Always enjoy your stories. I started hunting in the period when a family likely had one deer rifle. Inn eastern MT. it was likely to be a lever action because it was so portable on a horse.

My first few deer were taken with a model 95 Winchester in 1903 (30-06). I too have gone back to my roots. 25-35,250 sav,and 30-30.

Thanks again for being here on Campfire.