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Posts posted by solamente73
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@USCATX check out https://www.youtube.com/c/TheLateNightVisionShow and literally call Outdoor Legacy and Jason and/or Hans will hook you up. I haven’t posted about this yet, but I was looking for a thermal for a 6.5 Grendel pistol and I researched for months. Part of the research was watching that show. I called the shop, and Jason called me back in 5 minutes. We spent an hour OTP working through use cases I never thought about. He gave me solid options and actually saved me $ by me not choosing something that was overkill for my needs. I bought and I’m putting together the platform - hope to post soon. Regardless, at a minimum you get an opinion from those guys - zero sales pressure when you call. Good luck, and post results!
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Anyone know what's up with @deadshank? He's a quality poster on a lot of threads, but he hasn't logged in since June 6. Hunting season is upon us and we need to hear about his adventures at deer camp.
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18 hours ago, 686 said:
I had a good weekend scouting trip to CO... It was a little bit more of an ass whip than I wanted it to be....
Masochist.
17 hours ago, 686 said:
I like Texas whitetail hunting and love deer lease culture/spirit as well, but getting on elk in the wilderness is just amazing to me.^This right here.
17 hours ago, 686 said:@solamente73 are you getting the blesbok and impala shipped back / mounted?
All 12 trophies will be euro mounts (that's my style) and the hides will either be fur or leather product; I'm still working out what I'm going to have made (rifle cases, ammo carriers, wallets, etc.) vs. what will be "rugs." There are two additional "cull" animals that I'll use for leather product and for barware. Karoo Taxidermy out of Graaf-Reinet is doing the work. I toured their facility and it was an incredibly impressive operation. They seem to successfully scale volume, quality, and specialization. I had met the owner back in January and had communicated with staff prior to flying over, so I had pretty much made up my mind before the safari. Even then, I encountered no better option before, during, or after the trip.
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If y'all want to see what a South African taxidermy outfit looks like, here you go. I probably focused more on the skulls than the shoulder/full mounts because of my interest. Reminder - this is NOT my taxidermy, just my taxidermist. Spoilered for the pics:
SpoilerThe spoilered above looks like chaos but every single item, no matter how large or small, is labled/tagged and tracked from receiving to shipping. The half-day was worth it to learn how it all worked.
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Sorry for the delay in updates, but life has been busy since getting back a month ago.
Day 3 was a day of both success and disappointment. Spoilered for longcat.
SpoilerThe Safari, Day 3: Sometimes you just have to take what the bush gives you.
We started Day 3 with bushbuck on our minds. Bushbuck are shy and elusive, spending most of their time browsing the thick bush rather than grazing the open fields. While we searched for bushbuck, we knew that there would be other opportunities. That day, it would be impala.
We began by returning to an area called “the rugby field.” It was a lush field about 1400 yards long surrounded by hills and thick brush. The evening before, we had seen eland, impala, warthog, and blue wildebeest in and around the field, and as the daylight waned, I had been downscope on a really nice blue wildebeest; however, a herd of eland and the rest of the wildebeest herd conspired to block my shot. Eventually, we called it a day as taking a 318 yard shot off sticks at last light was to risk losing a trophy in the bush after dark. The next morning we decided to return to the rugby field to go after the impala that we had seen the evening before… and to keep looking for bushbuck.
We hiked and glassed the entire area, and the abundance of life that we had seen the evening before was absent. On the way back to the bakkie, though, we crested a ridge to find the impala herd we were after huddled in a small clearing, and they immediately fled into the dense trees. They had been there all along, but we just didn’t know it until it was too late.
With no bushbuck sighted and impala spooked, we loaded up the Cruiser and began making our way to what they called “the cattle farm” - a rich valley, surrounded by densely forested hills, where they actually raised cattle. The owner’s 10 year old grandson and another young man were along for the ride, helping us spot animals. About halfway to the cattle farm, I heard a sudden loud knocking on the cab’s roof - the boy spotters in the back had seen something. “Impala” I heard the young man say. The PH grabbed his binocs, took a look, turned to me, smiled, and said “get your gun.”
