Winchester model 70 "Westerner" .243 Win, my very first "deer rifle" and the one that started my obsession with spiral bores. It was a Christmas present from my parents in 1981. Earlier this fall, I pulled it out of the safe and realized it had been about 15 years since I had killed a deer with it and at least 5 since I had even hunted with it, so I carried it this weekend hoping to slay another deer with it, but it wasn't to be. I most often reach for something more exotic to hunt with these days. This rifle is neither exotic nor fancy, and it is easily one of the most mundane rifles I own, but it means the world to me because my parents knew I was lusting for my very own deer rifle and they made it happen, even though they probably couldn't afford it. Even though I didn't shoot a deer with it this weekend, I just enjoyed being back in the woods with it and thinking back to the big grin my dearly departed Dad had on his face as I unwrapped it on Christmas morning 34 years ago.

[Linked Image]