Originally Posted by
Slicker
I've never really been into pistols. I've fired a few (.22, 9mm, .38) but I never got the urge to buy one. I've always stuck with rifles and shotguns since I enjoy hunting more than target shooting.
The first time I went deer hunting, I was loaned a Remington 870 12 guage with 3" slugs. I'd learned to shoot using my grandfather's 1903 Springfield .306 (now mine along with the reloader) so I figured it couldn't have that much more kick. Was I wrong! While the deer dropped (made a canoe out of its skull with the slug) I also fell off the tree stump since I wasn't ready for that much kick (which also explains why it hit the deer in the head instead of the chest). While I have my own 870 with a rifled slug barrel now, after a dozen shots sighting it in, my shoulder is black and blue. So, I started using my muzzleloader instead. It's .50 cal and with 100 grains of powder instead of the 150 max, it doesn't kick like a mule and is quite accurate out to 150 yards. It's more challenging too since I only get one shot. Unfortunately, I only get to use my big "smoke poles" in Northern WI or out in NE as IL is shotgun/muzzleloader only.