Anaconda

7W holds some big bulls, but you will have lots of other hunters. My advice ? Look at maps and find the steepest, ruggedest nastiest places you can, places no human in his right mind would go. Then go there. Those big bulls did not get big by standing in a meadow by the road side.

Advice ? No, no I won't go there. Just too many jokes come to mind. Good luck, I hope you tag a monster.

I used Flatline year before last and was impressed with how useful it was. Next time I draw an Arizona tag, the first thing I do will be order a Flatline. I own pieces of equipment costing five times as much that are not half as useful. I'm a fan (can you tell ?)

Note: Most standard homeowners policies only cover sporting goods (guns) up to 2 grand. Take a look at all your guns/scopes and binoculars and ask your self, would $2,000 cover it ?

This. Any big game load will work fine. Partitions, Accubonds, Barns or any other mid to heavy bullet designed for deep penetration would be best if you are forced to make a "Texas heart shot".

No concerns, that is the perfect load for a 7mm-08 on elk.

I have a CVA "Accura" that I am happy with. It's is a well built, accurate gun that does not cost an arm and a leg. Mine is the "Mountain rifle" model, shorter and lighter than the regular one. It did not come with open sights, but aftermarket sights are usually better anyway. My CVA has a great trigger right out of the box. I will second using "Blackhorn 209" powder, it's great. Cleaner, more power, less cleaning. Several companies make special breech plugs for BH 209, this is a worth while option. As for projectiles, there are a lot of options. "Power Belts" have a great reputation for ease of loading and accuracy. They have an iffy reputation for breaking up and not penetrating on elk sized game. The key seems to be using a heavy Power Belt, and not overloading it with too much powder. Keep the bullet over 300 grains, 348 or 405 is better, and don't use more than 90 or 100 grains of powder. Harvester bullets also make a belted,bullet, might be worth checking in to. Another full diameter Colorado legal bullet is the "No Excuses" bullet. They make a 460 grain, 50 caliber that would be devastating on a big elk. This bullet is a more traditional lead cronical in a "Keith" type simi wadcutter pattern. I have shot them and they seem to work best with a felt wad behind them.

Many years ago, I used to pay extra to insure my guns. Then I purchased a good gun safe, and canceled the insurance. Over the last 25 years, the savings on insurance has paid for the safe several times over. I'm not against insurance, but believe in looking at what it costs and making an informed decision. Some of the guns in that safe wouldn't value much on an insurance claim, but they are priceless to me.

4 tags, 1 elk, 1 deer, I ate one tag and donated one to HOAL.

Only about 2% of all cattle grade out at USDA Prime. Flemings seems to beat out Ruth Chris here in central Calif. The best I ever had was Smith & Wolenskies in Chicago. Dry aged USDA prime. Full dinners ran well over hundred bucks a person, with appetizers and a cocktail, but it was worth it. I sell upper end beef for a living. The reason restaurants get the best beef is because the public usually will not pay for it. A good aged, cut steak can run upwards of $20 a pound, Filet Mignons more like $35. Costco does carry some Prime, but it isn't aged. There are a number of specialty products on the market that will blow your socks off, but you will never find them in a store or 99.9% of butcher shops.

No, , if the Partition shoots good at long range, then a few inches higher or lower is going to make NO difference., Every different gun/bullet/load combination shoots differently. The higher BC does mean a bullet will shoot flatter given the same muzzle velocity, If you really want to try to improve your long range performance, I would try some of the bullets that are made for the job of hunting. Before logging on the net today, I got off the phone with a friend getting a (second hand) report on another friends elk hunt, and his experience with "long range hunting". Seems he tried those "Berger" bullets and a Huskama scope on a guided hunt. It took him 5 shots to put the bull down. When they got to the elk, all 5 shots had been placed right, and all 5 had blown up like varmint bullets, producing very poor penetration. ,

Maybe super duper hunters like your self should back off and not apply, so new people will have a chance to get some experience ?

Great stuff, thanks for posting it !!

That principal needs to be fired. Get enough parents to call and raise heck with the local school board, and the message will get across. Any time a kid gets expelled for a poptart, or anything that ridiculous, remember, the schools get money from the government for attendance days. If they expel my kid for a week, I will keep him out for TWO weeks. When they call to ask where he is, I will demand an apology IN WRITING. I will jerk them around for at least an extra week, costing them money. There is one thing these liberal educators worship more than liberalism, and that's money.

I want a paternity test ! Nice shotgun.

Congratulations ! Great bull Great photos Great story 20 yards from a road ? I have to hike miles to kill raghorns !

Here is a completely different opinion; I believe in quality gear. Leica binoculars, Leupold or better scopes, ect. But I look at flashlights as almost disposable. I carry one decent ($15-$20) flashlight (techlite 200 lume) , and several cheepos. I keep a stock of Walmart specials, usually $1 or $2 each, I never go hunting/camping without at least 4 or 5 of them. I keep two in my truck, and one in every pack or tackle box, plus a headlamp. In the field, I always have at least two I also have a bad habit of loosing flashlights. . If I lose a $2 flashlight, who cares, I just grab another one. I also tend to loan them out or give them away. (Friend) Can I borrow your flashlight ? (Me) Here, keep it. If one of them is not reliable, I throw it in the garbage can and grab another. The very, very best flashlight is the one you have on you when you need it.

I'll third the "Flatline Map". For my elk hunt last year, my Flatline was one of the most useful pieces of equipment I had.

My card just got hit today, North of the ditch early.

Some card companies take up to a week to post the charges. Give it till next Thursday.

Hi Cap, whats your take on this year so far. Good, bad, ugly How green is it up there, do the elk have enough to eat ? Thanks for the photos

CVA Accura "MR", .50. 110 BH 209, 250 Barns T-EZ, Fiocchi 616 Topped with a Leo 1.5X5X20 VX III

Anybody want to chip in on a life insurance policy for Matt ? That's just crazy, and way cool.

I'm glad i don't have to wash that guys underware. Wow.