I have had surgery to both shoulders, and the rotator cuff shoulder is my shooting shoulder. Dave, do you have a website that will tell us what your shoulder exercises are? Thank you.

To Mr. Petzal:
You're choice of the partition is pretty hard to argue with. I use a 180 grain Hornady Interlock, but the biggest game I shoot is midwest cornfed whitetails. The bullets are very accurate in all of my rifles, have rarely recovered any, and the ones that I have held together very well. They are also relativelly inexpensive.

Weight lifting huh?
How much were you bench pressing?

As one begins to age and looks into the mirror, the mind still has the fortitude to press on ...spirit is ready,but the flesh is weak.

My weight lifting program begins in June:}}

I agree Beretta's are extremely nice to shoot in the field or in competition. I grudgingly admit I can shoot skeet and sporting clays as well with an 1100.

I also wonder why Italian names always end in a vowel.

BTW DP, you wrote...believe you wrote...the 200-grain bullet in a 30-06 makes it a different animal. Does this bullet pushes the 30-06 into medium bore territory?

ishawooa and 2Poppa, before you spend time hurting yourself with weights and suffering through chronic back pain try yoga and/or T'ai Chi. I know, I know, but it works. I saved myself from herniated disk surgery and a host of other problems and now I practice at least three times a week. I will meld your mind and body. 5000+ years of study on the human body might have something going for it. I even got a crusty old cowboy to try it and he won't admit it to anyone but he practices in secret. It is good for what ails ya.

I don't quite understand why you need an 180 gr bullet for a whitetail?

The case for expensive guns is
1. They ARE better (if competitive shotgunners could win with Mossberg 500s, they'd use them)
2. They are pretty (if you think that doesn't matter, sober up)
3. Since guns last almost forever, if you take care of them you won't lose any money on them over time.

The case against expensive guns is
1. You'd rather shoot now than miss ten years of hunting saving up for one.
2. You treat guns like farm implements, and you'd rather trash a $400 gun than a $4000 one.

That's it.

Shoot the very best you possess,
But shoot it very well.
If others don't like your finesse,
Let 'em jog to H___

Forgive the language.

Blue

I always thought it was fun shoot sporting clays with the guys who buy the real expensive guns.....and then wipe the floor with them shooting an 1100. I will admit that there is nothing finer than a shotgun that doesnt have any flaws in craftsmanship but it will be a hell of a long time before I am able/willing to throw money at one.

Jersey pig,

It is not the American work ethic that makes the gun cheap. It is the American management team that pushes quanity,quanity,quanity over quality. It is whatever pumps up the bottom line. What is the cheapest and fastest with the fewest workers to get this junk to the customer. For the most part the American worker wants to build Quality products. The blame all starts at the top.

For over forty years I have mostly loaded 165 gr BT in my .30-'06. It always drops them immediately except for one buck years ago that hit the ground, hopped up, and hauled butt. Unfortunately a search party and I never found him. This of course could have happened with most any caliber and bullet as apparently exact bullet placement was lacking. That aside the 165 in front of the right powder is about as flat as a .25-'06 and comes scary close to matching a 7 Rem Mag for speed and energy. Look it up and try it yourself, it will make you smile.

Ish,

I agree with you on the 165 grain load in the '06. I use the Nosler Accubond and Ballistic Tip. The 'tip usually gets the nod for deer size game and the 'Bond gets the nod on tougher stuff. Both shoot to the same point of impact in my favorite old Ruger M77MKII. You are right on on the ballistics also.

I still think that shooting is fun. I enjoy the outing and the challenge, I shoot the best I can with the guns I've got. Turns out to be about on par with many others gunning with 10X what I've spent.

I have always wanted a custom or semi-custom gun. 32 years as an empoyee of the U.S. Postal Service left me short of extra cash. I have a good gun collection but it is Winchesters, Remington and Rugers. I have a 1940 era Browning A-5 as my only "best" gun. However, my dad and his friends made it with working man's guns. I have to. But it is nice to get a Weatherby catalog and dream.

