GOT MY RELOADING FINISHED ON 5/8 & 9/19, 40 ROUNDS OF THE FURY FMJ 260gr FP FOR THE LINEBAUGH 45 COLT REDHAWK, AND 58 ROUNDS OF THE 325gr BARNES BUSTER FOR THE FA MNP STALKER 454. THOSE BARNES BUSTERS ARE REALLY NICE LOOKING BULLETS, COME WITH 2 CANNELURES, AND LOOK LIKE THEY ARE BUILT LIKE A TANK, MY ONLY COMPLAINT IS I WISH THE MEPLAT WAS A TAD WIDER.

CHEROKEETRACKER IS SUPPOSE TO GO TO THE HIGHPOINT NEXT WEEK. HE DOESN'T TRAVEL LIGHT, AND USUALLY HAS A CHRONY WITH HIM. I PLAN ON CHRONOing THE ABOVE LOADS AND MY 265 SWIFT AFRAME LOADS IN MY 12 INCH FA 454. HOPING FOR/THINKING I WILL GET 1,325fps WITH THE FURY's, 1,625fps WITH THE BARNES AND 2,000fps WITH THE SWIFTS. WILL SEE HOW CLOSE MY GUESSTIMATES ARE.

HURT THE PINKY ON MY RIGHT HAND LATE YESTERDAY CLOSING A RANCH GATE UP AT MY BROTHER'S DEER LEASE, BIG SKIN TEAR, LOT 'A BLOOD, NO WAY TO PRACTICE THIS WEEKEND, NEED TO LET IT HEAL, PLUS IT MAY BE TOO WET AT THE RANGE ANYWAY. CAN START GATHERING PROPOSED CLOTHING AND GEAR FOR THE TRIP THIS WEEKEND, I NEVER "GET IT RIGHT" THE FIRST TIME, SO A "DRY RUN" OR 2 IS ALWAYS HELPFUL.

Heal well brother

MY INJURED PINKY IS HEALING WELL AND SHOULD NOT BE AN ISSUE. LAST SATURDAY, UP AT THE HIGHPOINT, I CHRONO'ed SOME LOADS, TEMP 80 degrees, 2,263 elevation: 1) 12 INCH FA 454 WITH 36grs OF 296 AND A SWIFT AF 265: 1,874, 1,883 & 1,903, AVG. 1,887, NOT THE 2,000fps I WAS HOPING FOR BUT GOOD ENUFF FOR WHITETAIL HUNTS; 2) 5 1/2 INCH LINEBAUGH RUGER REDHAWK 45 COLT, 260gr FURY FP FMJ OVER 22.0grs VVN-110: A DISAPPOINTING 1,159 & 1,078 PLUS SEVERAL ERROR READINGS; AND 3) 8 3/8ths INCH FA 454 MNP STALKER WITH 325 BARNES BUSTERS OVER 30grs OF 296: 1,572, 1,646 & 1,638, AVG. 1,618, WHAT I WAS HOPING FOR. I LEAVE THIS COMING FRIDAY MAY 24, 2019, SO I BARELY HAVE ANY TIME LEFT BUT WANT TO MAKE A QUICK TRIP TO MY SHOOTING RANGE TO RESIGHT IN MY REDHAWK WITH SOME HOTTER 260gr CAST WFN LOADS THAT SHOOT EXTREMELY WELL OUT OF MY REDHAWK. IF I HADN'T KILLED A LARGE BOAR HOG IN 2016 WITH THAT LOAD AND A HEAD SHOT I WOULD NOT CONSIDER THE CAST BULLET, BUT IT SHOOTS VERY WELL, I THINK ITS MV IS IN THE 1,200 - 1,300 RANGE AND I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN IT.

THE SPOT WHERE I SHOT A BLACK BEAR IN 2016, AND WHERE A BIG BLACK BEAR WAS STILL AROUND, IS STILL WINTERED IN WITH DEEP SNOW, SO GEORGE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BAIT UP THERE, TOO BAD, IT IS A REALLY GREAT PLACE.

