Virginia Gun Opener 11-16-19

[6pt-sika]

Was out in my "office" at 6 AM setup 20 minutes before legal shooting time , Had my unblooded Mannlicher Schoenauer MC carbine 30-06 and my circa 1887 new to me Parker Grade 1 top lever 10 gauge with factory original 26" barrels . In the rifle I had a Hornady 130 SST pushed by 3031 in the 10 gauge I had home cast and loaded 00000 buck in the right barrel and a Moose Molds 715-585HB Minnie Ball-slug in the left barrel .

Long about 06:35 I had a visitor who I thought oughtta stay awhile

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[6pt-sika]

Was kinda hoping to knock one over this morning with the Parker but I took the safe/easier option and used the 06 .

Of all the deer I've laid to rest over the years that is only the second I ever knocked off with an 06 . The first was 5 or 6 years ago with a circa 1962-1964 Remington 700 BDL that is now my 6.5-06 . As you might assume the 06 is not a favorite of mine . But I like the Mannlicher Schoenauer rifles so since I already had the 243 , 270 and 308 figured I might as well add the 06 last December .

Incidently that rifle was loaded today with five DIFFERENT bullets three were 150's and two were 165's . All handloads and all with the same POI at 50/100 yards . Hornady 150 & 165 SST's , Nosler 150 & 165 BT's and Nosler 150 AB . All are being pushed by IMR3031 or IMR4064 .

[GunnyMack]

Well ya cant argue with success! Congrats!! Sure hope you can blood that 10 ga now!

[6pt-sika]

Well ya cant argue with success! Congrats!! Sure hope you can blood that 10 ga now!

I’m planning on going Monday morning I think . And if I do I’m gonna carry my Parker 0 grade 10 gauge on the 4 frame with 34” barrels loaded with 0000 buck . Also think I’ll carry the AR-10 in 338 Federal OR a Ruger #1H in 416 REM Mag . Not killed a deer with any of the three .

[6pt-sika]

Wanna get my Remington 700 6mm-06 out and plunk one with the Berger 6mm 115 VLD bullet . But others first !

[FLINT]

Congrats! nice deer - and that is some crazy looking rack - I like antlers with character

[6pt-sika]

Congrats! nice deer - and that is some crazy looking rack - I like antlers with character

I’m looking for a moose rack in the AM To be honest I’m happy taking anything although I’ve plunked several nice ones here at the house which is where I was Saturday and will be in the AM . Here’s a picture of my widest racked buck and it was taken at the house about 350-400 yards from the stand I used Saturday in another stand . I’ve only got three climbers out so far this season . The deer in the picture was taken the second day of the rifle season three or four seasons ago , he’s kinda busted up but has a 23 1/2” outside spread .Plunked him with a home cast bullet from a 444 if my memory serves the bullet was the RCBS 44-240 GC SWC and of course pushed pretty well with H322 .

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