melissa4

I too love the thrill of opening morning. Usually can't sleep for two nights before. I have to say it's been rather quiet by me the last 10 years. Yeah, there's been a few years where my camp along with a few surrounding have 5 or 6 deer by 10am , but that's not the norm. Even have a lib couple down the road who let 3 shots go every few hours to scare bambi away. The quad thing is another problem. I feel it has to scare the deer away. Just think, all year no noise, and now opening morning 10 quads racing up the hill. Even worse, this year my partner and I had to go out and get a machine. We'd start out earlier than most walking up this 70 degree hill right in back of our house. If its wet or snow it's two steps at a time. By the time we got to the top, which is about an 1/8 of a mile, the guys on quads were passing us up. Even looked at a Buggy Boy but the hill is so steep no electric vehicle could make it. Any ways, going up tomorrow, good luck to y'all. Maybe the radio stations will play "The first day at deer camp", the new guys don't even know that song.

Oh, and I forgot, NEVER shoot any else's reloads. Now that you're reloading you'll network with other people who do the same and many a hunter have "the best recipe", the "most accurate load ", or some "foolproof barn burner". Tell 'em thanks and write it down and when you get back to the shop look it up in your reloading manual and load it your self. Just think of the way some folk repair their homes or vehicles and then imagine them stuffing an unknown amount of smokeless gunpowder into a case. "Works for me" might be the last thing you remember.

Safety wise, the main thing is that you don't wind up with a double charge. After throwing powder I place my now primed and charged case in a loading tray and using a flashlight I visually inspect every case. If you throw a double you'll clearly be able to see the difference compared to the other cases. That's really the main concern regarding safety.

Also, now when you peruse the gun racks and find that old rifle you want but in an odd caliber, no problem. A little trimming and fire forming and ya got the ammo.

Reloading is very beneficial and will save a ton of money in the long run. Brass may be used many times over and the cost of buying primers, bullets, and powder, even at today's ridiculous prices, is still a fraction of the cost of factory ammo. The technical advantage is really getting to know what a particular gun likes and developing your own pet loads with whatever type of bullet you prefer. As each chamber is different you can adjust the length of your round to perform best in your rifle, or if your shooting a cannon, you can develop reduced recoil practice loads for practice without punishment. I'd start by picking up "The ABC's of Reloading", it's a must. Then you can shop online and get a good (I'd go with RCBS) single stage reloading kit with the press and that should include everything. You may want to also get a reloading manual from one of the major manufacturers and eventually a quality caliber. I'm sure someone close reloads and they'll probably be happy to walk you through the first time. It's a great next step in shooting and hunting. Good Luck.

If the DEC sees that deer they'll most likely put it out of it's misery and donate the meet to a soup kitchen. If it was in my driveway I'd try to get it with the bumper. Oh, of course tagging it right after.

Damm your smart.

Clearly a hunter trying to get away from his ole lady!

Of course, Brother. Nothin like keepin warm in the stand.

I use a BLR in 7-08 as my back up gun. Shoots great, one of the smoothest levers I own. Mine's a straight stock and I wish I'd of got the pistol, though they were'nt as available a few years back. As far as the action, it's sought of a lever activated bolt action as the bolt turns and locks against the chamber using locking lugs. Reliability wise I've never had a problem, nor have I heard of any. As far as cleaning, Browning does not recommend you break the rifle down. Just clean carefully from the muzzle, or pick up one of those Otis kits. All I know who own one consider it their best lever, myself included. I'm currently in the market for one in .358 with a pistol grip.

Thanks Pygmy, M4's my daughter. But still appreciate the affection.

Ruger #1 in .270