Rey, the Redhawk 45 loads seem to be very slow for some reason with that 260 gr bullet. Of course you know this but you should be able to go well beyond that. I usually suggest pulling the trigger harder but in this case I don't think it will make up the difference.

Dick

DICK: YEAH, I KNOW, THAT IS WHY I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE MV READS. MAY RE-CHRONO BUT THE FORECAST IS WINDY, WINDY AND MORE WINDY FOR TODAY AND TOMORROW.

So which revolver and load are going to be your primary, Rey?

MY PRIMARY IS THE 8 3/8ths INCH FA 454 MNP STALKER USING BARNES BUSTERS (THE REVOLVER HAS A FIXED B&L 2X ON IT). MY BACKUP GUN, CARRIED IN A DIAMOND D CHEST HOLSTER, IS THE 5 1/2 INCH LINEBAUGH 45 COLT RUGER REDHAWK. I STARTED OUT WITH 26grs OF 296 AND 265 SWIFT AF's AND THE 260 FURY FP FMJ's BUT SWITHCHED TO VVN-110. I SHUD HAVE STUCK WITH DEVELOPING A LOAD WITH 296, OR USED MORE VVN-110, BECAUSE THE MV WITH THE 22.0grs VVN-110 LOAD IS VERY DISAPPOINING WITH THE FURY FP FMJ. WENT AND CHONO'ed A 2013 LOADING, USING A 260 CAST WFN, TODAY, IT CHONO'ed FASTER TODAY (AVG. 1,073) THAN DID THE FURY LOAD TODAY (AVG. 1,011) AND IT SHOOTS BETTER, SO I AM TAKING THE CAST WFN LOAD TO ALASKA. I AM 90% + PACKED.

Remember the key rule about Alaska, my friend: it rains!
Best of luck, Rey!

THANKS KEN, AM PREPARED FOR RAIN

X2 BEST OF LUCK REY!

WILL BE GOING TO THE AIRPORT THIS A.M. FOR A NOON FLIGHT, BROWNSVILLE-HOUSTON-SEATTLE-ANCHORAGE. I GET TO ANCHORAGE LATE SO I WILL OVERNIGHT THERE, BUT SHUD STILL GET TO HUNT SATURDAY EVENING.

LAST MINUTE ISSUE LAST NIGHT AS I WAS PACKING MY CARRY ON/FIELD BACK PACK. INSTEAD OF STRAPPING A LIGHT JACKET TO THE OUTSIDE I STUFFED IT IN THE PACK AND HAD SOME ZIPPER SEPARATION. A VERY NICE B/P THAT I GOT IN THE ARCHERY SECTION AT A CABELA'S STORE. THE ZIPPER STILL WORKED BUT IT WAS BUGGING ME, SO I CHANGED OVER TO A REAL B/P, AN EBERLESTOCK "JUST ONE" B/P THAT I USED ON A FALL BROWN BEAR HUNT SOME YEARS BACK. THE JUST ONE IS BIGGER, BETTER, HEAVIER DUTY, AND ABSOLUTELY MANY TIMES BETTER IN WET CONDITIONS.

Have a great hunt. Looking forward to hearing about it!

BTW ALL, WHEN I GET BACK I WANT TO START A TOPIC RE THE 101+ WAYS YOU CAN GET SCREWED UP MV READINGS WHEN CHRONOGRAPHING, NOT SAYING I KNOW WHAT THEY ALL ARE, BUT, OH MY GOSH, I KNOW THEY EXIST.

Stay safe and have a great time, Rey!

Good luck,.....eberlestock is the way to go for rough, tough, ready for stuff hunting. A bit heavier than some of the newer lightweight stuff but an awesome product.

Trapr

Good luck bring back a big one.

Good luck rey.

