The 1 Thing You Learned- Rifles

[Spartan Jake]

I think most of us make a mistake over and over again. We go on a hunt, but don’t make the effort to think critically about 1 thing we learned and will do different next time.

Think about it, how often do magazines write about a hunt, but fail to single out an action item to change in the future? Just 1 thing, maybe something you learned about elk behavior, your rifle setup, clothing, camping system. We can consume all the information we want, but if we don’t change anything, did it really do us any good?

I’d like to start the series of discussions to get us in the habit of reviewing our hunt, and share highlights about the 1 thing we learned on a particular topic. To start, 1 thing I learned about my rifle setup on a recent hunt was exposed turrets don’t work well in the field for me. The point of the trip was to test the new 6 oz Javelin Pro Hunt bipod, but I ended up learning a valuable lesson about my optics. Last year I replaced my scope with a Leupold VX-3i that they installed a custom reticle in to match my rifle’s ballistics. Now I don’t have to worry about a turret getting accidently moved, or trying to crank it with gloves on. With my limited hand function as a quadriplegic, it’s even faster in the field because I don’t have to add in the step of turning dials. 1 thing learned, then changed per hunt, and I am a better hunter for it.

So how about you, what is one thing you have learned about your rifle setup? (include pictures if possible)

 

[Muley bound]

Mine would be points of contact for shooting, whether it be off a pack, bipod, tree, whatever

 

[Spartan Jake]

Great advice, and I love that it doesn't require purchasing any new gear. It took me years to figure out the best way to brace my body for a shot.

 

[Hilltop]

Electrical tape is cheap insurance to keep the inside of your barrel free of snow/rain/dirt.

 

[Spartan Jake]

Electrical tape is cheap insurance to keep the inside of your barrel free of snow/rain/dirt.

I've wondered if a small balloon could do the same thing?

 

[Hilltop]

I've wondered if a small balloon could do the same thing?

Yes. They make barrel condoms and other covers. I have always used electrical tape because it is very durable and always in my truck.

 

[RICMIC]

I've wondered if a small balloon could do the same thing?

I tried the balloon barrel cap, and kept losing them. I switched to elec. tape and never looked back, and use it every time I hunt in the west, or deer hunting in MN. The only negative was on a muzzle-loader elk hunt in CO, I did a quick reload after the shot and a flap of the tape diverted some of the powder. I ended up not needing a follow-up and just cleared the barrel by shooting it after the dead elk was located. I later reloaded to continue to hunt for deer.

 

[Spartan Jake]

I tried the balloon barrel cap, and kept losing them. I switched to elec. tape and never looked back, and use it every time I hunt in the west, or deer hunting in MN. The only negative was on a muzzle-loader elk hunt in CO, I did a quick reload after the shot and a flap of the tape diverted some of the powder. I ended up not needing a follow-up and just cleared the barrel by shooting it after the dead elk was located. I later reloaded to continue to hunt for deer.

Sometimes the simple solutions are the best

 

[mcseal2]

Check turrets after flying and use non-TSA approved locks on gun cases. A buddy knocked my rifle over when we were packing before our caribou hunt last fall. I have a 100yd range in my yard, so we went out and shot 5 shots through it right quick, confirmed zero was fine, turned it to 200, and packed the rifle in the case for the trip. I run a Huskemaw scope with a custom turret, but it's capped. I leave the cap on until I have to dial for a shot to make sure I never accidentally dial it.

When I went to shoot my caribou at 300 yards I saw my scope was dialed to 460. I dialed it back down to 300 and hit the caribou right where I was aiming. The only opportunity for the turret to be turned up to 460 was while flying. I'm guessing someone in Seattle who doesn't like hunters, or in Kotzebue who doesn't like out of state hunters, screwed with it. Just to be absolutely sure I re-checked the rifle at 100 yards with the turret dialed to 100 once I got home and it hit perfect.

I'm glad I got a shot at 300 that I dialed for. If my shot would have been at 250 or less I'd have taken it without dialing and either missed or wounded the caribou. If I'd have needed the rifle for bear protection it could have been bad. From now on I will always run non TSA locks when flying, and check the turret as soon as I arrive in camp after flying. Lesson learned without negative consequences, and for that I am thankful.

 

[Spartan Jake]

Check turrets after flying and use non-TSA approved locks on gun cases. A buddy knocked my rifle over when we were packing before our caribou hunt last fall. I have a 100yd range in my yard, so we went out and shot 5 shots through it right quick, confirmed zero was fine, turned it to 200, and packed the rifle in the case for the trip. I run a Huskemaw scope with a custom turret, but it's capped. I leave the cap on until I have to dial for a shot to make sure I never accidentally dial it.

When I went to shoot my caribou at 300 yards I saw my scope was dialed to 460. I dialed it back down to 300 and hit the caribou right where I was aiming. The only opportunity for the turret to be turned up to 460 was while flying. I'm guessing someone in Seattle who doesn't like hunters, or in Kotzebue who doesn't like out of state hunters, screwed with it. Just to be absolutely sure I re-checked the rifle at 100 yards with the turret dialed to 100 once I got home and it hit perfect.

I'm glad I got a shot at 300 that I dialed for. If my shot would have been at 250 or less I'd have taken it without dialing and either missed or wounded the caribou. If I'd have needed the rifle for bear protection it could have been bad. From now on I will always run non TSA locks when flying, and check the turret as soon as I arrive in camp after flying. Lesson learned without negative consequences, and for that I am thankful.

