Aldon

I have two Vortex scopes aand they are great scopes. They are currently closing out some of their viper line and prices are really good for the quality of glass. Reticle choice is not as good as leupold or the other high enders. Currently I have a Zeiss Conquest 3-9, a Bushnell 4200 6-24, a Sightron1 3-9, Vortex 4-12 and a Vortex 2-7....And I am probably forgetting a couple in addition to the ones I have used in past. My favorite is the Bushnell. Very good optics and I like the extra magnification. I picked it up second hand, never been mounted for 300.00 Then it is a toss up between the zeiss and the 4-12 vortex viper. For the money, the Vortex is hard to beat. I also really like Nikon Monarch and Burris scopes. I tend to buy whatever good optics are available for great price and they have to have transferrable solid warranty and service. I have not tried one of the new redfields but I do know they are owned by Leupold and are assembled out in western usa somewhere. Not sure where the optics glass comes from but they might turn out to be a bargain.

I have always cleaned them after every use except when on a hunting trip. Then it depends on usage and always a thorough cleaning after the trip. Just a note on something I determined about 2 years ago. I had a 25-06 that was an excellent shooter. i always cleaned it the way I was taught as a kid growing up. My step father was a smith but he was more into pistols. Basically it was run a brush through with Hoppes, then a wet patch with hoppes, then a dry patch a couple of times, then an oil patch folowed by a dry patch to protect from rust. What I ran into is that my rifle which I would also use to target practice at the range with started to loose its accuraccy. I spent some time trying to figure out what was going on. Turns out it was copper fouling. The Hoppes can get copper out but it takes a much longer time to break copper down than I would normally put into the cleaning process. I did some research and there are some really good products out there that will remove the stuff faster and more thoroughly. I have a couple and boretech eliminator is one that works well. My rifles accuracy came back. A lot of hunters only fire a coupel of rounds as the deer season starts up to confirm scope is on and then a few rounds at most at deer and then clean the rifle and put it away until the following season. There are a lot of used rifles out there that are excellent shooters if the copper is fully removed.

For Ground Hogs and small critters - 22-250 For really long distance small critters and coyotes or pronghorn, Remington 700 chambered 6X284, Hart Match barrel White Tail - remington Sendero 700 chambered 6.5-06, Rock Creek 5r barrel Mulies or medium size game depending on terrain 6.5-06 or 30-06 Marlin MR-7(made in the early 90's) Large game - 338 win off the shelf Ruger stainless,M77

Like others mentioned, most of todays bullets are very effective. So I use whatever proven bullet shoots best accuracy in the rifle. I do like the Barnes TSX, Nosler Ballistic Tips and Accubonds, Sciroccos and Bergers(hunting).

I have crimped previosuly and may do so in future. One reason you may wish to crimp is if you are hunting with tubular magazine. Say a 30-30. If the projectile is pushed further into the case than it is originally loaded, it increases pressures, sometimes exponentially. Without the crimp, this is a possibility depending on neck tension. On some projectiles, the design allows for crimp with a depression ring to roll the crimp into.... The amount you crimp is adjustable. When I do crimp, it is almost imperceptable as I do not want to deform my projectile. On those occasions where I have used crimp die it was to try and get consistant pressure in seeking out a bit more accuraccy.

I reload as it allows me to tinker all 4 seasons with the firearms. I primarily started reloading to tune the loads to my rifle and eek out premium accuracy for each rifle. I am planning to get a Lee Turret press for pistols. Currently I load for 6x284, 22-250, 6.5-06, 30-06 springfield, 280 rem and 338 win. Have an older Ohaus powder measure which is getting rare and gets great review on the 6mmbr website. Use a Forster Co-ax single stage press. Excellent press, and I do not need case holders. Primers seated to exact same every round. Consistancy is what I aim for. Tend to use Redding or Forster seating dies, lee collet neck die and either Redding or Forster sizing die to bump the shoulder back once in a great while. I like the dampened beam scales. i have an older Ohaus. Ohaus was bought by RCBS so basically same as their current model. Redding trickler. Forster Trimmer, Hornady vibratory media cleaner, Cabellas case media seperator etc... I emjoy the reloading process as much as shooting.

I use Imperial Case Sizing wax. I do not spray or otherwise lubricate the dies. Although the dies do get residual lube from the cases.....

Depending on how particular you are about the reloading you may have some variable in neck thickness after sizing down. For hunting at shorter ranges (less than 3-400 yards) probably no issue. If you want 1/2 MOA accuracy you may want to neck turn the brass after sizing to get consistant thickness.

Burris Signature Zee with inserts. Also like the Warne rings a lot and they are very reasonably priced.

This may be a record. Condemned on my third post. I will bow to the moderator.

I used to do a lot of archery but my shoulder is simply shredded (rotater cuff is shot I think) and I can not do it anymore. I recently aquired a Crossbow, a Ten Point XLT as they can be used in my home state and I occasionally travel their for a coupel weeks of hunting. I like the idea of a forum where those who use the equipment can talk politely and help educate each other. I see no reason to disparage those who hunt with a crossbow vs recurve or compund bow any more than I could justify disparaging comments from Center fire riflers vs Inline muzzle loaders vs the traditional muzzle loader vs tackling and wrestling the deer to death. It takes mutual respect for us to keep our hunting rights and priviledges protected.

100 does not buy very good optics. But Vortex is running a sale on some of their older models. I have a couple of their scopes and they are very good quality and clarity. I would assume teh same for their binos. Otherwise I would spend the money on a bipod or rest and use my firearms scope to view the field. Try camerland at this link - http://www.cameralandny.com This is copied from a post on another site I belong to: Vortex Riflescope and Binocular Sale Vortex has announced that they are discontinuing a few items which presents a fantastic opportunity to get some great gear at super low prices. These are all brand new and HEAVILY discounted. Take advantage while supplies last. Vortex Viper 2-7x32mm riflescope for only $174.99 in your choice of BDC, C3 or V-Plex reticle Vortex Viper 3.5-10x50mm riflescope with V-Plex reticle for only $249.99 Vortex Viper 4-12x40mm PA riflescope with V-Plex reticle for only $249.99 Vortex Viper 6.5-20x44mm PA riflescope for only $249.99 in your choice of V-Plex or Target Dot reticle Vortex Viper 6.5-20x50mm PA riflescope with Target Dot reticle for only $279.99 If a great deal on a quality binocular is what you're looking for check out these outstanding values: Vortex Fury 12.5x42mm Binocular for only $199.99 Vortex Fury 10x32mm Binocular for only $174.99 Vortex Fury 8x32mm Binocular for only $174.99 Vortex Fury 6.5x32mm Binocular for only $169.99 Remember, with any Vortex Binocular purchase you can add their Vortex Binocular Harness Strap for only $10.00. Please feel free to give a call to me or Neil with any questions.

Hello all. I am relocating to NY due to employment transfer. Been in UT for past 5 years and before that lived on east coast mostly in VT, NC, Virginia in that reverse order. Like to target practice, reload, hunt and fish. I will be settling in the Albany/Malta area and look forward to participating on the forum. Hunting will likely be in Virginia this year with my brother and perhaps after having time to get to know the Adirondack region a bit better, he will come up and hunt with me the following year. Thanks in advance for any knowledge I glean from the members on this forum!