skoger
08-06-2010, 12:17 PM
Well my wife drew a tag here in KY last year, and got a 4x4, we had a ball. I am heading to Crawford Colo. on Sept. 26 to hunt 10-1 to 10-4, guided hunt on private ranch. This will be a managment hunt for 5x5 and 6x6 bulls, average 30-36 inch spreads, respectable mature bulls, not big mass or book racks, operator is wanting them out of the herd. I have been wanting to do this all my life. Guide says guarenteed hunt, due to water and timber pinch points, most shots around 100yds. I am hoping a couple of buddies can go, last minute opportunities.
Now for my guns. I will be taking the .270 I built for my wife last year proven gun and scope/load, but my primary firearm will be a Marlin guide gun, 45/70 stoked with some potent handloads, 2x7 leupold with leupold steel base and rings. This is the ported model, and I replaced the factory pad with a limbsaver. You can see the bullet impact through the scope, as the gun comes straight back. With 3 different loads, this gun will hover at 1 inch and will keep these 3 different loads in 2 &1/4 inches at 100yds, mixed bag. I am pushing the 405 grain jsp at 1850fps and the 300gr. JHP at 2000fps. Now I have built over 200 custom rifles as a gunsmith and I know there are much better rifles than the Marlin, but here is my reason for hunting with it. Eight years ago I lost my 19 year old son in a car accident 2 months before his 20th birthday, this was his rifle I had fixed up for him, and he had taken a few deer with it hunting the woods here in KY. I had not fired this gun till last year, went on a cull hunt to rid does off a farm, took 3 in one afternoon. I am using his rifle in memory of all the things he never got to do, and my buddy is taking the same type 45/70 and a 30/06 I built him 20 years ago. It will be a memorable hunt no matter what size the elk, first other big game either one of us has hunte outside of KY. I have 100 rounds loaded, 50/50 405 and 300gr. bullets, plan on shooting seveal in practice before leaving. The guide seems to think the 45/70 will be fine, has had several clients hunt with them, just said be sure and not use the leverloution Hornady rounds, has had them crater and blow back out on heavy shoulder bones. All response appreciated.
Now for my guns. I will be taking the .270 I built for my wife last year proven gun and scope/load, but my primary firearm will be a Marlin guide gun, 45/70 stoked with some potent handloads, 2x7 leupold with leupold steel base and rings. This is the ported model, and I replaced the factory pad with a limbsaver. You can see the bullet impact through the scope, as the gun comes straight back. With 3 different loads, this gun will hover at 1 inch and will keep these 3 different loads in 2 &1/4 inches at 100yds, mixed bag. I am pushing the 405 grain jsp at 1850fps and the 300gr. JHP at 2000fps. Now I have built over 200 custom rifles as a gunsmith and I know there are much better rifles than the Marlin, but here is my reason for hunting with it. Eight years ago I lost my 19 year old son in a car accident 2 months before his 20th birthday, this was his rifle I had fixed up for him, and he had taken a few deer with it hunting the woods here in KY. I had not fired this gun till last year, went on a cull hunt to rid does off a farm, took 3 in one afternoon. I am using his rifle in memory of all the things he never got to do, and my buddy is taking the same type 45/70 and a 30/06 I built him 20 years ago. It will be a memorable hunt no matter what size the elk, first other big game either one of us has hunte outside of KY. I have 100 rounds loaded, 50/50 405 and 300gr. bullets, plan on shooting seveal in practice before leaving. The guide seems to think the 45/70 will be fine, has had several clients hunt with them, just said be sure and not use the leverloution Hornady rounds, has had them crater and blow back out on heavy shoulder bones. All response appreciated.