Hoss50

Unit 29 used to always have leftover tags. Not anymore.

I picked up a pound of H4350 today that I am going to try next on the 6.5 and try to push it a little faster. The charts show RL26 is an option too, and I have some of that laying around so I might try that too along with pushing a heavier charge of H1000.

I should have a deer hunt that needs all copper bullets. I have never loaded all copper bullets. Is there any difference, quirks, or tricks to load all copper vs. Leadcore? I picked up some Barnes LRX in 6.5 and some 30 cal TTSX for a couple loads yesterday to start working on. Thanks Harley

If you don't need the meat then hunt for what you want. If you need meat, those late hunts can be tough. Shoot what you see first unless you are very confident you can get back on a better bull.

Location?

I am going to do 3 round groups next time on the 6.5. The .257 is loaded as far out in the neck of the case as I feel comfortable loading them with good neck engagement. I could probably load them a touch longer but not much. I tried to see how far out it was to engagement with the lands, but it was way to far out. Too much freebore.

I spent about 4 hours at the range today trying out Barnes loads for 3 rifles. It took awhile between strings to let the rifles cool down so it took awhile. 2 of the 3 rifles showed promising groups. The third was so so. 300 win mag showed 2 areas of good groupings so I will work on those 2 areas. 257 weatherby showed some good groupings too. One was at 68gr which is very close to its favorite load with 115gr Bergers. 6.5x55 wasn't as promising, but I am using the 127gr LRX which say for 1:8 barrels. My barrel is 1:8.66. After texting with Lance a little, I am going to try and push them harder to see if they will group if I can get them going a little faster. If not I will try the 120gr TTSX.

I feel proud, but hillbilly at the same time. I needed a .257 case trimmer pilot for my hornady case trimmer. No biggy, Sportsmans Warehouse should have...they had a RCBS pilot which has to be the same right? Wrong, it is to skinny. Plan B. Bruno's will have it...Nope only .264 so I grab that since I need one of those too. I call 6 other shops around town...nothing... I am getting desperate...I don't want to spend $8 to ship a $4 item. Now the hillbilly part. Time to improvise. I chucked up the .264 pilot in the cordless drill and break out the air powered die grinder...the cordless gets slammed into full reverse and the die grinder goes forward. 45 seconds later I have a .257 pilot! I feel like a redneck but it worked, and now I have trimmed cases. Conclusion is that RCBS decided it was too cool and had to make their pilots smaller then Hornady, Redding,etc just to make life more of a pain I think...

Congratulations. That was my first choice hunt but I drew my 2nd choice which is fine by me. Scout as much as you can and hunt hard and I think you will be fine. I totally understand the thought of a guide, but it's your choice. I personally would rather gather the Intel I can, scout, and hunt hard. If you get a good one your success will be even sweeter.

12AE early rifle! It has been a long time since I had a deer hunt. I hope I remember what they look like.

Caliblers: 6.5 Something or 7-08 is what I would choose. For a dedicated deer gun .243 or 6mm are also in the mix. If you plan to have her start elk hunting I would start with something in 6.5 or 7mm just to get a little heavier bullet weight options. Budget is the big factor. For Cheaper rifles: Howa Ruger American Savage If your tastes are a little more expensive Kimber or a nice Remington Model 7 would be sweet. One of the most handy best rifles that I ever felt while I worked in the gun shops years back that I still think about was a Remington Model 7 in 7-08. It might have been a mountain rifle from the custom shop, but it was light, pointed really well, and was just an all around awesome looking and feeling gun.

I don't NEED them, but if it recommended and I have time to develop the loads why not? Only 1 of the 3 rifles I will load for has a 100% dialed in lead bullet load at this point. Might as well shift my efforts for now to copper bullets, and then finish the lead bullet loads later. If you get your all copper bullet coupon and don't need it I will be happy to take it off your hands.

Same problem here. 12AW late rifle first, 12AE early rifle second. I had 5pts which isn't enough to guarantee either tag so I don't know where I am drawn. Both are good hunts so i don't care really. I just know i need to start loading all copper bullets which i am working on!

what jdown said is 100% spot on. when I worked in the gun store back in the day I moved safes on the side to make extra money. I moved them exactly as he talks about. A-Z Rentals will rent you the 1600lb appliance dolly with the kick back wheels and straps. Get it. It is worth it.

So much want, so little money...

I know. I am waiting impatiently... I need to know if I got late 12AW or early 12AE...I already started buying copper bullets, but I need to know where to start E-Scouting...

I voted but you are already behind.

I originally bought the 150gr for my buddies 3006 but he has that rifle on loan to a buddy for his first elk hunt. So am going to repurpose them to the 300 win mag and set that up for longer range duty shooting those 150gr like laser beams hopefully. The 257 and 6.5x55 will be our main carry rifles I think.

I printed some of the load info off Friday at work! Hopefully tomorrow I might have some time to start some loads for the 6.5x55 and 300 Win.

How long until the portal is updated? I am chomping at the bit to find out what deer hunt I drew? Harley

I will keep that in mind. I will grab some 100gr TTSX for the 257 this week. Thanks guys.

I am planning on 3 different loads right now. 150gr TTSX for the 300 win mag 127gr LRX for the 6.5x55 115gr TSX for the 257 weatherby I have not bought the .257 yet, is there any reason to use the 100gr TTSX instead of the 115gr TSX? those will probably be the 3 rifles I load for for myself and my buddy. The 300 win mag will be the backup rifle because it is a tank. Probably 12-13lbs.

3" shells should kill a turkey just fine I would think. They did for decades before 3.5" existed. The need for 3.5" shells hurts the chances of finding an auto loader that will cycle dove loads a lot. A good 3" gun like a Rem 1100 or something should cycle dove loads and 3" shells without issue. My buddy picked up a Rem 1100 from Dicks awhile back that was on closeout - brand new for about $300.

I finally have a rifle deer hunt after 5 years! I am not 100% sure what unit yet, but either hunt is a nice hunt!

Find him a decent Chevy 2500 with 6.0l gas motor.