airedale

Congrats, nothing like getting it done with a new gun. Interesting cartridge that 20-250, other than seeing a few articles written about it and some ballistic charts I don't know much about it but on paper it looks good. I have been considering a 204 Ruger barrel for an TC Encore to get my feet wet with a 20 cal. Al

These boys out in Iowa have big time Coon populations and they hunt them with assorted Terriers in Barns, they call the folks that hunt this way Barn Burners. The Coons take up residence in the lofts and anywhere else they can hide. The little dogs going in and flush them out to the big dogs who take care of business. I have done some of this in old buildings but never had the numbers these guys have, I can say the action is wild and wooly and a lot of fun. Al

Hey Gunner your Grand Dad's hunting attire and boots were what was in back in those days, pants tucked into your tall boots was common. Many of the photos in this thread show hunters dressed similar. Notice his old car had an actual "trunk" in the rear, can see where the trunk term originated. Al

The sighting in process of a heavy hitter from the bench is where I get the most punishment. I do a lot of bench rest shooting with rimfire rifles and with the shooting technique I use they are not held tightly, that same technique with a big boy cartridge jars your brain and the recoil will have the scope coming close to your eye. I had a fellow show me how to use a half bag of lead shot draped over my shoulder which absorbs a lot of the recoil, been using that tip for many years and it has served me well. Have a bunch of heavy hitters shooting I plan on doing when the weather gets nice, the new lead sled should make dialing that type of rifle in a bit more pleasant, if it does not work out I will revert to the bag of shot trick. As for recoil with a hard kicker while hunting and shooting at game the occasional shot I take is negligible and not even on my mind. Al

Any kind of hunting that involves dogs has my interest, I have tried to participate hunting just about everything available to hunt with a dog sometimes just for the experience. I have my favorite breeds but I admire them all. Al

