magnatecsteve

PLEASE dont put a fiberglass ramrod on a gun like that!! The factory ramrods are hands down very poor that come with most guns. Get yourself a hickory ramrod with straight grain. Im sure the one you have has a section of grain that was cross grained where it broke. Fit the new rod and use some TC Bore Butter or like neatsfoot oil, put it on a cloth, and vigorously rub the ramrod like a college kid until the wood gets very hot. That will soak the oils into it and make it very flexible and strong. I like hickory the best, mine is so well oiled that I can bend it more than I care to without any pops or cracks.:smoke:

First...I NEVER stare them in the eyes! Superstition or not, I have found when deer are close, if you look them in the eye they pick you out quite often. I shake before and after, but right when it's time to shoot, I go into auto pilot and am very calm. I guess years of hunting and close encounters are the key. Just concentrate on the spot.

Nice shootin!

That is pretty cool! Do you know what caliber bullet that is? It just flat dissinegrated....

Very nice looking cat! Looks like they're eating good to get that big.

The shorter the brace height, the more likely you might have problems with the string hitting your clothing, as well as shooting with too long of a draw. Some guys lower their draw length and shoot with a more bent bow arm to eliminate this problem during the winter months when you have alot of clothes on. Make sure your bow fits you well, then if you have problems, an arm guard works well.

I think the Bone Collector logo does make a pretty cool tat...

Friend of mine hunts up around Goshen IN, and they have been seeing a pair of cougars around there. Rumor is that DNR has released several pairs in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois to help with the deer herd. Don't know if it is pure rumor or not, however there have been reports of sightings a while ago around Culver area as well. If it's true, I think it's a big mistake...just wait till the first little kid gets mauled or God forbid killed by one of there cats. Out West..sure. Rural areas....heck no.

LOL!! That's funny stuff right there...:yes:

Haven't heard about it yet... Was it a late archery?

Just wondered who had any ink to share..

Toss up between Miller Lite and Corona

Congrats!! Thats you first bow kill too right? Well, you wont forget your first bow kill, especially as hard as you worked for it.

Congrats...Hope its the first of many!

Good luck! Hope you get more than one, I hope to get a few with the rifle this winter. Definitely keep scent out of the area, which I'm sure you know already..

I would recommend helical or at least a 4 to 5 degree offset when using broadheads. It will stabilize the arrow considerably with a broadhead on it. Straight vanes are ok for indoor target or 3-D, but in my opinion, not for hunting arrows.

Thanks for the offer, I got two boxes of FMJ and started sighting, shooting awesome groups at 75 yards. I need to get it to a god range where I can get it sighted for distance and see how it groups, not sure where Ill want to zero it at, depends on drop. I also located some of the same brand,(Wolf), at Blythes in Valpo that was hollow point. I got three boxes to see how they do...same 55 grain bullet just HP. Plenty cheap and the rep there said they are quite accurate, the only problem is the lacquer builds up in AR's, but with a bolt action they should be fine with regular cleaning. May be a stupid question, but is there anyone who re-loads steel casings?

Just wondering your guys opinions on the Russian steel cased ammo....Remington 55gr soft points are running about $18 per 20 at Wal-Mart, and I saw at Sportsmans Guide they have the Russian 55gr hollow pt much cheaper. Any downfalls to steel cased ammo if thats what I'll be shooting? I have heard they dirty the gun due to blowby since the case doesn't expand when fired. Thanks

I love the Lyman Great Plains rifle, a very dependable gun and about as close to the original Hawken style you can get from a production gun. I love the browned hardware and the pewter nose cap. I like the .54 cal for deer too. Have fun with the new toy.

Great looking deer! Tall and good mass...congrats!

Super nice!! Congrats to your uncle!

Well, seeing how you posted this as a moral question, it shows that you are trying to obey hunting regulations......But I know it is very tough when everything else is perfectly ligit, it's just a matter of personal ethics. I have had to pass up easy shots on trophy animals before, only to go to work and share the story and have everyone almost smackin me on the forehead, but I don't judge others, only myself.

Jim, just curious of how many bows you have now? Or at least a close estimate!!

Thanks guys, I'll probably pick up a box of Remington soft points tomorrow at Wal-Mart. I want to stick to what I'm hunting with once I get my gun sighted in. Went out yesterday and got started with the cheap ammo, first 3 were high left at 50, made adjustments and got it sighted in at 75 yards putting 3 shots in a half dollar sized spot. Fingers got too cold to feel the trigger so I thought I'd better stop.

Great Pics Eric, thanks for sharing some pics. Those look like some healthy does too. A flintlock kill is always special to me. I have been so wrapped up in archery for a while that I haven't made it a point to save a tag back for the flinters, but have the past few years. Might get the .54/28 ga out to do some rabbit hunting soon. Thanks again.