Author Topic: Hunt of a life time (Read 1478 times)

truckie · « **on:** June 24, 2004, 02:01:58 AM »

I have a handi rifle and think it is a good fire arm , But would you choose it for a hunt of a life time

MtJerry · « **Reply #1 on:** June 24, 2004, 02:37:19 AM »

What better way to make it even more of a "hunt of a lifetime?" For those of use who use our single shots each year for elk, deer, varmits, etc., Every time I leave the house for a hunting trip, it hase the potential of being a "hunt of a lifetime."

Don't sell the single shot short. Practice with it and make your shot count.

dukkillr · « **Reply #2 on:** June 24, 2004, 07:03:57 AM »

when you say "hunt of a lifetime" it makes me think big bears, sheep, or dangerous african game. of those three i would only consider it for the sheep, and i probably wouldn't use it for them either. of course i don't get the sense of satisfaction that some people do from single shot rifles. i like to make my first shot count, but if i make a mistake i like the opportunity to follow up quickly. i'm not disagreeing with those who enjoy single shot hunting, i'm just saying it doesn't appeal to me.

handirifle · « **Reply #3 on:** June 24, 2004, 07:40:31 AM »

I have to say I fall in between the first two posters.

I may have the chance for an elk hunt this fall, that to my is a hunt of a lifetime and for that I may well take my Ultra in '06. But if it were for big bears or similar game, then no way would I. Not that the gun isn't capable, just that those creatures are more often then not, NOT stopped with one shot.

A hunt or my ego is not worth my life or someone elses.

scruffy · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2004, 09:01:54 AM »

A single shot is all I use for turkey, deer, squirrel, etc. I've used my single shot 12 gauge pardner or my sportster 22mag on many a coyote hunt but lately I've been carrying my semi auto 223 or 870 pump 12 gauge for coyotes. Not that I haven't done well with the single shots, but it's hard to turn a double, or in the once in a long time event of calling in a tripple it's almost impossible. It's much easier (read profitible) with a semi or pump when there's multiple targets. Although I've noticed that almost all the doubles I've called in where when I was hunting with a single shot, go figure....

So for me single target = single shot, multiple $$$ targets = autoloader or pump. Ducks, pheasants, etc I still use a single shot, probably for the nostalgia, I can't think of any other reason. Oh yea, because I don't blow through shells.... :?

later,
scruffy

BIGBOREFAN · « **Reply #5 on:** June 25, 2004, 03:54:12 AM »

Depends on the hunt of a lifetime. I've got a 7mm-08 that shots great as well as a Ultra Hunter in 450 Marlin. They would be perfect for game up to Elk, Caribou, Mountain goats. But, if I'm someplace that has BIG TEETH roaming around or I'm hunting it I'll go with my laminated stocked Ruger M77 stainless 300 Winchester Mag, 3-9x40 Nikon and shooting 180 Failsafes. Just my to cents. Around here in WV though I'll just carry my 357 Maximum. :-D

BBF

Big Blue · « **Reply #6 on:** June 25, 2004, 04:19:07 PM »

If my memory serves me correctly, Elmer Keith once went on what I would consider the hunt of a lifetime. He was hunting polar bears, with a .44 mag. revolver. Now most people would think he'd have to be crazy to do that, but when your backed up by a couple of 375 H+H rifles, it doesn't seem quite so crazy anymore. I would definitely take my BC for anything on this continent, but would want a friend along with some backup support.
GOOD POST,
Don

Tcallbuilder · « **Reply #7 on:** June 25, 2004, 11:31:20 PM »

I guess it kinda depends on the definition of (hunt of a lifetime)
most any time I can spend a day in the woods is a hunt of a lifetime weather i take the game im after or not. so a single shot rifle or shotgun serves me well.
However if i were going north to hunt the great bears id probably want a .375h&h or a .458 win mag.....and atleast 3 shots :-D

TCB [/b]

Mitch in MI · « **Reply #8 on:** June 26, 2004, 01:33:42 AM »

I think if you're on a "hunt of a lifetime" you don't want to be worrying about equiptment.
What gun do you shoot the most and can depend on your ability to hit your target with it that's in a suitable caliber for the game you're hunting?

JPH45 · « **Reply #9 on:** June 26, 2004, 07:07:07 PM »

I thought about this better art of the day before answering. Mitch is on the right track, what rifle do you use most and feel most comfortable with. The only rifles I own at present are Handis, all set up now with the same scopes. I can grab up either of the four and feel right at home with it.

