IA Born

Beautiful BULL! Congrats!

Congrats, Lance! What a great bull! I meant to text you to tell you good luck, but got caught up a work and getting ready for my daughter's hunt. Congrats!!

Congrats on a great buck and good luck on the rest of your upcoming hunts!

Lots of good load advice given here! I dreamed of the 25/06 back when Bob Milek used to write so fondly of it. I've had two - and two absolutely tack-driving rigs too. Let both slip away. I would add that the slow burning powders mentioned are all fine, but don't ignore the middle powders either. If the slow burners don't get you exactly what you want, H4350 or IMR 4350 will do dandy things in the '06, and will fly plenty fast enough too. IA Born - sounds like maybe you have a sick rifle. Has your gunsmith checked everything out for you? Is it by chance a Remington CDL? The thought has crossed my mind. Its a Rem 700 SPS (formerly ADL back from from 2006). I'm wondering if a change from the factory plastic synthetic stock to a McMillan would make a difference, but, since I'm more than likely to have it switched to a .280AI in the next couple of years, I'm not going to put too much time/money into it right now.

Troy Gentry's death was all over social media today. While sad, Don Williams' death barely made news. I grew up with Don Williams and one of his albums was my first album ever. Even when I was agnostic and had no place for organized religion in my life, I always listened to, and was drawn to, "Lord, I Hope This Day is Good." I found out he died from a friend who posted it on her FB wall. I'm so glad I got to see him in concert when we lived in Tucson. My all-time favorite.

Brass is still SPF! Powder still available...

I have 51 pieces of new, unfired Winchester brass for a 7mmWSM. They came as part of the kit for my new (to me) 6.5 WSM rifle. It uses either 300WSM or 7mmWSM brass and I'm one of those who likes to keep everything consistent across the board. I'm sticking with 300WSM brass for all of my loading for this, so I thought I'd offer up the 7mmWSM brass to anyone who can use it. I'll either trade straight across for 50 unfired Winchester 300WSM brass or sell it for $35. I also still have the two unopened 1-lb bottles of RL15 and one half-used bottle of RL 15. $50 for all three, $30/bottle for unopened bottles, and $10 for the half-used bottle. We just got the soccer schedules Friday night and it looks like we'll be in Phoenix area or Prescott quite a bit starting Sept 23rd. If you're interested, we can work out a date to meet up, unless you're coming to Flagstaff. Will ship brass, but (obviously) not the powder.

Agree with those before. There are great ones on the market, and they are worth the cost. I've had one close family member fall out of a tree stand without a harness. He broke his elbow and dislocated a shoulder. He laid there for two hours before anyone found him. After the surgeries to put him back together, he can no longer draw a bow. I also have friends of friends back in Iowa that are wheelchair bound now because of not wearing one. Having said that, most tree stands come with the cheap, but effective harnesses. If I still have the one my tree stand came with, you're welcome to it. Its the cheap, but effective one and not a high quality HS harness, but its better than a wheelchair. I can look this weekend in between soccer games to see if I still have it. I may have already given it away to someone in need.

Change of plans, rstahl. Brass is yours if you want it. PM sent.

Brass is SPF to Nitemann, but you'll be next if something fall through.

Forgot to clarify that these have NOT been necked down to 6.5. All brass is brand new, never used, original condition. PM answered. Thanks!

Not sure it would for a snake bite. I keep some in the truck just in case I get tagged by a scorpion or stung by a bunch of bees. I think it depends on the type of venom / toxin. Maybe IA born can chime in on this as I'd like to know as well. I can't think of any reason to give Benadryl to a patient for envenomation. The antihistamine would have no effect since there's no allergic reaction and no way it could help develop any antibodies to the venom antigens. Giving benadryl for reactions to CroFab makes perfect sense, though. And, yes, reactions are much more rare now that antivenin is no longer made from horse serum.

I used to have some of those data. The number of dry bites is higher than people realize, though; especially with adult snakes. I know I have numbers somewhere on the number of people who lied aboiut their bites because they didn't want to get screwed by their insurance. A study was done and it was something like 70-80% of people (mostly males) lied about getting bit, saying they were not provoking the snake (despite most bites being on hands and arms) so that their insurance would cover their medical costs.

