{"id":202539,"date":"2025-08-03T20:38:31","date_gmt":"2025-08-04T01:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=202539"},"modified":"2025-09-29T08:32:25","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T13:32:25","slug":"old-school-cool-part-one","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/old-school-cool-part-one\/","title":{"rendered":"Old School Cool &#8211; Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-estimated-reading-time yoast-reading-time__wrapper\"><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__icon\"><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" data-icon=\"clock\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" fill=\"none\" stroke=\"currentColor\" style=\"display:inline-block;vertical-align:-0.1em\" role=\"img\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" stroke-width=\"2\" d=\"M12 8v4l3 3m6-3a9 9 0 11-18 0 9 9 0 0118 0z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__spacer\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:1em\"><\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__descriptive-text\">Estimated reading time: <\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__reading-time\">12<\/span><span class=\"yoast-reading-time__time-unit\"> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;ve liked old school traditional hunting gear for a very long time. The type of stuff I&#8217;d read about growing up in the Outdoor Life and Sports Afield magazines.&nbsp; Stories where the latest cutting edge technology was 4x scopes and where receiver sights, double barrels, and lever actions were still popular.&nbsp; I&#8217;ve pretty much gone full circle in the gear I&#8217;ve used. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I shot competition archery, I started with compound bows and using sights, but ended with traditional instinctive gear.&nbsp; My firearms usage has pretty much been the same. I started shooting iron sight guns because that&#8217;s what came on the lever actions I started with. Slowly, as I grew up and could afford to put scopes on my guns, I did.&nbsp; I\u2019ve competed in <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/search?keyword=long-range%20rifles\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\">long-range rifle<\/a> competitions, making shots out to beyond 1000 yards. Now I find much more enjoyment in closing the distance and using \u201cold school cool\u201d gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4158.jpeg\" alt=\"rifles and arrows leaning against a tree\" class=\"wp-image-202834\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4158.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4158-400x185.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4158-150x69.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I\u2019m not anti-technology. I do embrace modern conveniences, but I just get more satisfaction and enjoyment from \u201cOld School\u201d techniques and gear.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-old-school-wood-and-blued-steel\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">Old School Wood and Blued Steel<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-old-school-winchester-71\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">Old School Winchester 71<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-first-strike\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">First Strike<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-strike-two\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">Strike Two<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-strike-three\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">Strike Three<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-dad-s-old-school-gun\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">Dad&#8217;s Old School Gun<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-a-deadly-old-school-combination\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">A Deadly Old School Combination<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-best-laid-plans\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">Best Laid Plans<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-right-place-right-time\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">Right Place, Right Time<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-old-school-combination-gun-success\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" data-level=\"2\">Old School Combination Gun Success!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-old-school-wood-and-blued-steel\">Old School Wood and Blued Steel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"240\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4267.jpeg\" alt=\"old school rifles with iron sights and scope\" class=\"wp-image-204414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4267.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4267-400x150.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4267-150x56.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>I want to use my older guns with receiver sights and 4x scopes. I do still enjoy technology with fiber optic sights, low magnification optics, or a laser range finder.&nbsp; Those things just allow me to be more precise or lengthen my hunting time. Using iron sights in practical rifle competitions has shown me just how versatile and accurate they can be.&nbsp; They have always been more than adequate for hunting at the distances that I choose to hunt at. That brings us to what I want to share in this article, honest to goodness hunts using old school type guns. The guns of the 40s to 70s from our last century, the ones of wood and blued steel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-old-school-winchester-71\">Old School Winchester 71<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"216\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4165-2.jpeg\" alt=\"Deluxe Win.71 in 348win\" class=\"wp-image-202837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4165-2.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4165-2-400x135.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4165-2-150x51.