Recent content by blacktails

My 1990 Rem 700 Classic 25-06 is my sentimental favorite. Just something about that gun with a 120g bullet that checks all the boxes for me. Flat shooting and laser accurate. A close second is my early 80s Winchester M70 XTR Fwt 257 Roberts. Simply a great looking gun that shoots well.

For our local blacktails, I'll start with my Stewart Rifles 7-08 (20" Rock, Stiller SA, McMillan Edge), but my 1980s M70 Fwt 257R will likely see some use too. Both are favorites to shoot. The R700 Classic 25-06 is taking time off this season.

I used to rotate between a Win XTR 270 using 140g bullets and a Rem Classic 25-06 using 120g bullets every other year to take a bunch of blacktails. Now it's between the 25-06, a Win XTR 257 Roberts, and a Stewart Rifles custom 7-08, depending on my mood. All will easily get the job done for deer.

The induction annealer sounds good. Where did you get the instructions for the one you built?

Really nice blacktail. That terrain and weather is just the opposite of where we hunt them up here in Washington's rain and brush 😉

I've taken a lot of deer with a .270 using 140gr Hornady Interlocks, preferring it over 130gr choices by far. The retained energy resulted in drt kills for my typical shooting distances of 70-250 yards. Wish I would have kept that gun.

Can you post a clearer picture of the barrel end? Current one is too fuzzy to make anything out.

My stock late 50s M70 fwt in 30-06 shoots factory Federal Premium 165g ammo well, typically a 3/4" group for 3 shots. Boringly reliable with that ammo.

Nice rig. Do you have a matching barrel thread protector if the brake is not installed?

Definitely consider Tract. I got a pair of 8x42 this fall,, and they did not disappoint. Optically they are sharp with good color, and low light performance is very good also. The build quality is also very good. You can catch them on sale for under 600.

Jewell, or based on feedback, also consider Trigger Tech. My 25-06 has a tuned 700 trigger at 3 1/2 lbs, and my 7-08 has a Jewell at 2-1/2 lbs. The Jewell is noticeably better, so I bought another for an upcoming build, and I'm replacing the 700 trigger with a Trigger Tech Special to try out.

I went with 20" on a #2 Rock barrel for my custom 7-08 in a McMillan with Edge fill. Balances great, light weight, and really accurate. No regrets for me.

For my 7-08 lightweight build, I was aiming for appx. 7lbs and came in just under at 6lb-13oz scoped. Shoots great and is very quick handling. 20” Rock Creek SS #2 sporter with a 1" shank Stiller Predator SA with fluted bolt McMillan Edge in Rem. Mtn. Rifle pattern PT&G Alum. BDL bottom metal...

Used to shoot a M70 Fwt .270 for years. My go to bullet was a 140g Hornady Interlock. Killed numerous deer at various ranges, and it never failed me, always DRT. Preferred the ballistic performance over the 130g Interlocks and the BTs, and it just seemed to really hammer the deer at impact.

Some questions about decapping on the Co-Ax. Are there any issues with decapping on the Co-Ax, or would it be better to have a second press just for doing this? If doing it on the Co-Ax, what decapping die works best on it?