Thread: How Tickled Can You Be...

It's nice being part of someones' success.
Sam is a keen family member and I was very happy to source a nice T3 in .260 with a 20" Bartlein and muffler and and set it up with a scope and bipod for him.
The first off load I tried of 129SST and Superformance shoved along at 2850 worked a treat and it was easy to get it shooting and dialling well.

So he came down, new boots and stuff and all, and off we went into a weekend of shit weather.

He had shot a few deer previously with me using my gear but this was his first trip with his own rifle and a bit more of his own stuff.

Friday evening was really shitty but having flown down from Auckland we really needed to make the most of his time. So off we went into the rain. At the first little sheltered gully Bella winded strongly so I whispered for him to put one up the spout, and in instant a doe bounded out. Blam. A missed running shot at about 50 yards but no matter, it was a tough shot and I consoled him by saying we would have other opportunities.

So we headed for another sheltered gully I had in mind and this time waited several hundred yards off it and waited, and glassed, and got cold and wet (conditions Fallow don't seem to mind). As dark crept in I finally spotted a black Fallow feed out from the scrub edge and it quickly covered 100 yards to the best feed. I could make out the sweep of antlers. Ranged at 414 yards. It was bit up hill so I got him to dial in for 400 yards and encouraged him to take his time and to make sure he was comfortable. I suggested he held a foot off centre shoulder for the wind. He was a grand pupil and didn't get rattled or excited and took it all in.

After about 5 mins he was set up and the buck turned side on. Blam went the .260 and the deer dropped on the spot. It turned out to be a centre of the shoulder hit.

When we got to it the head was better than I thought and although not a classic shape Sam was tickled pink. So was I. For him. And quietly for myself.

It was also great that Sam butchered it himself instead of me doing it as usual - and I showed a lot of patience while he did it, which was not typical of me.

It rained and blew a cold wind off and on all the rest of the weekend but we got out for a hunt a couple more times. We saw maybe 40 deer but didn't shoot anything else. I wanted it to be Sam's weekend and he was happy so I was happy. I expect that his "trophy" will be proudly entered into the Auck NZDA competition. I hope so. It all helps to keep his keen up.

Good stuff.

Great stuff guide rangi

Originally Posted by Micky Duck

Great stuff guide rangi

His checked in luggage was a suitcase of venison.

Top job Bruce, that’s a very nice buck which I am sure Sam will be happy with.

A muffler? what n hell you teaching the lad, is that a silencer? Otherwise great work Bruce and well done Sam.

Originally Posted by nor-west

A muffler? what n hell you teaching the lad, is that a silencer? Otherwise great work Bruce and well done Sam.

Hah hah. Yes. It’s your old .260 from down south too.

Well done!
I run a 260 my self and set a couple up recently and doing another 1 this week.
An underrated chambering I reckon.
They seem very unfussy with loads and punch above their weight.
These are all tikkas of course!
You can get lapua brass as well so even better!
Good choice Bruce!

Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk

Such a rewarding activity, nudging people new to our outdoor pursuits in a right direction. On ya Tahr!

pretty cool.

Well done team, the lad is lucky to have such a great mentor.

Good tutoring & shooting. Congrats to both of you

Awesome!
That's a beautiful head too.

Good stuff Bruce, couldn't have picked a better calibre either. Will be all he needs for NZ hunting.

Originally Posted by andyanimal31

Well done!
I run a 260 my self and set a couple up recently and doing another 1 this week.
An underrated chambering I reckon.
They seem very unfussy with loads and punch above their weight.
These are all tikkas of course!
You can get lapua brass as well so even better!
Good choice Bruce!

Sent from my SM-A556E using Tapatalk

A well known Forum from Hastings has the 260 for his weapon . Wears Bullers.