broadhead

Bump. Still three boxes left.

I have a Browning Dark Ops 940 I'd sell you. Came with the security box, python cable USB reader and a couple 32 GB memory cards. I'd do $150 for it all.

Don't need one. But if I could work up a load that will help keep them in tact rather than blasting them to pieces it's a no brainer. Thanks to all the guys who provided some input on different calibers but as I mentioned in the OP my .243 is the rifle that I have right now and the one I'll be putting to use. And thanks for the suggestions on the loads that might work but even if not really the worst case scenario is I get to go out and have fun hunting some coyotes until I get a gun more suited for saving pelts. My .243 is my first deer rifle and has a lot of sentimental value so getting it back in action is a win in itself.

Thanks for getting me started guys. I'll run a few loads and see what happens.

I'll give them a try. Do you recommend higher velocity for the smaller bullets or stick to the mid ranges? Thanks.

I may very well pick up one of those calibers - .223 for sure and I'd love a 17 hornet eventually - but for now I am using the .243 partially because it is my first rifle and I want to get it back into use regularly. Thanks for the input on the partitions. Seeing as I have shiny new .243 dies under the tree I think I'll start working up some 85 grain partitions with a modest charge since that was the recommendation to start with. Thanks guys.

Most of the boxes went pretty fast but I still have three that are unspoken for if anyone is interested.

I think I was mixing 26 up with 25. 26 has been sold out everywhere for months hasn't it? My bad.

Have you tried the Ace Hardware on the east side at Houghton and Valencia? If I'm not mistaken I saw some RL26 there.

Working on it. Congrats on the great day!

Probably both but leaning more on the e-caller depending on the situation. As for the muzzle blast I've never really noticed that either, and that is after more than a decade with my M4 service rifle but regardless it will be suppressed. Hey how do you find your AR likes that 53 gr Vmax you linked? I keep reading conflicting reviews with the negative mostly a result of the lighter bullet being significantly less accurate than a heavier 65 grain or more.

Thanks for the input guys. Nate, to answer your question, yes I eventually want to keep the fur, even if not right away while I figure out which bullet the rifle likes and which one doesn't blast the heck out of the pelt. Not too concerned about keeping them right away tho. I've looked at different calibers like you mentioned and I might add another rifle in another caliber down the line specifically for predator hunting but for now I'm going with 5.56. Sounds like a 16" is a perfectly viable option, which I prefer a little more anyway. Anyone else with any thoughts please share. Thanks!

Oh I'd take it. 33 is a fantastic Coues unit and one of my favorite to bowhunt in the late season. If I could draw a December rifle tag I'd hunt every second I could. The number of hunters out in the field is really low due to the limited number of tags and really the number of bowhunters is almost negligible, at least where I've been. Plus the later you go the more the bucks start getting on their feet giving you a chance at a really nice deer.

Awesome success story. Congratulations on a great Coues buck!

There is some very good coues hunting to be had in border units so if you're willing to drive a couple extra hours you can get into some good habitat. Last year I moved to the north end of 34A and have been getting out when I can to learn the new areas and it's been fun. I also know a couple people way south (like Hereford) that have a good line on what the deer are doing. Let me know if I can be of any help. January is a great time to hunt the high desert here. The elevation gets up to about 5000 ft and up as you go further south so if you plan to be hiking the ridges I'd start preparing for it as soon as possible.

