Recent content by bootsking

Using the 175 Berger Hunting VLD in a 300 Winmag, I've taken 5 elk from 350-550 yards with perfect terminal performance. My buddy borrowed the rig this year and shot a cow at 125yd. Apparently the shot hit the shoulder or leg, bowled the elk over, but it got up and ran off with no blood at all...

I have shot a few elk, others here have shot a few more than I. If you want an authoritative resource log onto the Terminal Ballistics website. There are a number of freebees to read but for less than the cost of a box of ammo you can get Nathan Fosters book on Long Range Hunting which includes...

Keep up the progress Gary! Before I had two knee replacements 10yrs ago, swimming was the absolute best therapy for pain relief plus it's great cardio exercise. When the time is right consider a knee replacement; it's no fun but after about 6 months of exercise being pain free and mobile is...

You are better off using a 100yd zero because changes in ambient conditions will not affect it. Longer zero ranges mean you will be chasing your tail, not knowing if you are off because of weather or true rifle shift. The offsets in the programs are to allow you to use one load to zero, the...

Sounds like you have a pretty good basic rig. Given that, you will get the most bang for the buck with proper bedding and a good trigger. I would do that work my self as it's not very involved, and you will get to know the rifle better in the process. Not being critical, but I doubt you have a...

Did you discuss how the hunt would be conducted with your outfitter before booking? A good option to get the kind of hunt you want is using a booking agent; they have been on the hunt and can direct you to the style you are looking for.

So far the Harris swivel 9-13" has always worked for me. Also carry quick deploy sticks in case the bipod is too short. But if at all possible I will go to the bipod for stability.

As mentioned the concern is not the group size, but the impact of environmental conditions on point of impact. Over the long haul you would be better served changing to a 100yard zero since it will be unaffected by conditions, and when you check zero following travel it should be unchanged...

I tried a brand name chassis and did not like it; back to the Manners T4A. Of course this is a personal decision regarding what you can shoot best. For what it's worth, the tactical Manners and McMillans still dominate PRS shooting matches; excellent shooters who can use whatever they want and...

I have a few Savages, sold a couple. While they do shoot well, the receiver and operation does not give the feel of precision without doing a lot of polishing / tweaking / etc. Liking to put together the rigs myself I "graduated" up to a Stiller action and the Criterion Remage barrel. Much...

Call Northlander Shooting Supply. You can order an excellent Criterion barrel, barrel nut, barrel wrench, and action wrench from them. I have done many Savages, and last year did the Remage on a Stiller action. Put the barrel on first, as the scope base will interfere with the fit of the action...

While practice is critical to shooting success so is the element of pressure, and the way you handle this will make or break the outcome. Five years ago I was a so-so shot, and at that time remember the first time I stretched it out to 200 yards! Last year I got my elk at 550 yards and felt...

Yea Nat has been all over this for quite a while. It is truly buyer beware and personally I would not buy a Remington these days. I can easily tune up Savages my self such that they are pretty smooth, and have a couple of Stillers that are very nice. Nothing is slicker than my old Tika Whitetail...

Buddy of mine has one in 308. While it is very accurate, the extraction is the worst I have ever seen; makes my Savages look like a dream. Heavy extraction seems to be a wide spread issue these days. Before you buy, check that out to see if it is afflicted.

Having a number of Savages and custom rifles, none are smoother or more well made than my old Tikka 300WM Whitetail Hunter. No need to true or get a new trigger (crisp and adjustable), and the factory stock is fine for hunting (not the tupperware crap you see a lot of these days). A friend of...