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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,673
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,673 |
Leaving for an out of state Mule Deer hunt next week. I took two rifle to the ranch to burn some powder, now I can't decide which one to take. Plan was to take a 300 Roy I am working on, but I haven't had time to finish it yet. On the left is 'Ol Faithful. She's just about given up the ghost on her second barrel, but still reliably hammers round 1 into the same spot, every time. It's a 700 based 7WSM with a custom mag box that feeds super and holds 3 down. It used to be a sub-1/2 MOA rifle, but has slipped to about a 1.25 MOA rifle now. I'm running 140gr TSXs at around 3300fps. On the right is a 257 Roy that I recently completed. It has a custom mag box and follower that allows 4 down and it too feeds like nobody's business. So far, it has proven itself as a sub-1/4 MOA rifle out to 300+ yards, and last weekend I hammered a 5 shot, 500 yard group a hair under 2" with 100gr TSXs at around 3500 fps. Ol' Faithful weighs 7lb, 8oz, and the Roy weighs 8lbs, 7oz. I'm perfectly comfortable with both, and can't decide which way I want to go. We will be hunting several miles back in, so weight will be an issue. However, we will also be hunting some BIG, open country so shots could very well be fairly long.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,793
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,793 |
Which one are you more confident on making the shot with?
John
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,423
Campfire Kahuna Emeritus & Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Kahuna Emeritus & Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 8,423 |
I vote for the .257 Roy, only because I want one and I can truly see YOU using this lovely rifle.
Steve
"God Loves Each Of Us As If There Were Only One Of Us" Saint Augustine of Hippo - AD 397
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 28,277 |
For me and for serious hunts a rig that I have the most time with and am the most intimate with is the one to go to.
When I am traveling I want a proven honest rifle and one that I can go to in clutch time when the chips are down.
No doubt I would go with the old friend.
Take the other for a backup.
Dober
"True respect starts with the way you treat others, and it is earned over a lifetime of demonstrating kindness, honor and dignity"....Tony Dungy
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,417
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,417 |
Flip a coin, they both sound awesome!!They are both beautiful and they both will flatten deer all day long. If you are doing a ton of hiking I would pick the lighter rifle. If you think you will need to snipe one at 500 yards go with the 257 wby.
Hell, bring em both............
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 596
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 596 |
I second the flip a coin idea, either will handle mulies.
Walk softly and carry a big bore!
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,705
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,705 |
Anything named 'Ol Faithful would be my pick if I can't decide.
-Lou
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,790 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 8,790 Likes: 1 |
New blood, start fresh. Out with the old.
Then when you get back....order a new pipe for the Old Girl.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,865 Likes: 3
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,865 Likes: 3 |
Its hard to leave an old friend home................
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,673
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,673 |
I am sort of leaning towards Ol' Faithful, just because she's done so well for me over the past years (and because she weighs about a pound less). However, picking off soda cans, first shot, 5 out of 5 times at distances from 420 to 500+ yards with the Roy is a strong argument for the newcomer.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,949
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,949 |
Even Ol'Faithful had to have a first hunt somewhere, break in the Roy.
Hunt hard, kill clean, waste nothing and offer no apologies.
"In rifle work, group size is of some interest...but it is well to remember that a rifleman does not shoot groups, he shoots shots." Jeff Cooper
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,883
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2003
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CAS - you can't make a bad decision with your choices listed. I'm with Mark though. I have an old wood/blue 280 Rem that when something needs killed it comes out of retirement. Have lost track of the number of "tough shots" it has pulled off. I've owned it since 1982 - its like family
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it.
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,011
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
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SOunds like you have confidence in both. Either will do the job, but traveling out of State, where weight will be a concern and with the name "Ol Faithfull", take the tried and true.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,436
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13,436 |
I'm with the "take them both" gang. But, I would use the Roy as my main rifle.
Don
Don Buckbee
JPFO NRA Benefactor Member NSSA Life Member
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,678 Likes: 4
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 23,678 Likes: 4 |
Take 'em both..........I always take 2 guns on an out of state hunt or any trip where I'll be gone several days.
Schitt happens; horses rub trees, fall down on rocks, drop gun climbing.....always best to have a spare in camp.
Flip a coin as to which one is used 1st; it's a no lose deal as both are very nice guns.
I'm in the same boat for an upcoming trip as well.
Good Luck.
MM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,673 Likes: 6
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 24,673 Likes: 6 |
CAS-
If you're less than two hours from home, both should go with. I'm with the "take em'" both gang. While I've never had a malfunction or breakdown on a hunt, one of my spares has been loaned out to another hunter on more than one occasion. We spend too much money/time on hunts to be caught off-guard.
WWP53D
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 96,121 Likes: 1 |
"Dear Lord, save me from Your followers"
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Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,673
Campfire Tracker
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OP
Campfire Tracker
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Shot today with no clear winner. First shot connects are a given with either.
I am not going to take both, as we will be hunting dark to dark every day, and I am not about to leave one of these rifles in camp with nothing protecting it but the wall tent.
Tuesday we will run the rifles to 600 again. I'll keep shooting until one speaks to me.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651 |
Out of state? I wouldn't consider taking only one rifle on such a trip. You have two great rifles - take both.
Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!
No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.
A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
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