KNOW THY RIFLE..

Many years ago I read an article in one of the many outdoor magazines that were available about getting to know your rifle.  I can’t remember the name of the magazine nor the name of the writer, but, I’ll never forget the message that it offered.  “Know Thy Rifle”.

This article came out just about the time that the hunting community got “Magnum Fever” and most of the gun writers were writing glowing reports about the new magnum  cartridges that seemed to sprout from everywhere.  The writer of this article however, took a different stance regarding the new hot rods of the shooting world.  Noting that most of the advertisements were playing to the increased velocity and flat shooting capabilities of these new cartridges, he pointed out that high velocity and low trajectory don’t necessarily mean more game in the bag.  He felt that it would mean more wounded animals because many hunters would take shots that they normally wouldn’t take in the belief that “THE MAGNUM” would do the rest.  In fact, when the Weatherby Magnums came on the scene, I actually heard one individual tell another that “with the new Weatherby rifles you can hit ‘em anywhere and they’re going down”.. 

Well, at the time, I was still using the only “big game” rifle that I had…a Winchester ’94 in .32 Special and all this talk about magnums really got me to thinking.  Maybe I should get a bigger gun if I want to be successful.  But, I was successful.  That little Winchester had dumped many a mule deer on its nose and a Jackrabbit, running or not, was only a slightly more challenging target.  But, in light of all the hype on the new magnums, I began to doubt myself and was considering trading in that Winchester for one of the new .308 Norma Magnums that were all the rage at the time.  That’s when I read the article “Know Thy Rifle” and it changed my way of thinking overnight. 

The rifle is no magic wand.  It can only perform to the abilities of the shooter.  I knew that little Winchester.  I was confident with it.  I knew every little dent in the wood.  It was an extension of “ME”.  That’s why I was successful.  I knew my rifle. I was intimate with everything about it.  I knew what it was capable of, and, I knew what I was capable of.  

So, the point I’m trying to make here is……it doesn’t matter what caliber you use.  It doesn’t matter if you choose the venerable old 30-30 or a Super Duper hyper velocity belted magnum.  What does matter, is how well you and your rifle perform together. You’re a team.  Both members have limitations.  Learn what they are and you’ll be a better and more successful sportsman.   

Tom Kampert

Surprise, Ariz.