Silvertip

dgbroox, I myself have also defended Mr. Zumbo from time to time. If I'm not mistaken (and I could be, the incedent was a while back) Mr. Zumbo never stated that he supported a ban on assault weapons. His blog was in reference to HUNTING with assault weapons. He wrote it after a guide he had been predator hunting with brought up the growing number of people using "black" rifles while pursuing various game out west. To say that he supported a ban on all assault weapons is to prove your own ignorance.

I will also step out on a limb and say that both Mr. Petzal and Mr. Zumbo have more experience and knowledge of all things hunting and shooting than you could ever hope to obtain. Not to mention I was a big Zumbo fan. The man really was an excellent writer. Outdoor Life has lost their two best here recently; Jim Charmichael and Jim Zumbo.

I find it interesting how the well to do look down on others by the equipment they have and how arrogant they are when they win. Funny thing though, when I showed up and whooped everyone’s ass they all got there thongs in a wad, slamming things down and around, cussing up a storm blaming there equipment and had the audacity to say I cheated. Several High masters asked the Range Ref to stand over the top of me to watch every single move knowing full well I wouldn’t cheat but they knew the outcome to be. I also find it interesting how a few of the High Master Teams when short of a person would gladly ask me to join.

I remember at age 12, I remember being at turkey shoots and kicking the adults butt with an open sighted Carl Gustaf Stads Gevarsfaktori Swedish 6.5x55 bolt-action carbine.

At age 15 against my parent’s wishes knowing I’d loose and be very upset; I entered a bike race against veterans with 10 speeds. You should have seen their faces when I put a whooping on them with a 3 speed! After the race the winning price was $100 dollars but for me it was $25 because I was an outsider. That’s OK because pretty boy didn’t get his picture in the paper and some stupid magazine!

There are two kinds of Sportsmen, the “Sportsmen” and the “UnSportsmen”!

How many ever gave a person a chance?
A leg up against all odds!
Ya’sure, this person isn’t worth messing with but I remember there were those, those who were the best in their field taken that moment to give me a crack at it!

Then there was that young Teenage Girl at Holloman AFB Sandra Worman who wanted to shoot alongside of us, the Holloman AFB High Power Team. Mike a NRA Coach and Captain of the Small Bore Team and I the Team Captain of the Base team brought her on board back around June of 85. She out grew me in 30 days and mike the following month and the call went out to another coach in Albuquerque NM. In June of 86 this young Lady was trying out for the US Olympics!

One of the most talented Teenage shooters and my pick for All American Sportsmen had a T-shirt that read,

“HOLD MY TROPHY WHILE I KISS YOUR GIRL!”

I have 2 Bolt action 30-06 rifles one is sighted in with Hornady 150 grain SST loaded with 54 grains of IMR4064 at 3080fps out of a 22 inch barrel and the other with Nosler 180 grain Partitions Loaded with 58.0 grains of IMR4831 with a Federal 215 Magnum Primer at 2850ish fps. Both loads are nestled in a Lake City Military Match brass.

NolanOsborn,
You don't need a 180 for deer but, it's nice to have at close range. The closer the deer the higher velocity the deer will be hit and more bullet weight loss, not to mention the bullet holding together. Don't get me started on the Federal Fusion, stay away. I split the difference in my 06 and shoot the 165 SPs on deer.

dgbroox, I can assure you that I have never formed an opinion from a Google search. The fact of the matter is; you realized you were wrong, and resorted to claiming that my opinion was based on faulty information. It is a common claim that kids do not think for themselves. I hear it repeated countless times by any adult that does not see eye to eye with me on politics. By claiming that kids are not thinking for themselves it allows adults something of a defense mechanism if you will, protecting you from a bruised ego because you realize someone considerably younger than you is actually right.

, Good Day

Some of you already know my thoughts, so excuse me while set this one out and refill my glass of uncaffeinated glass of Ice Tea!

