I already knew most of it, but that's a great story, John, and I never tire of hearing you re-tell it. You know how you have said that most gunwriters, as they age, tend to write too little about guns and too much about themselves? Well, your readers do not think this applies to you. The story is neat because we can picture a young Mule Deer at the master's elbow, learning a top-notch gunmaker's craft, while you were still learning your own craft. And then one day you would also be a top-notch craftsman, although in another art form, and used the .280 in part to hone your craft. Anyway, I think it's a cool story, similar to when you told us about using the same rifle up high in the mountains on a horseback hunt to take a gigantic mule deer.
You replied to inform lubbockdave, but, perhaps without meaning to, entertained the rest of us.
Greg Perry
Thanks very much! It's been a very interesting journey.....
Also took one of my two biggest caribou with the .280. Was young and fit enough then to actually jog uphill across the tundra for at least half a mile to get within range when the bull paused long enough for a shot. Left a trail of clothing and a daypack, but managed to get within 350-375 yards, and the rifle worked fine. In fact, the first 160 Nosler Partition stopped the bull--but it didn't fall, which happens with caribou. The second landed within two inches of the first, and then it fell!
John
