My shoulder isn't what it used to be

[peternap]

My day started at 2:00 am. I had the 1911 on and got out of the house at 2:30 and stopped at the Mechanicsville 7-11 for coffee and cigarettes.
I did make the clerk nervous because he was counting his drawer and no one else was around and it was a quarter to three. Didn't say anything, just looked scared.

So on to work. I was hauling a grader box and stopped for breakfast on the way at Chula Junction. It didn't phase the woman there. I got to the farm just before daybreak and changed to the BFR. Graded one of my roads (about a mile long).

Then I went to the range for a while. It was load testing morning. I had over 200 rounds to test in three calibers, two bullet weights each and several different powders.







I hate to admit it, but the 45/70 with 400 grain JBSP's at 1900 fps, gave me a pounding.

The .308 was next at 100 yards and it went without a hitch, then the 25/06 That needed some distance. I shot a sight in group at 100 yards



Not great, but OK and I shot them in a hurry. This is the hundred yard range.




To get two hundred an fifty yards, I had to move a portable stand to the treeline




[After testing everything I had with the 25/06, mu best 250 yard group..



I'll take it any day because I can't shoot worth a damn anymore:X

On to Victoria. I saaw one Cop there. I was taking pictures and he slowed down enough to wave. Tough place:lol:

Back to the farm and back to the BFR.

I put up a new stand in some newly planted pines.

[StinkerBell]

looks like fun

[MountainDon]

Nice looking range. Groups are what I'd be happy with, too.

[emcvay]

I plan on hitting the range tomorrow.  Deer season starts soon and I need make sure my rifles are zeroed and the boys too (never hunt without first checking the zero).

I'm thinking of using the .25-06 this year since my son really wants to use the 7MM I used last year.  Both too much gun really since I've never hit a deer over 80 yards out -- so I might just take the .454 instead!

but hey, it will be fun hitting the range anyway

[peternap]

I hunt with a lot of guns/ What's the point of having toys if you don't play with them.

The 25/06 is new this year and IMO, a little on the light side. It really isn't, but I like big holes. Va. is brushy and 100+ yard shots are rare, but I do have one stand where I can shoot 250 yards in either direction. The 25/06 goes there.

Normally, the 45/70 goes everywhere else but the for -50 yard stands like the one in the picture, I'm going to try my newly built 735 CBB (Collar Bone Buster. Something magic about that 600 grain slug.

The 308/12ga is my late season gun when I'm still hunting Deer, but might also feel like walking up quail or turkey or maybe a squirrel.

The 45LC BFR is always with me unless the DOG HUNTERS ARE AROUND. Then I swap it for a 1911 or one of the 9mm's.

Someone asked the other day if I was going through my second childhood. Nope, I said...never got out of the first one

[emcvay]

I almost did on of those Marlin 45-70's for Elk but then decided on the .454 instead becuase I can use my .45colt's out of it too.  I load the colts with 19.2 grains of 296 and 300 grain JFP bullets...I need to get some hard cast bullets though, they perform better.

I've got a few (shall we say) guns and also carry a .45colt or .45acp when hunting or wandering around in the woods (or cabin building).  Someone asked why one - then I showed them the black bear prints nearby

Anyway, my preference is probably the 30-06 but since the boys like those I might refrain from that one.  I also have an M1A in .308 and I guess I could take that  

[emcvay]

Hit the range yesterday -- must be getting old!  The 7MM was pounding away at the old shoulder and it's sore today (and last night).

The boys had fun with their 30-06 and .454 Casull (model 92) -- ok it's my .454 but my son has claimed it now.

Anyway, was a good day!  But now I need a day of rest...errggg