DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,317
- 5,989
That mulie is going to be a wall hangar by the time the season opens. Surely is lovely country. We're all pulling for you to connect with a good ram.
2014 Oregon Bighorn Sheep Tag!!!
- Thread starter TBASTIAN
- Start date
baltz526
Handloader
- Sep 25, 2005
- 1,074
- 8
I believe I have stood on that exact rock. We killed a 3yr old meat buck about 1/2 mile due east of it. About the size of the little 4x4 pictured but a 3x3. Not far from the rock I walked by a herd of sheep, about 2 dozen. They gathered up into a pod and watched me walk across the flat about 200yrds away at the closest. Then they headed north. Couple water spots about 1/2 way down off the rim along there. If I'm right about the rock you are above jackass spring
- Thread starter
- #43
- Thread starter
- #44
Heading back to the desert tomorrow for my 5th and final weekend of scouting. We have identified our #1 and #2 rams, and are hoping to pattern them over the weekend. With any luck we may locate some additional rams, but are feeling pretty good about the situation.
It's been incredibly rewarding to work so hard over the summer. It's also been extremely humbling to see all of the friends and family who are willing to help both in the scouting and when the actual hunt begins. Looks like we'll have 12 guys in camp to help spot prior to the season and through the first few days of the hunt! Hoping to sleep on the rams we have located and be in the right position come opening day.
I've narrowed my rifles down to two options...looks like it will just depend on how I'm feeling the morning of the hunt as to which rifle I pick up! After a couple of years trying to develop a consistent load for my .257 Weatherby, I finally broke down and tested two factory rounds. I'm happy to say that the 120 grain Nosler Partitions are shooting around 3/4" at 100 yards!
Here are the two options:
.257 Weatherby Magnum - Weatherby Mark V Fibermark - Leupold VXII 3-9X40mm LR Reticle - Weatherby Factory Ammo (120 Grain Partitions)
.300 WSM - Browning A-Bolt RMEF 25th Anniversary - Leupold VXIII 4.5-14X40mm B&C Reticle - Handloaded Ammo (180 Grain TSXs)
Hoping now that the hunt is successful and we're fortunate enough to harvest a nice representative of the species!
It's been incredibly rewarding to work so hard over the summer. It's also been extremely humbling to see all of the friends and family who are willing to help both in the scouting and when the actual hunt begins. Looks like we'll have 12 guys in camp to help spot prior to the season and through the first few days of the hunt! Hoping to sleep on the rams we have located and be in the right position come opening day.
I've narrowed my rifles down to two options...looks like it will just depend on how I'm feeling the morning of the hunt as to which rifle I pick up! After a couple of years trying to develop a consistent load for my .257 Weatherby, I finally broke down and tested two factory rounds. I'm happy to say that the 120 grain Nosler Partitions are shooting around 3/4" at 100 yards!
Here are the two options:
.257 Weatherby Magnum - Weatherby Mark V Fibermark - Leupold VXII 3-9X40mm LR Reticle - Weatherby Factory Ammo (120 Grain Partitions)
.300 WSM - Browning A-Bolt RMEF 25th Anniversary - Leupold VXIII 4.5-14X40mm B&C Reticle - Handloaded Ammo (180 Grain TSXs)
Hoping now that the hunt is successful and we're fortunate enough to harvest a nice representative of the species!
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,317
- 5,989
Hard work is usually the precursor to success. We're all pulling for you.
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,746
- 5,823
Best of luck!
Looks like you're working hard at making your own luck too. That's GREAT!
Personally, between your rifles, I'd have a really hard time leaving that Weatherby behind. Seems to me this is exactly the kind of hunt it was intended for...
Regards, Guy
Looks like you're working hard at making your own luck too. That's GREAT!
Personally, between your rifles, I'd have a really hard time leaving that Weatherby behind. Seems to me this is exactly the kind of hunt it was intended for...
Regards, Guy
- Thread starter
- #47
Wanted to post a few pictures and a report from the hunt. I have to say, this will be one of the most memorable hunts I'll ever have. We spent 5 incredible days in the high desert of SE Oregon, and came home with a great 7 1/2 year old California Bighorn!
Ended up shooting this guy at 275 yards, almost vertically below me with a 180 grain TSX, in my .300 WSM, Browning A-Bolt.
I've been watching this guy since the 4th of July week, so it was nice to finally put my hands on his horns.
Last year, while hunting blacktails I leaned down to find a spent .300 WSM casing, at the time I didn't own one, but my dad told me to take it home, polish it up and reload it...looking at him with a puzzled look he told me that he had one waiting at home for me. Long story short, I'm a bit superstitious. Thought the bullet would give me good luck so used it on this hunt. Ended up truly being the lucky bullet!
There were only two tags in the unit so after our hunt we connected with the other hunter and took him into where our original 11, now 10, rams were hanging out. He was also able to shoot a nice little ram as well, and now there are 9! Hard to beat two days of hunting and two separate rams.
Following the second pack out, we headed south across the Oregon border into Nevada and had a much needed soak in Dufareena Hot Springs, on the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge. Definitely a great way to cap off a few long hot days in the desert.
I have to give thanks to the many friends and family that came along, and helped in the seven weeks of scouting that led up to this. Incredible hunt in some amazing country.
Ended up shooting this guy at 275 yards, almost vertically below me with a 180 grain TSX, in my .300 WSM, Browning A-Bolt.
I've been watching this guy since the 4th of July week, so it was nice to finally put my hands on his horns.
Last year, while hunting blacktails I leaned down to find a spent .300 WSM casing, at the time I didn't own one, but my dad told me to take it home, polish it up and reload it...looking at him with a puzzled look he told me that he had one waiting at home for me. Long story short, I'm a bit superstitious. Thought the bullet would give me good luck so used it on this hunt. Ended up truly being the lucky bullet!
There were only two tags in the unit so after our hunt we connected with the other hunter and took him into where our original 11, now 10, rams were hanging out. He was also able to shoot a nice little ram as well, and now there are 9! Hard to beat two days of hunting and two separate rams.
Following the second pack out, we headed south across the Oregon border into Nevada and had a much needed soak in Dufareena Hot Springs, on the Sheldon National Antelope Refuge. Definitely a great way to cap off a few long hot days in the desert.
I have to give thanks to the many friends and family that came along, and helped in the seven weeks of scouting that led up to this. Incredible hunt in some amazing country.
DrMike
Ballistician
- Nov 8, 2006
- 37,317
- 5,989
Man, I was right with you until that last shot. That many fellows skinny dipping is just disturbing. :shock: Congratulations on a great trophy. When I get back, I'll sure look forward to the story.
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,240
- 522
Congratulations, you deserve it! Fantastic sheep and memories.
David
David
Guy Miner
Master Loader
- Apr 6, 2006
- 17,746
- 5,823
OUTSTANDING !
chrispbrown27
Beginner
- Sep 12, 2011
- 94
- 0
First, congratulations on the ram! Being a flatlander I have only seen pictures of them and I never realized how big they are! That thing looks enormous with you sitting behind it.
Now, as a flatlander I have to ask, what is the box in the ground in the picture?
Now, as a flatlander I have to ask, what is the box in the ground in the picture?
wildgene
Handloader
- Jul 4, 2011
- 1,597
- 2
...it's a drinking fountain...
- Thread starter
- #54
chrispbrown27
Beginner
- Sep 12, 2011
- 94
- 0
Good to know.....but now I wonder has anyone every fallen into one?
