Kay9Cop
FNG
I've decided to take the plunge into long range hunting. I'm 47 years old and to date my longest shot at a big game animal has been a whopping 305 yards, with most being 100 yards or less. I've had to pass on some animals because I couldn't get close enough, but when I was younger I didn't mind putting in the extra leg work to get on another one. Three knee surgeries and being a bit overweight and out of shape had me thinking my mountain hunting days were behind me. Recently I've gotten back in shape and dropped some pounds, to the point where I have another mountain goat hunt planned next fall. Along with that hunt I placed an order for a Fierce CT Edge. My goal is to have a relatively light weight long range hunting rifle, so my choices have been based largely upon weight. Here's what I ordered:
Fierce Carbon Titanium Edge in 28 Nosler
Camo stock in Kryptek Altitude
Tactical (side discharge) titanium muzzle break
Hard case
Bore guide
Scope cover
Spare magazine
I have a March 2.5-25x42 scope that I'm going to mount in Hawkins Precision Hybrid rings. I think low rings will fit and I'm going to go with their 25 MOA option.
Normally I would look for lower priced options for the accessories because I've found in the past that most manufactures will slap their name on something and then mark it up outrageously, but pricing the Scope Coat Flak Jacket, Possum Hollow bore guide, and SKB case found Fierce's prices to be in line.
I narrowed my cartridge choices down to the 28 Nosler and 300 RUM. I like the idea of the extra energy the RUM carries, but I'm not too much of a man to admit that I'm a recoil wimp, so 28 Nosler was it. I realize that right now .30 caliber seems to be pretty popular on this board, especially concerning talk about elk hunting, but I would rather have a gun I enjoy enough to shoot often to keep my accuracy up than a gun I don't want to shoot due to the recoil.
The rifles should come in about 8.5 pounds ready to roll:
Rifle, 6 pounds 5 ounces (based off of actual weights from other purchasers, not the Fierce advertised weight of less than 6 pounds)
Scope, 21 ounces
Rings, 3 ounces
Atlas bipod with ADM mount, 13 ounces
I've shot quite a bit for work and during 20 years in the military, so I'm comfortable behind a gun. I have access to a 1000 yard range nearby for practice, but I need to get some formal long range training. I understand ballistics, but could definitely benefit from instruction by an expert, particularly with regards to doping for wind. Fierce offers a school, but I'm looking at other options. Suggestions are welcome.
I'm keeping my eyes open for a deal on a Sig Kilo 2400 ABS to replace my aging Bushnell rangefinder.
I'm not going to shoot the EOL 195, which seems to be popular right now. Initially I'm going to use H1000 for powder and Federal 215M primers. I'm going to work on loads for the Hornady 175 grain ELD-X for longer shooting and some loads for the North Fork 175 grain SS for closer shots at tougher game. I've used North Fork bullets in other rifles/calibers and find them to be superior to Nosler Partitions and Swift A-Frames on bigger game, particularly the moose and brown bear I like to hunt.
Once the rifle arrives I'm going to send off some once fired brass to Whidden for a custom set of dies using their Click Adjustable Non-bushing Sizer Die and Micrometer Seating Die. I'm still trying to decide on neck tension for hunting (not target) rounds, so input on that is appreciated.
The rifle was estimated to be complete in 5 to 7 months, but I've seen reports of delivery exceeding original expectations. As long as it arrives some time next summer I should have plenty of time to be ready for a fall hunt. I'll update the thread as the build progresses and I receive it.
Fierce Carbon Titanium Edge in 28 Nosler
Camo stock in Kryptek Altitude
Tactical (side discharge) titanium muzzle break
Hard case
Bore guide
Scope cover
Spare magazine
I have a March 2.5-25x42 scope that I'm going to mount in Hawkins Precision Hybrid rings. I think low rings will fit and I'm going to go with their 25 MOA option.
Normally I would look for lower priced options for the accessories because I've found in the past that most manufactures will slap their name on something and then mark it up outrageously, but pricing the Scope Coat Flak Jacket, Possum Hollow bore guide, and SKB case found Fierce's prices to be in line.
I narrowed my cartridge choices down to the 28 Nosler and 300 RUM. I like the idea of the extra energy the RUM carries, but I'm not too much of a man to admit that I'm a recoil wimp, so 28 Nosler was it. I realize that right now .30 caliber seems to be pretty popular on this board, especially concerning talk about elk hunting, but I would rather have a gun I enjoy enough to shoot often to keep my accuracy up than a gun I don't want to shoot due to the recoil.
The rifles should come in about 8.5 pounds ready to roll:
Rifle, 6 pounds 5 ounces (based off of actual weights from other purchasers, not the Fierce advertised weight of less than 6 pounds)
Scope, 21 ounces
Rings, 3 ounces
Atlas bipod with ADM mount, 13 ounces
I've shot quite a bit for work and during 20 years in the military, so I'm comfortable behind a gun. I have access to a 1000 yard range nearby for practice, but I need to get some formal long range training. I understand ballistics, but could definitely benefit from instruction by an expert, particularly with regards to doping for wind. Fierce offers a school, but I'm looking at other options. Suggestions are welcome.
I'm keeping my eyes open for a deal on a Sig Kilo 2400 ABS to replace my aging Bushnell rangefinder.
I'm not going to shoot the EOL 195, which seems to be popular right now. Initially I'm going to use H1000 for powder and Federal 215M primers. I'm going to work on loads for the Hornady 175 grain ELD-X for longer shooting and some loads for the North Fork 175 grain SS for closer shots at tougher game. I've used North Fork bullets in other rifles/calibers and find them to be superior to Nosler Partitions and Swift A-Frames on bigger game, particularly the moose and brown bear I like to hunt.
Once the rifle arrives I'm going to send off some once fired brass to Whidden for a custom set of dies using their Click Adjustable Non-bushing Sizer Die and Micrometer Seating Die. I'm still trying to decide on neck tension for hunting (not target) rounds, so input on that is appreciated.
The rifle was estimated to be complete in 5 to 7 months, but I've seen reports of delivery exceeding original expectations. As long as it arrives some time next summer I should have plenty of time to be ready for a fall hunt. I'll update the thread as the build progresses and I receive it.
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