Changed my signature on ya ElkKamp. Figured I'd get all my varmint cals' out there. I have 2 of every varmint round there so my wife can shoot too.

You all are killing me with all the varmint talk. I did the red mist thing last weekend and only got off 130 shots with the .204. It was so slow, my barrel didn't warm up.

Don, a buddy of mine showed up with a 12 gauge and I thought he was nuts, but it sure did a number on those prairie rats.

If there is one thing to be gained from this post, it is apparent, that they folks that are out there doing the real deal DO gravitate to the larger end of their battery.

Thanks everyone,
CE

I already have a .300wsm sporter barrel and I am thinking about getting another with a bull barrel synthetic stock and filling the stock with lead shot for a bench gun. I like Savages and this is probably what I would get...a 12FVSS in .300wsm Mount a Harris bipod and some good glass and there is a long range pdog rig http://www.savagearms.com/12fvss.htm

If I had to start over, With the new Garret loads for the 44 mag, I would buy a new Taurus Raging Bull in 44 Mag and hunt everything with it. Put a little challenge back into the hunt. I also love the Muzzle Loaders.

Hi James: I have used Garrett loads for quite some time with my .45-70 with great satisfaction, however the $50/box is a bit much. Although my testing is far from scientific, I believe I am getting "Garrett level" performance with the Beartooth Pile Drivers at a fraction of the cost, along with the other benefits of handloading.

I have also purchased the Beartooth 345 gr for my .45 Rugers and bet they would approximate the .44 garrett loads. You might give them a try.

Good luck,
CE

You might try their

Thats true. I do load some LBT bullets as well as a few other brands. Its often hard to match the Garret loads velocity while keeping to safe pressures. One could expieriment with powder blending but while just used for hunting, I often prefer to just use the Garrets. Good idea though to try other loads and never a bad idea to try to save money.

The hardest thing to duplicate is thier bullet. Itys a weight forward design that keeps the bullet from trying to tumble on impact which drastically limits penetration. The Wide Flat Nose LBT style might tend to deliver that kind of performance.