Hunting And Fishing Thread!?!

[crazymoon]

Justin, Congratz to your son on his first one, I'm sure it won't be his last!

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Justin, Congratz to your son on his first one, I'm sure it won't be his last!

Thanks CM! The shot he made wasted zero meat! Have the heart that will follow your cooks, thanks for posting that!

 

[chilerelleno]

Daughter tagged out on Saturday evening on a button buck. Two years, two tags, two bullets, two deer-working out pretty well. She only sat that evening with me (regular gun), was slow until all he!! broke loose in the last 5min of shooting light. Doe and big fawn came out, smaller buck came out and ran them off into the brush then either that fawn came back or it was a different one we didn't see and she decided she wanted to shoot it because she didn't want to risk not getting another chance, she shot it and when it ran I noticed another nicer buck was coming out but I didn't have a chance to shoot it. Her deer ran maybe 75yds at most, she learned how to trail blood (last year was a bang flop, literally) and we were able to walk right up to it. 6.5 Grendel that I worked up a hand load with Hornady 123 ELD-M. Very happy girl that night


View attachment 707476
View attachment 707477
View attachment 707478

Again congrats to your daughter on her first deer.

Question
What caliber are you chambered for and which bullet are you shooting with the AR?

This so makes me laugh at those who call it a weapon of war, only made for warfare and mass murder,

 

[chilerelleno]

Sons first deer… he was proud and I am a proud Dad! He wants some jerky!

View attachment 708343

A hearty congrats to your son on his first deer!

 

[chilerelleno]

My youngest last Saturday View attachment 708171

Great pic with a nice buck!

 

[chilerelleno]

68 year old Dad's first deer:
View attachment 707887

Way to go Pops! Never too old to check one off the bucket list.

 

[JLinza]

Sons first deer… he was proud and I am a proud Dad! He wants some jerky!

View attachment 708343

Awesome Justin, nothing in the world like a boys first buck. congrats to him.

 

[tallbm]

Sons first deer… he was proud and I am a proud Dad! He wants some jerky!

View attachment 708343

Congrats!!! Gotta get that jerky going soon :D

 

[pc farmer]

Sons first deer… he was proud and I am a proud Dad! He wants some jerky!

View attachment 708343

That's awesome. Congratulations to your son

 

[912smoker]

And that grin says it all Justin!
Looks like a great day of memories!

Keith

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

A hearty congrats to your son on his first deer!

Thanks John, much appreciated my friend!

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Awesome Justin, nothing in the world like a boys first buck. congrats to him.

Thanks John, he is a happy kiddo for sure… appreciate ya dropping a line my friend!

 

[Rafter H BBQ]

Congrats!!! Gotta get that jerky going soon :D

Thanks so much! Oh yes, for sure have to get some going… appreciate ya dropping a line bud!

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Again congrats to your daughter on her first deer.

Question
What caliber are you chambered for and which bullet are you shooting with the AR?

This so makes me laugh at those who call it a weapon of war, only made for warfare and mass murder,

Actually it is her second deer, she got one with the same setup last year. Last years was a bang flop, deer never twitched.
The setup is a 6.5 Grendel with 123gr Hornady ELD-M that I worked up a handload with but you can buy factory loaded ammo ammo too, last years deer was with a Hornady 123gr SST. It is a great kid setup because the grip works with smaller hands to engage the trigger correctly, adjustable stock to fit a kid better so they aren't reaching and getting a good head position recoil is the same or possibly less than a .243 (I've never shot a .243 but that's what I hear). AR isn't my preferred hunting choice (I'm a bolt action guy) but it was the best option in the caliber and cartridge that I felt would be the best for her. My buddy son and daughter have all shot their deer with a 6.5 Grendel AR and they have all been 1 and done as well, we just keep them 100yds and in on shots normally. A 123gr should be able to leave the muzzle at around 2,500fps, I'm not sure what barrel length that if figured on though. This past summer Ruger upgraded their American rifle and have it in 6.5 Grendel and if that Gen2 would have been out last year I would have got that for her, those Ruger American Gen 2 are sweet rifles for the money.

