|
[ Return to Contents
| Post a Reply
| Post a new message
]
On the wing.....
Posted by Murphy on Aug 30 2005
ODH,
This is interesting, I like the book already.
I grew up in the 1960's, (If I ever grew up) and bought my first rifle in the 1960's and shot birds from the sky in the 1960's.
I bolt action Remington model 722. Plane jane, utilitarian rifle. Got it from an old farmer who hired me to haul his hay and paid me with that old rifle. The caliber was 244 Remington, which today is rarely mentioned. I shot deer, ground hogs, foxes, coyotes, crows, squirrels, rabbits and ducks. Some on the wing. It would bust a duck into pieces, but I got duck. I later put a Weaver K-3 (in the 1960's)scope on this rifle but that made arial shots more difficult for me. At shotgun range, we lead a flying duck, grouse or quail, but the 244 has about three times the velocity and did not require any lead ahead of the bird. Just like with a scatter gun, swing from behind through the duck, break the shot as the sight is on the bird.
The swing will put the shot at the leading edge of the bird. I have also used the 30-30 which is slower and requires about a thumbs width of daylight ahead of a duck.
The Remington was made in many calibers. I have also owned a 722 in 300 savage which is an interesting and popular caliber of the era. I have not shot birds on the wing with this rifle, though, but the technique will work just as well. The rifle has a front bead and u-notch rear with a step elevator under the rear sight that is slid fore and aft to elevate or lower the sight. Very basic but it works well. Interesting concept, e-mail me if you want more details.
Good luck with the book.
Murphy
Previous: period rifles OldDuckHunter Sep 02 2005
Next: On the wing OldDuckHunter Sep 02 2005
 Message Thread:
|
