Recent sightings..

[yeoman]

1) Good news- stopped in Walmart for some target dots today. I had overheard a clerk a few months ago say Walmart was exiting the gun business. There on the rack was a Traditions MZ and the shelves were stocked with some MZ inventory. I picked up some 300 XTP/HP's to try out.

2) Other news - just saw an advertisement on "Hunting the Country" on OLN for the CVA Electra. CVA must think it has potential, though many here do not.

3) Question: any thoughts on the maximum charge recommended for the GM 50 cal barrel I put on my Cabela's Hawken? Thought I might bump my way from 90 gr. RS toward 120. No literature came with the barrel. It was bought new in March.

[cayugad]

1) Good news- stopped in Walmart for some target dots today. I had overheard a clerk a few months ago say Walmart was exiting the gun business. There on the rack was a Traditions MZ and the shelves were stocked with some MZ inventory. I picked up some 300 XTP/HP's to try out.

I hope our new Super Walmart has a change of heart as well. The word is, they are not going to stock anything to do with muzzleloaders. Time will tell. Glad to hear your store came to their senses.

2) Other news - just saw an advertisement on "Hunting the Country" on OLN for the CVA Electra. CVA must think it has potential, though many here do not.

If I had a warehouse full of them. I would do anything to "spark" a little interest in them as well. Batteries not included..

3) Question: any thoughts on the maximum charge recommended for the GM 50 cal barrel I put on my Cabela's Hawken? Thought I might bump my way from 90 gr. RS toward 120. No literature came with the barrel. It was bought new in March.

I have the same barrel in stainless steel. The other day I was shooting 120 grains of Pyrodex RS loose and 200 grain 10mmXTP's outof it without any problems. I think in the folder they send along with Green Mountain Barrels where they explain all their products, it says the max load is 110 or 120 grains and they recommend 100 grains. I will look for my paper work on the barrels before I write this in stone. After all it is a Green Mountain Barrel. The problem is manufacturers are going to tell you a much safer amount for logistic reasons.

[sabotloader]

yeoman

I am sure you could get the literature by calling GM... just sec I'll go get mine

[yeoman]

I would do anything to "spark" a little interest in them

Easy Cayugad, you risk being flamed by supporters.

Thanks to both you and SL for the GM info. Looks like 110 max recommended but 120 has been tried in at least one of their barrels.

Mike, a special thanks for suggesting those 10mm/200's. Another box arrived today as did more MMP blues. That is one fun load! I never did get a crack at the crows. Word must have gotten out. I was out of "site" for a while. Did you have any luck with the turkeys?

[sabotloader]

yeoman

Did you have any luck with the turkeys?

No, dang it... we called in a group to about 30 yards, but the were on the other side of a dead fall... we could hear them rustling around in the grass but we could not coax then to come around the end of the log... I should have stood up and tried to get a quick shot off but I was patient, but finally they just walked away from us and I could not get them to come back...

Will try again next season.

I did get licky in one aspect though - I drew an extra ML deer tag for the first two weeks of December (does only) and late season elk tag - (cows only) The elk tag is a rifle tag but I am going to use a ML... now with my luck during the regular elk season I am going to stubble on to the biggest bull in the woods and I am not ging to be able to shoot it...

I shot a couple well (10) ground squirrels with them this year from my White - don't know if I was more impresses the White or what that bullets did to the peepers - wow...

[goatbrother]

Always use enough gun I say. Those big chunks a lead do a job don't they?

Are you hunting already? I didn't think archery started till the end of August. Or are just out there educating them before season?

[MLKeith]

ORIGINAL: sabotloader


I did get licky in one aspect though - I drew an extra ML deer tag for the first two weeks of December (does only) and late season elk tag - (cows only) The elk tag is a rifle tag but I am going to use a ML... now with my luck during the regular elk season I am going to stubble on to the biggest bull in the woods and I am not ging to be able to shoot it...

I did exactly that the last time I got drawn for antlerless elk in Arizona. The cows were at 150 yards and my rifle had not been shot at that distance with the load I had so I did not chance it but I had a huge bull walk up to within three yards of the log I was hiding behind and he stayed within 10 yards for over 5 minutes before casually walking away. Did not get another chance on a cow so I missed that time. Sure did raise the adrenalin for a while though.