Lots of good memories in this thread! Like most everyone else posting, I grew up reading those 3, but mainly Sports Afield. I'd flip to the back to read Gene Hill. We were bird hunters, but more of the blue collar variety. I'd read those stories and dream of fine English doubles...hunting...
I have one and really like it. I hear lots of complaints about the Hogue stock; but it's what came on mine. My son has taken 3 whitetails with it. I shoot Hornady Whitetails, 117gr. Here's a 3 shot group in a dime at 100yds.
Break in is important. Also look up "Artillery Hold". Spring air rifles can be finicky, in terms of how they are gripped. They are lots of fun, and as mentioned force your awareness about how you touch off the shot.
I grew up in the midwest and couldn't wait to be big enough to quail hunt with Dad. So many good memories of my first hunts with him...good pointer and setter dogs...the exhilaration of hitting my first quail on the wing. My extended family all live in west Tennessee and there were many hunts...