pwrguy

With the information available today this isn't even a question. Protect your hearing every chance you get including while you are hunting, you don't get a second chance with this.

Whatever is the most accurate is the correct one to take That being said, you should get a new rifle, you NEED it.

Just got my antelope refund today

Good luck with the sale, looks like a deal to me

I do the same as DB

Like Coues n sheep said. You might get lucky with a budget Savage, but no way it could be scoped for that number. Unless you already have the scope you should double your budget. Just sayin

Call somebody...that is almost funny, except when you stop and think about the huge group of people in this country that think that is the answer when something occurs that you don't like looking at. Just my 2 cents worth

A good problem to have. Use it exactly the same as beef, taco's spaghetti sauce, hamburger helper and anything else that needs burger.

So, I have accumulated enough points in Colorado to draw a muzzy rut hunt next year and I am thinking about going for it. I don't own a muzzle loader and Colorado has some pretty restrictive rules (no scopes, no sabots). I am looking for a good combination for this hunt and I don't mind spending a little money to get there. Is there a rifle that comes with a decent trigger from the factory? Suggestions on projectile/powder? Thanks.

Thanks for all the great posts guy's. I think I might give thor a try, it can't hurt to have an extra option. I still have hopes of getting the large lead conicals to shoot decent, something about a 460 grain chunk of lead just excites me

Yeah, any of those would do

Thanks Mike, I have been loading by volume only. Do you think it makes a significant difference converting and measuring by weight? Red, thanks for the link, I had read that one previously. CMB, I have already decided to skip the powerbelts, I will most likely get around to trying the Thor bullets after I finish playing with the ones I have Thanks again for all the posts

Thanks again for your responses, I definitely have some things to ponder and try. I don't have enough shots down the barrel to come to many conclusions yet, so I appreciate all input.

I never got to know Brian, but did bump into him a few times in unit 23. RIP.

I don't live down there but I used to. If at all possible I try to plan my day's around the temps even up here in the mountains. I am an early riser so I am not opposed to some office work or even a nap in the middle of the day In the winter I do it the opposite way so I don't have to freeze, office work in the mornings and outside work between 10 and 4. I spend a lot of off day's in the summer enjoying my A/C in the house.

Congrats to AJ on his first Turkey. He stuck with it all week and finally got to put one down.

Red, thanks for the detailed information. For the most part I am doing everything you say except for the fouled barrel part. What has worked for you. I have been swabbing the barrel with one moist and then one dry patch prior to the next shot. How many shots are you taking between cleanings. I have noticed the first shot on a totally clean barrel is way off the rest of the shots. Shooting anything that is a sabot is not an option for my upcoming hunt so I haven't even played around with them yet. I have read online that 1:28 twist of the T/C is not optimum for full diameter large .50 Cal projectiles, if not, what is and does anyone make one for this gun? As far as modifying my barrel, I would buy another barrel before cutting off the QLA as I hope to use the rifle on future hunts where I am allowed to use sabots and a scope. All my shooting so far has been between 75 and 90 grains of Blackhorn 209. I figure if I can't do any better than 5 inch groups at 25 yards that I am still doing something wrong and there is no point in trying to push the bullet faster. Thanks all for your posts.

Finally, I get to hunt Colorado for the first time (Unit 49). Wearing hunter orange is going to be a new experience for me. I have not had too much luck with the TC encore pro hunter yet. Anyone out there had any luck with it shooting full diameter bullets? I have seen some negative stuff posted about this rifle because of the QLA and also the twist rate. I have shot maxi balls, no excuses 460, 350 FPB. Admittedly I have not shot enough to give up yet, but initial results have been pretty dismal. I have read in several posts about poor terminal performance of powerbelts on elk so I would like to avoid if possible. Any thoughts/comments

Great job on the deer and the video. I enjoyed watching.

no luck talking them in, but heard multiple birds today, was within 150 yards first thing this morning.

Great job Tessa, congrats

What a shot, it looks like he center punches the head with the wad.

Congrats Bill. You are going to have a blast. Keep us posted on your exploits.

Great shots Amanda, here's one I took over the weekend. (Peach blossoms)

I posted in your other thread as well, I shoot a 300 win mag and my best group to date has been with the 210 Bergers, however I have excellent results with the .208 Amax and they are a lot more affordable than some of the other choices. So far my rifle really likes the 200 to 210 selection of bullets, of course every rifle is different. Don't get hung up with muzzle velocity, these heavier bullets are awesome out of .30 Cal.