50 year reunion

[Ghost Hunter]

Shot my first deer 50 years ago with my first gun, a 1940's Winchester 32 special, purchased from a gun shop in Riverside, WA.  It was on my last hunt with my dad.  A year later I sold it to my younger brother.  He shot his first deer, elk, and moose with it.  About 10 years ago he gave it back to me.  I've had it setting in the safe, until the itch made me take it out this year.   After over 100 hours in the blind thru 3 general seasons on a MS tag, a two point WT gave me the opportunity.  Hard to express the feelings and memories this brought back.  A lifetime of cherished memories are better that any 'trophy'.

Might just pull it out again next year.

[Stein]

That's an awesome story for sure.

[lastmk8]

That is an awesome story, the only thing to make it better is a picture of that rifle.  Great to know that it has stayed in the family all these years, even better knowing it still does it's job as designed.

[Ghost Hunter]

That is an awesome story, the only thing to make it better is a picture of that rifle.  Great to know that it has stayed in the family all these years, even better knowing it still does it's job as designed.

I get the euro done, I might do that.  It certainly isn't a safe queen.  It's been thru some rough hunts over the years, but it does still get the job done.  I find it easier to find ammo on the shelf than any of my other guns.  Still have some of the original ammo bought with it.

[timberfaller]

Great story! especially with a 32 Special!

[bearhunter99]

Great story!  Wish I still had the gun I shot my first deer with!  If I remember right the .243 got traded to a guy for an aluminum boat by my grandfather, lots of great memories about that old boat too though!

[Ridgeratt]

The original ammo still works? That would go against the grain of thought in here.

[wadu1]

The original ammo still works? That would go against the grain in thought in here.

Like RR said it will work, I think your next trip hunting should include that ammo.

[Birdguy]

What a great deal!! Super cool, just another huge part of hunting that is missed by oh so many!! The history, nostalgia, and memories that can't be explained only experienced!

[no.cen.wa]

That is a great story! Makes me think back to my 1st deer killed the the Methow, up on the Loop Loop. I shot it with my Mom's 30-30. my Grandad had won it on a pull-tab in a Twisp tavern, late 30's I think. I know my Mom shot her 1st deer with it, so was pretty special, Unfortunately it was stolen out of my closet after I had moved out of my parents house when I married, but, I have my Grandfathers rifle, a 300 Savage and think it's time for me to try harvest a deer with it next year. I know he dropped many many mule deer, a Canadian bull moose and. some elk with that rifle.
What memories that would make too!
Thanks for your story, been pondering this thought for quite a few years, better do it.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Oh it better come out next year!

[boneaddict]

Very cool

[Idabooner]

The 32 special is a good rifle, very near the 30-30 in ballistics.  I shot my first deer and a few more with Dad's 32, in 1946.  My uncle had a 30-30, him and Dad used to argue all the time which was the best caliber.  That rifle kept the family in meat for a lot of years.  It's kind of sacred now but still in the family, hasn't shot any thing except paper for several years. 

[Goshawk]

It's absolutely amazing how many deer, bear, elk, moose, and even bighorn sheep fell to the old 30/30 and 32win spec. before Short Mags, and Ultra Mags came around.  Most of my first big game animals had powder burns! 

The real difference is back then, hunting was getting close enough to your game to put it down cleanly, rather than taking 1,000+ yard long shots at animals you can't see without magnification.  Yes we have better cartridges and rifles now, but our collective hunting skills have fallen way off compared to our grandfathers'.

[actionshooter]

That awesome...doing that really brings the memories back.

 I got a little nostalgic this year and pulled out grandpas old Ithaca 37  16ga and shot a few birds... Haven't had it out in years.