I took possession of my first and only, semi-custom rifle , in spring of 1990. The cost was a bit above my “means” at the time, and was built for use, a utility rifle .....but, it was beautiful to me! On my first outing with it, 10 minutes into my hike, with a pack frame loaded with “bear bait”, while crossing a 1/4 mile wide willow flat being heavily worked by beavers.....I caught my foot under a “beaver-cut” willow limb. I did a face-plant, rifle down first , into 6 or 8 inches of mud and water. The dismay was great,but, temporary. It was a “utilitarian” hunting rifle, and had been “officially “ broken in! memtb

You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong." -Bob Hagel

“I’d like to be a good rifleman…..but, I prefer to be a good hunter”! memtb 2024