[This is a question to the guys who hunt in the Catskills]

On 3/2/2011 at 10:10 AM, MountainHunter said:

VJP, I knew someone would feel it necessary to point out the obvious. I mean no disrespect,but as soon as I typed it I wondered if I should have indicated I was talking about snow occurring during the open season. I have walked miles in the open season on snow in area's where deer have been abundant in the past and have not cut tracks and I have done this in several high peaks area's.

Every area has its own elements as it relates to whether that particular area holds deer or not,this is some thing I am well aware of. There is no one from another area who is going to tell me what is going on in area's I frequent. If any one wishes to walk with me on snow in November or December they are more than welcome to. I have hunted these mountains for years and I have many close friends and aquantainces that have done and do so as well. I will trust my own experiences and those that I know.

Adirondack deer are more sparse. Catskill region has more density of : nourishment , diversity in the food supply nature provides. Like in Pocono,PA region below. However, Adirondack deer can be large; even with slimmer pickings. Likely the result of lower temperatures. 
 

Not 100% sure though. Lol

[Farewell HuntingNY.com]

Correction:Jim Borden. 
Also, I saw a post about cliques. I agree , and that is common on these forums. 
They gang up on people sometimes. It’s worse when one of them is overly sensitive or you oppose them. Very immature and childish. They will be the cause of their own undoing. Lol. I laugh at idiots like that. Enjoy Pennsylvania, you are surrounded by lots of game lands in the State College area. Say good riddance to NY with no regrets. It has become the People’s Republic of NY. Best decision you’ve probably ever made. Nothing wrong with becoming a Keystoner as I call us.

[Farewell HuntingNY.com]

Congratulations, enjoy your move to PA. I sold my NYC home and kept my home in the Poconos. I live in Florida but couldn’t totally give up the northeast because it is in my blood. Even upstate NY I still go to. The Adirondacks, Thousand Islands, Lake George, Catskills,Finger lakes, Lake Ontario, Lake Champlain, Niagara’s Falls, etc.,etc.,etc. Heck I still love visiting NYC. But the northeast mountains are magnificent. And Pennsylvania is part of it. I used to ride my Harley out by State college and Williamsport. You may want to become a member of the world renowned Williamsport gun range . Allegheny forest is beautiful also. So enjoy life as a Keystoner. You lucky devil. Pennsylvania is where inland America starts. I’ll be up in October for the foliage for a couple of weeks. I can’t wait. You made a great decision. And you can still visit beautiful New York State for fun.

PS. There are some great custom rifle builders in PA. Ed Borden will not be too far from you. Borden actions are among the best made.  He is a master. 

[What kind of work do you do?]

Stay safe with this virus!
 

[What's become of the .325 WSM?]

Update: I've found a few more places with 325wsm ammo. List to date: Double Tap Ammo, Hendershots, Wisconsin Cartridge, Selway, Copper Creek, Pendleton, PCI, Nosler, Hornady. 

There are others and a couple of them you might have to do a back order. Do a thorough search on the internet and there probably are a few more. Be safe.

Happy hunting.

[Loosing Huntine Land Permissions]

In the early 80's we used to hunt private land(with permission) in the Catskills. It became dangerous. I almost got shot twice. So we went to Adirondacks and hunted Indian Lake (Moose River Recreation/Cedar River). Just go on public land . Adirondack Park is the largest designated wilderness park in the country.

The Poconos in Pennsylavania has an extremely high concentration of game. Allegheney forest is great too. Some times it's worth getting a non resident and driving down to PA. Plenty of designated game lands throughout the state.

[Any Kimber rifle fans here besides me?]

I got a 325wsm Kimber. Nice rifle. Their service leaves a lot to be desired though.

[Who deer hunts with a lever action what are some of the best ones out there and in what caliber .]

Can't go wrong with a lever action in the northeast. Out to 150 yards(even 200/LeverEvolution) the 30-30 works great. Marlin,Winchester,Henry,Uberti. They are not as accurate as bolt rifles but good enough for short range work. 45-70 nice for short range too. 

[What's become of the .325 WSM?]

So anyone still own a 325wsm rifle? I still own both of mine. I always laugh at some people who give opinions when they don't own a firearm that shoots the caliber. Any how my Kimber 8400 SuperAmerica and Browning Abolt titanium kick butt. They are thumping game out to 600 yards. Dead on their feet is more like it. Although not on the shelves I have no problem finding components for reloading that shoot 1/2 MOA. I even find loaded ammo on the internet. The rifles are not being made too much although a couple still are here and there. One day if I wear out my barrels I may convert to 300wsm for it looks like that caliber will survive(a simple barrel switch). I may not, for I have plenty of brass and there are enough good 8mm bullets out there. I'll decide when I come to that point in time.I like to check periodically just to remind 325wsm owners to feel good about their uncommon caliber. As it turns out deviating from common(and few) calibers didn't turn out so bad for me. Hope you 325 guys have been enjoying your rifles. I added muzzle brakes and the recoil is like a 30-06.

