Finally, opening day for the 2016 season in Michigan, Part Two. Had a “new-to-me” blueberry field on which to set up. So, today I was armed as usual with my beater Model 12 and my partner had his brand new Benelli “birthday gift.” You Benelli fans better sit down as a later portion of this story might cause you some psychological damage.
We setup the blind the night prior which made it pretty nice to just roll in this morning and set up the electronics and decoys. Nice pond with what must have been a 12-pound bullfrog that kept sounding off all the time we were there yesterday and today. Good steady action from the locals that resulted in ten down. I nailed six with eight rounds which is a massive improvement over previous efforts. I guess my ol’ Model 12 and I are finally becoming “One.” My partner (an accomplished gunner and outdoorsman) was working to accustom himself to his new left-hand Benelli and had a (a-hem) slightly lower percentage.
As for the Benelli. My partner’s wife, a gun-gal of great talent: preparing for her second Gunsight trip; competes in 3-gun competitions, several instructor qualifications—gave him the Benelli Super Black Eagle II that she had found on Craig’s List (Yes, the anti-2nd Amendment Craig’s List—quite the accidental find), for his birthday, for—are you sitting down Benelli fans?--<$900! I’m told that is a good price—is that so? It seems a widow was selling her departed husband’s left-hand actioned gun for that price and my partner’s wife was at the right place/right time and snapped it up. It was complete with papers, all accessories, chokes, carrying case, and still tagged--as in, “NIB.”
A good opener.
Go get em!
-- Edited by Old Artilleryman on Tuesday 2nd of August 2016 01:50:01 PM
It's always nice to get out on the opener. Great job OA! Still waiting to hear about your 17 hornet?
Thanks for reminding me.... Massive feeding problems and mags would not seat (part of the problems). It will arrive at the CZ Kansas City shop tomorrow for repairs. I will give them this opportunity to fix it on warranty. To the CZ gunsmith's credit, he immediately sent a FedEx return label and I sent it in the next day, last Wed. For the rounds that did feed, had 5/8" groups at 100 yards. Could not get it to behave in high (20-25 mph) winds at 200, so quit, as the feeding problems were way too great. Handsome rifle, but so are many wall-hangers.
Optimistic, but waiting. Preliminary photo with the Bushnell 8-32X40 Elite. Bipod came in. Cute cartridge, eh?
Well done, I have to admit I was waiting on your report like When I was young waiting on the Outdoor Life to come in the mail. Great to see some Huntin reports, still about 45 days out for me. Anyway great report and storyline. Keep them coming!
Well done, I have to admit I was waiting on your report like When I was young waiting on the Outdoor Life to come in the mail. Great to see some Huntin reports, still about 45 days out for me. Anyway great report and storyline. Keep them coming!
Butch
Thanks. re. the photos: we were breaking down the equipment, so the blind looked pretty bad at that moment and the bandit in the "0" at 12 O'clock wasn't quite dead yet and was rolling around when the photo clicked.
Of course, while we were packing the truck, another 50 or so crows flew by. SOP.
Have some other "fresh" properties that I hope have some more dumb young-uns.'
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"Arms are the only true badges of liberty. The possession of arms is the distinction of a free man from a slave." -- Andrew Fletcher 1698
Nice report, O.A. You have just given me an itchy trigger finger for the next couple of months! Can't wait to get out there and start busting those black bandits again!
Keep the great posts coming!
Demi
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The man who thinks he can, and the man who thinks he can’t are both right.
. Massive feeding problems and mags would not seat (part of the problems). It will arrive at the CZ Kansas City shop tomorrow for repairs. I will give them this opportunity to fix it on warranty. To the CZ gunsmith's credit, he immediately sent a FedEx return label and I sent it in the next day, last Wed. For the rounds that did feed, had 5/8" groups at 100 yards. Could not get it to behave in high (20-25 mph) winds at 200, so quit, as the feeding problems were way too great. Handsome rifle, but so are many wall-hangers.
