Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14×44 Rapid Z 800 Review

Last summer I decided that if the perfect hunting scope existed, I would find it. Of course “perfect” is subjective as everyone has a different opinion of what “perfect” is. My perfect bucket list is known to change depending on application. For a medium to long range hunting scope I think its important that it not be too big or heavy, have good glass, turrets that can be dialed accurately, enough  eye relief to be used on a magnum rifle, have a good reticle with the ability to make fast holdover shots, enough magnification to make the long shot,  waterproof, fogproof, durable, etc. It also needs a good manufacture warranty to back it up just in case your horse rolls down a mountain with it.  Last, it shouldn’t require robbing a bank to buy one.  I ruled out an unbelievable number of good scopes  for one reason or another, including some very big name expensive scopes. A scope would seem like it was working but then would fall short in one of the categories I listed as being important. Things got so bad that I had an excel sheet with specs, eye relief, field of view, price, adjustment range, and any other data that I could get in an excel spreadsheet. I was analyzing reticles and  comparing glass in scopes every opportunity Continue reading Zeiss Conquest 4.5-14×44 Rapid Z 800 Review

Bear Hunt with a Glock 20 (10MM)

I had chased bears all over the mountains off and on for several weeks with my good friend Don, who’s a very experienced bear chaser. I’d had opportunities to shoot many bears but none got me excited enough to start shooting. I’d had a chance, for about 1.5 seconds, to shoot a running bear with a rifle at about 150 yards  and passed it up because I wasn’t confidant in its size. Afterwards, I regretted not taking the shot. I resolved not to make the same mistake again.

The day started at 3:30 AM. Ben, one of Don’s friends, had joined us and by 10 or 11 AM we’d seen a couple of bears but Continue reading Bear Hunt with a Glock 20 (10MM)

3 Days 3 Bucks

I checked the wind for the third time and finally felt comfortable that it wasn’t going to change. I was sure that the buck was here somewhere. I continued to slowly sneak along the trail praying that I wouldn’t step on a stray twig or dead leaf blowing my opportunity. Suddenly, I caught movement ahead of me and I froze. In a ravine about 60yrds ahead, the head and antlers of a buck slowly came into view. Instantly I knew this was the buck…. Continue reading 3 Days 3 Bucks

Back Country Bull Elk

This Idaho Public Land Elk gross scored 322 B&C

My wife looked at me like I had just grown two heads as I was doing the happy dance around our living room. The Idaho Fish and Game had finally posted the draw results and I had drawn the rifle tag I wanted for an archery only unit for elk. Once I finally calmed down it was down to business planning the hunt.

As luck would have it my brother In-law Chris also drew out so we would be hunting together. We decided to use ATV’s to haul camp as far as possible then horses for hauling out game. The months passed slowly but finally we were headed out. Unfortunately, Mother Nature didn’t want to help us and it was raining hard making for a muddy wet trail. The four Continue reading Back Country Bull Elk

Protect the Muzzle of your gun, Ultimate Bore Protection

Nothing ruins a hunting or shooting trip faster than having a rifle barrel full of crud, mud, snow, or grass. I’ve used black electrical tape on the muzzle of my rifle and on more than one occasion had it save the day when I fell in slick conditions and rammed my barrel into the ground. While electrical tape works, it also leaves a sticky residue. For some reason on a stainless barrel that was bead blasted matte, it removed the stainless matte and made it shiny. Electrical tape has done the job but leaves a little to be desired. I guess covering the hole in the end of my barrel wasn’t what it was designed for. Continue reading Protect the Muzzle of your gun, Ultimate Bore Protection