Coach

+1. Troll someplace else.

I haven't shot the Tikka, but everyone seems to really like them. My first two "go-to" guns are Savage. #1 is a 14 American Classic in .300 WSM. I've never seen another one of these - it's got an oiled walnut stock, medium contour barrel and a parkerized barrel and action. The barrel is slightly heavier than the regular American Classic, and the stock is dark oiled instead of glossy. It has a Cabela's Alaskan Guide scope on it in 6-20 x 50 (?? I'll have to look to be sure). For the price, under 1K for both the rifle and scope, with handloads, this gun shoots amazingly well. #2 is a Savage 110FP in 25-06. Another Cabelas Alaskan Guide Scope, this one I think is 4-14 x 50AO, cheezy savage plastic stock. Talk about a lights-out shooter, the accutrigger on this one is actually a lot better than my 14. It likes the moly coated CT in 117, but I've had great results with Barnes TTSX 100 grain handloads as well. This would be my all-around gun, if not with the 1" bull barrel and big scope it weighs in around 12 pounds. But it, like the Marine Corp, kills everything it sees. LOL. Based on what you are looking at, if I were getting a new gun, it would likely be the Tikka in .270 WSM. If I had to sell all my guns and get just one rifle, it would be this one... http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=313997098 And I'd do a Leupold or Huskemaw turret system.

Crap, thanks a ton 300, now I have to go inside and watch Dumb and Dumber *again*. So many one-liners...At least I can microwave some popcorn. LOL. My wife and I continually quote, "Harry, your hands are freezing...." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fTzP4kGe58

I've found Accubonds to be spectacular bullets. They fly well, they do exceptionally well on game. I'm sure these willl "up the mark" for Nosler shooters.

Sent. Best wishes.

Huge thanks again for all the support. At this point, I'm on track with as much information and planning as anyone going up there "self-guided" can be. I put that in quotes, because in no way will I be self-guided at this point in the literal sense. I may very well be alone for the full hunt, but I'll be sleeping in a wall tent provided by friends (both Mark and Big Bry have offered their wall tents), focusing on areas that were suggested by people who have been up there and hunted it in the past, including one of our members (Ryan) who hunted it for 22 days during the archery hunt, a couple guys who guide up there, but were willing to give some very detailed advice (Kent McClendon, Eric Santanna). My new friend Jason Standage was up there doing road work around St. George. Jason sent me pix and updates of everything he saw in his down time. I can't say enough about Kent McClendon. He's currently running an outfitting buisiness.http://www.extremetrophyhuntsaz.com/. I first met Kent through CWT, and was just learning how to hunt in Arizona, a long time ago. We have yet to meet in person or share a hunt, but over the years we've been in touch. When I realized I had drawn this hunt, my first call was to him. So, whatever happens on this hunt, even if I come home empty handed, I have a LOT of really nice people to thank for making sure I don't start out clueless. I'll do my best to chronicle the hunt, take notes, and pass on as much as I can to the next CWT member that embarks on this journey. One thing I can promise, I type a lot and take lot of pictures, so if you want a long story, you are in for a treat whether I kill a buck or not.

Nice shooting! Nice buck too, congrats!

Wowser! I'd be lucky to hit a house at that range. That is some amazing shooting right there. Kudos on the shot and your buck.

Excellent job! Those are some great looking bucks!

Nice buck, and good write up! Congrats!

Dream Buck for Sure!!! What an amazing, beautiful buck. Huge congrats and way to get it done!

Nice buck!!! Way to go, Laurie. Good job getting them out there dad!

Lionhuhter, I just took a Savage 14 American Std out with some handloads. I'm shooting 63 grains of IMR 4350 on 165 grain Accubonds. Just for comparison I brought my Savage "Field Police" rifle in 25-06. Much better trigger, 1” bull barrel. The first time I actually saw “clover leaves” where every hole was touching another was out of this gun. (The 25-06) I can honestly say, after burning a lot of powder and bullets at long range, the Savage 14 in .300 WSM shoots right along-side the 25-06. Seems the “right balance” is getting a .30 cal bullet to do what the smaller bullets do. This gun costs a lot less than some of the scopes on high end rifles that I’d challenge in good hands to shoot as well as this one does. I’m only good out to 500 yards and I know it. This gun, with hand loads can go way past that with practice.

That's one of the things I LOVE about this site. You found some hunting gear, and your first instinct is, post it up, find the owner, get it back to them. That says a lot about your character. Nicely done.

Nice bucks - I'm floored by the body size of those coues. Those bucks are eating well! Nice headgear too!

Nice job getting those boys our there! Hunting hard each day, and seeing so many deer - and doing it as a family - that's great stuff right there. Huge congrats to Brooks. Thanks for taking the time to write it all up for us.

Man, that is one SWEET rifle, in one of my favorite chamberings. Should go fast. Wish I were in the market for a new gun - that one's tough to beat.

Man, what a great buck! And to have your dad along with you - that is just awesome!. Huge congrats. Now it's dad's turn. Find him a big one!

Man, I'm sure glad you weren't hurt worse!

This is a really fun thread. I'm sure we've all got similar stories. Slamming doors, snoring all night, talking loud, a little too much drinking and bullsh!tting around the campfire. Share a "secret" spot with a friend at come back next year and it's a zoo. On the other hand, it's nice to have people you can go out with, share the time, enjoy the experience with, even if we all have to put up with eachothers' quirks. Personally, I almost gave up hunting a couple years back. My closest hunting buddy and I had a falling out, my other friends had so many work and family obligations, I found myself hunting alone most of the time. My kids, then were too young to really get into the tougher hunts. If I learned one thing, having a hunting buddy, even one that sometimes gets on your nerves, is usually better than going alone, over and over, and wishing you had someone there to share it with you. It also makes you a little more aware of what you are doing that is bugging the crap out of your hunting partner - lol.

Nice buck! Huge congrats. We do have to find you a better hat though, lol.

That's an awesome coues buck! Nice job.

Nice looking buck, Huge congrats. The plan doesn't always work out. Being agile and working with whatevery comes your way is the mark of an experienced hunter. IMO, you did really well.

Awesome!!! Great find.

Nice bucks! I hope we can see some other angles of that one on the left. Congrats to the hunters.