walk more from my left to the right because of the angle I had from the stand. As he came to the opening I had to lean over the rail of the stand and bent around the tree the rail was connected to and shot the buck just back of the shoulder through the lungs. The buck went down and floundered for a few moments and died.
I can still remember how nervous and shaking I was. It was so bad for a few minutes that I sat in the stand trying to remember how to put the hammer on safe without discharging so I could climb down to see my 6-pointer.
After that season I was hooked. Next season I showed up with my own Remington 700 BDL chambered in .30-06. It is the only rifle I own and have shot deer in MN with it and have used it for antelope in MT.
That my story and I'm sticking to it.
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fish any time
Member
Reged: 04/16/04
Posts: 686
Post Bucks: $1.86
Loc: Champlin, MN
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Ok I'll bite, Al.....What is it?
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slipsinker
Member
Reged: 11/07/05
Posts: 1064
Post Bucks: $1.28
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My first deer rifle was a sporterized 30-40 Krag by Springfield. My mom took it in hock for $40 she loaned her brother. He never paid her back so the gun became hers...she then passed it along to me when I began deer-hunting. I have a few other uncles and a couple other guys that have offered me over $600 for that rifle, but I'm not selling. Now that my mom has passed-on, I wouldn't take all the money in the world for it! In fact, when I go to British Columbia this fall I intend to use it to take an elk and black-bear....after I arrow a mongo-moose!!! 
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genegr
Member
Reged: 02/15/05
Posts: 76
Post Bucks: $1.04
Loc: Bloomington, MN
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Marlin 32-40 lever action, never got to practice with it dad just pulled it out of case every year until my big day came and the firing pin was froze. Still have it today along with three Winchester 1893's and a hole lot of John Wayne ammo.
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AlvinMack
Member
Reged: 10/02/03
Posts: 2776
Post Bucks: $1.04
Loc: Lino Lakes, MN
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Quote:
Ok I'll bite, Al.....What is it?
It's a custom 1903 Springfield built by a relatively well known gun builder Pete Grisel. I love 1903 Springfields, when I'm done with my 6MM Remington built on a 1903 Springfield I'll be sure to take a few pics.
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Suzuki
Member
Reged: 07/19/01
Posts: 2308
Post Bucks: $2.12
Loc: Woodbury, Mn
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1946 Winchester 94. My dad bought in brand new after WWII.
He gave it to me and I have taken deer with it as recently as 6 years ago. It's semi retired now but working fine.
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Mike
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Suzuki
Member
Reged: 07/19/01
Posts: 2308
Post Bucks: $2.12
Loc: Woodbury, Mn
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Nice gun. My brother has one box stock inherited from Grandfather. I have even carried it in the woods but not shot anything with it. Excellent condition. Peep sites.
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Mike
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Tom Gursky
IDA Field Staff
Reged: 07/08/02
Posts: 2221
Post Bucks: $2.76
Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula(Iro...
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Browning Sweet 16 shotgun...slug...SpikeHorn at 30yds...done deal. Galena, Illinois...1967.
Now I use a Wnchester 94 Big Bore .356 or a Remintgon CDL in 7mm 08.
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Tom Gursky~Northwoods Adventures Guide Service
GameHide / St Croix Rods
BfishN Tackle Field Staff / Fin-Tech Lures
"May all your trophies be worthy of the Good Book"
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Chris Tuckner
IDA Pro Staff Director
Reged: 05/21/01
Posts: 10185
Post Bucks: $5.42
Loc: Hastings/Isle MN
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My first was an 03/A3, unsporterized! No scope, nothing! Peep sights. Shot a dandy 8 point in Jacobson MN in 1976.
Mack, I am in the process of obtaining an '03 30-06 that used to belong to my grandpa. I have an relative who filed bankrupcy, and entered this as an asset. If I win the bid, you will be seeing it for a stock job!
I have been setting up 303 Brits for my kids. Many deer have fallen to these guns! My last boy coming up is 12 this year, and I need to get a .243 lefty for him.
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Chris Tuckner
www.idaguides.com
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Briank
IDO Multi Media Sales Director
Reged: 09/02/02
Posts: 20717
Post Bucks: $2.80
Loc: Lakeland, MN
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Not a deer rifle...but my first rifle was a Winchester lever action that my folks (dad) bought me for Christmas. Since I was always borrowing my uncles..guess the figure I should have one.
I came home from school one day the following spring and there was a 4x Bushnell scope waiting for me in my room...apparently a few kids were smoking wacky tabacy at school and got caught....Dad said he bought it 'cause I wasn't one of them.
I always wondered if he meant...because I wasn't one of them...  that got caught 
Either way...it's one gun that won't be leaving the collection!
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Brian Klawitter
In-Depth Outdoors Multi Media Director
Trophy Catfishing and Sturgeon Adventures
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