Recent content by 30calyooper

Okay, we seem to all agree that everyone should have a 12 gauge and a 22LR, so here's my take from there: 1) A 223, preferably in a "modern sporting rifle." These days I recommend you consider dual purpose functionality needs, and I won't say anything more than that. Pretty sure I'm in the...

Yep...those are definitely the ones you never forget. Just a rumor I heard from another forester - the following year one of his co-workers found scattered bones/remains of a dead buck +/- 1/4 mile from where I lost the trail. Chewed up by mice but antlers still on the upper skull - tall tines...

Try Reloder 22 and 25.- you should be able to come up with some reasonably accurate loads at full power with the 180's. The 190's seem to be a bit more variable as to which powder for which make of bullet, but the same two plus reloder 26 are probably reasonable to start with. HINT: If you can...

Good common sense approach! One I had driven home the hard way as a younger guy - got a little cocky and tried an across-the-hayfield shot on a dandy of a buck. Wasn't all that windy...until of course the second I squeezed it off and my tree swayed a few inches sideways in what had to be the...

Glad it works out! Are you using the mil-spec for blasters or for hunting ammo? By re-annealing I have been able to keep on re-using some older surplus brass - you know you have to when firing the cheap 40-yr-old surplus starts yielding cracked necks. Doesn't always work out for the bolt...

None of the lead-free pills are as affordable as we'd like them to be, but I recommend the Barnes TIPPED Triple shocks. Had some questionable results with the non-tipped versions failing to expand on both deer and elk, but if you have both you can generally use the non-tipped for load...

Yep, Dillon swager is the way to go. Can be a little tricky to get just enough swaging done with some of the foreign mil-spec (without ending up with pockets that allow the primer to flatten out so much that you cannot reliably see pressure issues) but it really does save time - and no such...

Sound wisdom from Mrbigtexan...all of these longer, high-BC bullets seem to get finicky if the bullet jump isn't right in your rifle. Might take a bit more testing, but if you work with an accuracy load from either Nosler or Sierra data - start by keeping the powder charge the same, and...

Agree on the Axis! But that said I'll be fair - I have heard that the Axis II does seem to perform a little bit better... Have to say this too - anyone who does not spend much time practicing their marksmanship can get buy with a number of the so-called "entry level" rifles out there...

Semper Fi Brother! (USMC 81-88, Recon Marine) Barrel cooling issue. Ever try the trick of timing your shot intervals? Bet a dollar the longer you wait the lower you dispersion especially for shots #4 and #5. Heating can also effect the bedding, especially if you have a fully-bedded barrel...

Yes sir, I have run into a some 7.62 that worked out better by following the 3-step process described by BHP9. I prefer to start by decapping and thoroughly cleaning in a sonic cleaner first though. It does get a bit tedious but if you also re-anneal the necks nd ream the flash holes between the...

Had poor luck with the Vortex scopes holding up to recoil. 300 RUM wrecked a VIPER. Then both a 30-06 and a 270 Win broke Diamondbacks. Have not owned a Vortex scope since. No complaints about their binos or monoculars. Good stuff! As pointed out by others, the Nikons scopes are good glass. But...

Amen to this! I use a lot of surplus brass for both 7.62 and 5.56 and believe that using the small-base die for full-length sizing (at least the first time after I get the brass) is the only way to go...and someone mentioned Imperial sizing wax. As quoted above, it takes a fair amount of both...

Okay you did not specify which 7 mag...there are a few out there! Well for elk in my 7mm rem mag I like RL-25. I get pretty reasonable velocities (right at max in the books) and good accuracy with a couple of different 175 grain pills, and have taken elk out to 370 yards with it...just never...

Welcome to the brotherhood! Sounds like you have an appreciation for both safety and ethics, and that will take you far. There are many more opportunities to explore in the world of hunting, and wish you success and happiness in all. I grew up in a state where deer hunting is a revered and...