catclaw

I have had great luck with Varget and Ramshot Big game with the 120s too.

The only difference I found between the Mark IV and the VX3 was that the boss where the turrets are located are beefier and have while markings on them. Maybe there are internal differences but at the SHOT show, the Leupold reps that helped me had NO idea! We walked over to the Barrett booth to ask them as they make the BORS for the Leupold Mark IV and they said it would fit the VXIII or 3. My VXIII 4.5-14 LR has a side focus and 30mm tube. This adds quite a bit of weight to a scope. Have to decide if it is worth the trade-off or not. IF I ordered a brand new Mark IV, I would get M2 knobs rather than M1. The M2s will NOT retrofit on a VXIII, only a mark IV. I much prefer the 1/2MOA elevation knobs over the 1/4 MOA knobs for hunting. The Specialty scopes made for guys like John Burns et al. have 1/3 MOA adjustments. The only way to get this is to buy the scope (a Leupold) from them. I guess they have determined that the 1/3 MOA is the best balance of speed, precision and simplicity. I can't argue with that but Leupold does not sell a scope to the general public with such adjustments. You can get way out there without having to go all the way around the dial. I think the Huskemaw is this way too but not certain. The big advantage to the Kenton type turrets is that you can shoot faster because you don't have to consult a PDA or chart. Biggest drawback is that it is set up for only one load.

Why on earth would they need all that superfluous information to make a turret??? All you need is the velocity, BC and environmental data. Barrel length, caliber, bullet weight are meaningless. Only reason I can see for adding this is if you want it engraved on your turret! Turrets that are graduated in "yards" rather than Mils or MOA are certainly easy to use but have the down-side of being load specific. Should you find a new magic powder or bullet- you will need new turrets! If you are a one-load kinda guy, this is a great way to go though. ----------------------------------- OK, I just went to their website. Kinda what I figured. They have knobs that are similar to what Huskemaw and others have on them. They are easy to use but pretty much load specific. I would hate to spend $110 and then find out I like a different bullet weight better or something. I really don't have a problem looking at a chart to see how many MOA I need to dial in to make the shot. It is one extra step but completely forgiving as to bullet, load, velocity, elevation, temp etc. Maybe I am a gadget kinda guy. I kinda like my M1 turrets.

I can't think of any spots that are 10 miles away from access in another direction! Well maybe a couple are close, but the only reason to go that far is if you found one from the air and are just needing to get into him. 2-3 miles in is about perfect.

I am really toying with ordering a pair but I am worried about the fit. I guess I can try them inside and send them back if they don't fit right. I feel like I am crazy to try something new as I have had really good luck with Meindl boots. I have had bad luck with Danner. I guess people in Oregon have way narrow feet. Even the wide models are too narrow for me. It really sucks to spend $300 on a pair of boots and they never really fit right.

You obviously didn't look through the Prominar model- TSN-883 or TSN-884. Those flourite crystal lenses are sharper than Swaro's HDs by a handy margin. I have spent plenty of time behind both looking at long range targets and can easily see bullet holes with the Kowa that I could NOT with the Swaro. The Leica seems as good as the Kowa and is quite robust. I am a big Swarovski fan but I can sure tell the difference between the Kowa Prominar and anything that Swarovski makes. I have never taken either one on a hunt so I can't tell you how they hold up in the field, but on the target range, the Kowa was better. Period.

Never heard of kenton turrets. See your PM

If you plan on shooting more than 500 yds, I would go with a turret, not a dot or a line. There is just no way you can get all those lines and dots to line work out just right for any load unless you get plumb lucky! Out to 500 or maybe 550 I think you can do it but beyond that, it's a crap shoot. Get a scope with turrets if you plan to shoot real far! I have two VX3s with B&C reticles and turrets. If its a close shot, i use the line, if it too far, I dial it.

