JackstrawIII

As a church kid in the 90s, we would fold the bulletins into paper airplanes, tape thumb tacks to the front, and throw them like darts into the walls. Shouldn’t have done that haha.

Same here. Have never shot a moving deer… and most likely never will. I’m a very cautious hunter. Probably too cautious, as I’ve passed up opportunities I probably could have capitalized on, but I have a very high value for clean kills. This is 100% true. I often feel very jealous of the guys who hunt out west on large tracts of public land. The spot and stalk style of hunting very much appeals to me, but there’s nowhere to do that in NY where I live. Instead I shoot deer off my back deck or out of a blind on a bean field. It works, but it’s not the most satisfying experience.

Functional, you're 100% correct and make a good point that applies to the use of traditional lead/jacket bullets. I think, however, the rules change a bit for copper, especially on deer-sized game. Because copper bullets lose no weight upon expansion, you get significantly more penetration from a copper bullet of a given weight as compared to a traditional jacketed lead bullet. As such, I don't worry about the "energy" factor as much, because I know I'll still get full penetration with a lighter bullet. In my opinion, this gives the performance edge to a faster/lighter bullet which transfers its energy to the game more quickly (again, we're talking deer-size game, specifically). Also, it takes quite a while for a slower/heavier bullet to surpass a lighter/faster bullet when it comes to energy. In my case, I compared a 105 and 118 grain copper bullets out of the 6.5 PRC. Side note, I realize these are lighter weights than most would use in this cartridge, but copper changes things. These are the MKZ by Cavity Back Bullets. I really like them, as well as their 125 grain bullet out of a 308. Hammers on deer. Anyways, if you compare the two: 105 grain bullet at 3500 fps muzzle velocity gives you 2867 fps at 300 yards with 1916 f/lb of energy. 118 grain bullet at 3200 fps muzzle velocity gives you 2631 fps at 300 yards with 1813 f/lb of energy. I'm not sure at what point the heavier bullet overtakes the lighter (300 yards is as far as I normally take my calculations when planning hunting loads), but you're right that it would happen eventually. In summary: for deer hunting with copper bullets at ranges I'm comfortable with the lighter bullet almost always wins.

Good point, and good post. For me, the goal is to match impact velocity, mass, and bullet design. Like you, I've come to appreciate all-copper bullets, but the trick is to make sure you have enough velocity left at whatever range you plan to impact your game. This is why the comparison to elk/moose hunting in Europe isn't really accurate in my opinion. From what I've read, the shot distances over there are almost always sub-200 yards... while most guys that hunt elk/moose in the American west plan to shoot their game at much farther distances, which changes the projectile energy/mass requirements completely. Nate Foster (ballisticstudies.com) uses 2600 FPS as a general guideline for impact velocity in order to get optimum performance out of all-copper projectiles on smaller thin-skinned game such as deer. Hence my reluctance to use the 6.5 Creedmoor, which has a relatively modest powder capacity. With that said, I do think I could get 2600 fps out to about 300 with a 105 grain copper bullet... which would be more than enough for any deer around. So maybe I should reconsider...

I think MH for all of those techniques. For me, it's a Dobyns 703. Really happy with it.

I always used TW because the filtered search function on their website was so great. When searching for rods, for example, you could select exactly what length and power you wanted and it would show all available options. Since they got rid of that, I no longer think of them as the best place to find gear. It’s a shame.

Which Tilley do you have? Been eyeing those for a long time…

That is super cool. My family has no hunting history, I’m the first generation. Hoping to establish some of these traditions for the future generations in my family.

The gun culture today is very interesting. About 1/4 of people fall directly into the “newer is better” mindset. They (like me) often chase the latest and greatest rifles and cartridges in order to get “maximum efficiency”. They’re not wrong, but I think it’s very easy to over complicate this whole thing. Then you have 1/4 of people who are the opposite. They love everything old. They EDC a 1911 and refuse to hunt with a rifle that doesn’t have a walnut stock. They’re not wrong either, but I think they’re missing. Then you have the remaining 1/2 of people who are essentially clueless. They use a 270 cuz their dad did… because his dad did. They don’t know that a 300 win mag shoots the same bullets as a 30-06 (to reference the original post) or that a 6.5 PRC isn’t the same thing as a 6.5 Creedmoor. When explaining simple ballistics to these folks at the shooting range they look at me like I’m some sort of alchemist who’s gone off the deep end. And they’re not really wrong either, but I think they’re also deeply missing out. So, who is right? None of them, all of them? I started in group 3… but have spent the last 15 years bouncing back and forth between the first two groups. As of today, I want the 30-06 with a nice fiberglass stock 👌🏻

