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Signting In The Marlins, Round 1

Finally had a chance to get the Marlins to the range last weekend. It was my first attempt at sighting in a scoped rifle. We didn’t do to bad. The Good Wife’s shoulder started bothering her after a while so we stopped after we finished up at 50 yards. I guess I need to watch how she’s holding it in her shoulder.

We still have some work to do yet, we were pretty close at 50 yards. Still needed to get the windage in before moving out to 100 with the scoped rifle. I have some adjusting to do with the rear site on the other one, didn’t have the time out there.

The open sight rifle is shooting to the right. So I need to adjust the rear sight some to compensate. I was shooting Federal and Remington rounds through it. The scoped rifle started out to the right and low also. I don’t have much experience shooting a scoped rifle, so it was all new. Can’t say I disliked it. We only shot the Federal ammo in it this time.

Below are the results:

Target from 50 yards from the scoped Marlin
Target from scoped Marlin at 50 yards
Target from 25 and 50 yards from the open sight Marlin
Target from 25 and 50 yards from the open sight Marlin
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Turkey Hunt Number 2

I went out on my second turkey hunt this morning. It was short, we only had a couple of hours, but my buddy wanted to give it a shot.

As I frequently do, I under-dressed for the weather, it was 45 degrees when I stepped out of my vehicle at 5:45 AM. It’s May for crying out loud! I was thinking 60. Luckily, my buddy had an extra shirt that, coupled with the adrenaline, kept me warm enough.

We had a couple of gobblers right off the bat. Our stand is about a mile north of the Ninescah river with a country road between us and the river. The turkeys were down along the river, we could hear them in the tree line there when we pulled in. We hurriedly got set up and waited for the sun to come up.

I haven’t got the knack for calling yet, so my partner was chattering on his slate call. He saw the jakes get up to the road, but they wouldn’t cross into our field. He called at them for over an hour and they just weren’t that interested.

So, I’m zero for two now. But that’s alright. It’s always good to get out in the field. And in this instance, I can be patient.

Keep your powder dry.

Update (5-4-2010): it looks like I’ve managed to get poison ivy. I saw it, had hoped that covering every inch of my skin with clothing would keep from getting it. But not so. Must. Not. Scratch.

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Turkeys 1, Bill 0

My first turkey hunt ended without a turkey. But hey, I’ve always said, a bd day of hunting is still better than a good day at work.

Started the evening hunt by spotting 2 jakes as we were pulling up to the field. They high-tailed it out of there and never came back. We did have a hen show up n hour before sundown and hang out until she left to go roost.

My partner, whose family owned the land we were on, said that it might still be a little early yet. We didn’t here any gobbles all evening, which he claimed was unusual.

So, I  might get another chance this upcoming weekend. Looking forward to it!

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Hunting From A Different Perspective

Jack Landers, from one of my favorite hunting sites “The Locavore Hunter“, has an interview on the blog “Let Them Eat Meat“. Both Jack and the LTEM site are from ex-vegans. Jack however has taken up hunting and has some of the best pro-hunting articles I’ve ever read.

But I truly like Jack’s philosophy of hunting, so much more than the testosterone filled pages of most hunting magazines. Anyway, take a gander over to the interview and support a fellow hunter who’s ventured into the land of people who say we’re the enemy. And drop by Jack’s site, you’ll become a fan as well.

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It’s Turkey Time!

I might get to go turkey hunting this weekend. Suhweet!

A friend’s family has some land not far from here and he invited me out on Sunday. Let’s hope it works out. It would be my first turkey hunt. I should find out for sure tomorrow.

Now the wait…

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The Marlins Are Set Up!

I finally have the Marlin 336 rifles set up and I’m ready to get to the range – as soon as I get some time. Seems I’m either busy or their closed. But anyway, we both found straps we like and I finished mounting the scope on the good wife’s rifle yesterday. I decided to leave mine with open sites for the time being. I think they both look pretty nice.

2 Marlin 336's

I really like the straps we found for them. Glynne’ picked hers up at the last gun show we went to. I found mine on eBay.

Marlin Close UpBill's Marlin

I really like the single bullet holder on my strap, although it kinda swallows a 30-30 round. So there they are, ready to get sighted in.

And speaking of 30-30 rounds, has anyone out there used the Hornady LEVERevolution round? It seems to be reasonably priced (I’ve seen it for a lot cheaper than what’s on that page) and the specs look interesting. Just wondered what kind of experience anyone else has had with it out in the field compared to the other rounds from Winchester, Remington and Federal. I use the Winchester Super X in my Enfield and love it. If you haven’t used the Hornady, what’s your favorite 30-30 hunting round?

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Charlton Heston’s “A Torch With No Flame”

No one could say it like Chuck could. Let’s never forget or get lazy. And actually, this is pretty sad, when you think about it…

NRANews — November 15, 2009 — Charlton Heston discusses passing on the legacy of the Second Amendment. In this spellbinding performance, the NRA past president challenges Americans to keep freedom’s flame alight from generation to generation. Delivered with unedited authenticity reflecting a deep love for his nation, Mr. Heston’s eloquent message radiates truth as it lights the American way.