lancetkenyon

WTF? It is in the freaking NAME! BOY Scouts. So can I join the Girl Scouts and eat all the thin mints for free now?

Man I am glad this is not a medium. I don't need a 4th Guide DCS jacket. These jackets are awesome.

I have talked to several gunsmiths, and my barrel break-in process differs for factory rifles to custom barrels. Custom barrels from any reputable maker (Bartlein, Rock, Shilen, Brux, Kreiger, Proof, etc.) is as follows....religiously. Clean barrel prior to first round in New barrel. 1. Shoot one 2. Shoot one 3. Shoot one 4. Repeat steps 1-3. I usually clean after my first range trip. Then not again until groups start to open up. Form a factory new barrel, I usually do the normal break-in process. 1. Shoot one, clean ×5. 2. Shoot 3, clean x3 3. Shoot 10, clean x1 4. Shoot until groups start to open up.

I have been thinking about this subject and the OP's 1st post. Here are a couple questions for you. 1. If the deer only went 5 yards, how can you even question the bullet performance? 2. Unless you recovered the bullet and all pieces, how can you tell what the bullet did internally? A small exit hole could be just a small portion of the bullet or a fragment. I have only recovered 2 bullets from game, ever. a 175 SMK on an elk @ 160 yards, and a 215 Hybrid on an elk at 432 yards. Both were just under the offside hide. Both elk never took a single step. .308" 175 SMK 215 Hybrid I do not think that would have left much of an exit hole.

I can add a 662 yard elk kill with a 7mm 180 Hybrid. Exit was about $.25 size, but bull only went 50 yards.

Almost every rifle I shoot is now loaded with Bergers with the exception of various Barnes loads for when I hunt the Kaibab. Always been great killers. In 7-08, I would look for something in the 140-168 weight range for elk. Might as well shoot the same thing for deer if they shoot well. I now try to shoot the same load for everything, makes sense to shoot the same thing as you can practice in varying conditions and not worry about grabbing the wrong ammo. We usually shoot in the crease behind the front shoulder for a double lung shot. I have only shot for high front shoulder on 2 animals, but they both dropped on the spot. A 6.5mm 127 LRX on a Muley @ 637 yards, and a .308 215 Hybrid on a bull elk @ 437 yards. It is a very viable shooting solution that usually anchors them where they stand/fall. Broken shoulders/spines, and still hit lungs. Over many years, my family members have shot deer & elk with: .224" 69 SMK (12AW youth doe) .257" 100 SMK, 115 HVLD (several deer and javalina) 6.5mm 130 HVLD, 140 HVLD, 140 Hybrids, 142 SMK (several deer) .277" 140 HVLD, 150 HVLD (several deer and elk) 7mm 140 HVLD, 168 HVLD, 180 Hybrid (a few deer and elk) .308" 168 HVLD, 168 SMK, 175 SMK, 190 HVLD, 210 HVLD, 210 SMK, 215 Hybrids (a few deer and a lot of elk) Shots have ranged from 18 to 662 yards on big game. All performed fantastic. I think the 7-08 is plenty for closer range elk out to 400-500 and medium range deer out to 700. The .243 would not be my choice for elk, only as a last resort with a good, broadside shot opportunity. I know many elk have been taken with a .243, just not my preference. Should be enough for deer out to 500 with proper bullet choice. A 95 HVLD would be a good candidate for an all-around load.

If 600 is your max range, 10x is plenty. Also, there is nothing you won't be able to see with clearer glass @ 10x than slightly less clear @ 15x. Features, reliability, reticle, weight and appearance would be my determining factors. And you know I am an optics snob. For the price range, there are not many others I would consider other than the 2 you picked. I think Leupold will look the best on the rifle if you want to keep it kind of classic looking. But the NF is a great scope too.

217, 212, 429 roads for the 12AW side.

Great article, great kid, great Dad. Great family values and commitment to helping others as well. Definitely "proud-worthy".

Awesome bull. Don't think otherwise. Good hunt+good memories+great table fare+great scenery=Awesome bull.

I love it when the rub in the burns and get those black antlers. Awesome bull.

Totally depends on weather fps a lot of elk movement, but even the antelope flats and PJs hold a few bulls year round.

Awesome!!! Great memories for sure. Great bull too. And not just for a first! If that 6x6 was a satellite bull, the herd bull must have been gigantic. That is a great lesson with your kids too. Don't worry about the cuts. I have only field dressed one animal I didn't become a blood brother with. Brings you closer to your game and nature.

Depends on where the game is. I usually glass low to high first. Then gain elevation and glass high to low. Anywhere from 2 hours to 4 hours at a spot. Pick apart every single tree and bush.

Try some Bergers....

.005" is not way excessive

Back the die out .003".

Yeah, you have way too much shoulder bump. You should only have about .002" difference between a fired and a resized case.

I won't be around this Saturday. Unless you used a copper remover, and took your time, I would look at finishing cleaning the rifle bore. Try Sweet's 7.62 until you get no blue or green. Then a carbon solvent again. As we discussed, try different factory ammo. An R700 7RM should have a 1:9.25" twist, so anything under a 175-180 should shoot just fine, but some guns are really picky. Also, I personally have only found a few guns that shoot an ELD-X really well. They both happened to be owned by the same guy too. I would try some rounds with a 150-168gr. bullet. Maybe see if anyone has just 5 rounds you can buy off them in various loads, so you are not shelling out for a full box of unknown quality.

My wife loves her Camaro. It is a blast to drive. But not selling it anytime soon.

I have found a lot like that. I always figured poachers too. Easier to hide 2 loose antlers in the bottom of the bed of a pickup or back seat than a full skull or head with antlers attached.

Here is some 7RM brass. New Nosler brass Fired brass (grew .010") Bump shoulder back .002" during FL resizing

Hornady comparators and headspace insert. 1st a fired case Resized and bump shoulder back .002"

Depends on quality vs. Quantity. And after opening day, all bets are off. Look for deep, nasty, thick stuff....and where no one else is. Personally, I scout from May to December. A lot of people say elk will not stay in the same places. I have found that to be inconsistent. Grab the kids (if you have any), a .22LR, go squirrel hunting, and scout at the same time. Season opens Oct 6th. Start looking as soon as you can.

Deer are all over 7E. North of the Peaks is where I have been scouting and seeing tons. Like 30-60 Deer a day. Mostly does, but quite a few decent bucks mixed in.