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As the title says, it's up to you to provide content for this post, either in the comments or on your own blog if you feel so inclined (in which case, please ping this entry with a big fat trackback to let me know. Or drop me an email if you believe trackbacks to be worse of a Devil's scheme than President Shrub's Evil Damninistration)Here's the pitch: my birthday is coming up, and since I'm hitting a new landmark in the History of Me — a two numbers figure with a zero at the end — I'm working out various ways to mark the event.
In the "it's now or never: live the instant" Department, I'm considering either taking a jump out of a perfectly working airplane, or a ride in a Lamborghini Murcielago — behind the wheel, and on a race track of course.
While that should fulfill my need for adrenalin, I'm also looking for something that will last longer, and I feel like offering me a boomstick to mark the occasion for the years to come — assuming the chute will open properly.
So here's where I put you to work: I'd like suggestions.
Guidelines as follow:
- I'm more of a rifleman than a pistolero, so let's leave handguns aside.
- It doesn't have to be a luxurious, expensive boomstick with gold and engravings all over the place. I'm a simple guy with simple needs(1), not one of Saddam Hussein's degenerate sons. Good rifle, at a good price for good value is what I'm looking for.
- Closely related to the previous point: I'm looking for a rifle that I will actually use, not just place on display in the living room. By "use", I mean (mostly) hunting big game by all sorts of weather (in a forest, and frequently thick and thorny underbrush environment). Usually at close range.
- Big game means adapted caliber. It doesn't have to be magnum all the way (as 1. Most European big game is not too big and 2. Size is not everything, I believe in bullet placement) but .22 is definitely a bit small and a bit slow.
- Rifles, not shotguns. Have enough shotguns, thank you.
- I like wood as much as composite. I like bolt as much as lever action. And semi-auto. Okay, I have just a slight preference for bolts.
Oh and if you don't know jack about guns, I'm thinking of having a few words engraved on my Rifle of the New Decade. Any idea?
Comments
Comments thread (90)
2601 - Iwo Gina
Iwo Gina Maryland
Valerie: My youngest is my only daughter, and she's currently serving overseas in England. She's doing better, thanks for the concern. Females in my family are tough little cookies (my mom scares my dad to pieces! but he tells me that living with her is a thrill a minute! ;)
2602 - Valerie, Texas
Valerie, Texas
My apologies Gina, now that I recall, you did say "youngest child" and I made an assumption. Which I should not have. Glad to know the latest in tough cookies is doing better!
2603 - the dissident frogman
the dissident frogman France
Lots of interesting advices from all - thanks a lot, and please, keep them coming.
I'm not sure the SKS would be allowed for hunting in France. French gun laws are particularly stupid and rarely make sense — and considering that gun laws are by definition stupid and senseless, that's saying a lot.
Gabby: I've read about the Scout in Col. Cooper's Art of the Rifle, and I'd agree that with such credentials, this gun has a lot to say about itself.
NevadaDailySteve: thanks for the owner's review on the Marlin. Now black powder is something I'm looking into as well, even though I don't think it's allowed for hunting here. On the bright side, muzzleloaders are still "unregulated", and can be bought without going through heavy administrative hassle, like the rest (rimfire or centerfire, no matter the caliber) — and KL shares her enthusiasm for reenactements in a most inspiring way.
Now the question would be either the modern Remington Genesis, or a Kentucky rifle replica...
Iwo: I second Sister Toldjah on the guessing question: no way you can be my older sister.
Sis': C'mon, you don't need any further beauty secret.
AllenInWV: the T3 was actually my second choice when I looked for my current hunting rifle - I heard many good things about the Tikka indeed, but in the end I went for the Sig-Sauer SHR 970.
Indeed, Val is hardly older than me — as a matter of fact, I looked upon you as my (slightly) older sister Val, up to the day you toyed with the idea of adopting me :p
See? Val's maternal instinct is bigger than her heart, which is itself bigger than Texas.
A girl after my own heart!
2604 - Valerie, Texas
Valerie, Texas
Frogman,
If you check the archives of Dacha 1.0 I offered up the win-win solution to ALL the readers back then. The advantages that made it an attractive arrangement back then still stand. Shawll I recount them?
As I recall one in particular put a burr under your saddle. Guess it's been itchin' all these years. LOL!
2605 - Civis Proeliator
Civis Proeliator
As a former skydiver (biased opinion alert!), I'd say make the jump. You can always do the Lambo ride on an "older" date. And spring for a video of the jump. You'll not regret it.
As far as the rifle suggestion, you can't go wrong with a .30-30 in the conditions you mentioned and I'd choose Marlin if it were me. Or maybe one of the lever action guide rifles in .50 Alaskan depending on your def of "big game".
Hope you have a Happy BDay no matter what the choice!
2606 - the dissident frogman
the dissident frogman France
Valerie:
Ah! I rest my case, you uber-Mom you.
Civis Proeliator: This sounds like the practical way to go indeed, particularly when one thinks that by the time I get to the race track option, there will probably be a whole new range of mean machines to pick.
Not sure about the DVD though. I mean, is there any value in a few minutes sequence showing mostly yours truly wetting his jump suit and frantically calling his Mom while falling down?
And strike 2 for the Marlin,
Thanks, not matter the choice I'm sure I'll enjoy it (even if I need a change of clothes in the end)
2607 - SisterToldjah
SisterToldjah
DF - why not do both? Skydiving one day and Lamborghini the next? The best of both worlds :)
You still up, ami? It's a late hour in France, while the night is still young here in the US. Hey, maybe we can hold an impromptu bday for you in this thread this evening? I'll get it started with the song:
"Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday, dear DF, happy birthday to you!"
And many more ...
(searches around for the party hats)
2608 - Valerie, Texas
Valerie, Texas
Gee, Uber Brat, who could have guessed pointing out the benefits to adopting you were:
Already gone through puberty, college is over and paid for, already knows how to drive, and comes potty trained
would have rankled you all these years? I thought I was just doing you and the world a service.
2609 - SisterToldjah
SisterToldjah
LOL Valerie - I think Texas would be a perfect fit for DF, as he clearly has a wild cowboy heart. I can just imagine the cowboy hat, boots ... I wonder how one would sound saying "howdy" with a French accent? ;)
2610 - the dissident frogman
the dissident frogman France
Sis':
Unfortunately, my accountant is not as accommodating as you are...
Indeed, it's getting well advanced in the night. I'm still up because I'm late in my email correspondence (wink, wink, nod, nod), but you on the other hand are quite early for my birthday party (I'm still in my thirties if only for a little while, so let's just not rush things thank.you.very.much.)
Valerie:
Right. First, opinions vary as to the puberty issue. Some people would argue that I can sometimes act as if it wasn't totally behind me or at the very least not that far behind. Even some who have not seen the mime thing.
I'm potty trained though. Well, as best as we French can be.
Next, I just knew it was a bad idea to import the old content and improve the search engine. Big, big, big mistake.
One would sound very briefly I presume. Just enough time for the real cowboys around to hear you, and take some measures.