I’m somewhat of a gun aficionado and have owned all sorts of gun for all sorts of hunting purposes. If you saw my previous post about the “ideal” rifle for each use, you’ll know that I’m a firm believer in having the best tool for the job. I’ve owned several 30-06 rifles over the years but have always sold them because I had something “better”: - the 270 shoots flatter - the 308 recoils less - the 6.5’s buck the wind a bit better - the 7mm’s are trendier - the 35’s make a bigger entrance wound Etc. But, the more I hunt, research, and calculate (big Excel formula geek over here), the more I realize that the 30-06 is somewhat of a unicorn and is truly remarkably versatile. For example, I can shoot just as flat to 400 yards as the 6.5 PRC, while actually recoiling LESS. Don't believe me? Do the math comparing a 125 grain copper bullet (which is an awesome deer bullet) at 3400fps from an 06 vs a 118 copper bullet (also a great load) at 3200 fps from a 6.5PRC. The improved BC of the 6.5 bullet doesn’t catch the 30 cal until after 400 yards. At the same time, the 06 can shoot a 168 grain copper bullet at almost 3000 fps, which is nipping at the heels of legendary 300 Win Mag performance at substantially less recoil. I don’t live in a “big game” area, but this would be an incredible load for elk+. So, I just talked myself into trying the 06 again. This time I found a Pre64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight with a Brown Precision stock already on it. Should be a handy little rifle that can handle anything and I will hopefully have the chance to use it on more than just deer someday 🙏🏻 PS. Will upload some pics when it arrives.

I think this is true. Plus, I think I notice more “strikes” by watching my line than by feeling my rod when fishing certain techniques.

Haven’t been playing Connections as much lately but woke up feeling daring this morning and decided to give it a whirl. Was a good puzzle day for me! Connections Puzzle #222 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟪🟪🟪🟪 mathler 717 2/6 ⬜⬜🟩🟨⬜⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Wordle 944 3/6 ⬜⬜⬜🟨🟨 🟩🟩🟩🟩⬜ 🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Looks perfect. I'm all over it. Thanks.

Omnia has Shimano SLX MGL 70 reels on sale for $109. Couldn't say no to that one.

Can anyone recommend their favorite wide brimmed hat for use while out on the boat?

I’ve always wanted to wear a wide brimmed hat but my wife won’t let me. I should have her read this thread. Now that I’m approaching middle age… things may need to change.

Interesting to hear SW fans with such diverse opinions on the various shows/films. PS. I hate Binks more and more each time I watch Ep1.

Yeah, maybe buy a new hunting rifle or something. If not, something more expensive like a couple reels or something.

I had a Jackson Big Rig. That sucker was SO steady to stand in... and I'm a tall guy with not-so-great balance. I could stand in that thing all day and fish tho.

Was happy to see the Lions pull out a W. After watching them be the lovable losers on Thanksgiving every year of my life, I'm certainly pulling for them in the NFC. Would love for the Bills to face them in the super bowl!

Very cool. I'd throw that for sure!

Find an on sale Lews Speed Spool. So solid.

Gave this some thought. Here's how I'd do it: - Assuming the handle is thick enough, you could pre-drill two holes through the handle and screw it directly into some drywall anchors. That would hold the rod solidly. - After hanging the rod, I'd tie on a heavy lead weight and let it hang freely to bring the bend in the rod. Adjust the weight until it bent exactly the way you want. - I'd put another screw right where that weight hung. Then you could tie the line to the screw and reel back down until the right amount of "bend" is in the rod. That screw could be hidden by whatever lure your uncle liked to fish. I think that would work.

Been using these for a few years. Great hooks that make your baits last much longer 👍🏻

I’m a big fan of the Pflueger Supreme XT size 3500 for heavier duty spinning setups. They’ve been super durable and perform well. I also have one of the BG’s and what Eric says is true.