Just got invited to Kansas for Whitetails!

[35 Whelen]

Guess we are headed to Kansas this year for some Whitetail hunting, very good friend of mine, has been going out
For the last 5/6 years. Anyway having never hunted Kansas before, I am wondering if anyone has any advice,??
Tips,??? Or cautions about the deer hunting out that way,
E

 

[DrMike]

I spent the first twenty-one years of my life in Kansas. I never saw a whitetail (or a deer of any kind). Then, visiting in the Wichita area some years ago, I was startled by a whitetail buck wandering out of the bush. Kansas has become somewhat of a destination for some massive deer. Congratulations on the invitation. I know nothing about my natal state's hunting, but I have no doubt it now holds some great bucks. You should do well. Again, congratulations. I assure you that I will watch for your account of the hunt when it is concluded.

 

[JD338]

Earle,

Load up some 115 gr BT's for your 25 Whelen and get her zeroed at 200 yds.
Best of luck to you in Kansas.

JD338

 

[35 Whelen]

Here is today's update on the 25/06. After fixing my F1 Chrony, so it opens flat now, here is a 5 shot avg using
57grs of RL25, n 117gr SSTs........ About 200 fps less than my last post with same load!!! Lol, going to try some now with 58/58.5/59 just for gun and see if we can get it up a bit closer to 3250.........

 

[DrMike]

That'll do! Go get 'em!

 

[35 Whelen]

Here is the group @ 100 yds, is this going to work Dr??

Saw huge Canadian Lynx on way home from shooting, beauty!

 

[JD338]

Earle,

Can you explain the group you posted? It looks like two different caliber holes.

JD338

 

[truck driver]

Earle, When the big wind blows just grab Toto and call for Aunty Em or click your heals together and say I want to go home. :lol: Red Slippers not included. :mrgreen:

 

[DrMike]

Earle, When the big wind blows just grab Toto and call for Aunty Em or click your heals together and say I want to go home. :lol: Red Slippers not included. :mrgreen:

No, Rodger, you have to say, "There's no place like home!" "I want to go home" will take you to Washington, DC, and the local constabulary will seize your firearms. :shock: (Or was that the wicked witch of the East? I always got that confused.)

Saw huge Canadian Lynx on way home from shooting, beauty!

It's breeding season for them up here. They are wandering around right now. It is killing me that I have to give up hunting for a kitty because of work. :x

 

[Guy Miner]

I'd like to get invited to hunt Kansas for whitetails, or from what I've heard, mulies too! Congrats!

Look for around 3100 - 3200 fps with a 115 gr bullet and that .25-06, I keep mine zeroed at 300 yards and it's done stellar duty on deer from 20 - 400 yards, holding on hair... :mrgreen:

My favorite is the 115 Nosler Ballistic Tip - but I'm not sure there's a bad bullet choice for deer with the .25-06, not at or above 100 grains anyway.

Guy

 

[35 Whelen]

I know that does look like two larger holes?
I think because I had two hold the target at such
An angle to get glare off it that must be an optical
Illusion or (parallex) ??? The reason those two are not
Touching the rest of the group can not be explained on
Here ......... It would involve a fine sipping whiskey and a
Few extra logs on the fire for me to be able to cover that
Subject!!

Ps Did set up a milk jug at 350 yds and backed up, and
Just leaning up against the truck ,And was able to whack it first try!
With this gun shooting about 2" high at a hundred.....

 

[Guy Miner]

Great!

 

[SJB358]

Man, that'll get it done. Anything over 3100 is gravy with the 117's.

Congrats about the Kansas hunt. Like the good Doc was saying, it's become a place of dreams for big Ol Whitetail!

 

[JD338]

Thanks Earle. I think that you are all set. Do give the Nosler 115 gr BT a try. It shoots flat and hits hard.

