Red Rabbit

I went out this morning with the best E-Tip loads for the Kimber and HS Precision 300 WSMs, but seated 0.1" off the lands instead of 0.01" There was no improvement in accuracy, but a loss of about 100 fps. Notice that the more accurate loads are about 100 fps less than max for my rifles, and the powder charge is 3-4 grains less than what is used for other conventional bullets (heed the note found in the E-Tip bullet boxes). Looks like I will be stay with 1" 3-shot groups with 150 and 180 E-tips for the HS and 1.1" 3-shot groups with 180s for the Kimber- definitely m.o.e./minute of elk. The Kimber does not like 150s as it sprays them into 3-4" patterns. Hopefully an AZ bull elk will succumb to an 180 E-tip from the 300 WSM. Would be nice to recover the bullet to see performance, but really would prefer a pass-through for 2 leaky blood holes. Chosen loads: HS Precision 300 WSM 150 E-Tip 66.5 gr Ramshot Hunter 3102 FPS, 0.93" 3-shot group HS Precision 180 E-Tip 63.0 gr Hunter 2886 fps, 1.04" 3-shot group Kimber 300 WSM 180 E-Tip 65.0 gr Hunter 2946 fps, 1.10" 3-shot group http://www.nosler.com/index.php?p=3&bullet=20 Doug~RR

Are homes/cabins going to be built around Badger tank?

Happy Birthday Bill! Hope the elk bugle a nice song for you this evening. Doug

yes, 100 yards.

Jeff, How does your CZ group other bullets in comparison to the E-Tips? MoreD, All of the reports I have read mention that the E-Tip opens to a greater frontal diameter than the Barnes TSX. No mention of losing petals, which has sometimes happened with the TSX. I read the Sept AH where it mentioned smaller exit holes, but did not read about lost petals. Doug~RR

Scientist? Jeeves?

Chef, Enjoy your day! I hear the elk turned on the bugle switch this past weekend. RR

Brian, The location in the top pic looks familiar from last year's pics. Another nice buck in your future? Have you put the two cameras up together to test if one misses an event the other captures, or is too sensitive to motion? Doug

Other possibilities would be the Blacks Creek Canadian or Alaskan packs that expand about 1000ci for your meat. They also adjust to fit your torso length. Blacks Creek Alaskan Pack Blacks Creek Canadian

I heard there was a murder in the neighborhood today

Buckhorn, Sorry. I do not have any pictures of the bulls hard-horned. Do you know where the NT may have been taken? Curious as to how far they may move once the rut starts. Doug~RR

For those of you using the Cabelas /Camp Trails Pack Frame, I have a moose bag & rifle hanger for sale in the classifieds. Doug~RR

Sold!

Pella Bird'n Lite Upland Strap Vest size M/L Good condition, used a couple of seasons, no holes, slight fading on shoulder straps, one snap on shell pocket under velcro flap pulled out. Features include padded waist band for support, two water bottle pouches, game compartment, rear cargo pocket with velcro flap, two shell pockets with elastic shell loops, adjustable straps. Pella Vest at Schnees SOLD! Doug~RR

Columbia Sportswear Shorty Fly Vest. Size Large 65% poly/35% cotton fleece neck padding, rear back pocket zips from inside, all zippers work. Used, good condition. $20 shipped. inside pockets: Doug~RR

Mike, I used a frame like that, which is also used on the Dwight Schuh and Coleman packs. I lashed my hunting day pack to it. Carried the load better than the day pack alone which had no waist belt. That setup caught fewer tree limbs while hiking than the aluminum pack frame, and was quieter. Used that flex-frame for years until the padding in the shoulder straps deteriorated and the belt stitching gave way. Doug~RR

They are using a Criterion barrel on the Mark V, which is different from the regular Krieger. Button vs cut rifling, homed vs lapped, and not vs cryogenically treated. http://www.chuckhawks.com/krieger_criterion_tour.htm The Mark-V synthetic has an injection molded stock, but it does have a 54* as opposed to a 90* bolt lift, which would be nice with a scope like a Conquest with its large ocular rubber ring.

You had a pre 64, opened up the bolt face, altered the feed rails and rebarreled to a WSM? Probably lost any pre 64 value.

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Eberlestock J107 would work well. http://eberlestock.com/J107%20Dragonfly.htm I carried my antelope out 2 miles with gear (tripod, binos, camera, water etc) this year using the Mystery Ranch NICE frame, load sling, and 5000 bag. All of the quarters and straps and neck trimmings fit in the bag with the head and cape in the load sling. Set-up is pricey though. Many like the NICE, sling and Crew Cab arrangement. http://mysteryranch.com/packs/index.php Or a Kifaru pack with cargo chair. One should try the gunbearer also- I like mine to be hands-free. http://www.kifaru.net/hunt_prod.htm

Devin, The Weatherby Vanguard Sub MOA is available in 7 Rem Mag and 270 WSM, et al. It has a pillar bedded synthetic stock that is not flexible injection molded like the regular vanguard and savage and Tikka. http://www.399weatherby.com/_pdf/2008_Vanguard.pdf The Kimber Montana is available in 308, 270 WSM and 300 WSM. Many times, a $30 recrown is said to help some Kimbers with accuracy problems. With a 308 and 300 WSM, you can shoot the 180s for elk and 150s for deer. http://www.kimberamerica.com/rifles/8400/8400_montana_wsm/ For 300-500 yards, a 308 would also be a great choice without the magnum recoil. We read about some long shots over 500 yards on coues, but I suspect most are taken near 250-300 yards, as has been in my experience. Both Kimber Montanas and Sub MOAs can be found under 1000 bucks. Sportsmans Warehouse may be your best choice for best pricing. Another rifle to consider would be a Remington with a laminated wood stock. The Mountain LSS is available in 270, 280, and 30-06. Svelte, good looking and handling, and the harder laminated stock will resist your foot slips. I had one in a 260 Rem once. http://www.remington.com/products/firearms...n_LSS_specs.asp I would not consider either 7 mag or or the like for predator hunting if a hide is wanted. You might want separate big game and varmint/predator rifles later when funds allow. more 2 cents RR

Some nice archery coues successes have been shared in the forums from the late summer season. For every success, there were undoubtedly many fruitless attempts and stalks gone awry. What experiences did you have, what caused their meltdown and what would you do different next time?

Wood or synthetic stock? Polished blued, matte blued, or stainless? Round or squarish fore-end bottom? ie kimber vs weatherby blind magazine (ADL) or hinged (BDL) or clip? Max range you can shoot accurately? More coues or more elk? Lightweight, medium or heavy? Hike or roadhunt? What is your recoil tolerance? What have you shot that is uncomfortable? What big game cartridge felt mild to you?

What is the $ line between affordable and unaffordable? (sans scope)

Unit 18A http://www.wildhorseandburro.blm.gov/92-195.htm http://www.wilderness.net/NWPS/documents/p.../PDF/92-195.pdf