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Since you are using a borrowed rifle to practice with there's no need to be shooting it from the bench. It's already been zero'd right? Shooting from a bench is where one gets beat up because the ergo's are all wrong. Duplicate the hunting environment for your practice sessions. Get some...

I just completed reading the 9.3x62 Mauser Journal, 3rd Edition for the 3rd time and my copy is getting somewhat mangled what with my inserted notes, post-its, and folded page corners. One of the assertions in the book is the 9.3 Mauser, loaded with quality 286 grain bullets, to a MV of no more...

It sounds like you need to do 1 of two things - - identify who are the rule makers of the range organization and have a chat with them. Clearly, the manager only manages. If that doesn't work - - locate another range

I agree with the evolving ratios of gas guns to turnbolt guns. I suspect it is likely true at most public ranges. The public portion of our range is actively managed by 2 rangemasters during the week, and by 3 on weekends. Gas gun shooters are required to use the provided brass catcher screens...

The 300 grain A-Frame loaded to ~2,360 fps and used in 100+ degrees F with a stout hit of humidity thrown in as extra works really good on Cape Buffalo. Especially when festivities commence at ~30 yards and then only get closer from there.

My aging eyes like the idea of the Firedot reticle, however I don't need a dial-a-distance elevation knob as I'm comfortable using Maximum Point-Blank Range zeros on my big game rifles.

Easy button - ask your safari operator/PH - tell 'em what you're gonna shoot, and what you might shoot, and what you have to shoot 'em with. They might give you one or two thumbs up, one or two thumbs down, perhaps even mention buying the ammo when you get there.

I'd be careful with the Nosler factory ammo. They should be placing a sticker on the boxes stating, "The printed muzzle velocities are aspirational only".

My BIL is a Delta Exec. He asked me why I was no longer flying Delta to Africa. Told him since you refuse to carry my trophies, then I see no reason for you to carry me.

I agree that the time to go is now, 'cause in 20 years I'll be having trouble remembering my name ...

Just wrapping up my first foray into North Forks with the 180 grain Spitzer in my .30-06. The barrel always groups best that weight of both cup-n-core and bonded bullets between 2,700 and 2,750 fps. Using the Swift reloading manual #2 for the A-Frame it appears from my testing there's only a...

Greeting fellow Washington resident. You've already mentioned the total hunt cost is "up there", so a couple points to ensure the cost is worth it: - use a quality, proven bullet. If necessary, ask your safari operator for examples. - once the rifle is squared away on the bench (even if you're...

I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I'm not the right match for a double rifle. Problem is, I'm an inveterate propellant and bullet tester, testing all manner of propellant burn rates and bullet construction combinations. It's a rare event that I take the same handload to a "Test Media...

I rarely use a sling. The rifle is always in one hand or the other. I suggest learning how to carry said rifle safely and how to switch hands without sweeping the backs of the PH and trackers in front of you. Just one more mental and muscle memory habit that requires regular practice.

@sgt_zim, I switched my 300 grain A-Frame load to Big Game, and it works well. If NorthFork offered up a 300 grain I'd be testing that pronto...

On the ranch where I grew up that approach was certainly practiced with the Mule Deer herd that roamed the hills.

@Bob Nelson 35Whelen I've started up a loading effort to compare NF's Semi-Spitzer with my A-Frame loads. I'm using Swift's load manual #2. In .30-06 the 180's and 200's, and in 9.3x62mm the 286's (NF doesn't off a 300 grain). In .375 H&H the 300's, and their 350-grain compared to my Weldcore...

Regular field practice is handy when choosing to hunt critters packing attitude. With my last buff he was too close and too interested in me for sticks. It was 3 rounds of A-Frames lickety-split and off-hand in ~7 seconds to resolve the matter. Watch a secondhand step through 7 seconds...

Our local range has available a set of steel targets of various diameters. A few of us gather every 2 weeks and set them up at various distances out to 300 yards. Then we cycle through firing off-hand, kneeling, and sitting positions to see who's buying the coffee afterwards.

300 grain A-Frame at 2450 from a .375 H&H 24" barrel using H4350. With H4350 I don't care how hot it is in October, it will still launch at 2450. And when they finally quit making the A-Frame, I'll finally get around to coming up with Plan B.

I have the green version of this Mesa, mounted with Talley's and use Redding dies to feed it. This offer is quality throughout and I can recommend to anyone to get the whole package.

During the last unpleasantness when H4350 was very tough to source I quickly learned just how many of my loads across 8 - 9 cartridges were based on H4350. My bad. So, while I'm doing the same amount of regular field practice this year, I've actually increased the amount of bench time I'm...

Bob, I tested a box of the .30-06 180 grain BondStrike when they first came out. Nominal MV is 2,756 fps, but thru my 24" Lilja barrel I recorded 2,630 fps for 10 rounds. To date my barrel has only been fed 180 grain cup-n-core and bonded bullets across its 20+ year life and those bullet types...

Pretty much all that was used on the ranch growing up. My dad would say when going into town on a vittals run to pick up a couple of boxes of 'greens' in .30-30 and .30-06. Don't know how they are constructed today, but back then, in .30-06, they were intended for the 'classic' MV's - 150s @...