We hopped out and got our gear together. I chambered a round and set the rifle to safety. The PH, his tracker, and I lined up and began to make our way towards where the impala was grazing, leaving the youngins behind with the cruiser. There were several dense groves of trees scattered across the valley floor to provide cover, and we moved from grove to grove, the PH periodically peeking around the grove edges to see what the ram was up to.
Eventually, we ran out of cover, and the valley opened up. I looked across the expanse and saw the impala grazing through a grove of magnificent trees. I’ll never forget that golden ram framed under the tree’s expansive branches. The PH set the sticks and I went downscope on the impala. “One hundred and sixty two yards,” my PH whispered. I put the crosshairs on the ram’s right shoulder. “I have him,” I whispered back. The ram took another step forward, grazing right along. His head was now obscured by a bush, but the shoulder was still clear. I decided to take the shot.
Breath just right, rifle steady on the sticks, crosshairs where I wanted them, I squeezed and waited for the boom. And while I waited, the impala took yet another step behind the bush.
Boom!
Thwack.
I chambered another round. The “thwack” told me that I’d hit him, but where? I couldn’t find him in the scope, and I feared he’d moved into the brush. “Where is he?” I asked. My PH replied, “He is down, Sir! Well done!”
The grass was high and I couldn’t see the ram, but I knew to take the PH’s word. We gathered up and made our way to where the impala last stood. As long as I couldn’t see it, there was just a hint of doubt in my mind, but that doubt evaporated as soon as I saw that golden coat laying atop the lush grass.
With the ram’s last-second step forward, I ended up spining him and dropping him right where he had stood.
The boys brought up the cruiser, and upon hopping out, they congratulated me. I thanked THEM, as it was they who had spotted this very nice ram. Since my two little boys were half a world away, I was particularly happy to share that moment with those boys. I asked them to be in the trophy picture to commemorate our team hunt, and they obliged.
In planning this whole trip over the past year, it seemed that Impala were almost an afterthought when it came to South African plains game. People always go on about kudu, springbok slams, wildebeest, etc., but I find impala to be beautiful in both hide and horn. This was my first impala, and hopefully it won’t be my last.
That was a great morning. The rest of the day, however, would be frustrating, and that was becoming a theme when it came to chasing bushbuck. We hiked several promising areas; however, we only found tracks and dung. We didn’t even see a single ewe, which surprised the PH as he said that we would have at least seen SOME where we had been hiking. The elusive bushbuck remained, well, elusive.
After a long day in the field, it is tradition to gather around the campfire and relive the day’s hunts, usually with an adult beverage or three (such as “policeman’s coffee,” a local favorite that is brandy mixed with coca-cola).
The next day? More searching for bushbuck, of course… and taking what the bush gives you.
TL;DR: While continuing to search for the elusive bushbuck, I was fortunate to come across this gorgeous impala. 162 yards, DRT with a spinal shot. Capped off the day with a couple of “policeman’s coffees” around the camp fire.
More to come…
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On 7/25/2024 at 7:31 PM, Handcruser said:
What’s your typical distance?Treefiddy? For this mission, it could be 20-200 yards depending on where I walk up on them. Hence trying 6.5G on thermal - seems the right balance for what I encounter.
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5 hours ago, cabowabo said:
If your total budget is $4k, then I'd look at getting a $2500 scope and a $1500 spotter/monocular. You are not going to want to be looking for potential targets raising your gun up and scanning through your rifle scope. That gets old real quick.
The need for a thermo monocular should be stressed more often. I bought an ATN OTS-XLT 2-8x about 3 years ago, and it has served me very well as a supplement to my NV rig and just out and about at night on the farm. I have not considered an upgrade, possibly because I don't know any better?
1 hour ago, Handcruser said:
Shoots fine.
But the 90g nosler Armageddon is the tits. And I mean the tits. I have 300-400 rounds of the Sst and am buying the nosler stuff now.I'll check out the Nosler, though at first internet research glance, energy at distance might not work as well for pigs.
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16 hours ago, Handcruser said:
Nothing wrong with PSA. I have a 12” grendel upper from them.
If you want a hookup for pulsar PM me.How does that Grendel upper shoot, and using what ammo? I'm hoping to get ~1.5MOA using the Hornady 123gr SST for hunting.
