I am Tired - Going To Simplify Life

[bullet]

There is a lot to say about keeping life simple and I am fast gravitating to that way of thinking and practice. I have decide that W760 is my powder for my 7mm08 and Tac for my 358Win which are my two favorite go to rifles at this time. In fact, I believe I am really worn out from years of reloading and I am wanting to concentrate on hunting now more than even in the past. I have MRP, IMR4350, RL-22 for the 300's and 30-06's, other than that the rest of my powders or put up in a cabinet.

I have actually cleaned up my reloading room and have only the above mention five powders on my first shelf and I have also limited my self to a few bullets. The 140gr AccuBond and Hornady 139gr Interbond for the majority of my 7mm08 hunting, 225gr AccuBond for my 35 win hunting, AccuBond and Sierra HBPT for my 30-06 and 300 Win. It is strange I guess but I feel exhausted from reloading for 30 years and heavily over the last 20 years and I am actually loosing enthusiasm for it and just settling on what has and does work that I already have. Yes, I am going to keep life simple with what works, and just enjoy my hunting. Seriously guys, I am for sure being serious about the above. I have been a slave to long to my reloading habits and frankly at this point in life I truly am tired of always trying to top what I have already done, always looking for that next perfect load.

Well, hard to believe, but it is what it is. I know FOTIS will be so glad that I have finally laid it down, because I sure bugged him to death over the last two years for sure, and spent to much time in the reloading cave. Guess I told you all this so I will keep my word to myself. :mrgreen:

 

[Guy Miner]

I don't blame you at all.

It sounds good.

 

[Songdog]

I currently keep 4 powders on hand: Bullseye, Varget, Re17, and Ramshot Magnum.... If it can't be done with one of those.... It don't need done by me. My reloading is much simpler these days too...

I'm just about on the same page.... though I think my reloading/shooting was more enjoyable before the internet taught how inadequate my choices in caliber, bullet, rifle, optics, stocks, mounts, packs, boots, dogs, and trucks were.... not to mention women, beer, teams, political persuasion, demographic, occupation, and religion are apparently all shortcomings of mine too.

 

[bullet]

Sonddog, I actually am loosing enthusiasm for it. I am almost resigned and getting there real quick, satisfied with loading what I know works for my main two rifles if I want to do some shooting and leave it at that. Hard to explain, but that is where I find myself. What is interesting is my desire to hunt is even greater than in the past.

I almost don't want hunting season to end. I think it has to do with being out there and alone, no noise, no crowd of people, only having to deal with my hunt. I am sure counseling all these years and dealing with people, and being in a leadership role has caused me to want to be out in the wild, hunting and camping and every once in a while just a few friends to fellowship with, having fun and light conversation.

I have the last two years just packed my back pack, from time to time and grabbed my rifle and gone hiking and hunting at the same time, just pitching camp where my day ends. Went three day in one direction last time, but it only took me a little over two days to get back. I was not hunting as hard as the first three days. My wife is not to crazy about that, not knowing if I am ok or where I am. I told her if I am found dead in the wild, just know that I died happy. Sounds like I could use some counseling, but I could not pay a counselor what it would cost for the extended sessions that it would require. :shock: :mrgreen:

There are times in life when a man will make adjustments for one reason or another and generally when that happens he is dead serious about it, especially when he is older and not distracted by everything that comes along in life, and understand what has real value. He just makes up his mind and willing to live with the decision. That is where I find myself. Now how much do I owe you Songdog for this session. :mrgreen:

 

[Gm weatherby man]

I hear you bullet, i have decided this year to load all my favorite loaded it large numbers for the most part, a put more time a feild, working on house and yard and getting out and enjoy myself with family and freinds. I should be good for a few years. i just feal i have lost touch with other important aspects of life.i will play again, just later on and not as fannatic as before, don't get me wrong i do enjoy it. :idea: :arrow: to the future.

 

[russ808]

Mike
Out in the field... What a place to be... So relaxing..
Russ

 

[JD338]

FWIW, I don't "tinker" like I used to.

JD338

 

[martineta]

I'm with you. I am down to 4 calibers. I use only one powder/bullet combination for each. I hunt every chance I can.

 

[SJB358]

I am pretty close to two solid loads for each rifle that needs two. Cartridges like the 45-70 drive me nutty as there are 100000000 combos to try. For the bolt guns, I have two loads for most of them. One is a target/deer load and the other is the actually all out hunting load. It has taken some time, but I am pretty close. Funny thing is I told myself during this deployment, I was going to buy 5lb jugs of RL7, 15, 19, 22, and 25.. Those pretty much cover everything I shoot and with 5lb jugs on hand, I can load what I need. I don't load alot of quantity, but I do have a few different cartridges around.

Mike, you are more man than I to go down to 4! Couldn't even sleep at night!

I know you have had a huge assortment already though.

