HuntHarder

346 gr Victory arrow tipped with a razor sharp 100 gr Wac em' Triton. 446 grains of THWACK!!!

My guess would be fraud alerts by banks. In the last 5 years, I have had my card cancelled for my protection because of possible fraud within the banking system. They just cancel your card without you knowing and before the effective date, your new card, with new #, arrives at your house. Good thing, except when it happens in between putting in and the draw actually happening. This is the risk we take using credit cards. Had it happen to me for a spring draw, and I lost my loyalty point for Javi's ( like it matters). I was irked, but was very glad it was not during the fall or elk and antelope draw. Or as pwrguy said, it could be the majority of Americans living above their means. Champagne taste with a Pabst blue ribbon wallet.

YES!!!

Assuming he has a 1-9 twist barrel( recommended by matrix for the 165), which he doesn't. It is 1-10. And also assuming this one bullet shoots good out of his gun... Look at more practical yardages like 500 yards, the 300wsm using your info has 200 more FT/lbs of energy. From muzzle to 1000 yards, the 300wsm has more energy. Since the OP said he doesn't reload, and could if he had too, suggests he is not wanting to reload unless he has to. Commercially available ammo suggests the 300 WSM has more options with better ballistics. Will the 270WSM do fine? Absolutely. I can not say I know anyone who shoots the 175 matrix out of a .277. If you do, they recommend a 1-8 twist barrel which is probably only achievable with a custom barrel. To each his own, but the only way a 270wsm keeps up with the 300wsm in the energy dept. is by reloading a few bullets. Go to any major ammunition company's page and compare energy's.

DB!!!!!

300WSM Hands down... Especially if you do not reload. atleast you have the option of going heavy for larger game on bullets. As far as wind drift goes, they are both going to be pretty close depending on how the comparison goes. Obviously if you compare a 165 .277 cal and a 165 .308 cal, the .277 has a better BC. Having said that, the reason guys shoot 30's is the option to shoot a heavy bullet that bucks the wind and delivers good energy. Look at downrange energy of the 2 at longer ranges. Both are great options, but if you have the ability to build a great gun for deer AND larger animals, Go with the .30 and do not limit yourself.

I owned one covert, and will not own another. Nothing but problems....

Usually h4831 is around $36-37$ plus tax at Brunos. Online or at sportsmans, you can find it for $28-$31. I think either this is the main reason they usually have the most powder in stock in the valley or the fact that they are a small shop and not known by most.

Anyone else get pissed every time they buy powder at Bruno's? I am usually in absolute need, So I regrettably spend the money they want. Since this powder shortage, I have found that I can buy the stuff cheaper online including the HAZMAT fees, than I can at Bruno's. I am all for supporting local stores, but his mark ups are ridiculous!!!

Since they are calling declined cards again, I doubt we know anything until end of week, probably more like early the week after.

NatureBob--Not referring to you at all. I read your post and understand your situation. I hope you get the tag you desire soon. I can appreciate that after so long not getting drawn, why give in and not get the absolute best tag you can.

Perfectly Legal!! R12-4-303 section 2 D Rangefinders ok so long as laser does not project on animal.

I just enjoy knowing that there are LOTS of uneducated people about how the draw works. Seems most on this site get the concept, but the general public put in for hunts that offer 0.0% draw odds for sheep. For instance unit (longrifle), for sakes of not educating too many internet lurkers, had over 2100 applicants that applied for the hunt with less than max points and had no chance of even being considered for the tag. Makes me think that understanding the draw odds is such an advantage when applying in our state. Not only for sheep, but for other species as well. As a non-Res applying for elk, they only seem to apply for the same 3 units. Makes me wonder if they have ever sat down, added up all the money they have pissed away on license and bonus point fees waiting for that SPECIAL tag. Instead they should get drawn for a tag that requires half the points and hire a good guide with the money they saved. Lots of 360" and bigger bulls get killed outside of those 3 units.

TTT not same pattern as Cabelas picture, they are mountain mimicry.

Anyone else shoot more than 3 shots to determine initial group size? Do not mean to hijack thread, but I am thinking I shoot too much. I usually load atleast 6 rounds of each powder combo before I rule a group good or bad. As Casey stated, maybe you pulled the last shot on 36 and that would have been your best group of them all.

I am going with the Exo Mountain gear pack. Looks like a great pack and lots of good reviews on first few runs.

Chuck Norris has already been to Mars, that is why there is no sign of life!

25 was max this year. Next year when he has 25, max will be 26. Tough luck for sure. Knowing that your odds on most hunts with 25 out of 26 points is only at best 3% higher than a guy with 1 point has to be frustrating to say the least.

Good buddy of mine just checked his for first time and BAM!!!! Sheep tag. UNREAL!! Luck of the draw

On my Antelope tag last year, I was hit 3 days after I was hit for my Elk tag. I suspect card rejection, but my antelope tag was a middle # tag.

Remington makes reduced recoil loads for 30-06. Very easy round to reload a reduced load for too. Your .223 is plenty IMO. Inside of 300 yards, it will do the job with no problems. Having a bigger bullet and hitting something in the guts will likely have the same result as having a small bullet and hitting something in the guts. 50/50 chance you find it. Go with the AR and get her practicing.

Shedcaching could catch on!! Great deal here.

If only I were that good at judging Antelope!! Toughest critter for me to judge.

I need to purchase a new pair of snake gaiters, and was wondering what most of you guys use? The area I will be hunting this year is thick with rattlers and I do not want to take any unnecessary chances. My online research seems to point to a brand called Turtle Skin gaiters. They seem to be very light weight but also good protection against strikes. Do any of you have any suggestions?

Thanks for the replies. Turtle skins look awesome, just kinda hard to spend 140$ without having some knowledge of them actually working. I hope I never have to find out if they work, and I have been lucky so far, but last year I got a few scares on my antelope hunt and I do not want it to happen again this year.