rcdinaz

I have been using the accubond .284 in 168gr for the last 2 years. 6 deer (4 coues and 2 Mulies) and one bear later I am pretty happy. All those critters were a one and done out of a custom 7mm RM. 4 of the deer were shot by other hunters not me and the results were the same. The deer were from ~525 all the way in to 270 yds and the bear was a ~250yds. I can say I get slightly better drop figures from the NLRAB than my Bergers. What does this mean? It means that using the shooter app and shooting out to 800yds there was slightly less drop shooting the Noslers. Originally the components were all the same and the MV was virtually identical as well. I did switch to Ramshot Magnum for this years hunts it was the easiest switch I have ever made similar powder charges and the ball powder is a Godsend to work with. my $0.02

So it boils down to the do-gooders killing "the only known AZ jaguar"? I think the environmentalist must have the worst record for taking care of the environment and protected animals of all organizations. They either wreck the population of some other species or screw up the environment by not thinking things through.

Actually I guess none of it really matters since no one did anything illegal. Public land means there is a high probability your hunt will get screwed up. Chances are the other guy thinks his plans got screwed up as well. Pretty much all of us get in the mode of "my spot" or "my deer" after doing a lot of work and getting excited. So I am not even sure it is a matter of respect especially in AZ where we have so many people from other states that hunt in very different ways. Getting pissed usually isn't worth it, I try and assume the person has a kid, or maybe there last hunt with an elderly person, and end up feeling better about them getting a shot and me refraining from anything I wold have regretted. Not getting high and mighty I have been down the road of some very un-proud moments with some extremely rude people. Got cured of that after realizing I scared the heck out of one of my kids and things cold easily have not gone my way. Time to go I just broke the soap box...

I don't think you're lost, you pretty much got it a progressive can be used like a single stage. Everyone is pointing out that a single is a much more economical way to start.

Well that sucks! 3B is always going to have that problem there are roads everywhere. I have had people drive up on ATV's, bikes, walking dogs, horseback, snowmobiles in the winter, in honda civics, and everything else imaginable. I tried bear hunting once and there was a vehicle every 500 yards as well as hunters running dogs. Pretty sure every bear that lived there was on the res by 6:00 AM. It is kind of like trying to hunt on South Mountain with all of the traffic.

Are you getting charged Hazmat for ammo? I have bought bulk a few times in the last couple of years and never was charged Hazmat from the three different places I purchased from. It has been over a year since I have ordered any and I had additional shipping charges last time. I may have had primers or powder with the order and just not paid attention to which items accounted for the extra charge. I don't usually order ammo it was just for backup.

Yes components can be much cheaper... but most of us end up seeing the opportunity to build better rounds so we buy premium components and become obsessed with improvements. Compare your 5.56 to match grade stuff and yes you can save money. Example 500 rounds of 5.56 black hills is over $500 7mm RM HSM (using berger VLD's) is $50 a box Neither includes Haz shipping charges, so figure 3 boxes of 7mm and the $500 5.56 and shipping and call it ~$700. I am pretty sure after the first year you can pay for your reloading supplies and be in good shape if you compare apples to apples. But pretty much everyone gets hooked on the crack and keeps buying better gear, new calibers, different mfg brass, a new press, and on and on...

Yes, you can make extremely accurate loads with a progressive press but you will use it just like a singe stage. The issue is you need very stiff press not a cheap one mostly aimed at doing pistol rounds. If you look at the some of the Gunwerks episodes you will see progressive presses in their shop. If you have a detailed, repeatable, accurate process that you get nailed down you will be able to assemble very accurate rounds. You will follow the principle of measure, measure again, and measure once more then you will be attempting to build exactly the same rounds each and every time. That is it there is no magic press that has this built into it usually you are paying for something with greater and greater tolerances which equals greater and greater costs.

