61- Northeast Wyoming, Gillette most of the time.

Can't remember the first single shot I had.  The first one I built - traded a workmate a bow for a Rolling block action late '80's used an Atlantic Precision barrel, Fajen semi inletted blank and made a 45-70, too cheap to buy a tang sight so I copied a friend's Pedersoli - that led me down a long dark path...
haven't hunted deer for at least a couple decades but chasing elk with sharp pointed sticks slung by another stick with a string on it has always been a passion.  The last few years I've messed this passion up by teaching a gun building class at the local college.  Made time for hunting this year then the Kung-Flu slammed me and cut the season short.  Next year, the classes will no longer be a part of my schedule so there will be a week or two for this pastime and maybe a few more shoots.  Been doing what I can to stimulate and educate the youth about these vintage single shots through my classes, there is a following of 20 somethings but they usually turn 40 before they get a grip on it.

Like you Merkava, for the last 40+ years I've pulled on handles and turn dials, occasionally I type in some g-code and push buttons but find that's just one of the necessary evils of running a one or two man shop.  The automated machines make life a little easier and it eliminates the need for employees. 

Range access? I made a conscious decision a while ago I had to own some dirt that I could build a range on, the first place is really nice has about a 1000 yards but it's an hour away, the next place is at the new shop, it'll be turn the door knob and 200 yards ready to go - 400 if I open the neighbors gate and take a walk.  The wind was up today but we still jerked triggers for a while and did some ogive impact studies.    
Greg

I'm 47 and live in Beatrice Nebraska, I used to be very active in shooting but I don't get out much anymore and haven't shot in at least 3 years.  Nowhere to shoot and physical limitations prevent me from it for the most part.
I got started because I thought the 1885 Winchester was beautiful and I started shooting it and am fixing up a high wall, not sure why but it's a basket case and I like an underdog.

40_Rod wrote on Oct 31^st, 2021 at 10:47am:


I'll go along with that. I discovered single shots while looking through my dads Old West magazines when I was about nine. Took a few years but I finally got me one. 

74 now.  I blame my dad.  He's the one who brought back a German stalking rifle from WW2.  Once a year we'd spread out the old army blanket on the kitchen table and take it apart to clean and oil it.  Never got shot and never knew what it was exactly, until after he passed away.  He's also the one who taught me how to shoot with my Grandpa's old Stevens Favorite.  Have loved the old singleshots ever since.  Born in Lincoln, Ne.  Live just north of Tijuana now

Regards,
Joe

One of the last things I remember my last girlfriend telling me was that the one thing I didn't need was another rifle. I think of her now and again. [/quote]

Westerner: you’re one bad dude, but we think alike 

I hope you find something good to buy tomorrow 

Would be nice to see the "member's map" return.
74 in southern NJ. We supposedly have more deer now than 1776. Same with turkeys. Not enough hunters these days. Like many here, hunting days are behind me except upland birds.
CPA Stevens 44 1/2 with 38-40 Rem-Hep & 22LR for Schuetzen work.

I'm 70 and live in central Illinois.  Just returned from Montana after taking a big fat cow elk with one of my Ruger #1's.  I don't know how many hunts I have left in me, but I'm going to keep it up as long as I can.

As a left handed shooter, I have been a ss shooter since a wee lad.  My first was a Stevens side lever Crack Shot.