OK Michael, here goes...
I too don't qualify as young or in active military duty. Started shooting as a kid in Scouts and the local rifle range, and have been a birdhunter here in MN and surrounding states since the mid-1960s. I was an odd-ball in my teens as I carried a side-by-side instead of a pump. As of late enjoy the pointing dog work more than the shooting, and often times just handle the dogs for my father (age 78).
My in-laws convinced me to try deer hunting a dozen or so years ago. I do enjoy it, at least for the few days while we can't run the dogs on birds. My rifle is the deer hunting counterpart to the 870... at least it is wood and blued metal in a somewhat unique caliber. I don't particilarily like to shoot it at targets as it pounds my shoulder, but of course I never notice the kick when killing a whitetail.
I have always liked the looks of a Ruger No 1... and I have drooled over pictures of the Dakota Model 10. Some day!...
I do have several questions about a handed-down brown rifle I own and will start a new thread.
Bryan