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Probably the finest lever-action Winchester ever produced, a Deluxe Win.71 in 348win. Slick, accurate, smooth operating, easy carrying and well balanced.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of my favorite old school firearms is a <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/search?keyword=winchester%2071\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\">Winchester 71<\/a>, in 348win. a 1936 Deluxe rifle.&nbsp; I acquired this rifle from a friend whose father had collected 71s for years. This 71 is proving to be very accurate with 150gr., 180gr., and 200gr. bullets.&nbsp; I&#8217;m still unsure what weights I&#8217;ll use to hunt with, but I&#8217;m leaning towards the 180gr. bullets at 2580fps. The 180gr. The load is hitting at the top of the front bead at 100 yards,&nbsp; it\u2019s 2 inches low at 150, and just 6 inches low at 200 yards. The 150gr. Silvertips are going 2800fps but shed velocity pretty quickly. They are delivering excellent accuracy and should do the trick for medium game. Historically, the 150gr. bullets have not received the best write-up from hunters or gun writers.&nbsp; Whether this is based on terminal performance or exterior ballistics, I cannot find any reference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"275\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_4245.jpeg\" alt=\"Winchester 250gr ammo\" class=\"wp-image-203644\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_4245.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_4245-400x172.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_4245-150x64.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Winchester box carries no longer available 250gr. Silvertip ammunition, the bullets shown include 150gr. Silvertip, 180gr. Speer, and 200gr. Hornady. Only the Hornady is currently available.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The 348win. is no slouch when it comes to big game power. It is suitable for bears, elk, moose- everything North America has to offer and more. If you use some of the modern bullets, its performance is raised to Worldwide suitability, except perhaps a couple of the Big 6. My use will be strictly North American, black bear and elk size game or smaller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"670\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0336-670x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"target group on paper\" class=\"wp-image-204339\" style=\"width:287px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0336-670x1024.jpeg 670w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0336-196x300.jpeg 196w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0336-98x150.jpeg 98w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0336-768x1174.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0336-1005x1536.jpeg 1005w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0336.jpeg 1192w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 670px) 100vw, 670px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">I had a good day when shooting this group for the article, 100 yards with Speer 180gr. SP, aiming point was 6 o\u2019clock on the 3&#215;5 sticker.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-first-strike\">First Strike<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I have owned the old school rifle for several years. Every time in the past that I\u2019ve gone hunting with it, circumstances have kept me from closing the deal. My first real attempt was on a western hunt for mule deer. The broken terrain was perfect for sneaking and getting within range of the rifle. On this first attempt, I had a nice buck bedded down, but could not get closer than 350ish yards. So we used a different rifle from a modern manufacturer that was more suitable for the shot.<br \/><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"570\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4162-1024x570.jpeg\" alt=\"Bolt on the Old school Winchester .71 rifle\" class=\"wp-image-202838\" style=\"width:578px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4162-1024x570.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4162-400x223.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4162-150x83.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4162-768x427.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_4162.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The factory bolt peep provides all the necessary accuracy needed for using the round within its range limits. Out to 200 yards, the gun provides all the power and precision required for deer, elk, or moose.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strike-two\">Strike Two<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Another occasion had me taking the 71 on a hunt along with another old-school rifle. When a Nilgai cow came into range, the other rifle was in hand. It was this way for several different hunts. It seemed that if I wanted to get my first kill with the 71, I would need to leave all other guns behind. Since I am not one to travel on a hunt with only one gun, I would have to take my chances with its use. Another western hunt was planned for antelope and mule deer, and the 71 made the trip. The friend I got my 71 from took along his father\u2019s favorite 71, and we both decided to try for pronghorn. He had a doe tag he intended to use his Win.71 to fill. I had a buck pronghorn tag to try and fill with mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"549\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4266.jpeg\" alt=\"three pronghorn running\" class=\"wp-image-204413\" style=\"width:410px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4266.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4266-350x300.jpeg 350w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4266-150x129.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-strike-three\">Strike Three<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The ranch we hunt is surrounded by public land, and county roads run through it. I hunted the first day with my Winchester and had stalks spoiled by other hunters. Some were driving through, and one pair actually trespassed while getting to a landlocked portion of public land. My best chance came at the end of day one when a trio of antelope came trotting into range. Unfortunately, they never stopped running while they were in range, and when they did, they were over 350 yards away.