November 8, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, huge said: Strange bedfellows when we are complaining about rain after the summer we had. Yes, however we can't all get out for long weekends very often so this has been on the books for quite a while. We will still have fun, but if it is raining hard while I'm in the blind it is a guaranteed nap.
November 8, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, T’Boo Ted Marshall said: Yes, however we can't all get out for long weekends very often so this has been on the books for quite a while. We will still have fun, but if it is raining hard while I'm in the blind it is a guaranteed nap.
November 9, 20232 yr Author I’m packing up to head to Colorado in the morning. My elk season starts Saturday. Packing has been pretty hectic, since I was whitetail hunting all last weekend, didn’t get as much done on my Colorado prep, so it’s going to be a late night and an early morning tomorrow. I feel like my gear situation is probably ok, but I’m wishing I had some more time to shoot long range with the hand loads I’ve worked up. Still need to load some extras tonight. I’m bringing several boxes of factory ammo as well and need to spend some time shooting up at elevation Friday. It’s weird, when I started doing this trip a few years back I just threw some stuff in a bag and went, now I’m worried about every little gear detail. My partner is up there already and has seen a lot of cows and does but no bucks or bulls. It’s warmer and drier than usual where we’re hunting, which I don’t mind staying dry, but the snow does seem to help the hunting sometimes.
November 9, 20232 yr Author 168gr TTSX and 84 grains of 7828ssc was giving me 3390 feet per second at the range. Filling this box and hitting the hay.
November 9, 20232 yr 10 hours ago, 686 said: 168gr TTSX and 84 grains of 7828ssc was giving me 3390 feet per second at the range. Filling this box and hitting the hay. Caliber? Look like WSM cartridges for those in the black case?
November 9, 20232 yr Author 300 Weatherby. I only was able to shoot 20 rounds of my final load work up, but I was getting over book velocity and ~MOA accuracy. My last 3 shot group was ~2” in spread, just off the bullseye at 300 yards. The 168gr TTSX is an interesting bullet. Looking forward to shooting it more and hopefully ascertaining some terminal performance soon.
November 9, 20232 yr 17 hours ago, 686 said: I’m packing up to head to Colorado in the morning. My elk season starts Saturday. Packing has been pretty hectic, since I was whitetail hunting all last weekend, didn’t get as much done on my Colorado prep, so it’s going to be a late night and an early morning tomorrow. I feel like my gear situation is probably ok, but I’m wishing I had some more time to shoot long range with the hand loads I’ve worked up. Still need to load some extras tonight. I’m bringing several boxes of factory ammo as well and need to spend some time shooting up at elevation Friday. It’s weird, when I started doing this trip a few years back I just threw some stuff in a bag and went, now I’m worried about every little gear detail. My partner is up there already and has seen a lot of cows and does but no bucks or bulls. It’s warmer and drier than usual where we’re hunting, which I don’t mind staying dry, but the snow does seem to help the hunting sometimes. Did you get drawn or going OTC?
November 9, 20232 yr 300 Weatherby. I only was able to shoot 20 rounds of my final load work up, but I was getting over book velocity and ~MOA accuracy. My last 3 shot group was ~2” in spread, just off the bullseye at 300 yards. The 168gr TTSX is an interesting bullet. Looking forward to shooting it more and hopefully ascertaining some terminal performance soon. Man, I have a WBY .300 mag, but haven’t shot it in years (no available ammo). Preferred to shoot 150 gr over 180, but gotdamn both are fast.
November 9, 20232 yr 19 hours ago, Matagorda said: Picked up a little CZ Sharptail 28 gauge. Its a fun little gun. I inherited on of those shotguns from my old boss when he moved back to South Africa. Gave me 3 cases of shells to boot. Have yet to shoot it. Need a reason. Will find one.
