IA Born

Its about time! Now you can go stock up on TP or extra drawers!

Wish I'd have thought to take a pic when I did that with my 6.5WSM getting used to the new dies.

Several years ago, I drove from Flagstaff to Laredo to deer hunt with my brother-in-law. We got there, and as I was unpacking, I realized I forgot to pack my good Smartwool socks (or any socks). My wife's sister went to the Target in Laredo and got me a 6-pack of ordinary Hanes black socks to wear for the hunt. One of my favorite brain farts because they ended up being my favorite socks for everyday wear ever! Last year, during that cold snap in January, we finally glassed up a herd of javelina for my daughter. I hadn't been out of the truck much because it was so darn cold, so most of my gear was still in the back seat. We got about 300 yards from the truck when I realized I'd left my binos in the backseat. Luckily, I had my rangefinder around my neck, so I could use that to glass with. On my first ever javelina hunt, we did the 30b HAM hunt since we'd deer hunted down there. I was brand new to archery, but took my 1911 with me. We got on a herd first thing, but my buddy (more experienced at archery?) told me it was too thick for archery and suggested I use my pistol. I crept to about 20 yards from a perfectly broadside pig in the open (wishing I had my bow), raised my pistol to shoot and heard the distinct "CLICK" of an empty chamber. I'd been out shooting the weekend before and, after cleaning and reassembling the pistol, I'd apparently forgotten to reload it. I was always taught that an empty chamber is no way to protect yourself. When I grabbed my pistol to go hunt, I automatically assumed it was loaded and ready to roll. I could hear my dad, the seasoned combat vet, cussing me fiercely that morning as I racked a round in the chamber and watched the entire herd bust in front of me with no shot. Now, I like to think I invented catch and release hunting! I'm sure there are others, but I'm pretty sure I've blocked them out. I now make lists and frequently check the chambers, even its every 20-30 minutes. Back in 2005 or 2006, a small group of us had spring turkey tags in 27 and we were far, far away from anywhere resembling society. As we were gearing up the night before, my buddy realized that he grabbed a box of 12 gauge slugs instead of turkey loads. I gave him two extra 3.5" shells I had and ended up getting them back at the end of the hunt. This was the same buddy that drove down to Tucson when we lived there and we were going to head out shooting for a morning. Jokingly, I said "don't forget the ammo this time". When we got to the range, he realized he'd left his ammo back at my house.

Was he northbound or southbound?

Know the feeling. We had just gotten back to archery when my oldest banged her shoulder up. We all need to get back to it, but now my shoulder is banged up again!

Hate to say it but it's time to try a different bullet. Try something from Sierra. If the bullets in the green box don't shoot something is wrong with the rifle. Make sure your scope mounts and action screws are tight as well. For both professional and personal reasons, I'm pretty much limited to Barnes or other non-lead options. I can monkey with seating depth adjustments, try the previous two powders on a fouled barrel, and try a couple of other powders that I know work great for Barnes. I had a 0.6" group with 95% max load of IMR4831 a long time ago, but I wanted to move those bullets faster and try other powders. It will end up being a mute point, anyway, now that I'm going to have it rebuilt in a year or two. But I've heard that about Sierra bullets and I've considered that it could very well be the rifle. I could also drop the money on a new stock and get rid of the Rem factory synthetic stock made of recycled coke bottles.

Bump for a good deal on a great bow from a great guy. The Atomic replaced the Nuclear Ice, which is what my kids started on. If I remember correctly, the poundage on the Atomic should be as low as 6 lbs and go into the mid-20s. Its a great bow for a youngster to get started with.

I happen to have a loving home for any unruly 25-06's. I promise to feed them whatever it takes to get them shooting appropriately. If it wasn't for my gunsmith convincing me to turn that .25-06 into a custom .280AI for my son, I'd consider making you an offer, especially now that I've almost got my 6.5WSM figured out. Stupid wildcat rounds...

Addicted and Lance, I just got a serious case of vertigo looking at that spiraling! You may have just convinced me to spend that extra money when I have my .25-06 converted to a .280AI for my son in a year or two, especially if my gunsmith up here can have it spiral fluted. Wicked cool! Wicked, wicked cool!!!

We collect them for the Mojave desert tortoises we're working on a recovery project with. Its fun to be back in the desert once in a while and I love prickly pear jelly and, especially lemonade! Word of advice, though. Keep using the bucket for transportation! About 16 or so years ago, a good buddy of mine stopped to pick some fruit with his now ex-wife on their way to a camping trip. For whatever reason, he decided to put the fruits in his lap and didn't get all of the glochids out of the fruits. I'll let you figure out his level of discomfort!

