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Time of the year where I have been doing some straightening out of the stuff in my gun room creating some order. I did not realize how much 458 Winchester Mag stuff I had laying around from a rifle I owned back in the 80s. Between some loaded ammo and loading components I bet I have close to a grand's worth sitting here doing nothing, although some of the components I can and do use for 45-70s. Nothing like a good excuse to get something to fire this stuff off, so I found a new SSK stainless Encore barrel chamber in 458 Win Mag that will go right on one of my frames, it also has a threaded barrel so I can put a muzzle brake on it. Hit the loading bench and put up some 350 gr, a couple of batches of 400 gr and some 500 gr. Wanted the little Leupold 2.5X ultra light but can not find one anywhere so I ordered the Leupold 1X4 variable along with a muzzle brake. Should all be here in a week or so. The lead Sled I picked up last summer is going to get a real workout. My old 458 was one of the most fun firearms I have ever owned and I am happy I have another one. Al

I subscribed to Outdoor life for years as a kid. Got a lot of cool stuff including these B&W prints that featured a dog, bear, trout and buck. They hang in the cabin. I have three magazines from the 60's still in good shape. Being I was in the Magazine Publishing business for 20plus years I actually got to Meet Todd Smith Outdoor Lifes Managing Editor a few times. Real nice guy!

My first 458 win mag had a narrow stock and was a poor fit, too light at 8 1/2 lbs. hammer your cheek bone on recoil. Second weighed about 10lbs plus a lightish scope (1-5x20). I had that re chambered to 458 Lott, advantage being you can still shoot win mag ammo, bit more case volume to put the bullets up to what the win mag was supposed to be but never achieved. 458 win mag had a horrible start with significant powder problems, they expanded in heat and could push the bullet out of the case. Not so good for a design intended to hunt big stuff in the hot sun. But that was corrected with better powders that came along. Brake will help significantly, but not so favored by anyone standing around (not liked by guides at all). I have removable and use them for some practice, and put a protective thread cap for hunting. But the Lott doesn’t have one and doesn’t need it for me. I don’t shoot any heavy kickers from a sit down rest, only standing so you can take the recoil much better. Chart needs rifle weight to give a better idea, how it’s distributed counts too.My favorite rifle is a 375HH that is a bit muzzle heavy on purpose and shoots terrific and why it’s my favorite gun. Helps with muzzle rise and easy to shoot with a t shirt. Custom fit for drop and lop doesn’t hurt either. 500 gr Woodleigh solid from the 458 Lott will go through 6 feet of elephant skull, brain, vertebrae, and out the top of between the shoulders from 20 yds. Only recovered one solid from an insurance shot from between the shoulders animal laying down and in the paunch stopped by the undigested grass.

I heard that tick populations are closely tied to field mice, their most populous host, and that field mouse populations are impacted most by mast production. So, maybe the gypsy moth outbreak of the past few years will have one good outcome to outweigh devastating acorn crops?

I love the old magazine covers and advertising with English Setters. I have amassed a rather large collection of English Setter artwork from Rousseau and others (prints, NOT originals). My home and law office are adorned with prints all over. Sadly, much of the artwork is currently stored about the home. We will soon be starting construction on our new home and the artwork will have a place to be hung and enjoyed. Looking at the artwork brings me to the place I was as a child, watching my father and uncles heading out or me tagging along pheasant and grouse hunting with the setters. Unlike many of us today, they wore traditional bird hunting clothes from the 40's well into the 90's and carried their Browning Auto 5's they purchased in their 20's. My fascination with the 16 gauge came from watching my father pulling those purple shells from his coat pocket, blowing off the weeds, seeds, lint and errant pheasant feathers, before sliding them into the chamber. The old artwork captures those moment like nothing else.

Discover is still going ahead with it.

Selling my beloved Tikka, probably 200rds or so down the pipe. Purchased with the hopes of getting into longer range shooting, only made it out to 700 yards with it. Amazing, accurate rifle. Bare rifle asking 1700 With Bushnell xrs ii illuminated g3 reticle and nightforce rings 2700.

If I went to the doctor everytime I pulled a tick off of me I'd be there every week and taking antibiotics year round. Part of the logging business