November 9, 20232 yr Author Did you get drawn or going OTC? I put in for first rifle season, but wasn’t drawn, so I am OTC this year. My hunting partner drew a mule deer buck tag, so he’s looking for bucks and I’m looking for bulls. The neighbors close to his cabin had an aggressive blackbear around earlier this year, so I’ll probably pick up an OTC bear tag as well. Colorado makes you buy a small game license to apply for a tag so I’ve got that and I usually add a furbearer tag as well. I’ve seen coyotes and foxes the last couple years, but I haven’t pulled the trigger on one. I’ll probably do that if I get the opportunity this year.
November 10, 20232 yr Author Popular Post Made it up to the cabin, saw tons of mulie does, including several right on the shoulder of the road that make your heart stop for a second wondering if they are going to step out in front of you while you’re doing 70. Saw one bull late. Checking rifles and getting groceries tomorrow. We’re thinking about camping out tomorrow night in a new spot.
November 10, 20232 yr Double farts. Made it in late last night and one of the two meatheads shoots a 10 point( good for Mt Vernon)15 minutes after being in the blind. He’s now smoking cigars and on smoker duty.
November 10, 20232 yr You must put in the work to reap the benefits of your labors. - Dr. Abraham Lincoln, 1972
November 10, 20232 yr On 11/9/2023 at 4:45 AM, 686 said: 168gr TTSX and 84 grains of 7828ssc was giving me 3390 feet per second at the range. Filling this box and hitting the hay. I used to have the RCBS Chargemaster Combo, predecessor to your RCBS Chargemaster. It worked fine but I found I preferred to use my Ohaus made Lyman M5 scale beside the RCBS below. Sold the RCBS since I wasn't using it. Someone got a deal on it, just like I did on the Lyman which I scored unused and mint in the box for cheap on craigslist.
November 11, 20232 yr Popular Post Got my big fella with the tall G2's and an added bonus that decided she shouldn't run off
November 11, 20232 yr Author @Herbie Hancock need to see some pictures of him propped up - nice buck!
November 11, 20232 yr Author Popular Post Hiked into a remote area and spike camped tonite. Saw a nice elk herd and tons of mulies all on private land on the way in. Hopefully some filter out in front of our glassing setup in the morning. Don’t have service on the road but have nice 5G up on top of the ridge at 7600’.
November 11, 20232 yr Popular Post @Herbie Hancock need to see some pictures of him propped up - nice buck!
November 11, 20232 yr 13" on his right G2, 11.25" on the leftAlmost had to go get the tractor to get him in the truck. Big fat bastard. I've watched him for 3 years, and his teeth are pretty ground down and he had that old man low swaying head when walking so I'm guessing he's 6.
November 12, 20232 yr Author Under 20 degrees this morning. Hiked a little over 5 miles today. We saw two shooter mulie bucks, but didn’t get a shot opportunity. Packed up the spike camp and headed back to the cabin, watching the Texas game with our feet up now.
November 12, 20232 yr Popular Post Mid day walkabout with the breeze in favorable direction and this guy getting his lust on in between scrapes. He was just as surprised as I was.
November 12, 20232 yr On 11/8/2023 at 10:45 PM, 686 said: 168gr TTSX and 84 grains of 7828ssc was giving me 3390 feet per second at the range. Filling this box and hitting the hay. 168 grain TTSX at 3400 fps is a young man's game. That is a lot of bang. I shoot a 110 grain TTSX at 3500+ fps and it is a lightning bolt without a lot of kick in my '06. I have shot a lot of whitetail, elk and African plains game culls with this load and have found that speed is the name of the game with the Barnes bullets. They are unmatched at ultra high velocities. At middle range velocities, I have a lot better results with lead. You will not be under gunned in Colorado. Good luck!
November 12, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, Al Czervik said: Mid day walkabout with the breeze in favorable direction and this guy getting his lust on in between scrapes. He was just as surprised as I was. That’s a respectful way to pose the deer. Never seen that before.
November 12, 20232 yr 21 minutes ago, Kennythetiger said: That’s a respectful way to pose the deer. Never seen that before. I’d rather not publish blood and wounds. That’s just me don’t mind if others do.
November 12, 20232 yr Big boy taken yesterday morning on our property in Tally Bottoms, just southeast of Longview, TX. Hoping to get some more photos soon.