[Who deer hunts with a lever action what are some of the best ones out there and in what caliber .]

AHHH just for the record the 30-30 has put more venison on the table than any other round(probably).

For short range (150 yards) you can't beat it. Even to 200 if you know the drop. 44 magnum in winchester 94 will do it good to 100 yards if you are in real heavy brush .I'd stick with the 30-30. If you anticipate longer than 150 to 200 lever actions are not the best choice. The tube magazine affects accuracy. They are not known for tight groups. I own 2 Marlins in 30-30 and a Winchester 44 magnum(I shoot all 3 off hand). I love them. Might get a 45.70 too.

[What's become of the .325 WSM?]

Update- I’ve Just checked internet for 

325 WSM AMMO AND SEEMS TO BE

PLENTY OUT THERE !!! Double Tapp,

Winchester, Nosler, Hendershots,PCI and 

more. There are times they run low but 

eventually they are available. Got to love 

love this cartridge and the light weight

rifles that shoot it. Pricey ammo but no

big deal for the toys and sports we love. 

IGNORE NAYSAYERS- many people on 

these forums talk negative- even if you

don’t ask for their worthless opinions. I 

own 2. Kimber  Super America  and

a Browning Titanium A bolt. Both are sub 

MOA and I don’t baby them(having 300

rounds down each). Yay to all 325wsm

owners.

[Browning X-Bolt Stainless Stalker .338 Win Mag]

Why would you be selling a rifle you barely shot? Or did you leave a zero off the number of rounds. Sounds odd to me .

[What's become of the .325 WSM?]

325 wsm a great cartride- I have vx Leupold on one of mine-great combo.

check out 325 wsm Iliad and odyssey by Joe Dellasandro or Alessandro. Shows 8mm bullets and loads he worked up. Don’t listen to all the naysayer opinions or the ones that suggest other calibers when I ask about the 325 wsm. I never understand why respondents do that on these forums. There are plenty of 8mm bullets.

You can still get brass and dies(on internet type in 325wsm 70% off) if you reload or decide to start. 325 is the reason I took it up. 300wsm brass can also be necked up to 325.of course you can get custom does made for the caliber.

custom ammo makers.Doubletap ammo less expensive than Hendershots. 

If you are a good shot you can shoot almost anything effectively. Many guys take coastal brown bear and Cape buffalo with the 325 and love it. Avoid muzzle brakes if u can handle recoil because I put them on both my 325’s and they loosen rings.(can be resolved with loctite and 3m adhesive inside top scope ring). Mine now have the recoil of a 30-06(kinda loud)and are fun to shoot. Enjoy your rifle and ignore the naysayers. In the future you can always change barrel down to 300 or 270wsm or even 7mm (very easily)if you want lighter recoil and more factory ammo availability (300 wsm most available).

read Iliad and odyssey part 1 and part 2 as well as chuck hawks. Internet ha a few non forum type write ups that are good. Gundata.org you can make trajectory and ballistic charts as well as compare cartridges (great site!)

enjoy you have a great rifle

[What's become of the .325 WSM?]

I own Browning mountain titanium and Kimber 8400 super America in 325wsm. Great rifles. I put muzzle brakes because I got stents in my heart- point is now shoots with 30-06 recoil. Brakes are loosening my scope rings but loctite should solve that. If no brakes 35ft. Lbs of recoil energy is manageable.Accurate thumpers. If you shoot good it is ample for Cape buffalo and coastal bear. Excellent for Elk,moose,Eland,kudu,zebra.(a little much for white tail-but still ok)Many hunters use them on such even as an all around cartridge.Read chuchawks/ Iliad and oddyssey from Internet(detailed info).Use 220 solids like woodleigh in case you going into bone from poor placement. Sierra game king good also.Frangible at short ranges(below 200with some bullets) . Hendershots(very expensive- but high quality custom ammo) and Double Tap  will make you ammo(lower price)Get brass and reload (easy to reload).cost is  Good excuse to learn reloading if you don’t already. Full length sizing is fine- even recommended for reloading hunting rounds. Lee breechloader set inexpensive and capable of getting the job done. People talk bad about the cartridge but I know it is a fantastic cartridge. All wsm’s

cases are pretty much the same(from404 Jeffrey. 180-200 have excellent BC. Just wanted to give some opinion on the caliber since I own 2 and hope to see it make a comeback in the future.