Nice! Good ol' PA :) I'm Whidbey Island. I don't fish tho, well, not since dynamite was outlawed...

Born and raised on a working cattle and horse ranch in the Big Empty of central Oregon. It all started when my dad taught me to shoot with a single-shot .22 rimfire with a tiny wedge of wood under the rear sight to get the sights aligned at 50 yards. My hunting education began when my dad...

IDK, but I'm certain I'm the opposite of you. After a touch of SE Asia malaria, I'm convinced the mosquito's support group on Facebook put out a pic of me with the tag line "Extra Yummy!". Around a campfire, I'm literally the only one getting hits.

Yup. When Remington puked around 2020 or so the Barnes subsidiary ended up with Sierra (who had previously ended up at Clarus) it's very incestuous. So, if you've been going to the dance with one outfit and then switch partners to another, you just gotta change your wardrobe!

I forgot to add to my previous post that I've found H4350, in both of those cartridges and bullet weights, to perform most consistently and accurately when the load density was hovering right at ~90%. Much beyond ~94% the consistency would lessen. Also, if load density was below 85% I'd...

I've used H4350 with a 180-grain cup-n-core and bonded bullet from my .30-06 since forever. Extraordinarily consistent with loads just over 2,700 fps MV from a 24" barrel. I also use H4350 with a 300-grain bonded bullet to target 2,450 fps MV from my 24" .375 H&H barrel. If you want the same...

Probably, probably, and probably not. When I bought my M70 SE some 20+ years ago it came with a lovely stock. Problem was, with my chosen optic (Vari-X III 1.5-5x20mm) mounted in Talley's when I brought the rifle up, fast or slow, I was always 'skooshing' my cheek weld just a touch to align my...

The comment by your gunsmith regarding cheek weld and eye alignment with the optic would give me pause regarding having him stock the rifle. I always choose functional first, purty later.

I've pontificated on this before around here, but at my advanced age, I've learned to stay in condition year-round. It's just simply less painful vs. "getting into shape" for a hunt. I'm fortunate that I can do daily morning 5-mile strolls in the foothills around the shack, always packing a...

During the last unpleasantness called COVID I could not find a bonded bullet for sale anywhere for use with cow elk hunting. But I'd been testing ELD-Xs. So, I broke my personal rule about bullet choice based on live weight (see above), but I knew I was breaking my rules and adjusted...

In today's world, given the plethora (word for the day) of bullet options, I see it more an example of trigger-puller failure - people choosing the wrong bullet for the given conditions. Cup & core bullets are still a viable option given the expected conditions. My personal (emphasis on...

In any case, if Swift is having troubles gettin' it done, then I guess I'd better start thinking about coming up with Plan B...

Man, if Swift was in my neck of the woods, I'd work there just to experience making A-Frames! And perhaps an employee discount? Just sayin'....

Moved from a MagnetoSpeed v3 to a Garmin. I'm out on the range once a week, sometimes more, and setting up the Garmin is an afterthought. If I was out monthly or less, then I'd stick with the MagnetoSpeed.

Yup. The exception is some lines of defense work. In some cases, the OS is written from scratch.

2 points - You have a CZ550. Last thing I would worry about are style points with the mannlicher stock. First thing I'd do is torture test that action with your chosen dummy ammo to find anywhere that needs polishing. WRT the stock, make sure you can get a solid cheek weld with your chosen...

I forget just how many primer brands Vista owns as well...

Yup. As I've related before in another thread. The first factory DG round went "click", then the second round went "click". Thank goodness it was during field practice rather than otherwise. That was enough for me. No more "Safari Grade", "hand inspected", DG ammo from that vendor for me. Ever.

I reload, and I've been steadily acquiring a couple lifetimes worth of 450/400 components for the day I get my hands on one. I blame 'ol Don for letting me try his Manton. Bad mistake.

May or may not shoot, but it'll be stylin' on the sticks!

I punt. 2.5x fixed. And 100 yards? I wiggle closer.

Gotcha. You can currently order StaBALL 6.5 direct from Hodgdon, and from many other online vendors.

For the 120's I use Varget. For the 143's (ELD-X & Norma BondStrike) I've used both H4350 & StaBALL 6.5. I've a pile of 156 gr. Oryx that I'll be working up a load using Vihtavuori N555. If that works well, then I'll try N555 on some 160 gr. Weldcores.

I agree with others views that the 300 grain A-Frame is at its best between 2,400 - 2,500 fps MV. I've settled on handloading the A-Frame from a 24" barrel to a MV of 2,450 - 2,460 fps. This is for use on buffalo under 100 yards. I gave up on using RL-15 for the 300 grain A-Frame. A great...

The last mount I envision will be a Sable floor pedestal. Everything else lately has been 8x12 glossies. Now to find that monster Sable...

Well, my big bore only reaches up to 450/400 #1. However, this Spring I'm quite busy working on back-up loads for all the cartridges that rely on H4350. That involves 20+ different loads including 9.3x62mm and .375 H&H. Just too many dang loads depending on a reliable supply of H4350. However...