07-14-2020, 08:59 PM
I know, old thread. Couldn't help but read what others have done/are doing. Good read, particularly experiences with kids.
No hunters or shooters in my family growing up but remember my Dad buying a Crossman BB gun for my older brother and myself to share when I was around 10 or so. Being born in Deadwood, became interested in all the stories from old timers around town about Wild Bill and Annie Oakley.
I was around 19 when I joined a local rod and gun club here in Colorado. I bought a 20ga Ithaca and Ruger New Model Single Six for shooting trap/skeet/birds/ rabbits. Still have 'em. Started raising Labs, got addicted to field trials, upland bird hunting and waterfowl. It was my passion for the next several decades. Eventually, that lead to another passion hunting big game and some trapping.
Early 90's, met a well known 2A activist and former Libertarian candidate for gov. of Colorado, who also happened to own a gun/military surplus store and had a radio show holding politicians feet to the fire. That's when I was introduced to the AR and other military platform rifles. Worked for him part time on the side while programming CNCs for a major PC/Server/Next bench Engineering Test Device manufacturer. At that time, met a neighbor who was a hard core traditional bowhunter with several P&Y entries. Got mentored by him and didn't rifle hunt again for nearly 20 years. Now do both when I can draw tags.
First AR was a Bushy XM15-E2S Shorty AK. Wasn't happy being limited to the permanent carry handle/irons. Changed out that upper reciever with a flat top upper to run an Aimpoint T2 and folding rear irons. That was it, got bit real hard after that and began acquiring tools to do my own builds. Meantime, my son came of age and we began building together and are beginning to train his son.
Moved from suburbia to the West Slope in 2001. Reinvented a new career in oil/gas as there was little industry here that could pay the bills after trying to get by on what I could earn as an EMT for four years. Got my son in the industry and retired after running a frac crew for near a decade. Built a training range at home and got serious for a few years expanding our skills with the AR and handguns. After 3 years in retirement, got bored enough to go back to work for a small DOD contractor for two years machining parts and building the M205 tripod, M320s and M4 barrels.
I have shot ftr at the club level for around 10 years. Son, myself and friends, some former military, regularly set up tactical courses for training purposes on my property and adjoining public land. I have benefited from shooting with them and a member of the US F class team who I met thru work. Currently saving up for an f class open division rifle on a BAT action.
Being retired again (permanently this time), I RSO at the local range that hosts regional, national, international competitions. Spend as much time as I can on the LPR, reaching out to steel as far as 2000yds with an RPR in 300prc and reloading more than I would like.
No hunters or shooters in my family growing up but remember my Dad buying a Crossman BB gun for my older brother and myself to share when I was around 10 or so. Being born in Deadwood, became interested in all the stories from old timers around town about Wild Bill and Annie Oakley.
I was around 19 when I joined a local rod and gun club here in Colorado. I bought a 20ga Ithaca and Ruger New Model Single Six for shooting trap/skeet/birds/ rabbits. Still have 'em. Started raising Labs, got addicted to field trials, upland bird hunting and waterfowl. It was my passion for the next several decades. Eventually, that lead to another passion hunting big game and some trapping.
Early 90's, met a well known 2A activist and former Libertarian candidate for gov. of Colorado, who also happened to own a gun/military surplus store and had a radio show holding politicians feet to the fire. That's when I was introduced to the AR and other military platform rifles. Worked for him part time on the side while programming CNCs for a major PC/Server/Next bench Engineering Test Device manufacturer. At that time, met a neighbor who was a hard core traditional bowhunter with several P&Y entries. Got mentored by him and didn't rifle hunt again for nearly 20 years. Now do both when I can draw tags.
First AR was a Bushy XM15-E2S Shorty AK. Wasn't happy being limited to the permanent carry handle/irons. Changed out that upper reciever with a flat top upper to run an Aimpoint T2 and folding rear irons. That was it, got bit real hard after that and began acquiring tools to do my own builds. Meantime, my son came of age and we began building together and are beginning to train his son.
Moved from suburbia to the West Slope in 2001. Reinvented a new career in oil/gas as there was little industry here that could pay the bills after trying to get by on what I could earn as an EMT for four years. Got my son in the industry and retired after running a frac crew for near a decade. Built a training range at home and got serious for a few years expanding our skills with the AR and handguns. After 3 years in retirement, got bored enough to go back to work for a small DOD contractor for two years machining parts and building the M205 tripod, M320s and M4 barrels.
I have shot ftr at the club level for around 10 years. Son, myself and friends, some former military, regularly set up tactical courses for training purposes on my property and adjoining public land. I have benefited from shooting with them and a member of the US F class team who I met thru work. Currently saving up for an f class open division rifle on a BAT action.
Being retired again (permanently this time), I RSO at the local range that hosts regional, national, international competitions. Spend as much time as I can on the LPR, reaching out to steel as far as 2000yds with an RPR in 300prc and reloading more than I would like.