As to would I go on the proverbial hunt of a lifetime with a single shot, yes. I have hunted with single shots of various designs all my life. I have found being alert, aware and prepared to be far greater assets than the rifle or handgun I was carrying. In fact, taking a handgun to hunt with before I had become truely competent with it turned out to be a horrid detriment, that was saved only by the rapid use of my old bolt action Mossberg 20 guage which was effectively a single shot as the magazine follower spring was broken. Untill this past season, that shotgun had accounted for more of the deer I have killed than any other single gun. That distinction now belongs to my 44 Mag. Handi. I had to shoot twice to kill a deer with my 357 Max this year, the first shot being a non killing hit. The second tumbled the deer, poleaxed him. The action took place at a distance not greater than 30 yards. I have never considered a single shot to be a detriment of my hunting. I do think an over emphasis on equipment to be the wrong place to put the bulk of ones energies in hunting preperation, be it the general seasons hunt in an area I hunt every year, or a hunt on lands I have never been on. The best rifle in the world won't kill a deer, elk, bear or buffalo that is not where you are.

Cottonwood · « **Reply #10 on:** June 27, 2004, 06:43:52 AM »

I own 3 single shot rifles....

A Sharps in 45-90, a Buffalo Classic in 45-70 and a 22" Ultra in 45-70. I would not feel under gunned with any of them. Using the right soft cast bullet (30:1 soft cast) for me anyways, and the proper shot placement, it should be a done deal. For hunting I use bullets that are at least a 500-gr "Elk Buster", but are only going approx 1250 fps because I want the KE wacking the game like it has been hit by a Mac truck.

If I was say going after something much bigger, I would use my 45-90 with a 560-gr "Thores Hammer" to do the job. Still a single shot, still just as accurate and deadly.

But when hunting, you pick the ambush, you pick the shot. Don't let your game know where you are.

I have yet to shoot a bison, but plan to maybe this next season. I have no fear of shooting one with a single shot rifle.

Longcruise · « **Reply #11 on:** June 27, 2004, 04:18:53 PM »

Quote

I may have the chance for an elk hunt this fall, that to my is a hunt of a lifetime

Hey Handi where will you be hunting Elk. If you are in my neck of the woods (CO) I'd be happy to help you out any way I can.

Every year I hunt elk and every year it's the "hunt of a lifetime" whether it's a one day near home or a week in the back county. Skulking through the black timber at dawn with the pungent smell of pines in the thin air of the high country is an experience in itself even when no elk are seen. Just the place, the time, the season and the possibility of elk is the experience of a lifetime. I'm lucky that I can do it every year :grin:

Anyway, to be a bit more on topic, on my last hunt for elk last fall I took five rifles with me

Only carried one though and it did it's job admirabley :grin:

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #12 on:** June 29, 2004, 07:59:45 AM »

There is an article in the latest Fur, Fish, Game magazine, written by na Alaskan guide which addresses this to a certain point. He says that he and his colleagues would rather see someone come in for a hunt carrying an old beater rifle they can shoot comfortably and accurately than someone who bought the latest super whiz-bang gun which he isn't familiar with. I recently sold my .30-06 Handi for money to get a Marlin .30-30 I just had to have, but I would not have felt undergunned with it on any "hunt of a lifetime" in the Americas.

-WH-

scruffy · « **Reply #13 on:** June 29, 2004, 08:21:08 AM »

Hmmmm, 30-30. Ok, that's it, any "hunt of a lifetime" for me would have to include me holding a winchester or marlin lever 30-30 with a good peep sight. For me it would be proving to myself I'm the hunter my ancestors were. Of course that would mean I'm my own guide also, and not following a woodmans/guide around until he found the game and I just shoot it....

To often anymore someone's "hunt of a lifetime" is really their "shot of a lifetime" because the "guide" is the one finding the game, the "hunter" is really just the shooter.

later,
scruffy

handirifle · « **Reply #14 on:** June 29, 2004, 11:00:32 AM »

Longcruise
Me and two co-workers applied for New Mexico. I'm not sure of the exact area, that was handled but one of the other guys. he's hunted there a lot. Thanks for the offer. Do you hunt private land or public?

Are the tags for public land hard to get? Probably depends on which area, huh? If New Mex doesn't pan out maybe we can look your way???

