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Montana Bull Elk - updated with view of Black Butte & the Rack is Back
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After 7 years of applying, I finally drew a 412-20 permit in the Judith Mountains of North Central, Montana.

On the first evening hunt, I missed a very very nice bull at 330 yards. In retrospect, even though I had a solid rest; I should have not taken the shot given the strong swirling winds. I got lucky in that it was a clean miss.

Three evenings later, this bull stepped out of the timber way up the top of a ridge and we were able to sneak over to a parallel ridge that was one over from him and below him about 250 yards away. I was able to go go prone over the pack and scrunched up my stocking cap and used it as a rear bag.

At the first shot I got a satisfying "thwack" and the bull shuddered. The second shot resulted in another satisfying "thwack" and the bull shuddered again. As I was re-acquiring the bull in the scope for a third shot, I heard - "He just went down" followed by breaking branches as the bull rolled down the slope thru the timber.

Browning X bolt 300 WSM, 168 grn TSX over 66.1 grns of H4350, 3135 FPS chronographed. Leupold 4.5x14, 30mm tube, side focus, Boone and Crockett reticle.

First shot was in the lungs and stopped under the hide on the far side. The second shot was top of the heart and exited.



The guiding crew Olivia (who is an outstanding guide) and outfitter Keith Atcheson:



Mike



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10054 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Nice bull Mike. Congrats!
 
Posts: 124 | Location: Hickory, PA | Registered: 13 May 2015Reply With Quote
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Very nice!
Did the bullets pass through?
 
Posts: 6900 | Registered: 10 April 2009Reply With Quote
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Very nice!


Guns and hunting
 
Posts: 1097 | Registered: 07 February 2017Reply With Quote
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Back40,

1 pass thru, 1 recovered just under the skin on the off side. I will post a pic of the recovered tomorrow.


Mike



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10054 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Congratulations, well done.
 
Posts: 10805 | Location: Somewhere above Tennessee and below Kentucky  | Registered: 31 July 2016Reply With Quote
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nice looking bull.
guided hunt or DIY?
 
Posts: 576 | Location: Post Falls, Idaho | Registered: 03 February 2006Reply With Quote
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Congrats Mike. Sounds like all came together for you. And some good shooting as well.
Any plans for Mule Deer this season ?


Hunting.... it's not everything, it's the only thing.
 
Posts: 2012 | Location: New Zealand's North Island | Registered: 13 November 2014Reply With Quote
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Great Job Mike on a nice bull!
 
Posts: 2640 | Location: Utah | Registered: 23 February 2011Reply With Quote
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awesome!


577 BME 3"500 KILL ALL 358 GREMLIN 404-375

*we band of 45-70ers* (Founder)
Single Shot Shooters Society S.S.S.S. (Founder)
 
Posts: 27595 | Location: Where tech companies are trying to control you and brainwash you. | Registered: 29 April 2005Reply With Quote
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Love hearing the "thwack". Nice elk and a bunch of good meat.
 
Posts: 413 | Location: Ridgecrest,Ca | Registered: 02 March 2007Reply With Quote
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In answer to a few questions:

1) No mule deer hunt this year, other obligations and rain were uncooperative for where I intended to go

2) Hunt was guided

3) Recovered slug

Retained weight 167.8 Expanded Diameter .669





Mike



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10054 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Nice bull, Mike. clap


Tony Mandile - Author "How To Hunt Coues Deer"
 
Posts: 3269 | Location: Glendale, AZ | Registered: 28 July 2003Reply With Quote
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COngrats and Nicely Done!
 
Posts: 743 | Location: Las Vegas | Registered: 23 June 2009Reply With Quote
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First a nice bull moose courtesy of a drawn tag and now an elk to follow... well done!


On the plains of hesitation lie the bleached bones of ten thousand, who on the dawn of victory lay down their weary heads resting, and there resting, died.

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch...
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Rudyard Kipling

Life grows grim without senseless indulgence.
 
Posts: 7522 | Location: Victoria, Texas | Registered: 30 March 2003Reply With Quote
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Very cool. Nice bull and recovered bullet.
 
Posts: 8487 | Registered: 09 January 2011Reply With Quote
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Nice bull, nice shooting!


Guns and hunting
 
Posts: 1097 | Registered: 07 February 2017Reply With Quote
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Picture of Kyler Hamann
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Great bull, congratulations. I thought this hunting year was as good as a guy could get with that moose - and then you took a really nice bull elk too.


___________________________
www.boaring.com
___________________________
 
Posts: 2504 | Location: Central Coast of CA | Registered: 10 January 2002Reply With Quote
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Wow, awesome. That is the biggest elk I have ever seen.
 