 

[tallbm]

Actually it is her second deer, she got one with the same setup last year. Last years was a bang flop, deer never twitched.
The setup is a 6.5 Grendel with 123gr Hornady ELD-M that I worked up a handload with but you can buy factory loaded ammo ammo too, last years deer was with a Hornady 123gr SST. It is a great kid setup because the grip works with smaller hands to engage the trigger correctly, adjustable stock to fit a kid better so they aren't reaching and getting a good head position recoil is the same or possibly less than a .243 (I've never shot a .243 but that's what I hear). AR isn't my preferred hunting choice (I'm a bolt action guy) but it was the best option in the caliber and cartridge that I felt would be the best for her. My buddy son and daughter have all shot their deer with a 6.5 Grendel AR and they have all been 1 and done as well, we just keep them 100yds and in on shots normally. A 123gr should be able to leave the muzzle at around 2,500fps, I'm not sure what barrel length that if figured on though. This past summer Ruger upgraded their American rifle and have it in 6.5 Grendel and if that Gen2 would have been out last year I would have got that for her, those Ruger American Gen 2 are sweet rifles for the money.

Nice info!
I'm a fan of Savage 110 rifles myself. They are easy to work on, actions come factory blue printed, accutrigger out of the box is fantastic, and they are very accurate as is out of the box due to thread in headspacing.
Often you can get them with the Accustock which is plastic but it is full aluminum block bedded so even for a synthetic stock that is hard to beat at the price point!

I had always looked at the Ruger American and Predator lines but I just can't pass up the Savage 110's and I have all the stuff to do barrel swaps on them and Shilen barrels is in my backyard :D

I was just telling a buddy about the 6.5 Grendel in AR after seeing your post. He was wanting an AR but one he could hunt deer, pigs, and not have to worry about distance with (300BLK is limited distance and power). So I told him a 6.5 Grendel with an 18inch barrel would likely be something for him to check into :D

I'm about to switch my 30-06 from Remington to a Savage 110 and looking towards the fun of working up the handloads in it. It's coming with a Hogue stock that is pillar bedded and I'll just action bed at the front and back posts and stiffen up the fore end with some epoxy and metal rods. That should have it right as rain since it doesn't come with the accustock. Fun stuff :D

 

[luvcatchingbass]

Nice info!
I'm a fan of Savage 110 rifles myself. They are easy to work on, actions come factory blue printed, accutrigger out of the box is fantastic, and they are very accurate as is out of the box due to thread in headspacing.
Often you can get them with the Accustock which is plastic but it is full aluminum block bedded so even for a synthetic stock that is hard to beat at the price point!

I had always looked at the Ruger American and Predator lines but I just can't pass up the Savage 110's and I have all the stuff to do barrel swaps on them and Shilen barrels is in my backyard :D

I was just telling a buddy about the 6.5 Grendel in AR after seeing your post. He was wanting an AR but one he could hunt deer, pigs, and not have to worry about distance with (300BLK is limited distance and power). So I told him a 6.5 Grendel with an 18inch barrel would likely be something for him to check into :D

I'm about to switch my 30-06 from Remington to a Savage 110 and looking towards the fun of working up the handloads in it. It's coming with a Hogue stock that is pillar bedded and I'll just action bed at the front and back posts and stiffen up the fore end with some epoxy and metal rods. That should have it right as rain since it doesn't come with the accustock. Fun stuff :D

