That's exactly what I do, although I only have to worry about black bears. I thankfully have no direct experience but I'm pretty confident with this setup (for black bears). I would definitely want more in brown bear territory.
+1 on the InReach. I’ve rented sat phones a couple of times and found that, unless having verbal conversations is important, the InReach accomplishes everything I need when I have no cell service and is much more cost effective than sat phones.
Be glad you avoided Utah. Their OTC sale was a train wreck this year, and they sort-of-quietly raised the price of the non-res tag to boot. The regs say $393 but in March the legislature increased it to $593. Many non-resident hunters were surprised to see that increase after waiting hours...
Totally agree. My all around favorite cartridge. I know there’s a lot of competition out there but I’ve never quite understood why this one isn’t more popular.
I haven’t used the Trophy Bonded in my 7mm WSM, but I have in my 270 WSM and my son’s 270 Win and found them to group very well. I would imagine terminal performance would be similar to the Accubond, and the 140 gr should really be screaming out of a 7mm WSM.
I've gotten into bourbon recently and while I know true aficionados probably prefer something "better", Bulleit has been my favorite. And I've tried some pretty well-regarded ones. They also make a very good rye IMO.
My 7mm WSM LOVES the 160-gr Accubond (not the LR) load from Federal. 3,100+ fps and I can easily shoot it under 1" at 100 yds (I shot just over 3/4" at 200 yards on Friday). This is a factory Model 70 with a 24" barrel - nothing fancy. I can only imagine what good hand loads would be capable of.
I would also strongly recommend the Tikka CTR in 6.5 CM. I picked one up in a trade not long ago. I'd never owned a Tikka nor a 6.5 Creed, and I planned on selling it but decided to shoot it a little first. After getting it sighted in my first 3 shots at 100 yards were 1/2". Later I moved to...
Off the top of my head, and in no particular order:
The War Wagon
Unforgiven (Eastwood)
True Grit (both versions)
Rooster Cogburn
Two Mules For Sister Sara
Absolutely. I don't have statistics but I'm sure that many elk have been taken with 160 gr ABs. And in my experience they shoot very well out of the Federal Premium ammo.
Sorry for quoting myself but I forgot to add that what I find ESPECIALLY troubling is that this “ban” is essentialy an executive order requiring the seizure or destruction of legally-purchased personal property. Shameful and again I can’t believe the courts will uphold this.