IA Born

I've been working up a load for my daughter's 7mm-08 using 140 gr Barnes TTSX. I'd have to get the exact data, but I know that the 95% max load of R15 produced a 3-shot .60" group. I think the 97% max load of RL15 is better, but the trigger on her Savage Axis youth is horrible. I'm pretty sure I pulled the 3rd shot of what would have been a sub-0.5" 3-shot group because the trigger is something like 5 lbs! I'm happy to get you the data I have if you want. I'm sure after I replace the trigger and the factory stock, it will be shooting much tighter.

Where do you live? Pretty sure I have one because I load for my brother-in-law's .300 WSM. I'll have to double check, but if you are in or near Flagstaff (or at least passing through), you can come borrow it.

That's awesome! Congrats to your daughter!

Congrats, Jordin! I can't wait to take my daughter out next year for her first hunt! Beautiful buck!

I think you are spot on right there and it doesn't even have to be 5+ years. They can choose that, in my opinion. Next year, I will be taking my daughter on her first hunt after she turns 10. I was supposed to take her to south Texas this Thanksgiving, but a family situation has come up and we won't be able to go. To that end, she and I have been having multiple conversations about harvesting her first deer and elk. At one point, I was trying to encourage her to try for the youth doe hunt on the Kaibab. She has been insisting on a buck tag for her first hunt in AZ. Ultimately, I'm going to let her make that choice, but I have made sure to instill in her that, at her young age, she should focus on the hunt and the experience and that whatever animal she chooses will be a trophy. This is actually a frequent conversation she and I have. I want her to focus on the hunt, itself, and not the size of the antlers when determining what a trophy is. I try real hard to lead by example. Sure I want that big set of antlers for the wall, but I also find my successes in the experience along the way, tag filled or not, and that a tag filled is still a trophy with the right mind-set. I make sure she understands that. We all know how difficult hunting can be in Arizona and if we, as parents/mentors, start teaching the youth to focus on antler size, we're going to lose a great deal of our next generation of hunters when they come home with empty tags. If the first buck or bull they see is huge, by all means, go for it. If the first legal buck they see is a spike or a small fork for their first ever big game harvest, go for it! Teach them success and that success is in the hunt, itself, not the size of antlers. From your post, I think you are spot on and your kids will enjoy every minute of it!

I just called my credit card because charges don't show up for a day or two. My buddy and I got our archery javelina tags (no surprise) and someone got drawn for turkey. Either I finally got my Gould's tag or my daughter got her first big game tag! She turns 10 on April 25, one week too late for the youth OTC tags and will be tied up with soccer tournaments when they reopen in mid-May, so I had to put her in for a regular tag. If I have to get skipped for my Gould's tag, I truly hope its for my daughter's first tag!!

Congratulations, Serra! Of course I had to come upstairs and read it when you told me about it! Excellent write up and a beautiful tribute to the elk!

I haven't spent much time down deep in 13A, but I've spent some time there and frequently drive from Flag to St. George, passing through 13A on the highways. Reception is very hit and miss and I have Verizon. Sat phone is probably your best bet, like Forlorn said.

I have a Rem 700 BDL in .300 WM and because its a family heirloom, I left the factory stock in place but had it bedded/floated by Randy Lawson when I lived in Tucson. You can't go wrong if its done correctly. Mine is an absolute tack driver with custom loads.

Someone once told me that if you can count the number of firearms you own, then you don't have enough. I lost count several years ago. I keep all of mine listed on a spreadsheet and last I knew, it was well over 30. I have a 28-gun safe and, with long guns and pistols, I need to buy a second safe, especially now that I'm shopping for my kids!

Figured I'd bump this back up to the top to see if there is any interest. I'll be down in the valley this weekend for a soccer tournament (Pecos Park), but could meet somewhere central on the way down Friday or way home, Sunday unless someone is close to Pecos Park. $30 for the box or trade for a box of TTSX 140 gr 7mm.

