rossislider

They are open.

I think the Karens actually spend time troll through Offerup and Craigslist looking for hunting related items to report.

I made the mistake of leaving my lead sled at home one time when working on my load. After 15 shots my shoulder was in really bad shape and I couldn't shoot any more. A couple of days later my shoulder area (upper chest, shoulder, and down to my upper bicep) were all deep purple. Looked like those pictures you see of someone after a serious car accident. I shoot a 300 RUM and this is much more powerful. That said, I have not put a break on it yet. It isn't that I don't want one, I just have too many other more pressing projects that my funds need to go towards. IMO, you don't need one in hunting situations because most people don't notice the recoil with all the adrenaline pumping when hunting. The exception might be a youth hunter or small lady. You also don't need to keep the rifle on target for a quick follow up shot, it is a muzzle loader after all, and you have to go through the process of a reload. The range is where it really matters. But shooting from a weighed lead sled can negate that issue. I use a 25 pound plate on my lead sled and it makes it very manageable. That said, I would never let one of my younger hunters or my wife free shoulder a shot with it in a non-hunting situation. Don't put that type of fear in their mind. Come game time or it will mess them up.

I posted some stuff here that should help you out.

I bought one of these a few years ago along with a cheap shower tent from Walmart. Works great. I get about 45 minutes of run time on a charge, which is more than enough for each member of my family (5 people) to get a quick shower. I just set the stove outside the shower tent to warm a turkey fryer pot of water up and drop the one end in. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CZFQZQM/ref=dp_cerb_2

The heat might not be to bad by then. We were in the low 40s overnight on that hunt with my daughter last year. Don't think it ever hit much over 80, if that.

The youth camp has a big private area reserved for just their group in the YMCA horse coral area with lots of room for trailers. It was probably 75% trailer campers at 25% tent campers (we were tent campers). Giant area to spread out in grass (not powdery dirt), and not cramped at all. You really can't beat it.

There is a youth camp put on for that hunt by the Arizona Mule Deer Organization Organization Region 5 (for the early youth hunt). I highly recommend talking with them and going to the camp. They will give you as much or as little help as you need including a great camping area with restrooms and running water, great food, mentors to go with you in the field if wanted, etc. These camps are a lot of fun for the kids. My daughter had the same tag last year so we went to the camp. It is so nice getting up in the morning and returning at the end of the day to hot food waiting. Every kid there also went home with goodies on the last day from the youth raffle. My daughter won the grand prize, a Tikka in 6.5 Creedmoor. They put all this on at no cost.

Yes and yes.

He is the one who helped me upgrade my plug. I might do more further down the road. I just can't justify the cost right now with how little muzzle loader hunting I do and the performance I get as my rifle sits now.

So true, the smallest wind moves these big fat bullets like crazy!!!

Monkeying with muzzleloaders is painful on the wallet.

I wish I could have Luke build me a custom rifle, but I am not yet at a place in life where I can put that kind of money into a rifle. He builds phenomenal guns. I am actually just shooting a Remington UML with a few minor modifications (trigger, different plug, etc.) I hope to do a bit more linkering with my load before I have my next tag. Currently I am shooting those 300 grain Black Max and with TC Super Glide sabots and Blackhorn 209 (100 grains by weight). My muzzle velocity is coming in right at 2140 FPS pretty consistently. I have talked to a bunch of guys, who know a lot more than me, that have safely been able to shoot close to 110 grains (by weight). So I am going to play with it a bit because I would like to squeeze out a few more FPS if I can without losing accuracy. Hopefully it will help a little bit on longer Couse shots.

That's a good call out. Definitely something I will have to play with a bit. Most of my hunts with this muzzleloader will likely be Coues and javelina, so I think the Black Max will be ideal. Who knows if I will ever have another muzzleloader elk tag, but will have to monkey with it a bit if we do.

We didn't have any muzzle loader tags in 2019. In 2018 my wife shot her bull at about 140 yards and I shot a Coues deer at about 220, both with the Match/Hunter bullet. The Black Max had not come out yet at that time. Bob suggested taking shoulder shots with the Match/Hunter to get better expansions (especially on Coues, not as important on elk) which is what we did. Shortly after our hunts, the Black Max came out which uses a polymer tip instead of aluminum and was developed for better expansion. They shoot just like the Match/Hunter, but we haven't yet tested on an animal. Parker's have a longer more streamlines shape than most muzzleloader bulllets (similar to long range rifle bullets), and so you probably also need the spin jag made for them (also on Praker's website). I plan to use the Black Max going forward.

I'd look into Parker bullets. I tried a lot of stuff I could get locally and couldn't get anywhere near the accuracy beyond 200 yards that I can with their stuff. I believe you still have to order direct from Parker and their stuff is not cheap! Over $2 a bullet, but great bullets. Call Bob Parker and talk to him. He will help you work up some stuff. I started with the Match/Hunter bullet, but the Black Max is better for expansion on an animal, so I switched when they came out a year or two ago. When I first tried Parker, I wasn't having the consistency I wanted out of my rifle. I called Bob and after sharing my results he suggested trying a few other non-Parker sabots. I tried the TC super glide and it did the trick. I can shoot under MOA at 200 yards all day long. https://parkerproductionsinc.com/

One dozen Victory VAP TKO Gamer Arrows. $70 We bought the arrows last fall for my son, but now he is ready for a stiffer spine. One dozen in the box uncut and unfletched. Pickup is in the Queen Creek/San Tan Valley area.

I'll take them!

SPF

Sorry, I missed your reply. Just sent you a PM reply.

We are approaching that time of year again when my wife starts to drive crazy about what I want for Christmas. I rarely know what to tell her because all of the things I really want and don't already have (guns, optics, etc.) are way outside of the budget. With that in mind, I thought I would pose this to the CWT community. What are the best and or most invaluable pieces of outdoor gear you own/use in the $100 or less price range? Get specific. Don't just say broadheads, camo, etc. Thanks

My family is stuck at home in the valley this year (we usually go up north to see family in Idaho). So I figured I would splurge for some good fireworks for the kids to light off. I would prefer to get them the fun stuff, not boring ground fountains. But can I buy those anywhere locally? Before anyone says anything about fire danger. I live in the concrete jungle, the forests will be safe from fireworks in my neighborhood.

Okay. Enjoy your holiday.

I spoke with CATERPILLAR privately and we worked out our difference of opinion, so I have removed my previous comments. Sometimes my temper gets the best of me.

I got a lead on a guy in East valley that has one of those tent firework stands, but has the good stuff in his garage for people referred to him. I may give that a go.