lancetkenyon

WTH? Shot it just to shoot it for absolutely no reason? Didn't even take the horns/meat, which would at least gives a little insight into the mind (I use this term loosely) of the poacher? I would highly doubt it was a "put it out of it's misery" killing, like it had been hit by a car or anything. Blows my mind as to why asshats do what they do.

Personally, my break in procedure is as follows with step by step instructions. 1. Shoot one 2. See step one. When groups start to open up, clean thoroughly. My AR has gone over 800 rounds between cleaning. My .25-06 Ackley went about 120. My .300RUM went about 80. But here is the thing, it usually takes between 10-20 shots to lay some copper back in the barrel to get the accuracy back after a thorough cleaning. So do NOT clean your barrel right before a hunt. A clean bore shot is far more inaccurate than a cold bore shot. As for the 180TTSX, I agree with those above. Under .500BC for a .308cal bullet is not very good. And the .300RUM just cries out for a heavy bullet pushed fast. While I shoot 175SMKs in mine sometimes, the 210 Berger HVLD and 215 Hybrid were tailor made for the .300RUM, with the 230 Hybrids just plain crazy. I would look at: HSM ammo with the 210 HVLD Nosler Custom with the 200gr Accubond Nosler Trophy Long Range with the 210 Accubond Long Range

That sucks you had a rifle stolen. Did it ever turn up? Check pawn shops/Backpage/Ebay/classifieds? If you have a serial #, post it up and we can help keep an eye out for it. Any specifics will help us watch for it. As for hunting alone, I usually do the same. No shame in hunting alone.

Try around Bartlett Lake. I always see a ton out there. Also, between Canyon and Apache Lakes have held a lot of rabbits in the past, plus good opportunities to see deer and pigs.

Best post on the thread. I could not agree more. Makes night and day difference. I would eat a well cared for rattlesnake over a poorly cared for elk. For game I (or someone in my household) have taken: Quail Elk Antelope (from Wyoming) Mule deer Coues deer Duck Black Hawaiian sheep Angora Goat Rabbit Javelina Dove I was going to put Mexican Grey "Large Coyote" on there, but then I remembered the third "S". Kind of stringy anyway.

Nikon M-223 3-12x42 w. BDC 600 reticle still for sale. Really nice meeting you today lionhunter. Good luck on the draws!

Vortex Diamondback 3-9 is sold. Nice meeting you bnnes.

Bnnes has second dibs on the Vortex. Lowest price on the Nikon is listed at $275 on another thread, but "lionhunter" has first dibs on it. We are meeting tomorrow after we both get back from hunting. If he does not take it, it will be up for grabs.

Still up for the Vortex Diamondback and Nikon M-223. Lionhunter has first dibs today if he wants them.

Still here.

I have a few suggestions that would fit the bill nicely. A Vortex Diamondback 3-9x40 w. the ballistic dot reticle at around $265. A Vortex Viper HS 2.5-10x44 w. the BDC reticle at $449. A Nikon M-223 3-12x42 w. BDC600 reticle at around $469. An SWFA SS Classic 3-15x42 FFP w. their version of the MIL-quad reticle at $699. A Weaver Tactical 3-15x50 FFP w. the EMDR reticle at $849. Depends on your definition of "moderate". That is a bit subjective. Some people think $400 is a lot for a scope, while others drop $4-9K on great glass.

I mean a laser beam, like a storm trooper. Not a laser designator, like Crimson Trace or every bad police/sniper movie! If a laser beam (like a storm trooper) is legal in VA, I have to put in for an eastern whitetail tag! I have to put that on my bucket list..... "Honey, charge the batteries, I'm going hunting!"

A laser would be awesome though! Your setup must be different than mine. I have verified drops with my .25-06 Ackley out to 1360 yards, and .300RUM out over 1500 yards. Great antelope any way you look at it. I can only hope I draw a tag soon. I have got to be close.

If your avatar was not so nice to look at, I would be pissed I clicked on this thread, even though I knew it was BS....

8" drop @ 517 yards? Were you shooting a laser? Even with 2" high @ 100 yards, I think you got really lucky hitting that buck with holding on the top of his back. I have some fast, flat shooting rounds, but nothing than even comes close. .25-06 Ackley shooting a 115 Berger VLD @ 3400FPS=1.8" high @ 100, and 25.0" low at 515. .300RUM shooting 175 SMK @ 3200FPS=1.3" high at 100, and 34.4" low at 515. .300RUM shooting 175 Barnes LRX @ 3360fps=1" high @ 100, and 29" low at 515.

From the lion thinking, "I am in deep S#!T", to the lion thinking, "You are in deep S#!T!" Great transformation.

A picture is worth 1000 words. Crazy to think my 12 year old girl shot this bad boy.

Rattle can. Cheap, easy, removable, DIY. Of the 3 you listed, I would go Cerakote.

Sounds like the OP needs money faster than we can meet up, so if someone else can get it tonight, go for it. If it is still available later this week, it was meant to be.

I will take the Kimber Pro Carry II. PM sent.

I really like Manners, even though McMillan is made in AZ, but I admit I have never had a McMillan....yet. But either one are amazing pieces of tactical or hunting art. I have an H&S Precision and a Bell & Carlson Medalist too. More in a sporter type hunting stock. Both are great for the price point. Glad I could help make your decision clear as mud.

I was just going by this post.

You might both be totally right. It has been a long time since I did any research on the subject.

Done. Holy cow I had a lot.

I contacted him a while ago when he had all of the binos for sale asking about scope availability. He is able to get scopes, but not as quickly as he would have liked. So what does he do??? Contacts me yesterday and we discuss my wants/needs. He is not able to get what I wanted quickly, so he gives me a coupon code for another supplier for 7% off, and points me in their direction. I wound up ordering it last night, and saved almost as much as I would have with Sinwagon1, but will get it quicker than he could have. Thanks again! If you want a Vortex item, let him know. A true standup guy.