lancetkenyon

I will more than likely be in a silver 4 door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon now. My son-in-law is letting me take it up for the hunt. So once I get an elk or two down, THEN you can look for my black F250.

First, lets get some terminology straightened out. Sorry, not trying to be a jerk. "DOPE" = Data On Previous Engagements. Meaning what you have learned about your trajectory at various conditions. Figuring out your drop for YOUR rifle is done by exactly what you have been doing, shooting it, then adjusting a ballistics program to match what you have observed. Great start. Too many people think they can look at a program and go out and shoot 500-1000 yards. Most ballistics programs are set up to true your velocity, BC, etc. to make your load and drops more predictable. Sierra is pretty good about the BC, but you have to realize the BC is based on velocity, so when the bullet starts to slow, the BC changes along with it. Here are a few items that would really help with your data . Which Sierra 165 gr. you are shooting? Looks like it is probably the 165 SBT Game King? According to "Shooter", the 165 SBT Game King has an average BC of .416 per Bryan Litz. (.404 2400+fps, .409 1600-2400, .419 0-1600). Muzzle velocity? Without shooting through a chronograph to get you close, you really have to play with numbers to figure out your velocity. Shooting at various distances would help a lot with truing your ballistics program by inputting actual drops at known distances. But a chrono only gets you a starting point, you need to shoot and record drops to ensure a proper drop chart. Conditions you were shooting in? Conditions of initial zero? Varying conditions can play a big role in ballistics. Elevation, barometric pressure, temps, humidity, etc. Gun set-up? Scope height? Barrel twist? Zero yardage (or POI at 100)? I think WampusCat is close in his velocity range with doing some quick calculations. I think probably closer to the top end, but without a lot more info from you, it is nearly impossible to start making an educated guess.

Bartlein is absolutely top tier. I would most definitely keep it. I have a Bartlein 5R on my 6.5 SLR that has shot a sub-.1" 3-shot 100 yard group. I also have a Rock Creek 5R on my .300RUM. It shoots amazing as well. My next build will be a Bartlein 5R again. 5R are supposed to not distort the bullet as much as a 4 (or6) groove barrel, since the lands and grooves are not directly across from each other, allowing the bullet to center better without smashing it into the lands as much. See what the pros use. http://precisionrifleblog.com/2015/11/21/precision-rifle-barrels/

3 or 4 boxes? That would last me 30-40 turkey hunts. I originally bought two boxes of 10 shells each. After 3 hunts and 3 birds, I still have 17 left. Turkey hunting isn't like dove hunting. I try to hunt two or three states each year and most other states I hunt allow you to shoot two birds. Also on the Arizona youth hunt I usually let the youth I hunt with use my gun and ammo. I also check my sights each year before doing any turkey hunting (my sights are fully adjustable and not the normal shotgun bead). I find myself using around 1 box of 10 shells each year. That makes perfect sense. Wish I could hunt state to state, I am envious.

Looks under the equipment section. Ear plugs are right above eye protection.

3 or 4 boxes? That would last me 30-40 turkey hunts. I originally bought two boxes of 10 shells each. After 3 hunts and 3 birds, I still have 17 left. Turkey hunting isn't like dove hunting.

Went out duck hunting with my older daughter and son-in-law this morning. Took their GSP "Sarge" with us. Great dog, even better company, slow bird day (1 Wood Duck & 1 Green-Winged Teal for me, 1 Green-Winged Teal for Ryan, 1 Gadwall for Paige), but I got my very first Wood Duck today. Heading out. My first Wood Duck Sarge retrieving a downed bird.

I shoot 12ga. 3" #4 shot. Everything fell like a sack of hammers.

Thanks for the education on the traps. I didn't mess with any of them. I actually used my binos too.

Next time you are heading out to Ben Avery (after elk season of course), PM me and I will bring my Chrono to verify with yours.

Have fun. No matter what.

