Bench-Talk

Firearms season opens this Saturday in Missouri for whitetail deer.

I've been having extraction issues with my 30x47HBR woods rifle that involves hot loads with old brass that I don't have time to work out before Saturday. Therefore, I've elected to take as a long range rifle the Smart custom built .338 WinMag that spews 250 grain Nosler Partitions on top of lots of H4831SC. For medium range use it'll be the Marlin 1895CB levergun in .45-70 spittin' out 350 grain chunks of 20 to 1 on top of lots of H322. And for tight work in the bush I'll have the Remington 870 with a 20 inch barrel belching 1 ounce slugs.

I like having a good trail to follow....

I'm with you on big bullets for shooting deer and bigger game. I like to kill animals dead in their tracks if I can. I don't understand the fascination of small caliber light bullets for hunting, never have. I know it is possible to kill deer with a .22 RF but never wanted to risk wounding animals and not finding them until it's too late or they are maimed.

Tom, I can hardly wait to hear the tale of your up-coming hunt! Good luck! RG

 I also like using the big hammer for deer I will be toting a 338-06 AI with 225 Accubonds. I also built a .300 Rem Ultra Mag with a 17 twist pushing 130gr Barnes TSX's at 4000fps but I'm having feeding problems in my Beretta Mato action so I'm leaving it at home next weekend.

 Most excellent Tom, keep us posted!!

Tom,

Extraction and feeding are not really all that important if you make the first shot count. And about that 338. It seems like I can remember seeing some Hunter Class Benchrest shooters walking around the ranges with lacerated eyebrows and bloody noses from the lowly 30x47 type cartridges. So, remember your family and friends and BE CAREFUL !

Your friend, Clark

Tom,

Another thought. If I remember right, back there in the back of the old gun safe is a fine old "Wood Chopper" (Rem 742) in 308 cart. If you would just tape a couple of those 10 shot clips together you could possibly eliminate carrying all those other rifles out to the old deer stand.

Just tryin to help and old shooting partner. Your old friend, Clark

 I certainly do appreciate all that helpful advice!

I did take the antique yet pristine 742 out of the back of the safe and fondled it for a while but decided to keep it in reserve due to the unstable economic and political times ahead.

In regards to the old reliable .338; it performed perfectly today on a young buck who wasn't running fast enough. If there had been three deer side by side I believe it would've been a trifecta. As I shot, I could see about 8 inches of H4831 flaming out the Lilja barrel behind the bullet.

Tom,

     Sounds like a case of brutal OVERKILL to me. On the bright side though, since you live so far up the hollow, maybe PETA will be unable to find you, and with the potential of tough times ahead that you mentioned, there is meat in the freezer for "THE BOSS" to work her magic on.

Clark