lfootmatt

Bill, I'm close on that 7mm/08. Just waiting to see if the owner is serious about parting with it. I like the way you think! One can never have too many guns. Thanks for all of the input! That is why this is such a great site. Matt

Dave! I'm glad to see you finally found one big enough to take! Sweet buck! Now we just need to take a few big ones out of 33! Later, Matt

500 grains, that should just about be enough to take down one of those highly dangerous tough hided hadr to kill Coues Whitetails I actually love 45/70. My buddy Brian has a trap door and a rolling block that are a blast to shoot! I'm going to pour some gas on the fire now. My same buddy, now living in Guam, just informed me that a friend of his offered him an unfired NIB SS Remington Custom Shop Model 7 in 7mm08, 22" barrel, 40-X Trigger, all on a composite McMillan stock. This was made by the same guy that made my Modle 700 .300SAUM. It it is basically their Alaska Wilderness Rifle, dressed just like my .300. These Rifles were made by a friend of Brian's that has since retired. We're talking full on hand built custom rifles at less than Walmart prices. My .300SAUM does under 7/8" 3 shot groups at 200 yards all day long with 180 grain Barnes TSX bullets doing just a hair under 3000fps even in very hard gusty wind conditions. I also have a Custom Shop Model 700 VS-SF II in .204 Ruger that is very sweet. the triggers on these rifles are just incredible! Regardless of the caliber debate I'd be stupid to pass up this opportunity. Very versatile round in AZ with low recoil, and in a configuration my boy can handle, and a heirloom quality rifle. Given the circumstances I've got to go with this rifle. I'm anxiously awaiting my his reply! That take care of one boy, I still have two more to go! Later, Matt

I'm leaning toward 7mm-08 or .270 at this point. I've got my buddies .270 sitting at home and may take it out and see how Mitch handles it. Pima Pistol Club is only 10 Minutes from my front door. I'm planning on hitting that often after getting home. Thanks for the input! Matt

Copper would be sweet, do you like the AZ plate ? what if any words would you want? My dad has experimented with copper patina (if I spelled that right?) I will do a sample and post it up. The AZ plate would be sweet in copper I'll have to think of the wording. What's the cost? What are the dimensions of the AZ plate pictured above? Thanks! Matt

I have 2 nice European (bug boxed) Coues mounts and I need something to hang them. Tarnished copper would look pretty sweet and have a bit of the SW feel to it. Could you do that? Later, Matt

+1 Our family has a 6.5x55 swede that has taken well over 30 coues deer in 3 generations, and elk. A 257 Roberts that is making waves. and a 7mm-08 that my daughter has a streak of one shot dumps with. We do have a couple of magnums around but plan your hunts around the 200 yard shot. Your boy will become a better hunter and when that 400 yard shot does present itself any of the previously mentioned calibers will do just fine. The older he gets the harder the elk tags will come, buy him something that he's comfortable shooting from rabbits to yearly deer hunts and the occasional elk hunts. You can never have enough guns, think about the ultimate rig as a graduation present? Good point! I definitely don't want him to develop a flinch. He is one seriously big and tough kid, but he is still just a boy like any other. I'm leaning toward a 7MM something right now. Since I have a .300 SAUM I'm partial to the short mags. I guess I need to do some ballistics and felt recoil research. He can always saddle up to his dads old .300 if he needs it. 180 grain Barnes TSX at 3000 fps seems to work pretty well. Thanks, Matt

Thanks for the suggestions. I'd really like to put him in a rifle he can grown into, youth stock now and a nice full size one for later. He is a big boy, 11 yrs, 5'6", 115-120, and not the slightest sign of puberty yet. He racks through light 12 gauge loads and begs for more. So he can take some recoil. I shoot a .300 SAUM 180 grains at just a hair under 3000 fps, consistently under 7/8" 3 shot groups at 200 yards, but it is a thumper. I'm partial to the short mags, I just wish I hadn't picked the wildcat of the bunch. Perhaps .300 RUM is a bit much for the boy just yet. Reduced recoil loads and muzzle brake??? 7mm or .300 WSM has a nice ring to it. I'm rambling since I just came off 16 hours on my 126th work day in a row. Time to go to bed. Thanks and keep the input coming. I always value a healthy debate! Matt

Dave (can't remember your CWT name) Chris, and Larry took my oldest boy Mitchell out in Unit 33 during the November youth WT hunt this past year. I was, and still am, deployed overseas in another desert location minus the Coues Whitetail:angry: But that doesn't mean I'm not hunting Mitch had a great time with all of you and had nothing but great things to say about the trip! Mitch really loved being out with you guys, even if he did fall asleep, although he wouldn't tell me that part. He got to see a bunch of deer and put a stalk on one. I was relieved that he wasn't upset over not filling his tag, I hope he behaved well for you guys as well. At least on the phone he seemed to understand the difference between hunting and killing, like fishing and catching. It has been a tough 5 months on him and the rest of the family so I really appreciate you guys taking care of Mitch while I've been away! Next up is Turkey! Then Elk! Mitch will fill his first big game tag this year! Thanks again! Matt PS Did I mention Mitch also played two sports and got all As in a tough Catholic school. Yes, I'm very proud of him! It has been a tough year on him and he really stepped up. I'll be ordering his first big game rifle shortly, he deserves it!

