[BBQToadRibs]

My Dad gave me a single shot .22 as my first rifle. Our land was infested with ground squirrels and I was given the go-ahead on no limit hunting. This is where he re-re-reinforced the basics of gun safety, such as know what’s behind your target. Like our house. I think I was 11.

[USS Alaska]

My first was a single shot 22 but in 1967 {I was married and had 2 kids} I bought a Remington 582 bolt action which both of my kids and all of my grand kids used to learn how to shoot.

Today, the youngest is going off to college but still loves to shoot the old 22.

I keep it in the den loaded with number 12 bird shot for plinking little rascals.

That rifle will still be in service when I'm in the ground.

I can't begin to estimate the number of rounds that have been fired and the hundreds of hours of pleasure that it has brought to my family.