I post Gibbs a lot because he’s real cute and looks like a stuffed animal. But today he turned to five months old and went on his very first real hunt. He is such a good little boy. And he couldn’t learn from a better dog.
Gibbs is still putting in work at the office. Such a nice little dog.
The boys and I watched a 10 month old lab this weekend. He’s a pretty sheltered guy and hasn’t seen a lot of work. Took him for his first few big off leash runs and got him swimming for the first time. My little guy provided constant stimuli, and my big guy provided the steadiness and recall. He got picked up this morning and his owner said it was the best day they’ve ever had with him. Nice to show a little dog the ropes.
Finally tracked down a Benelli Ultralight 20gauge. I’ve been looking for a good price on the pre-Montefeltro. Because it matches my M2. Happened to find a guy with one on guns international that was local to me and was willing to cut a deal. New inbox never assembled. And man do these always have nice wood. I unexpectedly lost half of my dog power this summer so all the side-by-side’s are getting put up and it’s a Benelli year. Can’t waste those opportunities.
I lost my 2 1/2 year-old Holland to cancer in July. Gibbs came home shortly after. Today we picked up Holland’s last mallard at the taxidermist. Here’s Gibbs checking it out.
Gibbs, the puppy gets most of the press these days. But nobody compares to Rigby. Such a good boy..
Just hit 15 weeks today. Manners are getting pretty respectable.
Forgot a bumper, sacrificed a flip-flop. Took him a bit to get in the water and get comfortable. But once he did, it was hard to get him out. Plus, Rigby was there with him. Which makes everything better.
It’s crazy how fast he is growing.
Gibbs moved in five days after I lost Holland. He is such a sweet little dog. Great for me, great for the kids, great for Rigby.
Last Monday I lost my best friend to cancer. He was 2 1/2 but lived 2 1/2 lifetimes. My five-year-old, Rigby is kind of everybody’s dog. Everybody’s favorite. But Holland was mine.
I tend to believe that you own dogs as much for the dog as yourself. I am fortunate to be able to hunt and adventure a lot; my dogs see the world. So when my breeder told me, he had 3 litters we headed down there on Saturday. Anyway, meet Gibbs….
Surprisingly, easy gun to shoot. Two C zone steels at 15yds. Double action pull is heavy AF, but super predictable and easy to hit with. It certainly not gonna take the driver seat, but I wouldn’t feel unarmed with it.
Just curious, how many of you carry a heavier shell on you during sporting clays. I’m sure it’s totally mental, but I keep a handful of AA 1 1/8 super sporting in my bag. I’m usually shooting light targets, reloads, or top guns for 99% of targets. But I feel like when I walk up to a 50 yard chandelle, far rabbit, or big target in general it’s nice to have a little more heat in the Gun. I should say I’m not at all a choke changer. Light mods live in both barrels.
People keep posting wood on modern high-end tactical shotguns, and I am here for it. 21 inch M2 I’ve had forever. The forend is from an anniversary Super Black Eagle and the butt stock is from an old style Montefeltro. Love this Gun. It’s been in snow goose pits, three gun barrels, pheasant fields, and under the bed. Never had a fumble. Every year, it gets the tube and charging handle taken off of it when I need a slump buster on pheasants. Absolute death.
I picked up this Ithaca 37 from an auction. It’s a 16 gauge featherweight. It weighs 6 lbs. 8 oz. as it sits. It’s just a bit long and muzzle heavy. Additionally, the balance is a little bit weird with the poly-choke
Question: would you have the poly choke cut off and threaded for thin walls?
I have a 20 gauge twin to this one. I did the same thing with and it’s slick. My matching 12 is a factory Simmons rib deluxe with a 26 inch improved cylinder barrel.
Worth pointing out I am a serious Upland hunter not a collector.
Last year I carried the 44 the vast majority of the time. Work in the city, long trip in the western US, bear season/ baiting up north, and everywhere else. Last year, my goal was to carry shoot and hunt with nothing but a 44.
This year is nothing but 10 mil. I’ve been carrying this 29 every day for the last 2 1/2 months. Right at 600 rounds on both of my 10 mms.
So which do you choose? 10/12+1 and fast or 5 and power.
So far, the 29 has been a little bit easier to live with for practice and carry. Plus it’s definitely my preference if folks were in the mix.
Both of these weigh almost exactly the same loaded. But one’s got a light and 11 more rounds. Last year I used a 44 for backcountry carry and bear hunting. 2000 rounds of full power ammo with over 1000 of it through the Gun. The other rounds through three other 44s. This year is all about 10 mil. I will say at about 600 rounds so far the 10 mil experience is much more pleasant. Last year I had to kill tag and I still think the 44 is the way to go if you’re straight up hunting.