This right here is the best advice. My graduate research was rattlesnake venom, particularly Mojave toxin from Mojave rattlesnakes. There can be over 40 different proteins in one venom and they can be both anticoagulants and coagulants. There are proteins that cleave off the antigen binding sites, which makes antivenom or any other antibody formation useless. Modern antivenom is a mixed bag now that its made from goat serum instead of horse serum. Its supposed to be more antigen-specific, which makes them more efficient, but the proteins are smaller, so they pass through your body unattached faster, which causes you to require more of the stuff, which drives your hospital bill up. You get the picture. I've seen the after pics of a guy who placed his hand in ice water and all that was left by the time he got to the hospital were nubs. I've seen the data for the tests using Sawyer Extractors and lesser "venom removal kits" and I've been advocating for 15 years that they are worthless. I used to keep one more to keep my wife happy, even though I knew it was useless. Yes, the best thing you can do is to remain calm and keep your blood pressure down. If its an appendage and you can keep it elevated, that's the best. Its when those proteins mentioned above hit your liver, kidney, or heart that all heck breaks loose internally. I have binders and binders full of venom research articles if anyone wants to see any. I also have a picture from a scanning electron microscope (2000x) showing a protein peeling off the tissue layer that keeps your muscle fibers all in one bundle. Total loss of muscle control.... I have spent quite a bit of time googling and watching youtube videos on DC current being used as antivenom. Do you have any research on this. Dude I know got attacked by a swarm of bees and afterward stuck his fingers in a spark plug on an old truck and he said the burning stopped almost instantly. He got the idea from a reptile magazine in the 90's. The theory is dc current does something to the molecular structure of it or something blah blah blah. I read that it has to be between 10-20k volts DC, to where you can only feel a slight tingling sensation. One video I watched a guy had a hand crank generator and he swears he saved a few peoples lives with the device. I think it was in south america or africa. In all my years, I've never seen any data to back up the DC current claim. I've heard all kinds of venom experts debunk that, though. If DC current was able to alter the molecular structure of the proteins in venom, it would also alter the molecular structure of all the proteins you're supposed to have. All that it really does is shock the living piss out of you. One of these days, when we cross paths, I'll have to tell you the story of how I accidentally inhaled crystallized Mojave toxin (a very strong neurotoxin) during my research days. Yes, it was completely accidental and due to a HUGE brain fart. I lost feeling in my nose for three hours and recurrences every few months for about 10 years.

This right here is the best advice. My graduate research was rattlesnake venom, particularly Mojave toxin from Mojave rattlesnakes. There can be over 40 different proteins in one venom and they can be both anticoagulants and coagulants. There are proteins that cleave off the antigen binding sites, which makes antivenom or any other antibody formation useless. Modern antivenom is a mixed bag now that its made from goat serum instead of horse serum. Its supposed to be more antigen-specific, which makes them more efficient, but the proteins are smaller, so they pass through your body unattached faster, which causes you to require more of the stuff, which drives your hospital bill up. You get the picture. I've seen the after pics of a guy who placed his hand in ice water and all that was left by the time he got to the hospital were nubs. I've seen the data for the tests using Sawyer Extractors and lesser "venom removal kits" and I've been advocating for 15 years that they are worthless. I used to keep one more to keep my wife happy, even though I knew it was useless. Yes, the best thing you can do is to remain calm and keep your blood pressure down. If its an appendage and you can keep it elevated, that's the best. Its when those proteins mentioned above hit your liver, kidney, or heart that all heck breaks loose internally. I have binders and binders full of venom research articles if anyone wants to see any. I also have a picture from a scanning electron microscope (2000x) showing a protein peeling off the tissue layer that keeps your muscle fibers all in one bundle. Total loss of muscle control....

Ive thought of that but I already hit up Lance like twice a day about reloading stuff. He might think im stalking him ha ha! But seriously Ive looked at hundreds of models but really like the woodland camo one (gap camo) and I probably can't make a decision on what I want if I gave it to Lance. But he does really nice work If you're only hitting Lance up twice a day, then you're in good shape! There are days I'm messaging him 4-6 times with questions! But then, in my defense, part of a deal on a powder sale was "unlimited questions" so he's kinda stuck with me, even if he did stiff me on the monetary part of the trade! JK Lance! I actually almost texted him the other day, but then thought that might be pushing the creepy boundary! I showed my wife his work and I may end up getting permission to have him paint the bland McMillan stock on my new (to me) 6.5WSM.

