Bob Friel
Member
I was fortunate enough to have drawn a Utah Range Creek Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep tag this fall. I needed a Rocky to complete my Grand Slam. It took me 18 points, but was worth it. I will attempt to attach a picture.
Maybe the best part was the shot. We found the ram the night before and got as close as 800 yards, but I wasn't comfortable taking the shot in marginal light that close to dark. So we bedded him down and came back the next morning. Unfortunately, the ram and his band had moved and we didn't find him again until about 10:30 am. He had moved to the south side of the mountain and was now over 1200 yards. He was just under a cliff rim with no way to get closer.
With the encouragement of my hunting buddies, one of which teaches long range shooting, we decided to set up a shot. The ram was ranged at 1286 yards on my Leica 1600b and 1287 on Jim's Swarovski. We decided to use a Remington 7mm Mag. with a 160 grain Acubond bullet. It was loaded with H1000 powder with a velocity of just over 3000 fps. Conditions were ideal with no wind and temperatures in the mid 40's. By the time we had the shot set up, the ram decided to take an hour nap behind a rock. That was a long and frustrating wait. I had two camcorders set up, two spotting scopes and four experienced hunters speculating as to whether I would make the shot.
When the ram finally got up and streched, I settled down behind the Leupold 4.5x14 LR and got it done. What a way to finish a Grand Slam! I just got my number from the Grand Slam Club at 1738. That has been a 30+ year quest. I did it the hard way by drawing tags, going self guided and buying cancelation and discount hunts. My ram scored right at 175. I know I could have gotten a smaller ram with a closer shot, but I never would have gotten this guy without the ability to make the long shot. Thanks for your help and encouragement.
Bob Friel
Mapleton, Utah
Maybe the best part was the shot. We found the ram the night before and got as close as 800 yards, but I wasn't comfortable taking the shot in marginal light that close to dark. So we bedded him down and came back the next morning. Unfortunately, the ram and his band had moved and we didn't find him again until about 10:30 am. He had moved to the south side of the mountain and was now over 1200 yards. He was just under a cliff rim with no way to get closer.
With the encouragement of my hunting buddies, one of which teaches long range shooting, we decided to set up a shot. The ram was ranged at 1286 yards on my Leica 1600b and 1287 on Jim's Swarovski. We decided to use a Remington 7mm Mag. with a 160 grain Acubond bullet. It was loaded with H1000 powder with a velocity of just over 3000 fps. Conditions were ideal with no wind and temperatures in the mid 40's. By the time we had the shot set up, the ram decided to take an hour nap behind a rock. That was a long and frustrating wait. I had two camcorders set up, two spotting scopes and four experienced hunters speculating as to whether I would make the shot.
When the ram finally got up and streched, I settled down behind the Leupold 4.5x14 LR and got it done. What a way to finish a Grand Slam! I just got my number from the Grand Slam Club at 1738. That has been a 30+ year quest. I did it the hard way by drawing tags, going self guided and buying cancelation and discount hunts. My ram scored right at 175. I know I could have gotten a smaller ram with a closer shot, but I never would have gotten this guy without the ability to make the long shot. Thanks for your help and encouragement.
Bob Friel
Mapleton, Utah
The bullet entered near the right eye and the ram went down like a ton of bricks. I haven't yet recovered the bullet, but it penetrated well and didn't exit the skull. I've had good luck with accuracy with the Acubonds in my 7mm and 338 RUM. They seem to hold together very well.
