Trying out the scope

[Gussy]

Buff hunt coming up and I'm putting in some time with the new scope. This is the same rifle I used last year but this time I will use a scope. I will have the open sights along if I change my mind.

I shot a couple fouler/sighters (out of the black lower right). The next 5 were shot standing off of cross sticks (all in the black). Previous shooting was off of a bench rest but it's too heavy to take along




Possibly my backup gun in front. It might still be another shiloh??

[Kurt]

Jim.

Here is my thought on my first buff hunt using a scope. I always hunted using the barrel sights and the last Bison hunt I had a hard time finding the sights on the black hair during the heavy cloud cover that morning. For this last hunt I took the Hartford into the Shiloh shop and had Kirk tap the barrel for scope blocks and I bought a DZ scope and put it on my hunting rifle. The scope performs well and even in the early morning darkest cloudy shadows that I tested this scope here at home I could see what I wanted to hit. Man I thought this is the cats meow but the groups where not any smaller then using the barrel sights but everything was in focus.
When I left home I had the scope set for 100 yards. The morning of the hunt we had drizzling rain and I took some shots to make sure the sights were still on and the first two shots hit 10" high! What the hey?? well the almost 9 hrs down the road and a couple other rifles bumping the case changed the setting. No problem. Got the barrel fouled and ready for the hunt.
When I put the cross hairs on him all was well, man could I see on the misty morning but he did not go down on the first shot and here is where the scope became a problem.
Being a right handed shooter holding the rifle in my left hand the hammer was in the way loading the rifle. I had to switch hands so I could finish seating the round. I must have pealed the patch back a little fumbling around the scope when chambering the round. The scope was in the way for me to get enough pressure on the round so I could close the breach. I carried a cartridge seater just in case this might happen, but it would not fit under the scope so I could not use it.
When it was all over I took the scope off and held the rifle on the heard that was a couple hundred yards off to see if the Sight Stephen made for me with the bronze front blade was good for the hunt in the light we had that morning and that front blade shined like a beacon even looking through my dark floater and starting cataracts. What a mistake I made using the scope. It got the job done but it could have turned out differently if I would have stuck a bullet and could not have a follow up shot. I would have taken the .45-70 back up guide gun out of Lee's hands. By the way I didn't even know Rick gave him that rifle for a just in case

I removed the scope blocks from my hunting rifle and plugged the holes. It will most likely never get put on this rifle again.

Kurt

[Rowdy Rick]

Kurt, you did a good job of shooting.......buffalo are just tough critters sometimes. I let Lee carry the back-up due to my doing video of hunt. Only a foolish guide who has never been charged by buff will not carry back-up guns on a hunt!!
Simpler is always better on a buff hunt. Many of my clients have used my homemade standing shooting sticks to good effect. The store bought adjustable ones take too long to set up in many cases I have noticed. Also tape your front sight insert in . Have had guys lose a couple of them when carrying in taller grass and stalking.

Last week had a guy shooting a new Winchester Hi Wall in 375 H&H. The first two shots both an inch from the heart did not put the critter down. Third shot was hurried and was high, 4th shot anchored him. Tough critters............

Hey, your latest flintknapping looks professional!

Rick

[Rowdy Rick]

Buff hunt coming up and I'm putting in some time with the new scope. This is the same rifle I used last year but this time I will use a scope. I will have the open sights along if I change my mind.

I shot a couple fouler/sighters (out of the black lower right). The next 5 were shot standing off of cross sticks (all in the black). Previous shooting was off of a bench rest but it's too heavy to take along




Possibly my backup gun in front. It might still be another shiloh??

Gussy, looks like you are ready! Hope the weather remains good for you.

Rick

[Kurt]

TNX. Rick. I learned a lot from you of the old ways.

Kurt

[Ironramrod]

Guys, If you don't mind, what are the dimensions of your standing cross-sticks, and what material do you use for them? I would imagine that somewhat depends on a shooters height, but maybe not entirely? Thanks.

Regards
IR

[Kurt]

IR, I will let Rick answer the dimensions of his sticks he let me use. I think they might have been about 60" or close.
They worked very good. With his tall grasses and sunflowers You had to go off hand, mono pole or his sticks.
I don't have a good picture of his pole. Here is a look at how he tied the top.

[Rowdy Rick]

IR, I made mine from closet clothes hanging dowels I got at Menards. I skinnied them up a little with an angle grinder. They are pretty lightweight. Roughly 1 1/4 in. diam. They should be approx. as tall as you are or just a few inches shorter. I don't have pics of mine only videos. Will try and get some taken and post when I get a chance. I used nylon cord to fasten together.

[Kurt]

The sticks on the right are Ricks standing sticks.

[Ironramrod]

Guys, Thanks for the info, and the pictures. I think w/ a set of offhand sticks like Ricks I might even shoot a decent score on those miserable chicken silhouettes.

Regards
IR