I got a couple Savages and the one thing I am not the biggest fan of is the bolt and feeding sometimes, Model 111 Long Range Hunter in 6.5-284 Norma and an Axis in 6.5 Creedmoore that I got off a gun board, that stupid Axis with cheap Bushnell 3-9 BDC scope took almost nothing to dial in out to 350yds (I don't hardly practice over 150yds usually) with Hornady 140gr Match factory ammo as I went through over 100 rounds fine tuning my 7mm hand loads. But they are accurate for being affordable guns. Over the last 20yrs I have shot either a 7mm Rem Mag with 140gr or 168gr bullets (I have tested various types) or the 6.5-284 Norma with 120gr TTSX and once 140gr Match Burners (dead deer and watched him drop but never again on those bullets at 100yds). The more I have been working with kids and helping to set them up the last few years and then seeing their success with more shootable cartridge's with more kid friendly guns I question why I shoot big magnums like my 7mm for whitetail. I bought a barely used .257 wby mag this summer that I'm in the process of replacing the stock, trigger and working up a load over winter probably. It doesn't hardly kick with the muzzlebrake on it and my 10yr old daughter has shot it with no issues, my 12yr old daughter wouldn't shoot it because it is too loud. That .257 can push 100gr bullets 3300-3500fps and the 6.5 grendel is 123gr is maybe 2500fps, my 7mm should be around 3000fps with 145gr LRX. After seeing that grendel on multiple deer over the years, my daughters and other kids before her, it shows that if you put it where it needs to go you can get your deer and there doesn't have to be a rodeo involved.
It's kind of funny to see how things have changed. When I was growing up if you wanted to hunt dad had the 30-30's or 30-06 or 6.5 Jap with metal or plastic butt plates. You had to embrace the recoil if you wanted to hunt deer and that is just how it was. Now we try to make things as comfortable and enjoyable for our kids as possible. I don't think its is a bad thing either.

 

[mike243]

I have heard good things about the 6.5 but I went 6mm arc, finally got everything together and it's a great shooter, love the AR platform for kids, bought 1 many moons ago to teach the grandkids to shoot high power, grandson has taken several deer with it and the granddaughter dosent hunt but will shoot all your ammo up

 

[luvcatchingbass]

I have heard good things about the 6.5 but I went 6mm arc, finally got everything together and it's a great shooter, love the AR platform for kids, bought 1 many moons ago to teach the grandkids to shoot high power, grandson has taken several deer with it and the granddaughter dosent hunt but will shoot all your ammo up

When my buddy was looking to get something for his daughter I suggested the 6 arc in that Ruger American Gen 2, couldn't find a 6.5 Grendel yet or a 6mm creedmoor. Not sure if that's what he ended up doing or what. Told them to come out and I would help get it sighted in and have her ringing steel at 100-150yds in no time but they never called and never came out so not sure what they ended up doing.
108gr out of a 6 arc should be good deer medicine just the same, and this is coming from someone who historically doesn't like 6mm cartridge's.

 

[mike243]

Well I have loved the 243 for a long time, my screen name reflects that as there is only 1 other site that I have to use my real name. Shoulder surgery was in may and still a little tender, wanted a new toy for birthday/Christmas, so less than $500 I have a new upper and a new scope and 80 rounds of ammo. Headed to the gun show Sunday with my son, will be looking for 103 hunting ammo by Hornaday.

 

[tallbm]

