Happy happy! The semester is winding down, I'm pretty well caught up, and a friend just sold me a used Armi Sport Spencer 56-50 for a very reasonable price. I've just got to get through the semester, start writing the dissertation, cast bullets, and try out loads in the Spencer.

Thus far I'm happy with it. I've only fired about 20 rounds through it (stuff that came with it), and I like what I see. I got it to use in N-SSA competition, but it really wants to go deer hunting too. Given that most (OK, all) of my hunting is in the southern Appalachians in forested areas, it should be quite sufficient for any realistic range I hunt at. Based on past experience, I seldom shoot over 50 yards, and the caliber is adequate for that. Let's face it: I sometimes feel a little silly carrying around a scoped rifle on the farm - I usually just hunt with muzzleloaders anyway. Mind you, if it is the last week of the season and there is no venison in the freezer, I have been known to tote around a thoroughly modern firearm. Just not my first choice if I have time to hunt earlier in the season. The Spencer won't be ready in time for this year's season, but I plan to get well-acquainted with it over the next year. Actually, given the conspicuous lack of shooting I've done this year, I plan to get reacquainted with all my firearms starting the week after classes end!