257 Bee strikes again

ColoradoV

Very Active Member
Oct 4, 2011
820
941




First season here in Colorado found Kime with a bull tag and I had a cow tag for the same unit. The goal was to hunt a big bull I chased around in archery (330" type) and see if we could get lucky if not fill the freezer. Warm loud and windy was the rule for the weekend and while the bulls were bugling well on thurs - fri that only lasted a few hours into opening day.

We were bugling with the big bull before light and a bit after on opening day but some shooting across the ridge soon shut him up. We saw a few cows from his group and pieces of elk in the trees but could not get off a shot and the brutal up hill hike to the car was all that was left on the opener

Sunday we went to another area where shots would be further than 50 yards and were able to locate another group of elk with 2 legal bulls one nice 6x6 and 8 cows. As we made the hike I knew the shots would not be close but we got in as far as we could and got set up on the tri pod. By the time Kime found the biger bull in the scope he was in the bottom of the valley crossing on to our side but the cows were just feeding at 500ish yards. The heavy wind gave me pause but I shoot much further every couple of weeks so we decided for me to take a cow. The shot was 536 yds and the "bee" did the trick again. This large cow went 30 yds after the shot as that is how far she rolled.

Freezer is full!



On the pack out Kime twisted a knee so the next day we planned on sitting/resting the knee and saw 4 cows with a 5 pt bull. The bull stopped at about 380 yds but the wind this day was just about as hard as I have ever seen and she missed him. The bull did not run but walked away and as she did not feel comfortable with the shots she was presented so she did not take another.




Since the freezer is now full we decided to go after the large bull again and hunt the thick stuff for the last 2 days and that we did. Saw tracks big and one bugle but that was it but still a super fun hunt.
 

ColoradoV

Very Active Member
Oct 4, 2011
820
941
Thanks all - it was a fun hunt and a another great adventure.

I shoot either the nosler partitions 120 gr or the Barnes tsx in a 115 gr. Both shoot well and a toss up really as to what to use. This elk was shot with a nosler partition.

For years I have been either a .30 cal or 7mm guy but the past couple of elk I have taken with a rifle have been with the "bee". Not that I have gone away from larger calibers at the range but I just seem to reach for this gun lately when I head out hunting. Just easy to shoot set up out to about +-500yds and that is just about my reach for hunting anyway.
 

dan maule

Veteran member
Jan 3, 2015
1,028
1,285
Upper Michigan
Thanks all - it was a fun hunt and a another great adventure.

I shoot either the nosler partitions 120 gr or the Barnes tsx in a 115 gr. Both shoot well and a toss up really as to what to use. This elk was shot with a nosler partition.

For years I have been either a .30 cal or 7mm guy but the past couple of elk I have taken with a rifle have been with the "bee". Not that I have gone away from larger calibers at the range but I just seem to reach for this gun lately when I head out hunting. Just easy to shoot set up out to about +-500yds and that is just about my reach for hunting anyway.
I also use the 115 TSX, I have never tried the partition. I have always been a 30 caliber guy and let the kids use the 257 but as I am getting older I am wanting to start using it more. It is good to see how it performed for you at distance on elk. Thanks!!
 

ColoradoV

Very Active Member
Oct 4, 2011
820
941
Congrats man looks to be a real good buck. I just packed up the bee as well for the wife's 4th season buck hunt so fingers crossed it will treat her well.

We leave tomorrow at 4 am and with all the passes still open that should put us there just about shooting light. We will "bee" there until the end of the season lol.
 

dan maule

Veteran member
Jan 3, 2015
1,028
1,285
Upper Michigan
Congrats man looks to be a real good buck. I just packed up the bee as well for the wife's 4th season buck hunt so fingers crossed it will treat her well.

We leave tomorrow at 4 am and with all the passes still open that should put us there just about shooting light. We will "bee" there until the end of the season lol.
Good Luck may the force "BEE" with you!!