Yup, good equipment is always cheaper in the long run.....that's why cast bullets rule! Don't start on me boys, I'm just joking.
Rey, I hope you whack the biggest Black Bear up there!

Dick

Safe travels, Rey! Give ?em hell!

Looking forward to the results. Good luck, Rey!

Best of luck to you, safe travels!

Good luck! Have fun

Good luck! We all will be eagerly awaiting the hunt report!

GOT TO ANCHORAGE LATE FRIDAY NIGHT AND OVERNIGHTED THERE. GEORGE PICKED ME UP AROUND 10 A.M. SATURDAY MORNING, TO CABELA'S TO GET LICENSE AND BLACK BEAR TAG, WENT BY THE ALASKA FUR EXCHANGE TO VISIT A BIT WITH GOOD FRIEND GUS GILLESPIE. ALMOST 3 YEARS TO THE DAY SINCE HIS BEST FRIEND/MY GOOD FRIEND DON KIRN, FORMER SCI PRESIDENT, PASSED. THEN TO WASILLA TO BUY SUPPLIES AND A LATE LUNCH AT CHEPPO'S (A GREAT MEXICAN FOOD RESTAURANT!), THEN ON TO TRAPPER CREEK. ARRIVED AROUND 3 P.M. AND LEFT FOR THE FIRST HUNT AT 5 P.M. A FEW MILES DOWN BLACKTOP AND GRAVEL ROADS, THEN ONTO A 4 WHEELER FOR A 4 MILE TREK INTO THE ALASKAN BUSH TO A BAIT SITE THAT WAS BEING HIT. VERY NICE SET UP, WITH 30-35 YARD SHOTS AND SOME COVER IN THE TREE STAND WITH CAMO BURLAP. WE WERE SET UP BY 6:15 PM. NOTHING BUT A SQUIRREL UNTIL 10:20 P.M. WHEN A NICE BLACK BEAR COMES IN. I HAD TOLD GEORGE THAT FOR STARTERS I WAS LOOKING FOR A 6 1/2 FOOTER, AND THIS GUY WAS A 5 1/2 FOOTER, MAYBE A 6 FOOTER, NICE BEAR, BEAUTIFUL COAT, BUT IT WAS HIS LUCKY DAY. GOT TO WATCH HIM EATING AND LICKING AWAY FOR 45 MINUTES. IT STARTED TO DRIZZLE AND WE STARTED GETTING READY TO LEAVE AT 11:45 PM. NOTHING ELSE CAME IN. I GOT A NICE PICTURE OF "LUCKY" AND WILL POST IT LATER TODAY.

Good luck. I know how hard it is to stick to your guns and not shoot something less than what you have your mind set on.

Give ?em hell, Rey.

Good luck

HERE IS A PICTURE OF "LUCKY"

Hopefully his big brother will show up.

Great patience Rey, you'll nail his older buddy!

Dick

GEORGE HAS 3 BAITS UP, RIVER#1, WHERE WE SAT SATURDAY NIGHT, RIVER#2 ABOUT A 1 1/2 MILES UP RIVER, AND GATES CREEK. TODAY WAS A WET DAY, MISERABLE TO BE OUTSIDE. WE WENT AND CHECKED GATES CREEK, AND IT HAD BEEN HIT, BUT THE STAND IS NOT UP THERE YET. OVER THE YEARS, I HAVE SAT, UNSUCCESSFULLY, MANY TIMES AT GATES CREEK. THEN WE WENT AND CHECKED RIVER#2. THE 4 WHEELER DRIVE TO GATES CREEK IS NOT TOO BAD ACROSS A SWAMPY AREA, BUT THE DRIVES TO THE RIVER BAITS ARE DOWN TIGHT, BRUSHY 4 WHEELER TRAILS, AND IF YOU ARE NOT ALERT YOU CAN GET WHACKED. RIVER#2 HAS NOT BEEN HIT YET, SO IT WAS BACK TO RIVER#1 FOR THE SUNDAY EVENING HUNT. ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE 4 WHEELER TRAIL TROUBLE.