November 13, 20232 yr On 11/10/2023 at 8:07 PM, 686 said: Hiked into a remote area and spike camped tonite. Saw a nice elk herd and tons of mulies all on private land on the way in. Hopefully some filter out in front of our glassing setup in the morning. Don’t have service on the road but have nice 5G up on top of the ridge at 7600’. What are you using for a sleeping bag?
November 13, 20232 yr 17 hours ago, Kennythetiger said: That’s a respectful way to pose the deer. Never seen that before. Always tuck in or cut off the tongue and tuck the legs under. Right the buck up. Kneel behind if you want to get in the frame with it. All sprawled out with a hanging tongue like the town sot is a disrespectful look. The buck looks bad, too.
November 13, 20232 yr What are you using for a sleeping bag?I've found fat girls give off a lot of heat. They also typically have an ample snack selection on hand.
November 13, 20232 yr On 11/9/2023 at 10:51 PM, 686 said: Made it up to the cabin, saw tons of mulie does, including several right on the shoulder of the road that make your heart stop for a second wondering if they are going to step out in front of you while you’re doing 70. Saw one bull late. Checking rifles and getting groceries tomorrow. We’re thinking about camping out tomorrow night in a new spot. I wish I wasn’t an old man. Those were the days. That picture is making my heart ache. 1 minute ago, Herbie Hancock said: I've found fat girls give off a lot of heat. They also typically have an ample snack selection on hand. Warm in the winter Shady in the summer time.
November 13, 20232 yr Author What are you using for a sleeping bag?A ~20 yr old Slumberjack. It has been in a stuff sack for probably 99.99% of the last 10 years, so not optimal, but it worked. It was cold that night, below 20F. I kept some wool thermals, socks, and a sock hat on and I was ok, but woke up a lot with my shoulders or hip bones hurting from not enough padding between me and the ground.
November 13, 20232 yr A good sleeping pad with a high R value is probably more important than the bag in that situation.
November 13, 20232 yr 9 minutes ago, NotActuallyALonghorn said: A good sleeping pad with a high R value is probably more important than the bag in that situation. That, and not draping something heavy over the bag that compresses the air pockets and essentially renders the bag useless like a big blanket. Had a guy do that one year and he froze that first night. Also learned that sleeping in damp clothes inside the bag will dry them overnight vs. setting them out and having them frozen that next morning.
November 13, 20232 yr Author Popular Post Heading up to a different spot today, higher elevation, about 8800’, where we both had this hoss within 30 yards last year. Neither of us had a mulie tag last year, but my partner has one this year. The neighbor at the cabin up here is a part time cowboy that rounds up cattle out of the national forest, he said he saw the buck up there in September, so hopefully he’s still hanging around now that we’ve got a tag.
November 13, 20232 yr 18 hours ago, RMac5 said: What are you using for a sleeping bag? IMG_2698.avifIMG_2698.avif
November 13, 20232 yr 21 hours ago, Izhmash said: Big boy taken yesterday morning on our property in Tally Bottoms, just southeast of Longview, TX. Hoping to get some more photos soon. Holy smokes dude.
November 13, 20232 yr Popular Post My 12 year old got his best buck and a fat oinker in Arkansas. My lab got her first real tracking job in, which is such a bonus to her duck and dove retrieving skills. If you have a retriever, Id highly recommend working them on tracking big game.
November 14, 20232 yr On 11/8/2023 at 7:51 PM, Matagorda said: Picked up a little CZ Sharptail 28 gauge. Its a fun little gun.
November 14, 20232 yr Author Hiked ~5 miles today, but very little elk sign and some deer sign, but no animals to be seen. Several other hunters around, but no shots heard. We really need a cold front. Supposed to come Friday, wish it was sooner.
November 14, 20232 yr Author Popular Post God is good. Not a giant, but Very lucky this morning. My partner has the whole thing on video. Huge herd walked in on us. It was incredible.
November 14, 20232 yr Wife in the school pickup line saw this horny fucker. 5 min later and it could have been disaster if kids were walking that strip like normal. 20231114_151015.mp4
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