Will PM if I decide on a Pulsar.
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15 hours ago, Handcruser said:
So much to discuss.
Look at AGM. I just bought a rattler 35-386. They make a clip on that co-witnesses with your regular optic and I’m considering g getting one of those so I can move it from gun to gun.
What is your budget?
What lower. What upper?
Re: lower and upper, you are going to be so disappointed in me.
PSA for both, with the upper being 12” 6.5 Grendel. This is a playful experiment. I have a farm with a hog problem. Long story short, I’m looking for a lightweight, maneuverable thermal rig (suppressed) I can use when I spot and stalk… and otherwise keep near me when out and about at night. I already have a 308 digital NV rig for hunting feeders, and I need something more mobile and capable of CQB. Engagement is usually 20-200 yards when just milling about the property.
Re: Thermals. @cabowabo will have a POV here. Max $4k. Short list:
Pulsar Talions
AGM Adders
AGM Rattler TS35-640 2x-16
Infiray Bolt TL35 V2
Pulsar Thermion 2 XQ35 ProThe thermal I’m willing to invest good money in to last a long time (5yr). The rifle platform is an experiment. If I like the concept, I can do a quality build later if the PSA doesn’t hold up to moderate hunting.
ETA: lightweight and maneuverable is key for this mission
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2 hours ago, Handcruser said:
I feel like someone needs to buy a gun and post it here.
The lower just shipped.
Upper ordered.
Mags shipped today.
Ammo identified.
Thermal… I’m considering… options.
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13 hours ago, Handcruser said:
It’s about $1200 for me. Industry discount.
12 hours ago, Handcruser said:
I love the chassis
Carbon fiber all the way around
Guaranteed moa
Stupid light
Cool looking.Can't argue there, either.
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On 7/12/2024 at 11:09 AM, Handcruser said:
Someone talk me out of a waypoint with the carbon fiber barrel in 6mm creed.
I'll bite.
Far be it from me to talk anyone out of buying a gun. That said, given the request, it's a $2200 rifle for hunting deer and yotes with a glorified, more expensive, and harder to find .243 cartridge? Or if precision distance shooting, it only has a 20" barrel and does not have a fully adjustable buttstock? I'm reaching here.
Don't get me wrong, I love the Waypoint platform (and the Redline platform, too), and handling the long action variants at DSC earlier this year had me looking at them in 300WM. You could go Seekins Havak for $350 less but no carbon.
What's the purpose of the rifle? I'm curious, because earlier this year, you suggested that I give the 6.5 PRC a hard look as a general purpose hunting rifle.
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An update to help with the summer doldrums…
Day 2 of hunting the Eastern Cape of South Africa: Bushbuck and Kudu
Bushbuck and kudu are two of the four spiral horn antelope sought after in South Africa. Together with nyala and eland, they complete the Spiral Horn Slam. I wasn’t going for the slam, per se, but I like spiral horns, and they are a tough hunt.
If you ask a hunter about African plains game, they are most likely to mention kudu as the top prize. They are large (about elk-size), have magnificent horns and gorgeous hides, and are a very tough quarry as they have exceptional eyesight, hearing, and smell aligned against you. They are known as the “Grey Ghost of Africa” for their ability to remain elusive by silently disappearing into the African bush (insert joke here).
As it turned out, Day 2 would be about kudu.
If interested, here is how the hunt went down. Spoilered for longcat, and longcat because I think it’s a pretty cool story.
SpoilerWith blesbok and warthog checked off, Day 2 was spent hunting for two species that could be the most challenging to take – bushbuck and kudu.
We started in a large valley used for cattle ranching; the surrounding rocky hills were covered in incredibly thick vegetation that looked alien compared to anything in North America.
We hiked along the valley floor hoping to catch a glimpse of bushbuck or kudu foraging on the hillside or taking water in the valley. Monkeys were basking in the morning sunlight and studying us as we walked below. As the morning wore on, we decided to climb to the top of the ridge for a better vantage point. Once up top, we had a great view of the surrounding area.
