A One Gun Hunter
Everett Headley 12.13.22
“Beware the man who only uses one gun, he knows how to use it.”
Who gets credit for this pithy phrase is probably lost to us, but there are no shortages of suggestions. The spirit of the words are more important than the source. Reaching back to World War II and the soldier’s use of the M1 Garand, shooters who dedicated significant range and field use to their selected weapon became adept marksmen with it. Adjustments and fine tuning of an individual’s rifle made them even more accurate. There are fascinating stories of GI’s finding creative ways to sneak their guns back home after the war and use them to hunt on the farm. Over seven decades later, shooters share the same affinity for their weapons.
My One Gun
I think of myself as a one-gun-hunter, but likely there are very few “true” hunters with just one rifle in the safe. My Browning X-Bolt chambered in .300 Winchester Magnum is my primary rifle accompanying me on big game hunts. Out of the box, I’ve been very impressed with all the X-Bolts I have handled. A classic round and still wildly popular, my .300WM is perfect for larger game and longer distances, but slightly (or greatly, it makes no difference to the target) overgunned on my favorite game, antelope. I could slim down to something lighter, my shoulder might be grateful, but I find myself reaching for the tool I know inside and out. My confidence in it is unshakeable and any miss is because of the human element I entered into the equation.
Customizing It to My Fit
While it may be a factory gun, that doesn’t mean it stayed that way for long. I traded out springs in the trigger for just a little less creep. Thankfully this rifle came threaded with the 5/8×24 my AAC Jaeger suppressor required. If you haven’t shot suppressed or wondered if it was worth the expense and wait, do yourself the great service and get one. The Vortex Viper has more magnification than I need, but I wanted to have options at ranges further than I typically hunt. I keep the sunshade on, something I notice very few others use. The comb is adjustable which is a feature I strongly recommend for those looking to tighten groups and increase distance. I added a pad of memory foam with vet wrap to it to soften the recoil on my cheek. It also helps keep my eye inline with the scope. My hand loaded rounds are in tune to this rifle’s unique harmonics. All this adds up to a rifle that shoots better than myself. Overkill, perhaps, but with so many variables that can negatively alter the outcome of a hunt, my gun isn’t one that causes me anxiety.
My Plus One (or Ten)
This amount of effort makes it difficult for me to consider another option. However, different jobs require different tools. If you try building a house with just a hammer, you may succeed, but it won’t be pretty. My AR-platform .223 is setup for distance and animal control and a .22 Ruger lives in my truck for those times when an opportunity presents itself for a squirrel, grouse, or anything else in the woods. I have a little 6.5mm that is very serviceable for short shots on the ranch when hunting whitetail does. I even keep a .270 Winchester I picked up on a whim at a pawn shop after Christmas sale for $200 in good condition should a new hunter, or forgetful one, need something to borrow. I might include my .50 caliber percussion muzzleloader, but then my heirloom 30-30 lever gun and the family of shotguns I keep would all feel left out. While l may think of myself as being dedicated to using just one firearm, the reality is there are others. And honestly, I am probably already looking for the next one.
Learn Your Rifle
Hunters who spend the time learning the quirks and nuances of their rifles make better shots. They learn the ballistics and real world results of what can be accomplished. Bullets are selected with a care towards accuracy that translates into cleaner, quicker kills. Sometimes this develops into fanaticism, but given that more gun and ammo purchases equate to more Pittman-Robertson dollars for wildlife conservation, it’s easily forgiven. My early hunting days did not have a very large budget. My 7mm Remington Magnum was entry level with a sloppy trigger that struggled to get better than a two inch group. Nevertheless, it worked and I brought home many deer with it. My point is that we grow into different tools as we progress through proficiency. That shouldn’t bring shame or envy, just a commitment to be as accurate as possible. We owe it to our quarry to bring a quick kill without suffering.
The day may come when my hunting is limited to one species, once a year. I might then become a true one-gun-hunter. Until then, I prefer the tool best suited for the job and the excuse to spend just a little more time at the range.