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ironically, I started day two with another old school rifle. After watching a fine buck for hours from long distance, the buck would close the distance and provide a shot at less than 100 yards. The ironic part was that had I chosen to carry the 71, the shot would have been perfect for it. My 71 would have to wait a bit longer for its first kill. My friend however, was able to take a nice pronghorn doe with his father&#8217;s favorite 71.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dad-s-old-school-gun\">Dad&#8217;s Old School Gun<br \/><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"375\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_6237.jpeg\" alt=\"hunter with old school Winchester .71 rifle and pronghorn\" class=\"wp-image-202587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_6237.jpeg 667w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_6237-400x225.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_6237-150x84.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">His father&#8217;s favorite Win.71 has claimed another trophy and a memory that will last forever.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The factory loaded Winchester 200gr. Silvertip provided complete penetration on the quartering shot from 70-80 yards. The bullet did not encounter any bones except perhaps a single rib as the doe faced him, slipping through lungs, major blood vessels, and exiting in front of the rear leg. This may have led to the lack of reaction from the doe as it calmly walked another 75 yards before falling over.&nbsp; His spotter watched through binoculars, halting him from shooting again, claiming the doe was hit hard and dead on its feet. This was the first time he had used his dad&#8217;s rifle, his father gone some twenty years. The memory will live with him forever, I\u2019m sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-deadly-old-school-combination\">A Deadly Old School Combination<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_4173.jpeg\" alt=\"Old school Merkel Combination gun 16 ga shotgun\" class=\"wp-image-202950\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_4173.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_4173-400x281.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/IMG_4173-150x105.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Merkel Combination gun, a 16ga. over 7x65r, the shotgun barrel houses a subcaliber insert \u201ceinstecklauf\u201d in 22wmr. The 7x65r, a rimmed 280\/7mm Express equivalent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The \u201cold school cool\u201d rifle I took my pronghorn with is one that was carried frequently by the German hunters who worked the fields and forests where I grew up. A late 60s vintage combination gun, a 16ga. over 7x65r, Merkel Combination gun. Wearing a Meopta 1-4x and zeroes the 7x65r at 250 yards, it fires 16ga. slugs with more than adequate accuracy out to 75 yards. It also has what is called an \u201ceinstecklauf\u201d, a sub-caliber barrel insert in 22wmr. The insert, a Kreighoff product, is amazingly accurate, providing 1\u201d groups at 50 yards and allowing small game to be taken without using the larger rifle caliber. The Einstecklauf slips into the shotgun barrel and can adjust its bullet placement to coincide with the scope&#8217;s reticle. I chose to adjust the point of impact to 1\u201d high at 50 yards.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:100%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"420\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0335-1.jpeg\" alt=\"group on paper\" class=\"wp-image-204342\" style=\"width:299px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0335-1.jpeg 420w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0335-1-197x300.jpeg 197w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0335-1-98x150.jpeg 98w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 420px) 100vw, 420px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Merkel einstecklauf produces excellent accuracy, 1\u201d high at 50 yards.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"263\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0338-1.jpeg\" alt=\"group on paper\" class=\"wp-image-204343\" style=\"width:189px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0338-1.jpeg 263w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0338-1-123x300.jpeg 123w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0338-1-62x150.jpeg 62w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 263px) 100vw, 263px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Slugs from the 16ga. shotgun barrel produces very usable accuracy at 75 yards.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"489\" height=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0339-2.jpeg\" alt=\"group on paper\" class=\"wp-image-204346\" style=\"width:352px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0339-2.jpeg 489w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0339-2-229x300.jpeg 229w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_0339-2-115x150.jpeg 115w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The rifle barrel delivers its bullets on target at 100 yards. Although the second shot lands a bit low. Two pairs fired here, the barrel is allowed to cool after the second shot.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-best-laid-plans\">Best Laid Plans<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was a frustrating first day of carrying my Win. 71 on my annual antelope trip. Hunters either drove through my stalk or trespassed onto the private land I hunted on. I decided my Merkel Combination gun may fare better with its extended shooting ability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The next morning I spent glassing and spotted a very nice antelope and waited for midday for him to bed down, now 1500 yards away. I made a plan to move on him when he got up and started walking away. I decided to cut him off and moved to get in front of him. Once I got into position, he reappeared 350 yards away, but never stopped moving. He continued walking away from me. I decided again to cut him off. The draws available for him to come up were limited. I moved back in the direction I\u2019d just come, but only about half the distance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"628\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0012.jpeg\" alt=\"antelope and old school Merkel Combination gun, 16ga.