WABS

Thanks guys! This will be my first AR and the first one I've shot since leaving the Army in '96 ;-) Looking forward to it!

Absolutely love the Nikon Monarch as well...have 2 on other rifles already. Any recommendations for a scope mount?

Waiting to get my RR LAR8 A4

Guys I just picked up a RR LAR8 A4 and would be interested in what to top it with optics wise. Any suggestions? I'll be doing a little deer hunting with it and some coyote hunting.

Great bird! Congrats!

The other issue with Walmart selling guns is that you better know what you're looking for because the folks they have that work the sporting goods area aren't necessarily versed in weapons and ammunition. Had to step in one day when a customer was trying to ask the clerk about the numbers on a box of shotgun shells and what did they mean. The clerk didn't have the faintest clue.

Picked up the shotgun from my FFL yesterday and it looks great. Always wanted an old SxS 12 gauge. Can't wait to take it out and shoot it.

Over 10 years ago now when I was really getting serious about muzzle loading Rich "Bluelk" Dunkirk showed me just how little I knew. What a great source of information and knowledge he was. I thank him in my prayers every chance I get.

You know it always reminds me of that commercial where they go through the cost of something: Equipment $$ Airfare $$$ License $$$ Outfitter $$$$ Smile on my son's face "Priceless" The Outfitter I used "NW Montana Outfitters" has a discount for youth hunters -- they're free with a paying adult. Just pay for their license (MT also promotes youth hunting with a youth license at a much reduced cost). It was definitely worth every penny.

Congratulations!! Can't wait to see the pictures when you get back!

The beard on this gobbler was real thick and grey in color, just 4 inches long and almost straight across the bottom like it had been cut with a scissors. http://www.realtree.com/forums/members/wabs-albums-wabs-hunting-fishing-picture3511-daves-first-turkey-me-left-my-turkey-master-buddy-garrett-right.jpg

Well last Friday, after 53 years, I finally went on my first turkey hunt and at 1000 connected with my first ever turkey. Kind of raining on us and he came in behind us VERY quiet. Took my shot at 35 yards and he was mine. Thought it was a Jake initially because his beard was only about 4 inches short, but when I went to pick him up he had 1 1/8 inch spurs digging into my hand. Something must of caused his beard to break off. It won't be my last turkey hunt I can tell you that!!

Just getting back involved with the RT forums after an extended absence (I have no excuse). Took my son on a successful elk/deer hunting trip to NW MT last November. My son turns 16 next month and even though I never took a shot the entire week, it was the most satisfying and enjoyable hunt of my life. Spending a week with your son/daughter in the field is got to be something close to heaven. My son shot a nice cow elk (410 yards) and a no brow tine 3x3 whitetail. What a great week!! If I can remember how to post pictures here I'll get some pictures posted.

Been away from the RT forum for awhile -- good to be back. Purchased a J. Stevens Model 335 SxS and was wondering if anyone had any info on the gun. Been looking for an old 12 gauge SxS for quite some time when my buddy showed me his Dad's old Stevens SxS and I decided it was time to get serious. Planned to have it looked at by a gunsmith when I get it, because I'd like to be able to do some dove shooting and maybe some skeet with it.

I found the website -- http://www.intergate.com/~cvernon1/SafeShell/index.html Just ordered one for my .357

johnf -- thanks for finding that link for us! I have to say however that this product isn't the one they had on the show, but it works in a very similar way. The one they demonstrated on the show I saw appeared to be plastic and was not primer driven. The firing pin hit a plastic release that sprung the plunger that entered the barrel. It was reset the same as the product you found.

I was watching one of the outdoor programs the other day when they plugged a revolver safety device that I would like to get more info on. The device looked like a dummy round (blue plastic) and if you pull the trigger on this shell it disables the gun by extending a small plastic stop into the barrel. This doesn't allow the cylinder to rotate thus you can't rotate in a live round. You have to use a ramrod type reset tool to reset the round thus enabling the gun once again. Anyone else see this add and remember what it is called?

I voted 3" only because that's what I mostly shoot, however I do pull out my Mossberg 835 (3 1/2 inch) in some goose hunting situations.

This year was the first year I used #1 3 1/2 in my Mossberg and I absolutely love the way they performed on geese. I will definitely stay with KENT next year.

I've had a can of black powder for over 20 years. When I do take it out and shoot a few rounds with it in my older Hawken I can't tell any degradation in performance. Performs just like it did 20 years ago. Key is to store it properly.

I've heard of them following tractors pulling plows back home (MN) waiting for pocket gophers to be turned out with the sod.

Remember black powder and its substitutes are all measured by volume. Therefore basically you want to stay with the same amount. 90 grains is 90 grains...having said that 777 tends to be a little hotter (approximately 10%). Therefore if you were going to try to use Shocky's Gold I'd bump it up to 100 grains and see what that gets you. I've always liked Pyrodex RS Select so that's what I use in all of my hunting weapons. However I do have other types of powder (Shocky's isn't one of them) that I use when I shoot my numerous other black powder guns for fun.

I'd be interested except I need a bow with a 30 inch draw

What the Tecomate segment talked about was that they wanted their customers to have a heavy gun (I don't remember them saying anything about caliber). That they only allowed their customers to take shots using a steady rest, inside 150 yards (may have said 200 they were throwing numbers out back and forth), with the deer perfectly still standing broad side. If they would have left it at that that they were doing this to ensure one shot kills on their managed property that would have be fine, but they went on to basically say that shooting anything different than this was borderline unethical, and they didn't specify that this was only in TX or similar desert type terrain. At least that's how I interpreted what they were saying.

I saw that segment as well. The question of accuracy aside, they are hunting strictly out of an elevated box blind. The most lugging around of that gun they have to do is from the ATV to the top of the ladder. How accurate are you going to be after you've hoisted that cannon to the top of one of the mountains out in Montana. There are always trade offs. This is where everyone has to be careful about making broad general type statements about hunting and shooting strategies for their part of the country. LOTS and LOTS of vastly different terrain and hunting situations out there. It may be what works for them in their hunting situation, but most of the big game hunters out West are probably laughing at them. Seen a lot of good 300-400 yard shooting done with a synthetic stock large caliber rifle.