 

[bullet]

My grand paw told me when I was engaged in three sports in high school plus hunting, work much less school work, and I should have listened to him sooner in life, "Keep it simple Mike, just remember KISS, keep it simple and don't be stupid." About time I listened!! I have always pressed the envelope, driven, and my wife Nancy told me, "With you Mike, it is all are nothing." WOW!! What a flaw that is and needs to be corrected. Yes, always driven, had to be on the edge, special operations, fifth degree black belt in Royal Traditional HapKiDo, three degrees in Bible, one in Behavioral Science, Ph.D. in Philosphy and one in Pyschology, diver for fire department, and had to try and out shoot everyone I knew or met, driven to the illusion of perfection which can never be obtained, hunting everywhere I could and was not satisfied unless I went to see what was over the next hill, and on and on, etc, etc, etc. Oh yeah, I test ADHD for and adult, go figure!!!!

You guys get the idea and no wonder I am tired. Well I have been working at dropping the back pack of baggage that I have carried on my back for most of my life and relaxing the rest of my life and for once really enjoying all aspects of it in peace. It has taken God a long time and a lot of work but it is bearing fruit now. Thanks for letting me vent, even if it was boring, it still means a lot to me. If any group of guys can begin to understand what has driven me, some of you certainly can and that is enough for me.

 

[FOTIS]

I can not "afford" to tinker like I use to fellas!

Mike,

Yes I am so glad you decided on this!

Not because I felt bothered, not at all, but because now you just might have enough throat to make it through the 2012 hunting seasone.....maybe! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[Elkman]

Mike

In most of our lives a time comes naturally when one wants to slow the pace and smell the flowers. Mine came a few years ago. I know that you will remain active, those of us that are wound tight cannot completly come to a stop, its not healthy. But as you slow you will have more time to pick what it is you "want" to do, not "have" to do. Its a grand time, enjoy the ride !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bullet]

I can not "afford" to tinker like I use to fellas!

Mike,

Yes I am so glad you decided on this!

Not because I felt bothered, not at all, but because now you just might have enough throat to make it through the 2012 hunting seasone.....maybe! :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

You are to funny FOTIS!!!!! :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[bullet]

Mike

In most of our lives a time comes naturally when one wants to slow the pace and smell the flowers. Mine came a few years ago. I know that you will remain active, those of us that are wound tight cannot completly come to a stop, its not healthy. But as you slow you will have more time to pick what it is you "want" to do, not "have" to do. Its a grand time, enjoy the ride !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think you are right and wise words indeed to contemplate. Thanks

 

[wildgene]

...I remember when all I needed was "just another 0.050's", but I don't shoot those games anymore, never was really that good @ it, mostly just "won" the "right" to buy the beer...

...ever the pragmatist, I realize my rifles shoot better than I do from field positions, & I've become willing to sacrifice a little MV for accuracy or visa-versa, & a little of either for bullet performance. I'm a lot more concerned w/ cold bore accuracy than 5 shot group size...

...all the tweeking, ladder test, etc. don't interest me much anymore, I just want a few reliable loads I can slam out a bunch of, & go beatdahell outta a few gongs w/...

 

[6mm Remington]

Bullet you have more than enough loads to last several life times. Take one for each rifle and go do something with those darn things instead of more loading. Go have some fun and see some scenery and enjoy being outdoors.

A little more of this.

And this with family and friends. And time by yourself!

 

[Guy Miner]

Good stuff here guys, good stuff.

Grew up shooting two rifles; a .22 Marlin and a .30-06 M1917.

Dad spoiled me rotten and gave me a 6mm Rem 700, topped with a Leupold, back in the early 1970's and I became real interested in ballistics & cartridges. Grandpa had some real interesting rifles back then too, things like a .219 Zipper on a Winchester single shot action and a .257 Wby on a Mauser action. That started me on a "Hey, what about a????" quest that took me through a bunch of cartridges and rifles.

This resulted in owning dozens of rifles in quite a few different cartridges over the years. Also led me into rifle competition and into doing a lot of handloading and shooting. Good stuff, but... I figured out after a while that I really didn't need a dozen or more different hunting rifles. Truly, I didn't. Sold off quite a few rifles, rifles from mediocre to outstanding. Simplified.

I've still got more rifles and cartridges than I need, but long ago realized that I could have done it all with a good .22, a varmint rifle and a single big game rifle.

Enjoy the day! Guy

 

[Oldtrader3]

Bullet, good thinking. I have two pistol powders and three rifle powders (IMR: 3031, 4350 and 7828 SSC). Sure make slife simple and I do not have to worry about missing much in either accuracy or velocity.

 

[bullet]

As Guy said, good stuff and 6mm Remington, if I went to either of those places right now, I don't think I would leave, I would have to move near those places. And I am going to have to agree with the simple solution of oldtrader3. :mrgreen:

 

[Songdog]

Here's a couple of pics..... from when I stopped to smell the roses....

As far as phases go.... I'm to the point now where I feel like I'm waiting the next couple of years for my boys to grow a bit. They are only 4 and 2 now.... and I dream of the days to come afield with my sons (and my daughter who is also 2..... yep, twins.... if she's so inclined). But, my enthusiasm for hunting by myself has waned.... and the last couple of years I've been far more interested in watching/helping others shoot their 'firsts'. I learned rather quickly that I only get to shoot one first deer, one first elk, one first coyote..... but I can be a part of many more firsts by passing it on.