Trimmed case length? Even .001" too long will cause the case to jam into the throat. This will definitely cause a hard to close bolt. Trim to .0100" below SAAMI case length or chamber reamer length. Shoulder bump? With a standard shell holder, you get a little difference from case to case depending on how hard it is to resize. This can cause .001" or even .0005" shoulder bump difference, possibly causing it to touch the end of the chambering. If you load to very tight tolerances, this can cause hard to close bolts. Bump shoulder back .002" more. Bullet jammed into the lands? Even the best bullets (SMKs, Berger HVLD or Hybrids, Lapua Scenar) can have just a bit of meplat difference. If you don't measure to the ogive, you can touch lands on occasion. This can cause stiff bolt closure. Seat bullet another .0020" deeper. Dirty lugs? A small amount of grit in the lugs or action can cause stiff bolt close. Clean action & bolt.

The only way I would have time for a game of horseshoes is after I kill. We usually have a big horseshoe tournament for Thanksgiving every year. We have two trophies and everything. They get brought back by the previous year's championship team, and goes home for the next year with the current winner. We try to keep teams together year after year. It has been a couple years since I had a trophy at my house. My aunt needs to practice more!

Sounds like a great rifle set up, load, etc. You sound like you know what you are doing too. I am leaning towards Chrono error. Muzzle brake? Distance to chrono? I would beg/borrow another one from someone, and put them in line as close as possible and shoot through both to see if they are comparable, and consistent.

I've got a list for you......

I found 2 cage traps today while duck hunting. Sure doesn't look like they are being checked everyday. The bait in them was all dried out. Is there supposed to be any ID on them?

Jeb performed best in THAT test. Your gun may differ. I use an HS Strut UnderTaker Xtra Full. It has killed all 3 turkeys it has seen DRT from 30 to 60 yards. Does just fine for $25 in my Remington 870 12ga..

I used my 870 for about 25 years with the factory modified choke. Everything from quail/doves/rabbits, to ducks/geese, even w. buckshot for varmints. The only time I swapped was to an extra full for turkey. You are golden. Unless you want to shoot skeet/trap/sporting clays. Then I would suggest either a skeet or IC choke to help with the fast close shots. Now I shoot an O/U, and I have 6 chokes for my 12ga, and 5 for my 20ga. Skeet, IC, Light Mod, Mod, Imp. Mod., Full (no full for my 20ga). I use SK/IC for sporting clays, IC/LM for early season dove & quail, LM/M for late season dove, M/IM, for steel shot waterfowl, and IM/F will be for Turkey or varmints.

Items that any man will never need to worry about. I can't bring myself to write the real terminology on my list. Some of you might laugh at my list.....but I bet most of you copied and pasted to a Word document for next season. Everything, for the most part, that is on that list is in this photo for an 11 day hunting trip in a tent. Some things depend on how I am camping, tent, 5th wheel or cabin makes a big difference. But everything is on that list. If I don't need it, I don't take it. But I have it on the list for reference so I don't forget it when I do pack. I like to be comfortable when I am camping on a hunt. Better accommodations=better rest=harder hunting=better chance of turning luck and determination into a game animal to fill the freezer/hang on the wall.

Powder charge of H4831SC? Load density? Primers? COAL/to ogive? Maybe shoot through two chronos at the same time? Can you get a hold of any H4350? Looks like your velocity is real close at the top end. The bottom end looks like a low-middle load. 150 ES is huge. Rifle make? Barrel make, length, twist? Chambered by? Help us, help you. More info please.