We began hiking the ridgetops, glassing each valley hoping to see some sign of bushbuck or kudu. Bushbuck are shy, and kudu are known as the “grey ghosts;" both liked the thick cover prevalent in the area, so it was going to be a real challenge spotting them. It was slow going, only stirring up a few duikers as we went along.
Finally, as we approached the upteenth valley, my PH and his tracker suddenly stopped and motioned for me to get down. On the far side of the valley ahead were four kudu cows. Unfortunately, the cows spotted us, and one snorted in alarm; the four effortlessly climbed up and over the far ridge, disappearing into the late morning sun.
But where there were cows, there was likely at least one bull, and the behavior of the cows led my PH to think that we had one in the valley below us – we just had to be patient and wait. So, we waited.
With the sun in our eyes, we watched for movement below. At last, the bull appeared. We maneuvered into a decent shooting position, the PH put up the sticks, and I went downscope on the big cape kudu. The PH ranged him, and he said 175 yards – piece of cake. The problem? The damn sun! I had only a few seconds to make the shot, and I could barely distinguish the grey kudu from the surrounding shadows thanks to the sun glaring through the scope. “Shoot him!” I heard, though I’m not sure if that was the PH or my inner self.
And then he was gone. The kudu had paused for only a few seconds while in a gap between bushes, and then “poof.”
“He’s gone! He’s gone...” said my PH, and he had me shoulder the rifle while he collapsed the sticks. “What do you mean he’s gone?” I asked. “That’s it,” he said matter-of-factly. “He’s gone.”
We gathered ourselves up to pursue or, at least, move on. I was astounded that I had only had a few seconds to take a shot on an animal that we’d been looking for all morning. There was no time to study the animal, admire its rack, or wait for it to get into perfect position for the shot. Nope – it was shoot as soon as you see it, because it will be gone in seconds.Our group formed up with the PH in the lead. I was the fourth man back. We began our descent into the valley in hopes of picking up the bull’s trail. We hadn’t gone far when, ahead of the PH, a massive kudu bull popped out of the brush only 25 yards in front of the PH. I pointed and said, “Bull… 25 yards!” The PH couldn’t see the bull because of the bush, but the trackers saw it, too. The PH backed up and began making his way back towards us, getting the shooting sticks ready. But it was already too late – the bull had disappeared.
But just a few seconds later, across the valley, a little higher up, yet another kudu bull appeared. We had stirred up 3 kudu bulls! The PH took a look, placed the sticks, and said, “take him.” I placed my rifle and found him in the scope – the sun was still a problem, but this was a better angle. “152 yards,” the PH told me.” “I have him,” I replied. The crosshairs on the bull’s right shoulder, I pulled the trigger.
“Boom.”
“Thwack.”
The “thwack” let me know that the 200gr TA had hit its mark. Chambering a round for the follow-up, I saw the big bull collapse and roll down about 20 feet from where it had stood. DRT.
“Yes, sir!” my PH exclaimed. The trackers were cheering. Reflexively, I asked “Is he down? Do I need to put another one in him?” I had heard rumors about how tough African game could be, and I wanted to be sure. The PH responded, “He’s done. Congratulations, sir!”
I was slightly stunned – everything had happened SO fast. And already on Day 2 of the hunt, I had my East Cape Kudu down. It was surreal.
I looked at my PH and blurted out, “There were 3 bulls down there? That’s incredible.” He replied, “Ha! No, that was ONE bull – the same one we first saw!”
I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t believe it. These were elk-sized animals moving at blinding speed through incredibly thick brush, where one animal could seem as three. Later I would see kudu running in the open – the only way to describe it is that it’s like watching VY run – a giant frame with a graceful gait that eats up vast lengths of ground with each effortless stride.
We formed up and made our way across the valley and up the far side to where the kudu came to rest. No ground shrinkage there – it was a big beast. Blood was everywhere; I must have hit an artery when the bullet went through both shoulders. We shook hands all around and congratulated each other on a successful team hunt. We took some photos where he lay, and we began the extraction process.