.300 SAUM

Just don't forget which camera you've rigged. I want to see the post of the guy who trips his own rigged camera. Priceless! Later, MAtt

Long story short, work blew up and the boys destroyed our guest bath filling watter balloons in the house (vanity, sheetrock, Done!). So we didn't think we would be going. Now I've got a window from SAt at 10:00 AM - Monday night. So we haven't prepared at all. Cammo, some calls and a shotgun. 10 year old's first Turkey hunt.....oops dad's too. I guess we will be listening to CDs and calling a bunch in the truck on the way up there. I'm loading up the popup and dragging the family up there. If anyone an suggest some ares where we might stand a chance at locating some birds it would be great. Any suggestions on where to drop the trailer would be great too. Thanks! Matt PS eventually I'll post some pics and a story on our November 33 Coues success. Here is a pic:

That's harsh! Actually that is the back of a 3/4 ton 4X4 8.1L 4.10:1 geared beast of a Suburban with a trailer full of quads behind it (I'm compensating here). I hit that deer, field dressed it, packed it out, hooked up the trailer, hauled butt to my boys' school in time for them to get out and help me get it to the Sausage Shop in Tucson. Skinned it in the parking lot, hauled the head to Cranes to get a European mount. Pretty good day! Later, Matt

What is their status as far as G&F? Endangered? Non-Game Species? Predator? I'm just curious if you could have legally taken it. That would make a pretty cool full body mount with it after a fox! Later, Matt

Not me! After that crappy November 06 36b hunt we moved to 33 and got drawn for November again. (Hunter pressure + Illegal Pressure + BP Pressure) X (my poor hunting skills) = No Deer Probably doesn't make a bit of difference. Later, Matt

I might try to find him next time we go to the lake. Won't be until the end of the month. Hopefully I can figure out my ignition problems before then. Later, matt

The biggest thing is the bolt up pattern on the outdrive. You'll need to make sure it will bolt up to something else. With a 21 footer you don't need any big block. a simple chevy 350 will be more than enough and the cheapest option. But make sure you get a marine engine. Ideally a used one with everything on it would be the easiest option if you are pretty handy with a wrench. Where is that boat yard in GLobe. I'm looking for a particular Olds 455 with a particular crank, mainly found in Marine and industrial 455s. We go to Roosevelt too, from Tucson. Good Luck! Matt I'm a long time boater and very, very few boats run Aluminum blocks. Most run MARINE versions of traditional V8s. Hunter07 what boat did you pick up? Your best be is going to be a crate marine engine or a salvaged engine. Marine engines are quite different than standard car/truck engines. Everything is coated to prevent corrosion, marine carb, flame arrestor, marine rated starter, alternator, electronics, dist. Basically everything has to meet USCG standards. The carb (Unless FI) is plated and has the bowl vents turned down into the carb openings so when your floats or fuel valve stick wide open the excess gas pumps into the engine not the bilge. Fill the bilge with gas and you are sitting on a big bowl of gas vapor aka a bomb. Sadly, your best bet, if you need a big block, is the 454 (I'm an Olds freak). Cheaper to build and easier to find. Olds 455s get a bit expensive to build and few know how to do it right. 455s are mostly seen in jet and v-drive inboard race boats. Since you are in Globe you might be able to find a used marine 454 around the lakes or in Phoenix. Later, Matt

I'm a long time boater and very, very few boats run Aluminum blocks. Most run MARINE versions of traditional V8s. Hunter07 what boat did you pick up? Your best be is going to be a crate marine engine or a salvaged engine. Marine engines are quite different than standard car/truck engines. Everything is coated to prevent corrosion, marine carb, flame arrestor, marine rated starter, alternator, electronics, dist. Basically everything has to meet USCG standards. The carb (Unless FI) is plated and has the bowl vents turned down into the carb openings so when your floats or fuel valve stick wide open the excess gas pumps into the engine not the bilge. Fill the bilge with gas and you are sitting on a big bowl of gas vapor aka a bomb. Sadly, your best bet, if you need a big block, is the 454 (I'm an Olds freak). Cheaper to build and easier to find. Olds 455s get a bit expensive to build and few know how to do it right. 455s are mostly seen in jet and v-drive inboard race boats. Since you are in Globe you might be able to find a used marine 454 around the lakes or in Phoenix. Later, Matt

CB, That still beats all three of the November deer me, Dave and Bill didn't shoot in 36b. Later, Matt PS Still a pretty nice deer!

It seems pretty good to me. I didn't camp last year, but during the Dec hunt there were 8 - 10 camps set up off the hunter access road. mjmhunter camped for that hunt and had 2 illegals standing in his camp opening morning. He also blew a bunch off the access road with his quad on the way back in one night. My dad and a buddy will be sitting our camp during the day for us, armed of course! Later, Matt

Where is the RV park at? Looks like we are going to be camped over off Chavez Siding exit on the East side of 36B. I hope all 3 of us will be camped Wed-Monday so we might be able to make it if it isn't too far. Later and good luck! Matt

vegasjeep, Thanks for the invite! Sounds like you are going to be a bit west of us. We have been scouting in the Tumacacori's South of Arivaca Road and East of I-19. If that is anywhere near you let me know. Glassing is glassing and the way I look at it if it helps you it will help me in November. Later, Matt

I don't was to be a jerk to anyone so I'll ask. I know the October hunt is on this weekend so would it be totally un-cool if I went scouting (36b) Sunday morning? I'd hate to be in someones spot they had scouted and planned on using. Of course, if someone came up on us I'd be more than happy to help them glass. Also, will it be such a mad house that I shouldn't bother? Later and good luck! Matt

As a 2nd year 36b hunter I'm qualified to say this. Get out early! You've got to be setup and ready to glass before sunrise if you want to see many deer. I got in late a couple of times and didn't see squat. The times I got in early were much more productive and that was during the December hunt when they were starting to get horny and stupid. I got a November tag this year so don't know what to do. Later, Matt

Looks like you are down low in the flats. We're in 36b also. Started high early and then worked our way to the flats. Didn't see much, by the time we got to the flats the wind got up really bad and I think that kept everything bedded. Later, Matt