OOOPS, A WHEEL ON THE TRAILER WE PULL WITH THE 4 WHEELER CAME OFF JUST AS WE CROSSED A STREAM. WE LOADED AS MUCH AS WE COULD ON THE 4 WHEELER SO GEORGE COULD GO BACK TO THE VEHICLE, UNLOAD, AND LOOK FOR A PIPE OR LOG OR SOMETHING WE COULD USE TO GET THE TRAILER BACK TO THE VEHICLE. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE EVENING HUNT WAS CANCELLED (MAYBE NOT TOO BAD BECUSE IT WAS RAINING AND WE WERE IN FOR A MISERABLE SIT). IT TOOK GEORGE A WHILE TO GET BACK BECAUSE A MOTOR VEHICLE DROVE A WAYS DOWN THE 4 WHEELER PATH AND PARKED WHILE SOME GUY KNOCKED OFF A PIECE OF ASS. MEANWHILE I AM AT THE TRAILER GETTING RAINED ON. FINALLY GEORGE GETS BACK AND WE TIE A 2x4 TO THE TRAILER AND MAKE IT BACK TO HIS MOTOR VEHICLE. LUCLILY THE REPAIR GUY WAS AROUND AND WE TOOK THE TRAILER OVER TO HIM AND LEFT IT OFF. I AM EXPECTING THAT WE WILL BE HUNTING MONDAY NIGHT. ENJOYED SOME TASTY MOOSE STEAKS FOR SUPPER. HERE IS A PICTURE OF THE ALASKAN ENGINEERING USING THE 2x4.

Your turn will come, Rey. I've seen that kinda 'engineering' before.

Sounds to be an adventurous trip thus far.

Travois style used to work very well, and still does. at least it didn?t happen during the creek crossing.

Trapr

Was just told we have had the wettest May on record here on the Kenai Peninsula...
Hope its going well!

MONDAY, MEMORIAL DAY, DAY 3: WENT TO A FRIEND OF GEORGE'S, JIM, AND BORROWED 2 4 WHEELERS WHILE GEORGE'S 4 WHEELER AND 4 WHEELER TRAILER GET FIXED. THE 3 OF US WENT TO THGE GATES CREEK BAIT TO PUT UP THE STAND, THE BAIT WAS HIT HARD THE NIGHT OF DAY 2 SO WE WENT BACK LATER, WERE SET UP BY 6:20 P.M. AND SAT UNTIL 11:45 P.M., BUT NOTHING CAME IN. IT WAS DRY BUT UNCOMFORTABLY COLD.

WHEN WE WENT TO GATES CREEK IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON TO SET UP THE STAND ALL 3 OF US WERE CARRYING IN A SHOULDER/CHEST STYLE RIG, GEORGE WAS CARRYING A 6 INCH FA 454 WITH SOME FA FACTORY 260gr AMMO, JIM WAS CARRYING A 4 INCH MODEL 29 LOADED WITH HORNADY FACTORY 180 GRAINERS, AND I WAS CARRYING MY LINEBAUGH RUGER REDHAWK 45 COLT WITH SOME 260gr WFN RELOADS. THIS IS GRIZZLY AND BLACK BEAR COUNTRY AND BEST TO BE PREPARED.

Good luck on your hunt and safe travels. What was the actual temperature there?

Any time it's wet, it's cold & when you are sitting still it can get really miserable. I've spent some miserable days that were 70 degrees in the mountains after getting wet...think hypothermia.
Hang in there Rey!!

Dick

DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE TEMP WAS, PROBABLY IN THE 40's, BUT IT FELT COLD, AND UNDERNEATH I WAS STILL A LITTLE DAMP FROM THE AFTERNOON'S ACTIVITIES.