Some data that measures recoil from various cartridges. ========================================= Over 30 ft-lbs – Massive recoil that can be difficult for even seasoned shooters to shoot accurately. Over 25 ft-lbs – In a lightweight rifle, even experienced shooters can struggle to shoot more than 15 rounds without pain or developing a flinch, UNLESS a muzzle brake, suppressor, or heavier rifle is used. Over 15 ft-lbs – Begins to be very difficult to spot the bullet impact on target through the scope because of the recoil. Under 10 ft-lbs – Even newer shooters can easily spot impacts through the scope during recoil. Ideal for youth shooters. Under 4 ft-lbs – Feels more like a vibration than a “push.” Keep in mind that attaching a muzzle brake reduces the free recoil energy by about 40% and attaching a suppressor reduces free recoil energy by about 32%. As you read through the table, remember you can pick a much heavier-hitting cartridge if you’ll be using a muzzle device. I do NOT recommend muzzle brakes for youth shooters because the loudness scares them more than the recoil–even with hearing protection on. Without further ado, I give you… the rifle recoil database! Cartridge Free Recoil Energy (Ft-lbs) Recoil Velocity (FPS) Avg Bullet Weight Avg Muzzle Velocity .378 Weatherby Magnum 60.68 19.38 293 3,040 .30-378 Weatherby Magnum 45.78 18.39 205 3,205 .458 Win Mag 55.57 17.95 500 2,135 .416 Ruger 52.72 17.56 388 2,528 .416 Rigby 52.49 17.52 400 2,412 .416 Remington Magnum 50.46 17.18 400 2,401 .338-378 Weatherby Magnum 45.40 16.95 256 2,974 .300 RUM 34.97 16.07 205 3,017 .375 Ruger 41.67 16.06 293 2,713 .300 Weatherby Magnum 33.18 15.65 205 3,002 .300 PRC 32.42 15.47 210 3,021 .338 RUM 37.80 15.46 256 2,872 .338 Lapua Magnum 37.70 15.44 256 2,920 .375 H&H Magnum 38.28 15.39 293 2,650 .340 Weatherby Magnum 36.88 15.28 256 2,866 .30 Nosler 31.58 15.27 205 3,009 .300 Winchester Magnum 29.99 14.88 205 2,903 .325 WSM 28.95 14.80 204 2,817 .28 Nosler 28.27 14.72 167 3,152 .45-70 Govt 30.81 14.68 331 2,065 .33 Nosler 33.91 14.65 258 2,892 7mm Weatherby Magnum 26.07 14.13 168 3,055 7 STW 25.91 14.09 168 3,044 .300 WSM 26.54 14.00 205 2,861 .27 Nosler 25.28 13.93 159 3,157 9.3 x 62mm Mauser 30.72 13.82 277 2,555 7mm PRC 25.2 13.4 175 3,000 6.5-300 Weatherby Magnum 24.72 13.79 138 3,325 .338 Win Mag 29.90 13.75 256 2,705 .270 Weatherby Magnum 23.25 13.36 144 3,154 7mm Rem Mag 23.15 13.32 163 2,937 7 WSM 22.50 13.13 162 3,008 .35 Whelen 27.14 13.02 225 2,805 .26 Nosler 21.45 12.85 128 3,312 .270 WSM 21.24 12.77 149 3,050 .300 Ruger (RCM) 21.60 12.63 195 2,613 .30-06 Springfield 21.34 12.55 205 2,646 7 SAUM 20.53 12.54 162 2,890 6.8 Western 23.6 13 175 2,835 6.5 Weatherby RPM 19.93 12.38 143 3,123 .450 Bushmaster 22.22 12.27 268 2,175 .257 Weatherby Magnum 19.13 12.18 111 3,294 .444 Marlin 22.99 12.16 266 2,278 .280 Ackley Improved 19.29 12.16 163 2,834 .338 Federal 22.84 12.02 239 2,510 .50 BMG 83.17 11.91 724 2,799 .280 Remington 18.35 11.85 160 2,848 .264 Winchester Magnum 17.68 11.66 138 3,002 .270 Winchester 17.64 11.64 149 2,944 .308 Winchester 18.27 11.62 202 2,491 6.5 PRC 16.27 11.19 142 2,972 7mm-08 Remington 14.88 10.68 160 2,672 6.5-284 Norma Match 14.48 10.56 143 2,782 7mm Mauser 13.24 10.07 160 2,565 .25-06 Remington 12.69 9.92 111 2,988 .260 Remington 12.56 9.83 143 2,673 .240 Weatherby Magnum 12.06 9.70 101 3,063 6.5 Creedmoor 11.87 9.56 138 2,695 6mm Creedmoor 10.89 9.22 105 3,022 6.5 x 55 Swedish Mauser 10.90 9.16 139 2,532 6mm Remington 10.36 8.99 103 2,919 .22 Creedmoor 9.15 8.60 65 3,500 .30-30 Winchester 9.97 8.58 163 2,320 .243 Winchester 9.22 8.48 103 2,922 .220 Swift 8.54 8.30 55 3,794 .22-250 7.73 7.90 60 3,515 .204 Ruger 6.18 7.37 38 3,963 6mm BR 6.92 7.35 85 3,011 .22 Nosler 6.52 7.25 65 3,342 7.62 x 39mm 7.11 7.24 137 2,303 6.8 Remington SPC 6.79 7.22 110 2,579 6.5 Grendel 6.18 6.89 125 2,283 .224 Valkyrie 5.51 6.67 71 3,095 .223 / 5.56 5.48 6.65 69 3,122 .350 Legend 7.08 6.61 173 2,231 .222 Remington 4.00 5.69 54 3,124 .300 Blackout 4.02 5.45 192 1,530 .22 Hornet 1.37 3.32 50 2,469 .17 Hornet 1.23 3.31 23 3,527 .17 WSM 0.76 2.60 21 2,903 .17 HMR 0.25 1.50 17 2,520 .22 WMR 0.26 1.44 40 1,761 .22lr 0.12 0.96 39 1,239

You are right about weight being a large determining factor of felt recoil, my first 458 was a special African Ruger model 77 that weighed about 9 lbs. It was not bad to shoot standing off hand, on the bench was a different story and she would belt you pretty hard. The ammunition also plays a huge factor, the bullet weight is key. The 500 gr loads will kick way more than the 350 gr loads. The Thompson Center Encore rifles I have will vary in weight according to what type of stock I have on, the synthetic stocks are much lighter than the stocks made from wood. Also barrel contour will be a factor in weight. I will probably try both stock styles but will end up using the walnut with it's heavy weight for most shooting. As far as actual weight I would say with a synthetic stock and the 458's barrel contour around 71/2 lbs, the wood stock will add at least a pound more. One more thing this threaded barrel allows for the mounting of a muzzle brake that claims to give a huge reduction in felt recoil, we shall see if that is true. Al