If'n I was gonna shoot that buck, I would dial in 1 1/2 MOA of windage and about 5 1/2 MOA of elevation, hold right where I wanted the bullet to land and whack him. 6.5x284 Win with a 130 grain Norma Diamond line.

Not true- the SLCs are still a notch better than ANYTHING out there. Even the dealer agreed with me and his margin is better in the Vortex! The Kaibabs are very good and won't disappoint.

I just saw this. The Kowa is head and shoulders sharper than even the HD model made by Swarovski. The only thing that will compare with the 88mm Kowa is the $4000 Leica spotter. The Swarovski is a fantastic scope and you won't be disappointed but if you really want to know which one is sharper- the Kowa wins hands down. The Vortex ED model is pretty comparable to the Swaro with the fine focus feature.

Wow, Aregnetina got their A$$ handed to them by the Krauts! I see Germany winning the whole thing!

Have fun in Lakeside! I am leaving for Round Valley in the morning. This heat is so oppressive! Go Argentina!

I was in what I thought was the middle of nowhere in 36A and called in a coyote. Just as I got ready to shoot, a cocker spaniel came running up. Coyote took off and that was that! No, I didn't shoot the cocker- figgered his owner was out hiking or something with him and probably pizzed that he took off and wouldn't come back!! One time when calling near Black River, I had a mulie doe jump over me as I hunkered behind a bush! I should have grabbed her but was too caught up in the moment to do anything.

You can't be serious?? I doubt you will find a sports bar in Lakeside or Showlow for that matter that is open in the morning. I've got a parade to watch in Eagar. I am tired of this heat. It is 113 at my house right now (Thursday at 4 pm) yuk!

Most 140s will shoot fine in any reasonable twist that a 6.5x55 would come in (1-9 or tighter) The VLD type bullets might not work as well. Unless this is the direction you are headed, there are better bullets for the Swede for CWT use. A traditional 140 is going to be slower and power right through- better suited to elk than CWT. I have killed several animals with the 120 Sierra Pro Hunter with excellent success as well as a 130 Accubond ( although this bullet will easily kill much larger game with fanfare as I have discovered). If you want to use a 140 and have 1-9 twist, I would suggest the 140 SGK. This is an excellent bullet and is quite easily stabilized in a 9 twist rifle. Currently I am using 108 Lapua Scenars in my 260 and 130 Norma Diamond Line in my 6.5-284. I haven't killed anything bigger than a coyote with the 108s so I can't endorse it just yet- except for its accuracy.

I saw a hard-horned buck over 110" breed a doe near Fort Grant on Memorial day weekend one year. I have found hard browns by then too! I thought THAT was late! I saw a very big bull elk rub his velvet off on July 18th last year too- 10 days earlier than I have ever seen before! You learn something every year!

Too bad they have that stupid closure all along the north side during the good time of year. Grrrrr

Sadie- I saw your photos at the campout this weekend with Lance and family and you sure have an infectious smile. I am glad you had a good time. Dennis

You all missed out on a great time. Great food as usual and awesome weather.

This will be a nice reprieve from the valley's heat!

They have finally released the pilot's name. He is an ATF agent out of Florida. Yesterday there were high ranking supervisors at the scene looking for items from his plane. Apparently he was loaded down with small arms ammunitions as they were popping off during the fire and there are spent casings everywhere! Sounds like he was overloaded for the high altitude takeoff with a full load of fuel. Killed his whole family I guess. What a bummer.

Most of the media reports have been quite flawed. The pilot and his family are of significance. They know who they are but for some reason, don't want to identify them. The school is a disaster. Even the buildings that didn't burn have significant water and smoke damage. This is not something that you plan for. My heart goes out to the community up there.

Get over yourself.

I was just teasing him... No cow tracks when I set the camera- I think they were moving up from summer to winter and just held up for a few days. I know you are going to get cow pics- just seems silly to post them unless they are unique or something. I never get "good" cow pics- just boring ones. I had a cow sleep against my camera one time. It was covered with hair and stink when I pulled it. Live and learn.