Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Deer Hunting => Topic started by: Ghost Hunter on December 11, 2020, 09:11:44 AM

Title: 50 year reunion
Post by: Ghost Hunter on December 11, 2020, 09:11:44 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Stein on December 11, 2020, 09:12:51 AM: That's an awesome story for sure. :tup:
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: lastmk8 on December 11, 2020, 09:59:45 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Ghost Hunter on December 11, 2020, 10:10:55 AM: Quote from: lastmk8 on December 11, 2020, 09:59:45 AM
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.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: timberfaller on December 11, 2020, 10:19:20 AM: Great story! especially with a 32 Special! :tup:
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: bearhunter99 on December 11, 2020, 10:51:32 AM: 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!
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Ridgeratt on December 11, 2020, 10:55:45 AM: The original ammo still works? That would go against the grain of thought in here.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: wadu1 on December 11, 2020, 12:21:24 PM: Quote from: Ridgeratt on December 11, 2020, 10:55:45 AM
The original ammo still works? That would go against the grain in thought in here.
:yeah:
Like RR said it will work, I think your next trip hunting should include that ammo.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Birdguy on December 11, 2020, 09:50:43 PM: 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!
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: no.cen.wa on December 11, 2020, 09:51:43 PM: 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.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on December 11, 2020, 09:54:28 PM: Oh it better come out next year! :IBCOOL:
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: boneaddict on December 12, 2020, 06:33:30 AM: Very cool
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Idabooner on December 12, 2020, 07:55:21 AM: 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.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Goshawk on December 12, 2020, 12:50:44 PM: 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'.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: actionshooter on December 12, 2020, 04:40:14 PM: 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.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Pacific Ghost on December 13, 2020, 07:42:40 PM: Here is a pic of a family gun I have. Win 30-30 from 1894. I know it has snuffed the breath of more than a few critters. Maybe I'll get around to posting some old pics someday, if I ever figure out how to watermark them.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Pacific Ghost on December 13, 2020, 07:52:52 PM: A few closer shots of the stock.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Ghost Hunter on December 13, 2020, 09:34:56 PM: Sweet. The octagon barrel '94' didn't get passed to me. Hope that plumbers tape doesn't create marks on yours.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Pacific Ghost on December 13, 2020, 09:52:51 PM: Ya, gotta figure out another type of strap soon, maybe some kind of foam between. Has to be strong enough that it can't be ripped off the wall though. Rather look at things than hide them away forever.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Onewhohikes on December 14, 2020, 06:12:17 AM: Did you do the Initials?
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: pianoman9701 on December 14, 2020, 09:39:36 AM: What great memories and congrats on your filled tag, my friend. It sounds like just the thing for yearly memories and tribute. :tup:
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Pacific Ghost on December 14, 2020, 10:00:26 AM: Quote from: Onewhohikes on December 14, 2020, 06:12:17 AM
Did you do the Initials?

Not me. Either my g/g grandfather carved it himself, or it was done for him by someone else. He was born in 1844.
Title: Re: 50 year reunion
Post by: Onewhohikes on December 14, 2020, 11:53:53 AM: That is very cool. I like that really adds more personal touch to it.