We were in the market to replace my 2005 Ram 1500 and I wanted a 2500 for the ground clearance along. I was dead set on a 2017 PW until I started reading the tow ratings of a 2500 Bighorn 6.4L and the PW. With the PW, I was only gaining about 200 lbs of towing capacity over what I wanted. I don't tow a great deal and nothing huge, but I also couldn't justify all the bells and whistles (albeit awesome) that the PW had since I just don't go into those kinds of places in a vehicle anymore. I ended up ordering a 2018 Laramie with the 6.4L Hemi and Off Road Package. Its supposed to be here next week or the week after!

My daughter's 7-08 used to love RL15 with Barnes 140gr TTSX until I had it reworked. Now it hates RL15, but loves IMR4895 (40.3gr) and does well with IMR4064. I'd have to get the 4064 data, but it was 97% max charge based on the Barnes Manual data for 140gr TTSX. My son's 7-08 also seems to hate RL15 with the 140gr TTSX, but does pretty good with 44.2gr H380 (95%max) and 45.1 gr H380 (97%max). I still need to test loads using both IMR 4064 and 4895, though. Out of four powders that Barnes recommends for their 140gr TTSX, one has to work great! I'm also selling two unopened 1-lb bottles and one half used 1-lb bottle of RL 15 since neither of my kids' rifles like it and I stocked up back when my daughter's did.

Great. Now I'm hungry for a bologna sandwhich...with Miracle Whip!

RL 22 is SPF. It looks like I'll be down in the valley Oct 6-8 for a soccer tournament in Gilbert/Chandler area. There's a chance of one of us driving through the valley Labor Day weekend and a quick meet right off Interstate could work.

Our daughter has played for the 04 girls for 8 years now and our son just started playing for the 07 boys. I was hoping someone might be coming up for one of the two tournaments in Sept!

And all was free because it was under warranty.

Bump. Original deal didn't happen, unless we can figure out how to meet up in October, which is the next time I'll be down in the valley for soccer.

A couple of years ago, I bought a 1 lb canister of RL22 to test loads on one of my rifles. I finally tested it this weekend and that rifle doesn't like it. Can has had exactly nine rounds worth of 25-06 case used, so the canister is practically new. Since I'm not going to use it, I figure someone else may need/want it and I'm not a powder hoarder for powders I can't use. $20 and its yours. I'm in Flagstaff, but may very well be at Cabela's next Saturday morning if you want to meet me there. Will for sure be driving through the valley on my way to Casa Grande and back Aug 11 and 13.

The first one I shot was a 160lb sow. I asked about bacon, but it can't happen. I had the loins done into chops and all the rest done into breakfast sausage. My wife couldn't wait for me to get another one. I shot two more right at about 70-100lbs, and had both breakfast sausage and mild Italian sausage done. It was great.

Mine was almost 7 years ago for the second time sending it in, but I remember it being quick, all things considered. Four weeks, maybe? Don't hold me to that, though.

Same here. Sent them the same Conquest twice for two completely different issues and its great now.

Lance beat me to it. I was going to say .280 or .280AI. In a couple of years, when my currently 9-year old son is big enough for a full-size rifle, I'm probably going to have my .25-06 turned into a .280AI to be his "one rifle for everything for life" rifle. Some days, I hate my gunsmith for putting that in my head, but others, I'm excited to do this. I even have my wife convinced its a great idea!

If not Hunts for Heros, Outdoor Experience 4 All does great things with kids fighting cancer and other illnesses. I've worked with Eddy and Ty before and they are great guys running a great operation. Or just bring Isaac over and we'll talk to him together!

There is an Orvis store in Scottsdale. Sweet! A piece of redemption next time I'm down there for a soccer tournament!

I have a 25-06 I'm about ready to throw down the chute! I have a Rem 700 and I've tried IMR4831, MagPro, and, now, RL 22 with Barnes 100gr TSX (only hunt with Barnes) and I can't get the stupid thing to group worth a darn, but the IMR4831 loads and MagPro were both fired off clean barrels. Of course, I haven't monkeyed with seating depths beyond going with the standard 0.050" that Barnes recommends starting with. Barnes' manual lists H1000 for the 90gr, but not the 100gr. Will H1000 work with the 100gr? I just picked up some H1000 for another rifle (6.5WSM), so I can try that. Otherwise, I'll pick up some RL 19 or try again with the MagPro and a fouled barrel At the same time, my gunsmith up here is talking me into converting that rifle to a .280AI to give to my son when he outgrows his current youth model in a couple of years.