Five guns?? I thought I might carry a Handi as a back up but haven't decided THAT for sure. I don't even own five guns that would kill an elk.

marv · « **Reply #15 on:** June 29, 2004, 12:01:33 PM »

Handi rifle I have heard part of N. M. elk is
Primtive Firearms only you might want to check on it. Just sugestion.
Marv.

handirifle · « **Reply #16 on:** June 30, 2004, 09:46:14 AM »

HA, well it's too late now. Guess I'll go BP if that is the case. The guy that handled it is pretty sharp so I doubt it, but never hurts to check.

Longcruise · « **Reply #17 on:** June 30, 2004, 05:15:45 PM »

Quote

Do you hunt private land or public?

Are the tags for public land hard to get? Probably depends on which area, huh? If New Mex doesn't pan out maybe we can look your way???/quote]

Exclusively on public land. 85% of the mountainous half of colorado is public land :-)

You can drive into colorado, buy a bull tag over the counter and head for the hills. Some units are draw only but many are open to over the counter.

Sourdough · « **Reply #18 on:** June 30, 2004, 08:29:19 PM »

You did not say what caliber it is. That is a large determining factor.

I'm going on a hunt that would be counted as the hunt of a life time by almost anyone else. In September I am floating a river in the Brooks Range for 14 days. Dall Sheep, Caribou, Moose, Black Bear, Grizzly, Wolverine, Wolves, Foxes, Grouse, Ptarmigan, Ducks, Cranes, and Geese. I'm taking a single shot rifle. The only reason I'm not taking my Handi 30-06, is the big Grizzlies in the area. I am taking my Thompson Center TCR-83 in .338 Win Mag. and 12 ga. One gun two barrels. If it was not for the big bears I'd take my 30-06/20ga Handi. In 45 years of hunting in Alaska, Tennessee, Arizonia, Nevada, and New Mexico, I've only needed a second shot one time. Not for the Moose that I had shot, but for his big brother that charged me after the shot. I'm totally comfortable with a single shot, and the Handi is just as reliable, and accurate as the TCR. Just the caliber is not large enough for my situation. I'd rather see someone carry a marginal gun that they are familer with, than carry a large one that is new and they are not comfortable with.

handirifle · « **Reply #19 on:** July 01, 2004, 06:33:56 AM »

sourdough
What's the recoil like on the TC in 338? That's gotta hurt.

Major · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2004, 10:37:19 AM »

Remember guys, it wasnt much more than 140 years ago all hunts of a lifetime were with single shots and mankind survived just fine. We did so for centuries before that too. And mostly they had front stuffers, think how slow that is to reload compared to your Handis. I would still use my Handi for a hunt of a lifetime. :lol:

Sourdough · « **Reply #21 on:** July 04, 2004, 02:02:02 PM »

Handi-rifle: It's not as bad as I expected, using a 250gr bullet. I don't use a brake, and it's definitely not a bench shooter. But for hunting where most of my shots are from a standing position, it's not bad. The occasional shot made from the prone or sitting position usually over a rest is rare for me, but since I am only making one shot not a problem. And the set trigger is real nice for long shots.

handirifle · « **Reply #22 on:** July 06, 2004, 05:58:17 AM »

Well, the results are in and me and my two buddies were SUCCESSFUL! Yahoo!

New Mexico elk this Nov. I still need to look up the area, the drawing results were for this area, ELK-1-213 . It's for mature bull, that much I do know. Time to work up loads. Glad I bought those 180gr Nosler Partitions.

Sourdough · « **Reply #23 on:** July 06, 2004, 07:24:42 PM »

Handi: Congratulations!!!!!!!!! When I lived New Mexico I got drawn for an archery hunt in the Jamez Mountains of northern New Mexico. Unfortunately the only Elk I seen within archery range, spooked my saddle horse and he threw me before I could get a decent shot off. The only arrow I did shoot get bent in the fall and curved around to hit him in the hind quarter. The Elk ran off about 100yrds, stoped pulled the arrow out with his teeth, then calmly walked away. We did take a pair if nice Mulies. I still have that arrow, teeth marks and bend.

handirifle · « **Reply #24 on:** July 07, 2004, 03:26:56 PM »

sourdough
That's a good story. Better still to keep the proof. I'm hoping at least one of us get a full tag. I'm feeling really good about this hunt. Would love to send the Ultra off for an '06 barrel but it's hard to justify after speending almost $800 for the tags. Plus I'll need to split fuel food and lodging.$$$$$$$

But worth every penny. :grin: :grin: