The older I get and the longer I hunt, the more I enjoy
not using the latest, greatest hunting technology. A few years ago I went through a phase of revolver hunting and found shooting deer and hogs with them immensely satisfying, although it does require near constant practice in order to successfully make shots to 50 yds. or so. For a couple of seasons I hunted with an 1886 production '73 Winchester (38 WCF) and an 1866 Uberti (44 WCF) and was successful with both of those. So this year I've been alternating between a 92 Rossi .357 and my old H&R Topper my folks bought me for Christmas in about 1973 (It originally came with 20 ga., and 22 Hornet barrels and I later added 30-30 barrel, which I've been using), both of which have open sights.
But yesterday evening as I was heading to the stand I grabbed one of my I.B.M.-produced M1 Carbine's and a magazine loaded with handloaded soft points. I've been seeing this buck on my game camera for weeks now, but he never presented himself during normal operating hours. But at about 5:25 yesterday evening he stepped out a tad over 40 yds. from the rudimentary brush blind I hunt from. It was an easy shot, but he ran much further than I expected and by the time I had combed through the thick mesquites and fairly tall grass, it was nearly dark when I found him. He's a 10 point minus 2 broken tines, with a 19 3/4" inside spread, and he field dressed at exactly 140 lbs. We had a horrible drought this summer, he should've been a good 20+ lbs. heavier.
35W