That's a super valuable tip because I never thought of non hunters intentionally messing with a scope. I would also add to bring more ammo than you think you'll need when traveling to a hunt somewhere far off. I've also showed up for a hunt out of state and had to put way more rounds down range than I want to admit to fix a rifle that was mysteriously off. Glad I brought an extra box of ammo!

 

[mcseal2]

Good thinking. My buddy and I both use our 300 win mags on hunts we fly to. They both like the same E tip load, so we can share ammo. We each pack ammo both in our bag and gun case. That way if something gets taken we dont lose it all.

Also anywhere in AK with ammo sells 300 win. Not the case with my 264 win mag. It only goes if I drive.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Check turrets after flying and use non-TSA approved locks on gun cases. A buddy knocked my rifle over when we were packing before our caribou hunt last fall. I have a 100yd range in my yard, so we went out and shot 5 shots through it right quick, confirmed zero was fine, turned it to 200, and packed the rifle in the case for the trip. I run a Huskemaw scope with a custom turret, but it's capped. I leave the cap on until I have to dial for a shot to make sure I never accidentally dial it.

When I went to shoot my caribou at 300 yards I saw my scope was dialed to 460. I dialed it back down to 300 and hit the caribou right where I was aiming. The only opportunity for the turret to be turned up to 460 was while flying. I'm guessing someone in Seattle who doesn't like hunters, or in Kotzebue who doesn't like out of state hunters, screwed with it. Just to be absolutely sure I re-checked the rifle at 100 yards with the turret dialed to 100 once I got home and it hit perfect.

I'm glad I got a shot at 300 that I dialed for. If my shot would have been at 250 or less I'd have taken it without dialing and either missed or wounded the caribou. If I'd have needed the rifle for bear protection it could have been bad. From now on I will always run non TSA locks when flying, and check the turret as soon as I arrive in camp after flying. Lesson learned without negative consequences, and for that I am thankful.

In my other life when I was working......on any piece of equipment that had to be lab calibrated and had adjustment knobs, we sealed them with a white chalky seal. You could immediately see if it had been tampered with as the seal would be broken. I would put a dolop of silicon seal on the knobs. Easy to see if it was tampered with and easy to remove later when you didn't need it.

 

[BKC]

I use a little drop of black nail polish on the top edge of my scope ring at the interface of the scope. You can easily see if the drop is still smooth or has a crack in it. If it is cracked there is a chance your scope has been bumped and or moved. On my open sight muzzleloader, I paint the front ramp sight, except for the actual pin, with white out. Much easier to acquire the front pin in low light. Black absorbs light and white reflects light.

 

[Spartan Jake]

We’ve had an outstanding response from all of you on these “1 Thing You Learned” series. I just created a new forum thread about cooking wild game. Head over to this link if you’d like to share one thing you learned about cooking wild game, trade food horror stories, or want to learn a secret for making the most out of your hard work in the field!

 

[Spartan Jake]

Good thinking. My buddy and I both use our 300 win mags on hunts we fly to. They both like the same E tip load, so we can share ammo. We each pack ammo both in our bag and gun case. That way if something gets taken we dont lose it all.

Also anywhere in AK with ammo sells 300 win. Not the case with my 264 win mag. It only goes if I drive.

This is also a great excuse for buying another rifle. Honey, I have to buy another one because....

 

[Spartan Jake]

I use a little drop of black nail polish on the top edge of my scope ring at the interface of the scope. You can easily see if the drop is still smooth or has a crack in it. If it is cracked there is a chance your scope has been bumped and or moved. On my open sight muzzleloader, I paint the front ramp sight, except for the actual pin, with white out. Much easier to acquire the front pin in low light. Black absorbs light and white reflects light.

Good idea, I've never thought of doing this on a rifle! Are used to write on my bow sites with a paint pen, and that could work on your scope too

 

[THelms]

Check turrets after flying and use non-TSA approved locks on gun cases. A buddy knocked my rifle over when we were packing before our caribou hunt last fall. I have a 100yd range in my yard, so we went out and shot 5 shots through it right quick, confirmed zero was fine, turned it to 200, and packed the rifle in the case for the trip. I run a Huskemaw scope with a custom turret, but it's capped. I leave the cap on until I have to dial for a shot to make sure I never accidentally dial it.

When I went to shoot my caribou at 300 yards I saw my scope was dialed to 460. I dialed it back down to 300 and hit the caribou right where I was aiming. The only opportunity for the turret to be turned up to 460 was while flying. I'm guessing someone in Seattle who doesn't like hunters, or in Kotzebue who doesn't like out of state hunters, screwed with it. Just to be absolutely sure I re-checked the rifle at 100 yards with the turret dialed to 100 once I got home and it hit perfect.

I'm glad I got a shot at 300 that I dialed for. If my shot would have been at 250 or less I'd have taken it without dialing and either missed or wounded the caribou. If I'd have needed the rifle for bear protection it could have been bad. From now on I will always run non TSA locks when flying, and check the turret as soon as I arrive in camp after flying. Lesson learned without negative consequences, and for that I am thankful.

Good reminder there! Always check that turret before the shot.

 

[THelms]

Use your pack for a rear rest! Took me awhile to consistently do this and boy howdy does it make a difference!

 

[Spartan Jake]

We’ve had a bunch of questions about when some of our gear will be back in stock, so I wanted to let you know what’s just come in. This dang Covid has really screwed up our supply chains, and we appreciate your patience. Here is what just came back into stock:

RedKettle Spartan Javelin Holster

Javelin Pro Hunt Tac Bipod

CLASSIC M-LOK ADAPTER