A while back when I was getting the components to reload for my daughter's 7mm-08, I accidentally grabbed a box of Barnes TSX 7mm 140 gr bullets. I meant to get the TTSX 140 grain bullets. I didn't realize what I did until I opened the box. The box is opened, but all bullets are there. I need to get another box of TTSX for her rifle. Would like to sell the TSX for $30 ($35 shipped) or trade someone that wants these for a new box of TTSX 140 gr. If you want pictures, I can take them and post them, but I figure you know what a box of Barnes TSX looks like. Thanks!

Took the words right out of my mouth. Great job!!

That's awesome! Congrats!

Are they available for the Axis youth? I'd love to swap that factory stock for a good after-market for my daughter's Axis youth!

I've got a brick of steel-cased .22 lr that I picked up for my daughter. It doesn't work well in her Cricket. Only 5 rds shot (495 left; 10 boxes of 50). I recently got a couple of bricks of Federal, so I don't need this stuff. I paid $40 for the brick back during the craze and will let it go for $30. I'll be in the valley for my daughter's soccer tournament (Pecos Park area) the weekend of 18-20 Oct. I can bring it if you want to meet me somewhere in that area. PM me if you're interested.

Last weekend, my daughter had a soccer teammate/friend over and we got to talking about archery. My daughter proudly showed her friend her bow and her mad-shooting skills! After a real quick and dirty lesson, her friend tried my daughter's bow out. I had to help her because its set at 31 lbs draw weight. She missed the target, but you could tell she instantly fell in love. At the next practice she ran up to me and said her and her parents spoke about it and she can take up archery! To help them ease into it and not break the bank, I told them I would keep an eye out for a used youth bow with the idea that if it sticks, they can start looking at new bows/packages down the road. She's too big for a Diamond Atomic or Nuclear Ice. Used Ruckus, Razor's Edge, or Infinity Edge would be perfect to get her going. So if any of you have a used youth bow for a 9-year old girl that's in good condition or know of someone who will be selling one, can you please have them contact me? Let's get another young lady into archery! Thanks, guys!

Thanks, Mthomas. My daughter's friend doesn't have the upper body strength for a 25lb draw weight. She needs something in the 15-30 lbs range for now. Much appreciated!

Last spring, we bought our 9 year old daughter a Savage Axis youth model in 7mm-08 and then had a muzzle brake installed locally. At 60 lbs, she claims that my AR kicks harder than her 7mm-08 and she is drilling the center every time she shoots at 100 yards. She can't wait for her first elk and deer hunt! We got it at Cabela's (came with a Bushnell 3-9x40 scope) for something like $350 or $370. They are cheaper without the scope, but there was a miscommunication between me and the guy behind the counter. We all ready had a Vortex scope for it. Put the Bushnell on her Marlin Model 60!

Its a rainbow hedgehog cactus. I used to see those in 34A all the time when I lived down south. They are only "protected" in that you need a salvage permit under (I think that's the right permit) the Arizona Native Plant Law from the Arizona Department of Ag. If you have access to one from a nursery, that's better and easier. Miss seeing those!

x2 for OE4A. I donated an archery javelina tag to them two years ago and they are great to work with. Eddy is top notch!

Is that a youth model?

I'm starting the process of shopping for a shotgun for my 9-year old daughter, who turns 10 in April. As much as I'd like to be able to justify the cost of a Rem 1187 Compact for her, the 870 compact and Mossberg 500 youth are at the top of my list. They both have their pros (and cons, I suppose) I need to see which one fits her and she can handle better. When I turned 12 or 13, my dad gave me a full-size Rem 1100 that Christmas. Youth models weren't even heard of then. I grew into it in no time. Definitely have him try your current 870 for size and reevaluate after that. Good luck!

There is also Outdoor Experience 4 All. I had to donate an archery javelina tag a couple years back because my wife got really sick the only weekend I had open in January. I got ahold of Eddy Corona there and dontated my tag over to his group. TOP NOTCH outfit!

Very sorry for your loss. I remember those shed pics well. She definitely had a great life as part of your family and she'll be waiting for you at the Rainbow Bridge.