The magazine era is pretty much over with these days, like you I grew up with Sports Afield, Outdoor Life, Field and Stream along with others and love looking at the art used in them. No computers or internet, the magazines were the best source of information to learn about the outdoor sports. The cover art those magazines used can be spectacular. Many of the manufacturers of outdoor gear used the same artists for advertising their goods. I have collected a few pieces myself also have The Remington Collection in coffee table book form and also the Philip Goodwin collection in book form. Al

A few hunting Dog cover art pics. Al

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

Things are not looking good for another one of my favorite straight power scopes, been looking all over for a little Leupold 2.5X ultra light now for a couple of weeks and no one has it, went with a 1X4 Freedom instead for the same money. Al

Some hunting dog magazine cover art.

It is a pretty good show, I have attended several times. If nothing is going on this weekend I may be there. Al

So doing some spring cleaning in the gun room and found this jar with a bunch of odd and old cartridges of various types that I have been collecting down through the years, some I still do not know what they are as they have no markings on them. I picked up a display board them some time ago so I decided now is the time to get them out of the jar and on that board. Also put up a bunch of different shotgun slugs. This is the second one of these I have done, the first one has cartridges of different rifles and handgun I have owned. Once done they look pretty cool. Al

From some of my Airedale compadres. Al

Cool info Charlie, that guy had a little age on him, having raised Geese I know they can live quite a long time. Al

Where are the simple and reliable straight power scopes? Once common and favored by hunters and target shooters the straight power scope is now a thing of the past. I have probably seen more K4 Weaver scopes mounted on hunting rifles than any other. Below is some of the straight powers Leupold sold for years and they are scopes I personally own. 12X, 10X, 4X, 3X. I do not think any are in today's lineup. Same goes for the other scope companies, seems like everything they make these days is a variable. I always liked a straight powered scope for certain hunting guns, they are lighter in weight and most times cost less and have never found myself missing a shot on game because my firearm was wearing one. I also have many variable power scopes and I like them also but they are really not needed in most cases and are set on a low power most of the time I am hunting. Al

Gunner looks like he is coming along nicely Charlie, he will provide many memories for years to come. Al

An ad showing the Bushnell Scope Chief workings, I liked the one I had.

The old Cookstove came in handy last night, power went out about 2am and just came back on 11am. Kept warm and perked a couple of pots of coffee. Still fired up the generator so I could watch some TV. Al

Got the Go Sports Blast target frame assembled this afternoon, easy peasy, I just have to drill the holes on the bottom rail for the sucker sticks. This is going to work out great for all kinds of reactive target options and will hold my archery target. When the weather starts straightening up the lead is going to fly. Al

Still plugging away, went out with my caller and my Marlin 256 mag Winchester to see if I could entice a Coyote, no such luck today. Did have a nice Red Fox show up and also a Barred Owl, they of course were safe. Paraphrasing Forrest Gump, "calling Varmints is like a box of chocolates, you never know what is going to appear", that is what is so much fun. Al

Nice, Congrats, I will say it again nothing more fun than Hare-Rabbit hunting with a good dog. Al

Through the course of a day I knock off two of those pots easily LOL. Al

I have not had much luck finding shooting incident stats involving rifles when hunting Turkeys. Did find this Indiana article below that has some revealing stuff. Al =================================================== Surprisingly, national studies show that most turkey season shooting incidents on persons involve experienced hunters who accidentally fire on their own hunting partners. The studies also show most turkey hunting shooting accidents occur on private land. Did you know... Most shooting accidents take place at 11-50 yards when the shooter failed to properly identify the target. About two-thirds of all incidents occurred on private land. Shooters involved in these incidents were, on average, 45 years old with 30 years of hunting experience and 16 years of turkey hunting experience. Victims, on average, were 43 years old with 13 years of turkey hunting experience.