Posts: 17095 | Location: USA | Registered: 02 August 2009Reply With Quote
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That's a dandy! Congratulations Sir!
 
Posts: 10130 | Location: Tooele, Ut | Registered: 27 September 2001Reply With Quote
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Very good bull Mike.
Congrats!

George


"Gun Control is NOT about Guns'
"It's about Control!!"
Join the NRA today!"

LM: NRA, DAV,

George L. Dwight
 
Posts: 5943 | Location: Pueblo, CO | Registered: 31 January 2006Reply With Quote
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Mike, you should invite me over for dinner and we can talk duck hunting while enjoying your elk or moose. Big Grin
 
Posts: 3851 | Location: California | Registered: 01 January 2009Reply With Quote
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Well done! I love the width on that bull.


Jason

"You're not hard-core, unless you live hard-core."
_______________________

Hunting in Africa is an adventure. The number of variables involved preclude the possibility of a perfect hunt. Some problems will arise. How you decide to handle them will determine how much you enjoy your hunt.

Just tell yourself, "it's all part of the adventure." Remember, if Robert Ruark had gotten upset every time problems with Harry
Selby's flat bed truck delayed the safari, Horn of the Hunter would have read like an indictment of Selby. But Ruark rolled with the punches, poured some gin, and enjoyed the adventure.

-Jason Brown
 
Posts: 6834 | Location: Nome, Alaska(formerly SW Wyoming) | Registered: 22 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Nice bull, congratulations!
 
Posts: 147 | Registered: 17 August 2013Reply With Quote
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Nicely done Mike!


http://forums.accuratereloadin...6321043/m/4821014232


"He Who Farts in Church, Must Sit in Own Pew".
 
Posts: 363 | Location: Moorpark, CA | Registered: 18 May 2012Reply With Quote
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Nice bull, congrats!


All We Know Is All We Are
 
Posts: 1214 | Location: E Central MO | Registered: 13 January 2014Reply With Quote
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Well done !!!

Very nice elk.

Mike
 
Posts: 13145 | Location: Cocoa Beach, Florida | Registered: 22 July 2010Reply With Quote
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Congrats on your bull! And thanks for sharing your pics.
 
Posts: 119 | Registered: 28 June 2021Reply With Quote
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Great job Mike. Congrats!
 
Posts: 2586 | Location: Colorado | Registered: 26 May 2010Reply With Quote
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Beautiful Bull. Well done!
 
Posts: 6250 | Location: Dallas, TX | Registered: 13 July 2001Reply With Quote
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Great bull Mike, congrats !!!


Best Regards,

Craig Nolan
 
Posts: 403 | Location: South of Alamo, Ca. | Registered: 30 January 2003Reply With Quote
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Picture of Mike_Dettorre
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A view from the ridgeline in the Judith Mountains over to Black Butte. What's crazy is this photo was taken November 23 and is at 5800 ft and there is no snow.



Mike



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10054 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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Outstanding!


.
 
Posts: 41767 | Location: Crosby and Barksdale, Texas | Registered: 18 September 2006Reply With Quote
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Mike



What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.
 
Posts: 10054 | Location: Loving retirement in Boise, ID | Registered: 16 December 2003Reply With Quote
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That's a handsome mount Mike.


_____________________
A successful man is one who earns more money than his wife can spend.
 
Posts: 3291 | Location: Southern NM USA | Registered: 01 October 2002Reply With Quote
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Classy Mike. I like the looks of that.


Hunting.... it's not everything, it's the only thing.
 
Posts: 2012 | Location: New Zealand's North Island | Registered: 13 November 2014Reply With Quote
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Nice!!


Tony Mandile - Author "How To Hunt Coues Deer"
 
Posts: 3269 | Location: Glendale, AZ | Registered: 28 July 2003Reply With Quote
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Beautiful mount and scenery.
 
Posts: 10805 | Location: Somewhere above Tennessee and below Kentucky  | Registered: 31 July 2016Reply With Quote
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I have the identical rifle (300 WSM Stainless Stalker) but use 180 gr Federal Fusions. Unfortunately mine will never see an elk but it sure works for kudu, wildebeest and gemsbuck, among others. Love it and it wears a suppressor.
 
Posts: 779 | Location: Eastern Cape, South Africa | Registered: 24 December 2006Reply With Quote
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.

Big animal and a nice European mount of the antlers! Congratulations and thanks for positing. It is great to see more American animals posted up. Nice change from Africa!

Cheers

Charlie

.


"Up the ladders and down the snakes!"
 
Posts: 2258 | Location: South Africa & Europe | Registered: 10 February 2014Reply With Quote
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