I have been shooting since 1946. My Grandpa liked squirrels and rabbits and thats what I first hunted. I shot on a rifle team in college, and met a bunch of people that really got me interested in firearms. Then it was on to center fires and reloading. First was a Winchester 70, 220 Swift. The first powders I bought were purchased at the hardware store and were bulk and came in a brown paper bag. Fancy huh?
Then I hit a loooooooong dry spell. It was called raising kids. All I had at that time was the Swift and 2 22rf's. Also a Winchester Model 12 that was my Grandpa's. After I retired from the Air Force I hooked up with a Gunsmith and started building my own rifles on Mauser actions. I now have almost every caliber from 17>458 covered. The only one missing is the quarter bore. Still haven't figured out why.
I have 17rem, 22hornet, 223rem, 223rem a/i, 22-250, 22-250 a/i, 243 a/i, 6,5x55, 6,5x68 a/i, 7mm mauser, 30:06, 35whelen and mister miserable 458 win mag.
I shoot at least 3 times per week at temps from +100>-30°. The only thing that really stops me from shooting is the wind. If it gets above 30mph I quit.
My favorite rounds? 45lc in a B/H, 6,5 in rifles, and 45acp in protection pistols. I was unfaithful to my wife when I was in 'nam. Every night I slept with a 1911.
I've taken deer every year with the 45, I love handgun hunting. I'm no Jerry Miculek, but I ain't bad either.
Firearms preferences. I prefer revolvers, I do not own any pump or auto rifles, I'm strictly a bolt man, shotguns, I like sxs's, o/u's, but I do have a couple of pumps. No autos.
Sorry to be verbose but it's hard to put over 60 years of history in a sentence or two.
By the way I still have the Model 12. It's had some parts over the years. But grandpa paid the outrageous price of $39.95 at monkey Wards for it. And it still shoots just fine thank you very much.