I love mine. Decided on the 6.5 PRC for a little extra energy and velocity over the Creedmoor out to around 500 yards while still keeping the recoil down. I have a couple hundred rounds down mine now and I'm very happy. I will say that I broke in and zeroed it in late spring when the temps down here in Tucson were hanging in the mid 80s and was getting around .5 MOA when I was shooting well. When summer temps shot up over 105 the factory 143 grain ELDX ammo started getting really erratic to the point where I avoided shooting for the entire month of September in an effort to remove some variables with what was going on (the 147 match were still very accurate though). In that time I started hand loading and when I went back in October in cooler temps the hand loads were stacking 5 shots groups touching each other so I'm hopeful that as I increase the charge up to about 2900 fps that accuracy will hold. Overall the rifle is pleasant to shoot. It's lightweight and comfortable to handle and in a few months when the ATF kindly grants me permission to possess my own property I'll be adding a suppressor which will really make it fun (the muzzle brake is pretty loud). The only issue I have had was a bad extractor spring which Christensen promptly sent me replacement parts at no charge. The bolt is not quite as smooth as I would have liked for a rifle in that price range but it has never caused me any issues cycling the action. All in all if I had the option of going back in time and making the decision all over again I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again. Hope this helps.

I can't help you in terms of camp grounds but I struck out on all my draws this year and am just waiting for archery to open again. I live on the northern border or 34A so I'm not far away from there. If you would like an extra set of eyes I'd be more than happy to help you glass up some deer in an unfamiliar unit. No worries if not but feel free to PM me if you're interested. Good luck.

That's one beautiful Coues buck. He'll look great hanging on the wall. Well done and congratulations!

I used the search feature when I started wondering about this topic but didn't find anything very conclusive so I thought I'd pose the question to the forums and see what you all have to offer. The question centers around the moon cycles and deer movement. Before I did any research myself I was working under the common belief that full and nearly full moons slow down deer activity because they are so much more active at night and therefore less during daylight. I read a few interesting articles about studies by universities studying exactly this subject and one of the more interesting results indicated that a full moon will slow deer feeding at first and last light but tends to increase it late morning because they grazed more later in the night and got hungry again late morning. I began to wonder how that would affect Coues deer since they're known to get up and graze/stretch/find new shade at midday anyway. The other thing that was interesting as it pertains to this time of year was that studies show the moon cycle has no impact on rutting activity, which surprised me. One study showed that over the course of 15 years (if I remember correctly) the moon changed nothing in regards to what day of the month fawns were conceived. So with all that being said, do you all have any personal observations in this area and have something to offer about changing or adjusting tactics during full or nearly full moons? I find it especially important because this weekend is a full moon and we're expecting to see the rut start up here any time. Thanks in advance!

**Edit** Did some more digging. Looks like I need the custom seating stem for the ELD-X bullets, don't I? I just started reloading and ran into an issue that I'm not sure is normal or if I screwed up my die setup. I setup the seating die according to the Hornady instructions but when I run the bullet up after placing it in the mouth of the case the bullet tip contacts the die and blunts the tip just a little as it seats it. When I make further adjustments to the seating depth everything is smooth and easy like I expected it to be. Did I screw this up or is this normal? I feel like I must be ruining the bullet when that happens to the tip. Thanks!

Apparently. In general I really like Hornady's products but this one irked me a little. Oh well, not the end of the world.

Ok great. Thanks guys. Glad that’s all it was.

Ok thanks. I have the new stem on the way. Frustrating... Do you know if the custom stem will work for the Berger elite hunter bullets as well? Thanks again.

Lately I've been thinking about previous hunts and times I've eaten my tag and started thinking back to deer I've either let pass or chosen not to pursue. I think since I came up empty in every draw this year the desire to fill a tag again crept back in and I started wondering if I could go back again would I still let those deer go by. I can honestly say I don't mind letting them walk since the vast majority have been young deer, but sometimes a guy just wants to fill a tag and bring some meat home. Anyone on here ever passed up a buck or a bull and come to regret it? I'd love to hear the story!

Kind of an unusual request but I'm looking to get my hands on only two or three 143 ELDX bullets - not cartridges, just the bullets. I'm playing around with with different bullets on my deer rifle with my OAL gauge and I'd like to measure a few without having to buy and entire box. I'd happily PayPal you a few dollars to cover the cost of an envelope and postage if you're not in the Tucson area. If anyone would be willing to help please PM me. Thanks! dan