TOOK MY 1897 FOR A WALK

[Pop Watts]

[img]http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq24 ... ts/003.jpg[/img]

First attempt at posting a pic so I hope it works.
Had the opportunity to go and get a couple of rabbits so I decided to leave my trusty Brno in camp and take my old 1897 for a walk instead.
Well it is an old gun that has seen a lot of work and who knows how many owners, one of them stamped his initials "PC" on almost every metal part!
Out of respect for the tired old trooper I only use Standard velocity rounds in it. Today it was Winchester Sub-sonics. They are a bit sticky to feed through the 97 but that big hollow point opens up nicely at low velocity and kills very effeciently at short ranges. I needed that today because I was huntinmg around blackberry bushes with warrens in them so the rabbits were close to their warren openings and could get down them wounded if they didn't get a good hit.
The only time I regretted taking the Marlin out was when I spotted a fox out at 120m, way out of range for my 1897/Sub-sonic combo. He looked my way when I whistled him, I was down wind, wearing camo and behind good cover, so I doubt that he could see me, just too clever to fall for the whistle. If I had my Brno 22 Hornet he would have been in trouble. BUT I really enjoyed getting a couple of rabbits for the pot with my old Marlin.
May make this a habbit.
Pop.

[Pop Watts]

Well, that didn't seem to work. Too bad, will try again some time.

[gamekeeper]

Good post Pop, shame about the photo.

I'm interested in the Aussie way of whistling foxes, I always squeak mine by sucking on the back of my hand to make a dying rabbit sound. What is your technique for whistling Foxes

You are right about the Brno .22 Hornet, that Fox would have been with his ancestors by now

[nemhed]

I took the liberty of posting your picture after following your link from above, to see if it would work and of course it did. Follow the directions from the photo posting sticky and it should work. I figured it out so it isn't rocket science. Very nice Marlin by the way!

[kimwcook]

Good job. And, that is a nice looking ole Marlin.

Do you guys still have a problem with the rabbit population taking over?

[Nath]

You can tell they are summer rabbits Well done
Nice ole' Marlin
When I squeal with my hand I use the inside of my hand where the index finger runs into the palm, I find it's louder some than on the back of the hand.
I admire you deciding to not shoot at that fox at 120yds, if it were me I'd still shot at it but I am scoped so it does make a differance.
Will you be tucking into them rabbits yourself?

Nath.

[TedH]

Very nice.

[rjohns94]

love the 1897. just cant seem to find one that meets my standards. nice post. Its always wonderful to go for a walk with a .22 lever, a box of rounds and some small game about. As close to heaven in the woods as you can get.

[marlinman93]

Pop,
Nice shooting, and a nice looking classic 1897 too!

[Borregos]

Nice Marlin and nice feed, well done

[bsaride]

Pop,

Done good on the rabbits and the 1897. I will have to get some of those hollow points and try 'em
in my 1927 M39.

Nice post but we need a follow up on how you prepare them down under (tell us how you cooked 'em up).

That rifle should not be feed anything with over 1150fps (standard velocity) and may still break the bolt,
my M39 did and I have been too busy to fit a new bolt. I was shooting std vel Win T-22s and I think it was
because I always work the bolt hard on any gun that mine broke. If you ever need it the bolts can be found,
in fact I may have a 1897 bolt (picked up when looking for vintage bolts for my M39).

Jay

[GEOFF]

Pop,

I enjoyed all of the posts above.

Great looking 1897 Marlin. Geez you got a great kill on those rabbits. Nice and neat!

mm93 got me started using standard velocity .22lr and I like them way more than I thought I would. Great to hear there are good hunting bullets at the lower velocity.

You guys with your 1897's and original 39's make me jealous!! SOME DAY I'LL GET ONE I HOPE!!

Geoff

[Pop Watts]

Thanks for the replys, and the assistance with getting the pic up.
To answer a couple of the questions.
For foxes I use a round tin whisle that imitates a dying rabbit.
Yes the rabbits are for the pot. I usually cook them up in curries - not very Australian is it.
The fillets get cut out and usually go into a Thai stir fry - still not very Australian.
Just have a taste for spicey food.
If I am out for a couple of nights I usually cook up a Bombay Rabbit Curry in a camp oven, goes down well with a cold lager.
A more traditional way would be a stew (I think you guys would call it a hot pot??)
Thanks again for the replies, I will get this picture posting thing sorted and put up a couple of pics of a Colt Lightning Carbine I just got. Not a lever, but I am sure you will let me sneak it in.
Pop.

[mescalero1]

If you don't " sneak it in " you will get some dodgy replies

[Nath]

No need to be sneaky, I post pics of all sorts n' nobody has grabbed me by the ear yet

Nath.

[dr walker]

NIce shooting and nice Marlin.

[Jaguarundi]

Classic Rifle and congrats on the nice rabbits !