First read and watch all the videos you can find. LongRangeHunting.com, 6mmBR, snipers hide, sinclair, midway check the articles and their gear and then videos on use and reviews. I would also highly recommend Shawn Carlocks DVD on Long Range Reloading, worth every dime and it is a no nonsense approach where he will tell you what steps need to be done and which ones he feels are not worth the extra effort. He teaches long range shooting and does it every week well past 1,000 yds. You will find some really good deals if you go to the classifieds also for many of those sites. Press: I have 2 progressive presses a Dillon 550 & a Redding T-7. You can turn out extremely accurate loads on a progressive you just won't be cranking along unless you are doing 5.56 in which case you will be grateful you have a progressive. However the Rock Chucker is everything you will need for accuracy and a great starting point. The progressive allows me to have all 3 redding competition dies set up at the same time. I have the 7mm RM and 6.5 die which stay put unless I get a bug about another rifle I want to load for but those are the go to so I haven't changes them out in over a year. Calipers, buy a good set don't go cheap plan on $50 or more and you should never need another pair. Brass Prep: Case trimmer, Flash hole debur tool, primer pocket tool, Brass cleaning - vibratory or tumbler ( I use a Harbor Freight tumbler and stainless media, the best way to clean brass IMHO) Scale: Balnce beams work great but the RCBS Chargemaster will eventually be worth every penny Other stuff: reloading tray for your brass, case gauges, seating gauges, shell plates, powder funnels Reloading dies: buy good bushing dies for accurate reloads. Hornaday has a really good kit with OLA gauges, buller comparators, trimmer, brass prep tools, etc. Hornady Lock-N-Load Precision Reloaders Accessory Kit For long range shooting and hunting loads I pour each charge by hand into each case. For pistol and high volume rounds a powder funnel is the way to go. I am sure I forgot some things others will add. If you get going and have questions shoot me a PM, always happy to give advice. Good luck!

That is good to hear! Kind of regret not making the trip out yesterday but if it is windy it is a big waste of time and gas.

Took my daughter out last night to hit Pleasant. the lake has a ton more water in it than even a few weeks ago. This kind of screwed us up as all my usual favorite places were now 15-20 feet deep. So we spent half the night driving around. Finally found fish and got a good couple of hours in driving some of the banks. They are definitely heading towards the spawn as you can see in some of the pics. She had a couple of them come off with the light draw bow she was using but finally had an outing where she shot more than one fish so it was a good night. For anyone chasing bass they are getting ready to spawn in a hurry. Saw lots of fish and about half of them didn't want to leave their bed even with the boat and carp/arrows flying into the same coves. If anyone is heading out in the next month let us know. Would rally like to meet up with some of you on the forum to shoot and talk bowfishing.

I plan on going out to pleasant on Friday. I was going to take the kids out yesterday but the wind and lightning report scared me off. Just make sure the fish aren't left on shore, sink 'em or find a good spot to feed the critters or make fertilizer. We don't need any crazies picketing the G&F about bowfishing and we are close enough to California to borrow some of their bright ideas.

Awesome glass! GLWS!

The AI for sure! Not based on performance, which is great, but man will you save a lot on brass compared to the other two you listed. You will most likely also get redding comp dies right off the redding shelf but might have to wait on the others.

Nice work!

I would make sure they know that they absolutely must be whiskey & beer proof! You are obviously going to be drunk while wearing those bad boys... If you find a maker we will need pics, lots of pics especially from the first night of break in.

No surprise on Tim & Faith but didn't know about his bag boys which is too bad since Currington has some good songs. They all want to be Hollywood not even Nashville which is sad.

Welcome! You have some awesome trophies! Probably obvious from all the feedback but you will be at the north end. Check our Google Earth, the AZ G&F site, and you may be able to get in touch with someone from G&F that can give some help as well. They can surely let you know if there are any issues with access and fences which seem to more and more of an issue these days. Hope your dad shoots a good one!

Awesome story! Vegetarians in general seem to enjoy living in a world of massive irony that is beyond my comprehension. At least the U.S. version that seems to look down on everyone else who is not willing to join their cult.

Bruno's usually has Ramshot give them a call.

Good video! I have been watching them on youtube as well. Is it easier now to get all the material locally? We are considering moving and if we do I want one of these instead of a grill, probably do both but I want an oven! For those of you that built your own what is a rough estimate on cost? I know size and any ornate decorations can really add up but just a basic design estimate.

Yep pretty bad this year, we got skeeters and those dang crane fly's everywhere. When we bowfish I use the thermacell units and they work very well. Going to have to try some peppermint oil.

This is a steal for someone, there is usually a waiting list. I have one or I would buy this instantly, great rest. Good luck with sale!

Can I come hunting with you!

I would start with reading up some of the reviews like this one: http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/hunting/2014/07/bow-test-2014-ol-ranks-and-reviews-10-new-compounds Obviously you are not going to buy one of these new but will get a general idea of what the top companies are pushing. If you go down a model or two you will still have most of the features. Mathews, PSE, and few of the others are probably going to cost a lot more but hold their value very well due to demand and reputation. Then start prowling on AT and looking for a good deal. Remember it is probably worth it to spend $100-$150 more on a full set up because sites, stabs, quiver, and a new string if needed are going to cost $300-$500 and the guy before you has most likely already tuned the bow (ask what arrows they were shooting) you may get lucky and shoot darts without much tinkering. Good deal here considering the upgraded string, rest, and stab would cost you ~$300 new. http://www.archerytalk.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2453179 This was just the first deal under $500 on AT that pops up, there should be a few dozen more you can look over.