Cold weather caribou...

[Tundra Tiger]

My hunting buddy and I made it out for caribou yesterday. This is a local subsistence hunt, and because of hunting pressure it's not an easy one: the caribou are always super skittish, and often out in very open areas with miles of visibility around them.

But... we brought home meat, each of us connecting on one, he a small bull and me a mature cow. Weather was right at zero degrees with stiff winds. Trip was 120 miles round trip. I was shooting a Browning BBR, my first non-lever gun kill since 2009. Shot distance was around 400 yards.

The first photo is a herd of 70 or so... and totally unapproachable. The last photo: a dear hunting buddy of mine would celebrate a harvest with Redvines, something I continue to do.

 

[K-man]

Congrats!! Too cold for my old bones and joints. I love the red vine, but at those temps I think I’d rather have a cigar just for the warmth.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Congrats!! Too cold for my old bones and joints. I love the red vine, but at those temps I think I’d rather have a cigar just for the warmth.

Thanks. They did take some warming up.

 

[BRICKBURN]

That's plenty of tasty meat. Congratulations.

 

[45-70guy]

Awesome work guys, do what you need to get the meat home!

 

[Mekaniks]

Awesome! Congratulations. Winter hunting in Alaska is LOTS of work

 

[Betterinthebush]

Good on you! Best time of year to harvest a ‘bou is right now.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Cutting up caribou today... mine was a quartering away shot - entered the back rib cage and exited in front of the far front leg. This is the first time I have used SSTs (139 grain 7mm RM). It was like someone stuck a grenade inside. Totally busted up the front leg.

 

[Hunt anything]

Blasphemy!! @Tundra Tiger using a bolt gun!!!!
Congratulations, definitely a mans man holding the barrel of that rifle with a bare hand.

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Nice job!

 

[Sabre]

View attachment 752522

At those temps chewing the antlers probably would have been softer than the red vines. Congratulations!

 

[Miletic]

My hunting buddy and I made it out for caribou yesterday. This is a local subsistence hunt, and because of hunting pressure it's not an easy one: the caribou are always super skittish, and often out in very open areas with miles of visibility around them.

But... we brought home meat, each of us connecting on one, he a small bull and me a mature cow. Weather was right at zero degrees with stiff winds. Trip was 120 miles round trip. I was shooting a Browning BBR, my first non-lever gun kill since 2009. Shot distance was around 400 yards.

The first photo is a herd of 70 or so... and totally unapproachable. The last photo: a dear hunting buddy of mine would celebrate a harvest with Redvines, something I continue to do.

View attachment 752513View attachment 752514View attachment 752515View attachment 752517View attachment 752518View attachment 752521View attachment 752522

Congrat!!!

 

[Miletic]

Cutting up caribou today... mine was a quartering away shot - entered the back rib cage and exited in front of the far front leg. This is the first time I have used SSTs (139 grain 7mm RM). It was like someone stuck a grenade inside. Totally busted up the front leg.

View attachment 752589

Velocity in 7mm with 139gr is great. Then SST becomes a meat grinder

 

[Spartan5]

Excellent job, well done! How is the caribou meat? What would it compare to for those of us farther south?

 

[BeeMaa]

Cutting up caribou today... mine was a quartering away shot - entered the back rib cage and exited in front of the far front leg. This is the first time I have used SSTs (139 grain 7mm RM). It was like someone stuck a grenade inside. Totally busted up the front leg.

View attachment 752589

Congratulations to you both!

Are you second guessing your bullet selection? Maybe something like the the Barnes Long Range 139 grain TTSX that will hold together a little more?

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Congratulations Terry! A 400 yard shot is a pretty good poke for sure. Personally, I think the 139 gr SST out of your 7mm RM did a good job. I wouldn't change a thing.

 

[gbflyer]

Most excellent!

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Velocity in 7mm with 139gr is great. Then SST becomes a meat grinder

So I found out. It was the accuracy that sold me.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Excellent job, well done! How is the caribou meat? What would it compare to for those of us farther south?

I have had many ask that and I am not sure how to answer. Tender and we like it, but not sure on comparison. I prefer moose, but my daughters prefer caribou.

 

[Tundra Tiger]

Congratulations to you both!

Are you second guessing your bullet selection? Maybe something like the the Barnes Long Range 139 grain TTSX that will hold together a little more?

Yes. I had the SSTs on hand. I liked the accuracy so I gave them a go. Probably it's the last time I will use them. It's only a sample size of one but as I have been cutting meat it is stunning how much I lost to damage.