Recent content by odonata

  1. odonata

    Favorite Bullets for Tough & Dangerous Game Poll

    Listing two bullets together is simply a limitation of the number of slots available in the poll. It’s not an indication that I think they’re equivalent or comparable. Every poll is either going to be missing something or have something not quite right. As I mentioned in the original post, I...
  2. odonata

    Favorite Bullets for Tough & Dangerous Game Poll

    A couple of weeks ago, I posted a bullet manufacturer poll for non-DG plains game that received over 470 votes & a lot of informative responses. Once a significant number of votes were recorded, Barnes & Nosler contended for the top two spots with Swift in third place. This poll is a follow-up...
  3. odonata

    Retired - Now What?

    My retirement journey got kicked off a few years ago when I had a major heart attack & spent four days in an ICU staring at the ceiling listening to machines beep. It's moments like this that bring your mortality into sharp focus. If there was anything I wanted to get done during this particular...
  4. odonata

    What Are Your 2026 Hunt Plans?

    Thanks! After slogging my way through some demanding IT projects recently & taking care of my elderly mom for the last couple of years of her life, I was in dire need of a major reset. I was burned out. So distilling all of my possessions down to the necessities that what would fit into the...
  5. odonata

    What Are Your 2026 Hunt Plans?

    As I transition from working into retirement, my short-term future is unknown since I'm making up my plans as I go along. All of my rifles are neatly oiled, wrapped & packed away in storage so my current plans for 2026 is to live vicariously through your hunting reports. Based on the posts so...
  6. odonata

    View out the window- Post your pics

    I had planned to fly back home this past weekend but the unusual snow storm that blanketed the southeastern USA derailed that so I had to drive. My little sister who lives near the shore of Lake Ontario in New York rolls her eyes in disbelief whenever I tell her how any sign of snow can...
  7. odonata

    Favorite Bullet Manufacturer for Non-Dangerous Game Poll

    I use Hornady SST bullets in my left-handed Cooper in 22-250. They work really well. On some of my larger calibers (140gr 275 Rigby, 150gr 303 British & 300gr 405 Win), it's often an InterLock SP. All of these have been good choices for hunting in the southeast USA.
  8. odonata

    Which firearm do you have to most fun shooting

    I really enjoy shooting everything that's in my safe for a variety of different reasons. From the 22-250 to the 458 Win Mag, they all put a smile on my face. But if I had to pick a couple that are just fun to shoot, I would probably pick some of my favorite plinkers. I enjoy walking around with...
  9. odonata

    One more firearm...or are you done?

    I have everything I need right now. To be honest, I don't have enough time to shoot them all on a regular basis which is a shame because I enjoy everything I've purchased. I've never sold a firearm because I only acquire things I'm really enthusiastic about owning (no impulse buys). Every time I...
  10. odonata

    Which 7mm cartridge is the "best" poll?

    If I had a Blaser K95. Merkel K5, Krieghoff Hubertus...basically any classic kipplauf rifle in 7x65r, that would be a nice addition to the collection!
  11. odonata

    Favorite Bullet Manufacturer for Non-Dangerous Game Poll

    After three days and 44 additional votes, the numbers have settled down. Nothing on the list has moved by over 1% from the previous day. I would guess that this is a good "final" representation of what the members of this site favor. I appreciate all of the feedback everyone provided: I have...
  12. odonata

    Which 7mm cartridge is the "best" poll?

    Both of those chamberings are available in left-handed rifles so that's a plus. I really like my LH Steyr CL II & both it and the SM12 come chambered in the 7x64. I'll never shoot at something at longer distances so rounds that have excess power & reach way past anything I plan to shoot at...
  13. odonata

    Favorite Bullet Manufacturer for Non-Dangerous Game Poll

    ...and Federal jumps back in front of Norma again for the 5th spot on the list with a couple of extra votes.
  14. odonata

    Favorite Bullet Manufacturer for Non-Dangerous Game Poll

    After two days, the tally remains fairly consistent with the only noticeable movement from Norma leapfrogging Federal into fifth spot. Otherwise, the positions & percentages have only minor changes. Since posting the tally yesterday, the Browning BXR ammo got a mention in a post for killing an elk.
 
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