Kudu can see down the length of their horns – here you look directly into his eye. It’s a benefit when attacking a rival or otherwise engaged in battle with another bull. Pretty cool:
The big kudu went down in heavy cover, and it wasn’t going to be easy to get him out. We radioed for another crew and bakkie (and for them to retrieve our Cruiser, which we had left behind a few kilometers back), and the reinforcements arrived not long thereafter. Everyone worked together to cut a path through the bush, and it took a team of 7 men to haul the kudu up to the top of the ridge where we could view it in full sunlight and load it into the bakkie.
Thanks to the team effort, the reward:
The horns were exactly what I was going for: perfect symmetry, rising almost straight up (as opposed to “V” outward), good length, tips pointed inwards. The horns would measure 48 inches, which is very good for an Eastern Cape Kudu. What made this one distinctive were the ivories at the tip of each horn, something not usually seen in kudu, and the horns had been worn smooth over years of use by the old bull. His teeth were worn, missing, or loose; the PH thought he could be 12-14 years old.
He is a magnificent trophy from an exhilarating and challenging hunt, and the mount will have a well-deserved place of honor in my home.
TL;DR: The day brought a long hike with spectacular results: a monster Eastern Cape Kudu bull. 152 yards off sticks in heavy cover, one shot DRT. 48” horns. Kudu is on the bucket list for many hunters, and this one made mine. What a truly awesome experience, and the mount will have a place of honor in my home.
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I am, indeed, in Africa. Between ridiculous travel issues, Africa’s version of Montezuma’s revenge, major health drama with family back home (and not being able to get a flight home because of previously mentioned ridiculous travel issues), spotty internet access, and generally being exhausted by the pace and physical exertion of hunting 10 species in 10 days across the Eastern Cape and the Karoo, I haven’t been able give the running updates I had planned. I’ll post a lot here in the coming days/weeks, and I’m going to put something comprehensive together on AfricaHunting.com (and will link to it here) for those interested.
In the mean time, to whet y’all’s appetites:
At Olivewoods/Karoo2Coast about 1.5 hours from Port Elizabeth:
Blesbok was my first African animal. He was silhouetted on the mountaintop with the sun behind him, and he wouldn’t stop moving. 162 yards off sticks.
Next, we were sizing up 5-6 warthog when this one popped into view. My PH turned into a giddy little school boy at the sight of him. 140 yards off bipod supported by the Cruiser’s hood. DRT. About 250lbs.
I’ll do my best to entertain throughout the “doldrums.” LOTS more to come…
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31 minutes ago, 686 said:
The Federal Terminal Ascent is the “old”Trophy Bonded Bear Claw, which is an awesome bullet of very intelligent design. (federal bought them out a few years ago) You get the strength/penetration of a monometal with some lead up front for better down range energy retention and big expansion/fragmentation in the vitals. I set my dad’s 7 Rem Mag up with them when we went to Africa in ‘18. That bullet was considered then to maybe be the best 7mm bullet for African game; an awesome 300win mag choice as well.
What area are you going to and what species are you targeting?
If broadside, shoot critters in the shoulder, right up the front leg, their vitals are further forward than our critters’ are.
That’s right, I had forgotten about the TBBC. You are spot on with what the TA supposed to do. I think it will be perfect for a wide range of game from springbok to eland.
If we ever get to SA (4 hour delay in DFW, mad dash to make connection in Newark which was delayed 3 hours and now we have been sitting on the tarmac for 1.5 hours in a further weather delay that is supposed to last another hour, but I digress…), we will be hunting the Eastern Cape, half the time in the Karoo and the other half closer to the coast.
On my list are kudu, gemsbok, impala, blue wildebeest, red hartebeest, bushbuck, blesbok, springbok, trophy warthog. But anything can happen.
Roger that on shot placement. I have a pocket copy of Robertson’s Perfect Shot that I’ve been studying.
I’ll post more in the hunting thread. Don’t want to derail here.
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If y'all recall, earlier this year I went searching for a new bolt action rifle that would primarily serve as the weapon of choice for African plains game and, secondarily, as a "go-to" rifle for North American game from deer to Moose and everything in between. Thanks to all of you who chimed in on that discussion. After evaluating an metric shit-ton of rifles and a whole host of calibers, I went with the new Bergara B-14 Wilderness Sierra chambered in 300WM (I posted about it here). Thanks again to @Handcruser for the hookup with Arnzen Arms.
