Guns in Hunting Camp - Then and Now

[Rick Teal]

A post by JohnYCannuck on another board got me to thinking about this so I thought I'd start a thread on it here.

I started hunting deer in 1961, and I've noticed a major change in the type, quality and quantity of guns taken into camp over that period.

In my first season the hunters usually only had one rifle with them, and those were relatively cheap - usually being milsurps or "old timers".  Now, most of the rifles are either of recent manufacture or have been bought new by the users.  The cartridges tend to be getting faster and of a smaller bore, and almost everyone has a "backup".  Open sights have been replaced by red dots and a few scopes.

This is how it shapes up in my camp:

1961: (10 hunters)

6 Bolt guns (3 SMLE's, 1-P14, 1-98 in 8X57, 1-Type "B" in 7X57)
2 Levers (Winchesters in 30-30)
1 Auto (Model 8 in .35 Rem.)
1 pump (760 in 30-06)

2002: (11 hunters - primary rifle)

1 Bolt (700 in .35 Whelen)
3 Levers (BLR's 2-.243, 1-.358 Win)
6 Auto's (2-7400's in 30-06, 4-742's 1-.243, 3 - 30-06's)
1 Pump (7600 in .270)

Clearly our hunters are using more fast shooters today - which are more appropriate for hunting in our territory.

How have things "evolved" in your Canadian hunting group since you started out?

[kevin.303]

i ran across a clipping from the winnipeg free press the other day and it was titled "moose hunters descend on flin flon" . it's from 1962 and pictures 7 hunters in white coveralls standing on the street in downtown flin flon . i looked at the names and low and behold i knew them all! it was my late grandfather and his friends

the guns;  .303 (2 SMLE's and a straight pull ross)
               .30-06 ( 1 model 70) (my grandfather's)
                a pair of savage 99's (calibers unknown)

the last was an unidentifiable bolt action, but i'm pretty sure it's a .30-40 krag.

[ringo]

All our hunting rifles are bolt action (with 1 exception), chambered for 270win and 30.06spg, with a slight edge going to the 270's.  There are some 300 win mags, 338 win mags, and 7mm rem mags which come out for moose.  The exception is a BLR Browning chambered to 358, the guy insists on packing a "brush cutting" back up, this is ceremonially produced when his 30.06 misses!  I haven't seen a 303 brit or 30.30 used in about 20 yrs, I have seen 6.5 x 55, 7 x 57, 30/284 and 1 or 2 weatherbys.  Most hunters go with popular chamberings as they forget their ammo and cameras on the kitchen table, so it is easier to scrounge among friends or purchase at the store enroute.  The trend now is to archery because of easier regs on bull elk, and some purists are going to muzzleloaders and single shot Rugers and when they are successful the room fills with testestrone and large egos!

[Omega]

Guess I've never understood the fast follow up shot theory. I always believed in making the first one count. Back in the day (30 years ago!)when I first was allowed to go to moose camp, 94's (30/30), 88's and 99's (308) were the rule with a few 303 bolts around. This has slowly evolved to the bolt guns in 7 mag, 300 mag, 338 mag and now with my group the T/C Encores are hugely popular, I even shoot one in a 375 H&H! Muzzle loaders are really catching on even here in Alberta where there are no special seasons for them. Personally I really enjoy the smokers and don't feel handicapped hunting the whole season with them or my single shot Encores.
Rich

[Scum Frog]

Hey folks,

IN my moose camp we are 12 hunters and we seem to represent everything out there from Autoloaders, bolts , pump in .270, .30-06, 300Mag etc and levers in .308 & .30-30.  It seems the only thing we are missing is a big bore Marlin lever.

With 12 hunters, variety is the spice of life!