I got a couple Savages and the one thing I am not the biggest fan of is the bolt and feeding sometimes, Model 111 Long Range Hunter in 6.5-284 Norma and an Axis in 6.5 Creedmoore that I got off a gun board, that stupid Axis with cheap Bushnell 3-9 BDC scope took almost nothing to dial in out to 350yds (I don't hardly practice over 150yds usually) with Hornady 140gr Match factory ammo as I went through over 100 rounds fine tuning my 7mm hand loads. But they are accurate for being affordable guns. Over the last 20yrs I have shot either a 7mm Rem Mag with 140gr or 168gr bullets (I have tested various types) or the 6.5-284 Norma with 120gr TTSX and once 140gr Match Burners (dead deer and watched him drop but never again on those bullets at 100yds). The more I have been working with kids and helping to set them up the last few years and then seeing their success with more shootable cartridge's with more kid friendly guns I question why I shoot big magnums like my 7mm for whitetail. I bought a barely used .257 wby mag this summer that I'm in the process of replacing the stock, trigger and working up a load over winter probably. It doesn't hardly kick with the muzzlebrake on it and my 10yr old daughter has shot it with no issues, my 12yr old daughter wouldn't shoot it because it is too loud. That .257 can push 100gr bullets 3300-3500fps and the 6.5 grendel is 123gr is maybe 2500fps, my 7mm should be around 3000fps with 145gr LRX. After seeing that grendel on multiple deer over the years, my daughters and other kids before her, it shows that if you put it where it needs to go you can get your deer and there doesn't have to be a rodeo involved.
It's kind of funny to see how things have changed. When I was growing up if you wanted to hunt dad had the 30-30's or 30-06 or 6.5 Jap with metal or plastic butt plates. You had to embrace the recoil if you wanted to hunt deer and that is just how it was. Now we try to make things as comfortable and enjoyable for our kids as possible. I don't think its is a bad thing either.

I got the Savage 110 rifle in today. So far things are fine but this rifle model is a partner venture with Hogue so it has a hogue stock which I can manage but they cheaped out on the trigger guard and magwell by using plastic versions! The hogue stocks come pillar bedded which has been defeated by screwing plastic to it via the cheap trigger guard and magwell hahahaha. So now I'm on a hunt for a long action magwell that is metal which has been surprisingly more difficult than I thought it would be. The metal trigger guard can be found no problem.

I noticed some less than smooth feeding and some scratching of my brass and with a tiny bit of sand paper and my finger I knocked off some rough edges in the action where the round feed into and eject from the chamber. That solved about 90% of that issue. I think there may be a rough spot or 2 in the chamber causing that last 10% but it's not bad. I think running a 100 rounds through it during load development and such will work any of that out. I don't have a bore scope but I have some tricks up my sleeve should I need to really get in there and knock off/polish a rough spot or tiny barb. Again I think some firing and running some rounds will solve this.

Things are not perfect but for the price point I can't complain. Savage makes these things easy to work on so I'll have it all sorted out soon including some action bedding and fixes to any stock flex in the forend. Now I just have to resist the urge to get a Shilen competition barrel for crazy accuracy. Shilen is in my backyard and I have all the tools except the headspace gauges to do such a swap hahahaha.

Lesson learned is that next time I need to go put my hands no a "non-standard" Savage 110 to confirm if it has the metal trigger guard and magwell. I've always bought models that had it and assumed all 110's had it but this Hogue partner deal showed me I better not assume hahhaha.

Anyhow, I'm glad your Savages work well for you and I totally agree about not needing so much gun to whitetail hunt.
A magnum is the only gap I have in my rifle toolset. The 30-06 can easily handle any of my hunting and I don't exactly have moose or elk just running wild around me. I will now have things setup so the 30-06 will fill the gap of a "mini magnum" for me with my 308 not far behind. Plus I have a soft spot for the 30-06 since it was what I grew up hunting with just like you explained about the rifles dad had to lend out hahaha.

I have the old school stuff and the softer shooting newer stuff in my 6.5 Creedmoor to reach out and the 300 blackout to wear out pigs and take deer at 100yds. I just prefer to not use the 300BLK in the evening since it tends to leave little or not blood trail and is not the most powerful. I've dropped many a deer with it though learning that a double shoulder + double lung, shot means they don't usually run more than 70yds. I got real good at tracking while hunting with it but these days I use a bigger gun in the evening hunt so tracking is hardly ever needed. I tell people I just blast the meat directly into the freezer during the evening hunts hahahahaha. There's no snow to help with tracking here.

I've got a nice animal tracking hack these days utilizing my smart phone to video the shot and follow the animal. All enabled by a bicycle phone clamp that clamps to the scope of the rifle, but we can talk about that another time. I'm already rambling enough as it is :D