I've spent the last few months getting to know the rifle, and the rifle has met or exceeded my expectations, especially at its $1100 retail price-point.
This is the set-up I'm taking to Africa:
The system:
Bergara B-14 Wilderness Sierra in 300WM
Swaro Z5 3.5-18x44 BT Plex with a fancy Swaro screw-in objective lens cover and magnetic catch
Warne Mountain Tech 1 inch low matte rings
Zero MOA Remington LA Mountain Tech tactical rail
Vortex Lo Pro Bubblevel
Dead Air Sandman-S suppressor with Keymo QD brake
MDT Oryx swivel-mount bipod
Slogan long magnum sling
Federal Terminal Ascent 200gr at 2743ft/s out of a 22" barrelI tested several proven types of plains game ammunition, including Norma Oryx, Nosler Accubonds and Partitions, and Barnes TTSX (all in 180gr), but I went with the Terminal Ascent 200gr as the gun just liked it better, plus it delivers more energy out past 100 yards and the bullet seems to be an updated, modern version of the Partition. It consistently shoots sub-MOA off the bench. Example:
And off of shooting sticks, I can consistently ring steel at 300 yards with "groups" around 1-2MOA:
That should be good enough for plains game. BTW, the Swaro ballistics calculator works very well, and I should be good out to 600 yards (only to 400 tested). I plan to keep shots in the 300-400 range max, though.
After a cleaning, the gun definitely likes a fouling shot or two, after which groups settle in until opening up again around 30 rounds. It's been a repeatable process.
@Anastasis a while ago you asked about shooting bolts suppressed. It's been a dream compared to my unsuppressed/unbraked 300 Weatherby Mag. Recoil is more of a "push," very manageable, and the sound suppression really makes a difference in hunting scenarios. The brake seems to lessen recoil a tad more, but I prefer the overall effect / experience shooting suppressed. The 22" barrel really helps maneuverability.
I'm off to Africa today. We'll see how this thing performs in the field. I'll hop over to the hunting thread to update when access to internet permits.
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I was working on the new 300WM at my farm (more on that later) last weekend. I ejected a casing and it landed as below, neck embedded in the front porch wood decking. There's a one-in-a-million chance that would ever happen, so I took a picture of it. I thought the result was pretty cool, so sharing it here.
I guess you could say, it really stuck the landing.
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On 4/22/2024 at 6:15 PM, Nonbryan said:
Looking to buy my 1st 270....I like the Browning xbolt and the Tikka 3x. Anyone have any experience on these or perhaps another direction I should look into? I want a nice firearm that will last me forever and that I can pass down.
If you are talking X-Bolt and Tikka 3X (and others in that class), I went through that whole process earlier this year looking at 300WM. My initial post is here. If you need something threaded for brakes or suppressors, that will limit your options.
I got the hookup from @Handcruser and input from a lot of other users, and I was hugely fortunate to land this and have been working it out. I'll post when I have the final set-up for safari (or maybe sooner).
One thing to think about is the X-Bolt 2. I haven't had a chance to even hold one, but they look very promising compared to the original IMO.
ETA: If in DFW, head over to Scheels and shoulder them / handle them all. If not a Scheels, any place you can. For me, confidence in the rifle comes from both accuracy/precision and how it fits me / I like handling it.
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One doesn’t usually think of mountain lions in North Texas, but this one was shot by a deer hunter just a couple of miles from my place near Celeste back in Dec 2020. I wash my truck at the wash where the photo was taken:
Supposedly he was spotted near the Metroplex (Rowlett) the month before. According to this write-up here, he had been covering some serious ground, so he could have come through my place. /csb
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I pledge to post more pictures of this STEAK
in Food and Travel
Posted
Y’all know I cook over fire. But up here, near my farm in NE Texas, my neighbor had me over for dinner last night, and thus made me appreciate cooking steak on a griddle:
Hard to tell in that pic, but the steak was medium rare and seasoned to perfection. It was… incredible…
So from a pure fire guy to y’all who griddle or sous vide or whatever… perfect your method and appreciate the results. There are many ways to get a great steak, and perhaps that is part of the greatness that is ‘STEAK.”