Bump for the RL15. I might be able to talk my wife into meeting up on her way through this Friday or Monday (Labor Day).

Its about time! Now you can go stock up on TP or extra drawers!

Wish I'd have thought to take a pic when I did that with my 6.5WSM getting used to the new dies.

Several years ago, I drove from Flagstaff to Laredo to deer hunt with my brother-in-law. We got there, and as I was unpacking, I realized I forgot to pack my good Smartwool socks (or any socks). My wife's sister went to the Target in Laredo and got me a 6-pack of ordinary Hanes black socks to wear for the hunt. One of my favorite brain farts because they ended up being my favorite socks for everyday wear ever! Last year, during that cold snap in January, we finally glassed up a herd of javelina for my daughter. I hadn't been out of the truck much because it was so darn cold, so most of my gear was still in the back seat. We got about 300 yards from the truck when I realized I'd left my binos in the backseat. Luckily, I had my rangefinder around my neck, so I could use that to glass with. On my first ever javelina hunt, we did the 30b HAM hunt since we'd deer hunted down there. I was brand new to archery, but took my 1911 with me. We got on a herd first thing, but my buddy (more experienced at archery?) told me it was too thick for archery and suggested I use my pistol. I crept to about 20 yards from a perfectly broadside pig in the open (wishing I had my bow), raised my pistol to shoot and heard the distinct "CLICK" of an empty chamber. I'd been out shooting the weekend before and, after cleaning and reassembling the pistol, I'd apparently forgotten to reload it. I was always taught that an empty chamber is no way to protect yourself. When I grabbed my pistol to go hunt, I automatically assumed it was loaded and ready to roll. I could hear my dad, the seasoned combat vet, cussing me fiercely that morning as I racked a round in the chamber and watched the entire herd bust in front of me with no shot. Now, I like to think I invented catch and release hunting! I'm sure there are others, but I'm pretty sure I've blocked them out. I now make lists and frequently check the chambers, even its every 20-30 minutes. Back in 2005 or 2006, a small group of us had spring turkey tags in 27 and we were far, far away from anywhere resembling society. As we were gearing up the night before, my buddy realized that he grabbed a box of 12 gauge slugs instead of turkey loads. I gave him two extra 3.5" shells I had and ended up getting them back at the end of the hunt. This was the same buddy that drove down to Tucson when we lived there and we were going to head out shooting for a morning. Jokingly, I said "don't forget the ammo this time". When we got to the range, he realized he'd left his ammo back at my house.

Was he northbound or southbound?

Know the feeling. We had just gotten back to archery when my oldest banged her shoulder up. We all need to get back to it, but now my shoulder is banged up again!

Hate to say it but it's time to try a different bullet. Try something from Sierra. If the bullets in the green box don't shoot something is wrong with the rifle. Make sure your scope mounts and action screws are tight as well. For both professional and personal reasons, I'm pretty much limited to Barnes or other non-lead options. I can monkey with seating depth adjustments, try the previous two powders on a fouled barrel, and try a couple of other powders that I know work great for Barnes. I had a 0.6" group with 95% max load of IMR4831 a long time ago, but I wanted to move those bullets faster and try other powders. It will end up being a mute point, anyway, now that I'm going to have it rebuilt in a year or two. But I've heard that about Sierra bullets and I've considered that it could very well be the rifle. I could also drop the money on a new stock and get rid of the Rem factory synthetic stock made of recycled coke bottles.

Bump for a good deal on a great bow from a great guy. The Atomic replaced the Nuclear Ice, which is what my kids started on. If I remember correctly, the poundage on the Atomic should be as low as 6 lbs and go into the mid-20s. Its a great bow for a youngster to get started with.

I happen to have a loving home for any unruly 25-06's. I promise to feed them whatever it takes to get them shooting appropriately. If it wasn't for my gunsmith convincing me to turn that .25-06 into a custom .280AI for my son, I'd consider making you an offer, especially now that I've almost got my 6.5WSM figured out. Stupid wildcat rounds...