This list has some stuff for my wife and daughter's use that most of us will never need...... Clothing o Camo Pants o Camo LS Shirts o Camo SS Shirts o Camo Hats o Camo Gloves o Camo Sweatshirts o Camo Jackets o Camo Coat o Ghillie Suit o Leafy Wear o Bear’s Feet o Face Masks o Coveralls o Bibs o Beanies o Rain Gear o Jeans o Carhartt Coat o Cowboy Hat o Longies o Wool Socks o Skivvies o Socks o Hunting Boots o Hiking Boots o PJs o Belt o Cowboy Boots o Snow Boots o Tennis Shoes o Sweat Pants o Bandanas Equipment o Rifles/Shotguns/Chokes o Ammo o Binoculars o Rangefinder o Kestrel/wind powder o Stools/seat pads o Shooting mat o Bi-pod o Tripods/adapters o Gun Cleaning Kit o Tree Stands/Belt o Climbing Steps o Hunting License o Tag o GPS/Batts o Knives o Sharpening Kit o Backpacks o Frame Packs o Flashlights/Batts o Compass o Maps o Pistol/Ammo o Camera/Charger o Gerber Tool o Scents o Ice Chests o Trash Bags o 1st Aid Kit o Ear Plugs o Eye Protection o Game Bags o Calls/e-caller o Blind/material o Bow/arrows o Archery Box Camping Supplies o Sleeping Bags o Pillows o Blankets o Lantern/mantle o Generator/fuel o Hibachi/Propane o Heater/fuel o Stove/fuel o Tent o Air Mattress/pump o Trailer o Lawn Chairs o Tarps/rope/stakes o Candles o Lighter o Hand Soap o Shampoo/Cond. o Thingies o Brush/Hair Ties o Water Jugs o Towels o Computer o DVDs o Toothbrush/Paste o Deodorant o Razor o Toilet Paper o Toilet Chemicals o Medicines o Folding Tables o Trailer Batteries o Battery Charger o Cell Phone/Charger o Books o Inverter o Camp Rifle/Ammo o Air Compressor o Hatchet/Hammer o Shovel o Make-up/Hair Spray o Bug Spray Groceries/Meals Breakfasts: o Cereal o Donuts o Milk o Eggs o Lil’ Smokies o Bacon o Sausage o Tortillas o Chorizo o Pop Tarts o Orange Juice o Cheese o French Toast o Pancakes o Syrup o Powdered Sugar o Bread o Peanut Butter o Jelly Dinner: o Steak o Potatoes o Tacos o Bean Burritos o Tostadas o Spaghetti o Garlic Bread o Baked Potato Soup o Clam Chowder o Sourdough Bread o Crackers o Chili/Cornbread o Chicken Soup o Lasagna o Stew Cooking Supplies: o Paper Plates o Plastic Cups o Cooking Utensils o Tongs o Measuring Cup o Paper Towels o Dish Soap o Vegetable Oil o Ziploc Bags o Scrub Pad o Cutting Board o Dish Soap o Condiments o Spices o Plastic Plates o Utensils o Pots/Pans o Lighter o Aluminum Foil o Water Lunch: o Sub Rolls o Bread o Lunchmeats o Cheese o Italian Dressing o Pickles o Olives o Chips o Hot Dogs/Buns o Hamburgers/Buns o Lunchables o Ramen Noodles o Tamales o Tuna o Burritos Misc. Foods: o Kool-Aid/Sugar o Sodas o Red Bull o Drinking Water o Marshmallows o Graham Crackers o Chocolate Bars o Tea/Tea Jar o Sugar o Hot Chocolate o Cookies o Hot sauce o Granola Bars o Capri Sun Truck: o Tools o Jack o Spare Tires o Fluids o Tire Iron o Compressor/hose o Tire Plugs o Straps/Chains o Jumper Cables o Inverter o Fuel/Cans o Water o Phone Charger o CDs o Spare Keys o Spare Batteries

I have a pack of 5 Harris hawks that live in my big pine tree in my front yard. Feel free to come grab one anytime you want. Sometimes it gets a little "furry/feathery" in my front yard. Anyone need a "lucky cat's foot"? I had two this week. One black, one orange tabby. They are amazing pack hunters and amazing to watch. And they could not give two squirts about my 4 dogs. Brave suckers. Sit on my 5' fence and stare down at my dogs as they point them up. I also have a family of 3 Great horned owls that live very close. I hear/see them a couple times a week at night.

Awesome story, awesome photos, awesome deer. Thanks for sharing.

I renewed Taylor's NRA membership last week. A great cause, and getting your kids in early helps a lot.

Shoot me an email and I would be happy to send it over.