Slammin prep!

[M700]

Okay - My shooting seems to revolve around being ready for mule deer season here in Washington in mid October... But bear season opens up August 1st, and the "high buck" season is in September. Dang it's getting close... Still haven't heard about my "draw" status for Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Goat, Moose or the "special" Mule Deer tags - but am waiting... Not so patiently for WDFW to release the results...

Meanwhile I've been checking loads for my primary hunting rifles:

.45/70 Marlin 1895 - not exactly a benchrest rifle it's been a hoot working up a new load for the 350 grain Swift A-Frame.

Pinpoint accuracy hasn't been nearly as important with this rig as terminal ballistics... The Swift on the left is an expensive bullet and apparently worthwhile.

My new LR rig is a .300 WSM Win Model 70. What a treat to shoot at a quarter mile and farther! Looks like I'll be using 190 grain Berger VLD's this year.

Of course there's always old faithful - the .25-06 Remington. Not all that old, I've taken two mulie bucks in three years with this classy factory rifle and have a new load for it using 115 gr Berger VLD's at 3200 fps... Should be great! I've put quite a few downrange with very good accuracy.

Anyone else heavily dreamin' of the fall hunting seasons?

Regards, Guy

 

[blacknwhite]

I'm feelin your pain brother. I hunt from day one of bow season to the last day of duck season and cry when its over.

If you don't mind me asking how big a deal was rebarreling the model 70? I have one in .270 that I have been itching to put the change up on for a while now. Everyone tells me its going to be really expensive...please say otherwise.

Thanks

 

[MrMister]

I drew Utah, which I always do for General Mule Deer.

I drew a big goose egg for California but my buddy and I have an elk draw deal. If one draws we share, I drew in 2002 and he drew this year!

Big game season is my favorite of all!

Good luck on your draw.

Steve

 

[Flybuster]

I am going to be working with my hunting rifles all Summer. I have two up comming hunts this fall. I have a Buck Deer and Branch Bull rifle tag this year, in Oregon.

All those preferrence points I built up while I was archery hunting. I like to archery hunt, and that has been my choice. But I put in for rifle tags, because I have been unsuccessful as a archery hunter for Elk. I get real close, though. It's been fun, but I want to get something.

I have a Browning BAR that I am going to start working with. It's chambered in .300 Win. Mag. I need a better scope, I was thinking about a 4200 4-16x40A.O.

This gun wants to shoot. Here is a group I shot this weekend at 762 yards. Now I just pulled this rifle out of the safe, I haven't put it on paper in at least 4 years. I dialed 15 M.O.A. and was right in the ballpark for elevation, the windage was off about 1.25 M.O.A.

By the way, this was with Factory loaded 180 Gr. Rem. Corelockts,NO I'm not kidding)
I will handload some 165 or 180 Gamekings and see how those work.

I am also going to put my 8.5-25x50 back on my 25-06A.I. for deer season. I would be interested to know what powder Guy is using with 115 VLD'S.
Thanks!

 

[M700]

Blacknwhite - That particular .300 WSM Model 70 hasn't been re-barreled, but I've had a different Model 70 re-barreled with no problems. This one is the "Coyote" model, which came with a laminated stock and a stainless barrel, a little heavier than a sporter and lighter than most varmint barrels.

Flybuster - that BAR just shattered all of my preconceived notions about what kind of accuracy could be achieved with that rifle! Wow!

I'm using Retumbo with the 115 Bergers. It was something I wanted to try and so far it's working out real well. Good velocity, good SD, and good accuracy. So far I'm a happy camper. We'll see what happens if I manage to smack another mulie with that rifle this fall...

Regards, Guy

 

[Flybuster]

M700, that gun has always shot ok at close range. But I never have shot it at long range, or even mid-range. That was a very pleasant suprise, believe me.

I'm hoping that wasn't just a fluke.

Here's my 25-06 A.I. it's built on a Remington 700 Sendero. I like this rifle alot. I have a Lilja 1-10" 3 groove. It shoots 100 grain and 87 grain pretty good.

I just ordered some 95 Bergers. I want to try the 115 VLD's again.

Have you played around with RE-19 in your 25-06 at all?

 

[M700]

Haven't tried RE-19. Have had excellent results with 100 gr bullets and H4350. Also found a good load with H4831 - at least it shot well in one rifle of mine!

I like that .25-06AI/Sendero of yours - pretty serious LR varmint rig...

Later, Guy