\/7x65r\" class=\"wp-image-202584\" style=\"width:595px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0012.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0012-306x300.jpeg 306w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0012-150x147.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">An offhand shot delivered at about 75-80 yards was the final act in collecting my first game with my new-to-me Merkel Combination gun, 16ga.\/7x65r.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-right-place-right-time\">Right Place, Right Time<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As I got to where I wanted to be, I was breathing heavily. I needed to move to be at the rim of the drop off when he suddenly topped the edge. An offhand shot with him walking at this distance was not an issue. My heavy breathing was the issue. My first shot was at about 70 yards. He gave a slight reaction and kept calmly walking. I quickly opened the action, grabbed another round from my gunstock cuff, and reloaded. Reacquiring a good sight picture, I fired again. At the shot, he folded. My first shot had hit low and just barely cleared the sternum. The second landed a bit high, but hit the tops of both lungs and shocked the spine. It was obvious to me that my heavy breathing from all the moving had played a part in my inability to deliver an accurate offhand shot. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/springfield-armory-model-2020-boundary-in-7-prc-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\">Springfield Armory Model 2020 Boundary in 7 PRC: Hands-On Review<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0036-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"hunter with pronghorn\" class=\"wp-image-202585\" style=\"width:500px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0036-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0036-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0036-113x150.jpeg 113w, https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/IMG_0036.jpeg 960w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">My best pronghorn to date, taken after a full day of spot and stalk hunting.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-old-school-combination-gun-success\">Old School Combination Gun Success!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite all my plans to intercept him, it ended up with just being at the right place at the right time that made for a terrific hunt. This was my first kill with the old school combination gun and proved to be my best pronghorn to date. His horns measured 15+ inches. Stay with me and I\u2019ll share more \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/old-school-cool-part-2\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\">old school cool<\/a>\u201d hunts in the coming months. Maybe I\u2019ll finally get my first successful hunt done with my Win.71.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\" style=\"font-size:24px\"><strong><em>*** <a href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"clickTracking\" campaign=\"old-school-cool-part-one\" title=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica!<\/a> ***<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019ve competed in long range rifle competitions making shots out to beyond 1000 yards. Now I find much more enjoyment in closing the distance and using \u201cold school cool\u201d gear.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":126,"featured_media":211027,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_specdata_upc":"","_specdata_placement":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4321,257,4320],"tags":[1209,3095,4466],"featured":[],"hunt365":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-202539","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-guns","8":"category-historical-guns","9":"category-hunting-hunt365","10":"tag-hunt365","11":"tag-old-guns","12":"tag-winchester-71"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Old School Hunting Gear: A Nostalgic Journey<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the charm of old school traditional hunting gear: from lever actions to iron sights, rediscover the classics.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/old-school-cool-part-one\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Old School Cool - Part 1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I\u2019ve competed in long range rifle competitions making shots out to beyond 1000 yards. Now I find much more enjoyment in closing the distance and using \u201cold school cool\u201d gear.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/old-school-cool-part-one\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Gun Reviews and News | GunsAmerica.com\/Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-08-04T01:38:31+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-09-29T13:32:25+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/IMG_4267-1.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"240\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Trapr Swonson\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@gunsamerica\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Trapr Swonson\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/old-school-cool-part-one\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/old-school-cool-part-one\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Trapr Swonson\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/gunsamerica.com\\\/digest\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/aa54446219dfd2601600d8aebc0b09d2\"},\"headline\":\"Old School Cool &#8211; 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