Some friends and I are planning a trip to Venice, La., this coming season. Just wondering if anyone had or is hunting the area and maybe recommend a guide?

Thanks,
Tom

Can this be used to clean a bore after every shot while breaking in a barrel? Mfg recommends an ammonia based solvent.

I've been pondering the idea of purchasing a Ruger RPR if the price is right (someone quoted me $900 yesterday) and came across the new Vanguard Chassie system. I want either a .243 or a 6.5. Neither one is offered in this configuration; only .223 and .308. It would be nice if this system was available as an aftermarket drop-in accessory for both LA and SA Vanguards at a reasonable price. I priced the complete system (MDT) and you may as well purchase the Ruger. And you are limited to MDT mags too. So, could someone tell me again why did Wby make this model?  Very frustrating.

I've always limited my rifle/ammo and effective hunting range based on a minimum of 1,000 foot pounds of energy at that specific range. I remember reading that years ago in several rifle and hunting books and periodicals. I was checking zero on my 257 Bee yesterday (sweet gun, <1 MOA) using 100 Grain BT's and based on my ballistic tables the energy beyond 500 yards drops below 1,000 foot pounds at a velocity of 1311 fps. So, my opinion is that this particular rifle/bullet combination has an effective deer hunting range of 500 yards. I have shot a few deer at that distance (only when I felt very comfortable with the shot) and all have been DRT with the rifle/bullet performing flawlessly (through and through shots, no bullet recovered). So, is there anyone out there as anal as I or is this reasoning of a 1,000 ftpd minimum threshold even worth considering as some form of baseline in regard to accurate and ethical shooting distance?

Bass Pro has S2's on sale for $499. Now what caliber? I want a SA. I'm thinking 7mm-08 over the .308? Better LR performance and I already have the dies. Besides, I always thought that the .308 was kind of a poop round. But I have 500 rounds of 308 LC match! Maybe a .243? Decisions, decisions...

I already have a 6.5, 257, and '06. Yes, I am insane. What about it? 

Anyone have any experience with the Burris XTR II 4X20X50?

I've been shooting a 12 inch plate at 500 yards enough to get comfortable so I'm planning on going further out. Steel is not cheap so I'm just curious to know the average size of your target at 1,000 yards. I know there will be some that shoot bottle caps at a mile, but for us Earthlings who are to old to walk 2,000 yards round trip to check a hole in a piece of cardboard what would be a decent size steel target. 2'X2', 3'X3'... 

A buddy of mine and I were sitting on his deck this past weekend having a few adult beverages and like always the conversation drifted from hunting, to fishing, to tackle and then to firearms. One of the neighbors stopped by and was all excited about his CZ 527 Carbine in .223 Remington AND 5.56 NATO. He had picked it up used at a local pawn shop. Well, that got me thinking. I thought about the S2 that is chambered in .223 Rem only. I didn't want to say anything but sure enough the guy brought it up. He was looking at an S2 but went with the CZ since 5.56 ammo is about half the price of .223 and it would make a great plinker as well. So, after a few more "adult beverages", we discussed the possibilty of having an S2 rechambered for 5.56. With the No. 2 barrel and the addition of an aftermarket 10 round magazine it would make a great SHTF rifle. And you could always shoot .223's at varmints if you wanted. I know that .223/5.56 bolt guns are as hard to find as hens teeth. They are always "out of stock" or "back ordered". I'm going to check with my gunsmith as soon as I take some aspirin and a little nap. Must be allergies or something?