JD338

 

[35 Whelen]

Thanks everyone, it will actually be a combo hunt, for Deer and birds, so
A bit of everything! One guy is actually a baker by trade and his cooking is
Almost legendary around here, as he discribed this years menu, I almost,Begin to salivate all over myself. Anyway the plan is I will be keeping an eye out for another 3/9 Leupold in standard,VX-2 like the one on my 35 Whelen (next time Cabelas has them for $250 on sale) And then this spring when I am done with Coyote hunting over bait, will yank the tactical scope off the 25 Whelen and slid on a VX2/CDS and most likely take it to Kansas. They are talking about ALOT of shots in the 3/400 yd range. My friend missed a true monster at 500 this year, with his old 308 he has lined up dead on at 100 yds ( Maine Style). I am now wondering if I should try playing with some of the Nosler AccuBonded bullet? (110gr) As I have zero experience with my SSTs behond 250 ish........ Ditto on BTs. Of course I will take my trusted 270 which has the Zeiss Z600 reticule that works well in good light but is really hopeless,In failing light conditions.....As a back up..... But would love to shoot my first ever Kansas buck ,with a .257 this fall!

 

[sask boy]

Earle that 25 Whelen is going to take the wind out of a big Kansas whitetail. I have watched a few hunting shows and they state they are not a canned hunt . There are some true giant bucks being taken out of that state. So good luck my friend we will be looking forward to a great story with lots of photos.

Blessings,
Dan

 

[35 Whelen]

Thanks everyone, it will actually be a combo hunt, for Deer and birds, so
A bit of everything! One guy is actually a baker by trade and his cooking is
Almost legendary around here, as he discribed this years menu, I almost,Begin to salivate all over myself. Anyway the plan is I will be keeping an eye out for another 3/9 Leupold in standard,VX-2 like the one on my 35 Whelen (next time Cabelas has them for $250 on sale) And then this spring when I am done with Coyote hunting over bait, will yank the tactical scope off the 25 Whelen and slid on a VX2/CDS and most likely take it to Kansas. They are talking about ALOT of shots in the 3/400 yd range. My friend missed a true monster at 500 this year, with his old 308 he has lined up dead on at 100 yds ( Maine Style). I am now wondering if I should try playing with some of the Nosler AccuBonded bullet? (110gr) As I have zero experience with my SSTs behond 250 ish........ Ditto on BTs. Of course I will take my trusted 270 which has the Zeiss Z600 reticule that works well in good light but is really hopeless,In failing light conditions.....As a back up..... But would love to shoot my first ever Kansas buck ,with a .257 this fall!

 

[SJB358]

I'd be looking at the 115 BT or 110 AB. Either ran at 3200 will work real well and make that 0-400 yard shooting relatively easy E.

 

[35 Whelen]

Well pick one Scotty,
It's one minute till dark thirty, you can barely see your reticule, it's stormy and your half froze, everyone else left 10 mins ago. You look over to the other side of the clearing, is that movement? And there he is walking with his head down ,trailing that doe that went by 20 mins ago. He is a monster with what is obviously a "booner" non typical rack, looming above his head, and he is leaving, it's exactly 415 yards to the woods over there ,and he is right against the trees, you got five secs; and he is going to be gone! It's the last night of the season, it's over, you got $ 5k tied up in this, and your two weeks vacation. Everyone back home is waiting for you to get home with a big one, it's show time .
It's all on the line, you have shot dozens of times before the hunt, this same distance, and you know you and your rifle are up to it, But this is not a regular 8 pointer, and it's NOT 100 yards, where about any bullet will work, this is a buck to turn a lot of heads, this is a real "tailgater"! The biggest buck you have ever seen in your life......
Are you going to trust the same bullet at 400 yds on your dream buck, as you would a "fill your tagger "?
Call it Scotty, this is THE shot, Are we shooting Accubonds tonite? Or are you laying it all out there, with a BT? There is only gonna be one shot.........
Your up Buttercup!
E

Ps. No pressure now, take a deep breath......

 

[DrMike]

I'd still be good with the BT, Earle. It's designed to expand at lower velocities and will punch lights out. No question but that the AB will work, but you can be confident with the BT as well.