The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting American Big Game Hunting 8-year-old Grady bags his 2nd buckGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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 Grady took a nice cull buck this evening with maybe 3-4 minutes of legal shooting time left. Made a HECK of a shot. We were actually about to go in (coyotes were howling and keeping the deer in the thick stuff), turned around and there he was…standing atop the knoll on the branch directly to the east of the house. It was already dark enough that I could not tell anything about the deer until I got my binos on him. We had to crawl back to an old archery target to get a clear view, and he got a rest off of it. He calmly said “it’s not steady enough,” so I leaned and put all my weight into it. There was only one shot available as the buck was facing and looking directly at us, and if I would be a guide, there are very few people I’d ever turn loose with it under those conditions. But Grady -- who along with his twin brother Andy put in lots of range time are are quite accomplished shots -- pulled it off perfectly and centered the neck from 130 yards – off a so-so rest and in fading light! Even moreso than the shot, I am SO proud when he said it wasn’t steady enough – and that he wouldn’t take the shot. He could have just gotten excited and hurried the shot, but he handled it better than most adults. When I leaned onto the target to try and steady it for him and asked it that was any better, I did not get a yes or no answer. All I remember is Grady saying “”I’ll take him now” and the deer literally going head-over-heels (he was on an incline, making it look a little more dramatic). This buck needed to come out of the herd as he had minimal antler development despite good nutrition (he hogged the protein in the Spring). He had the same conformation as last year, including one main beam being slighter shorter than the other and one side being wider than the other, which made him easy to recognize. I actually took a photo of him a couple days ago, and his ear was not ripped like it is now, so they are not only chasing but still fighting as well. Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | ||
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The smile sez it all! Great stuff. I bet Andy is going to be hard charging to get himself a buck now that Grady has taken one. Tell Grady congrats, and Andy best of luck! Enjoy every moment. My oldest who hunts with me is now thirty. Boy I'm getting old I'll have to wait until thanksgiving to take my oldest grandson, and my other grandson is a little less than 4 years. He has the concept, but it will be a few years before he gets the chance to take a deer. Best GWB | |||
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Thanks, Geedubya. Andy is really wanting to get a hog or a doe with the crossbow. We were looking over some deer the other day and talking about potential shooters, and he asked if it wouldn't be better if he took a doe. It makes me feel good to know they are taking into account the science portion of hunting as well. Here in our county, no does may be taken other than in archery season (unless you are MLD or in a co-op, etc.). So I guess we better hurry and see what we can get into Andy's sights. I have to admit that he is absolutely lethal with that crossbow, and I've figured a way to get him a pretty decent rest. I only have a brushed-in area and no blind, so we are going to have to coordinate everything beforehand. But if it will be anything like Grady's hunt today, it will be quite the memorable time...whether a tag is filled out or not.  Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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Please give the little fellow a hearty congradulations from Wyoming. You are also well served to be proud. Thanks for sharing with the rest of us. | |||
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Congratulations Bobby, and Congratulations to Grady. The future of hunting lies on the shoulders of youngster like yours. You have done a great job heading them down the right road in life. Even the rocks don't last forever. | |||
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WTG Grady! Rusty We Band of Brothers! DRSS, NRA & SCI Life Member "I am rejoiced at my fate. Do not be uneasy about me, for I am with my friends." ----- David Crockett in his last letter (to his children), January 9th, 1836 "I will never forsake Texas and her cause. I am her son." ----- Jose Antonio Navarro, from Mexican Prison in 1841 "for I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." Thomas Jefferson Declaration of Arbroath April 6, 1320-“. . .It is not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom - for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.” | |||
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Outstanding. Pics like that are the best of all hunting pics. Give the young man a hearty congrats from the Chief! | |||
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Thanks, everyone. We appreciate it! We may have discovered one small downside yesterday -- that Grady is possibly allergic to the scent killer we prefer. We use Primos SIlver Earth Blend, and it has allowed us to be within feet of not only deer but a bobcat at 3-4 yards week. We hunt on the ground and have no blind, so this is important to us. WHat do you guys use? Thanks in advance. Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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Congrats Grady! A job well done!!! Congrats to you also dad!!! Graybird "Make no mistake, it's not revenge he's after ... it's the reckoning." | |||
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Well done Grady...Bobby we want a little more 411 on his rig. Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  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. | |||
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Mike-It is the Savage 10FP-ST w/ the 22" heavy barrel. Because it has 5" of eye relief, I mounted a Nikon Slug Hunter 200 BDC on it in an EGW picatinny-style base so I could suit the stance/eye relief of these little guys. Grady used the Federal 62 grain Fusion load, which performed very well and shoots sub-MOA from this rifle. Even more accurate is the Hornady Superformance 75 grain BTHP. We tried the Hornady GMX load. FOr starters, accuracy -- if it can even be called that -- was pitiful. And shot into wet newsprint at 100 yatds, it didn't even show a hint of expansion. I wanted to work up a load for them, but time was short and I move a little slowly. While they like this rifle, I want to get another stock for the 7mm Bullberry Contender carbine sometimes soon as I am having to limit their range with the little .223. Grady actually had a much bigger buck in his sights the day before but had to pass as he was out around 215-220 yards and really didn't present much of an opportunity for a small caliber anyway. they practice at that range all the time and could make the shot, but there was no way we'd attempt that with such a small bullet. But with the 7BB, that slight quartering angle would have been a piece of cake... Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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Wanted to give my opinion on so-called youth rifles. Why are most made to be so light? Kids are not going to pack them through the mountains. As long as the rifle fits them, a heavier barrel will help minimize recoil and keep them on target better -- at least in my opinion. Plus, several of the youth rifles have horrendous triggers. Teaching finer shooting skills is not possible when the entire rig moves when puling a 7-8 pound trigger. We tried another rifle before the Savage, and it shot the Federal blue box (243 Win) 100 grainers very well for me. But the gun did not fit the boys all that well, and their 3-shot, 200 yard groups were in the 3.5 to nearly 4" range. Grady was actually in tears as he felt that was poor accuracy and a reflection on his shooting. I knew it was not their shooting, got out the 7mm BB (which does not fit them all that well since they decided they are right-handed ) and let them each fire a couple of groups, also at 200. They basically bored out the center of the small diamond -- and smiles quickly replaced the tears.I assured them we'd get something that worked better -- and for now, the .223 will suffice. I've also thought about a barrel for the Savage is something like 6.5 or 7mm TCU. But I think a better idea is a good RH stock for the Contender. They know it so well and understand the trajectory of the 7mm BB. So the ultimate scenario would be for me to eventually get another frame, stock and barrel in the same chambering so they each can ahve their own. But for now, they are just fine with sharing. Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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Way to go Mr. Grady and Dad!! What a team!! Bob There is room for all of God's creatures....right next to the mashed potatoes. http://texaspredatorposse.ipbhost.com/   | |||
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Excellent! Good Hunting, Tim Herald Worldwide Trophy Adventures tim@trophyadventures.com | |||
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 Grady I have never used a scent but still got deer ! At this point in time I think I'd be allergic to all of them. I wouldn't wear anything white as that's the deer's warning sign as he flashes his tail !! Why don't you put [tape etc] some weights on his gun and adjust as he gets bigger ? | |||
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mete-Grady's gun isn't light. It has a heavy barrel. I was referring to youth rifles in general. But that is a good idea! Bobby Μολὼν λαβέ The most important thing in life is not what we do but how and why we do it. - Nana Mouskouri | |||
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The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Hunting American Big Game Hunting 8-year-old Grady bags his 2nd buck
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