I find it humorous that only one blogger so far on this post has not agreed with Mr. Petzal, and therefore he gets thrown down. He is just stating his side of the opinion, and i don't see why you guys are so closed-minded about it.
I actually agree with 'dgbroox' first post.

Nate

@ 60256, dgbroox, and alabamahunter:

Your situation consists of "not enough time on the planet" and certainly not much time on this blog. Mr. Petzal's comments are often salty and tongue in cheek. Your experience hasn't quite prepared you for the level of discernment required to fully appreciate his wit.

As for Jim Zumbo, only a reactionary would have interpreted his controversial blog as being anti-gun. What he said was true, although a bit narrow. Generally speaking, "black rifles" aren't suited for hunting, aside from varmint shooting, in most hunter's opinions, including mine. And don't give me 12 reasons why they are good for hunting. I own one and was using one in combat long before you were born and know that they are not really designed for that purpose. But, you certainly have the right to use one hunting if that's what cranks your tractor. Zumbo has been a defender of wildlife conservation and gun rights as well as a proponent of the shooting sports longer than you have been on the planet. Go check out what he is doing with hunts for our wounded warriors. Or better yet, go join the Marines.

WMH

On the .30-'06, shoot the load your rifle likes. Old Ugly is very discriminating, and will only take a very few 165 gr. loads with consistency. Usually, the hotter, the better.
I have found that the Nosler Ballistic Tip is the most effective bullet for one shot kills,
hence, I shoot 165 gr.NBTs when hunting with that rifle.
The other '06, a Winchester Model 70, will shoot 150, 165, and 180 gr. with equal accuracy. I am working on a table to adjust the scope for different grains of bullets. Again, shoot what the rifle likes and what works for the game you hunt.
On dgbroox, and your inane comments, I would have to agree with WA Mtnhunter that you have not acquired enough time on this planet, and certainly not enough time on this blog, to have an understanding of Dave Petzal. Until you do, I would suggest a "listen and learn" attitude. Petzal, and several others who post here, have more general knowledge on guns and life in their little toe than you seem to have acquired in your lifetime, and most of us appreciate Petzal's no bulls@%t
style, and understand his humor.

Happy Myles-
When are we going to see some of those hunting stories, and I see your postings on some of the fishing blogs also? Huh? Huh? Please?

My 03-A3 my Father bought and had it customized just for me at age 12. Total price for it all including a Weaver K-6 scope, $200 dollars.

To me, that 03-A3 30-06 rifle is worth more than any E.R. Shaw Mark VII .30/06 hands down and its not for trade

Go figure!

Thanks 60256, sometimes some folks just like to kiss tail to get their little stars. Others have a an opinion of their own.

Clay Cooper makes a great point! Which would you cherish the most? A good shooting shotgun passed down from someone or some gun you paid an arm and a leg for because you read in an article that it was "the gun to shoot"? Who do you think shoots said gun better? The man who is comfortable with is equiment or the man who paid the most for his gun?

WAmthunter, I have no problem with Dave's comments. In fact I've been reading his blog daily for the past few years. I don't, however, tend to post on every subject. I try not to post unless I actually feel as though I can add something of substance to the conversation.

As to dgbroox, I have no problem with him, but his comment about me not forming my own opinion hit me the wrong way. I defended Zumbo because in MY opinion he didn't say anything wrong on the blog post. It's sad that in this day and time a person can say one thing that is completely misconstrued, and before you know he's got a lynch mob after him.

DP-- arrogant??? maybe just a little, but with a lot og good natured BS. Narcissistic-- ever take a good look at his picture---lolo-- anyway his blog is one of the best around. I do an exercise a couple of time a day that keeps my shoulders and back in excellent shape. Stand an arms length away from a wall--spread feet to match shoulder width--palms straight out from shoulder and on the wall--up on your toes--then start with 15 push-ups on wall--do twice a day and in no time you'll be doing 40 or 50 each time you do this exercise. Your upper body and arms and back will be alined and strong. Works for me, I'm 75 and have no problems doing this exercise. Lets me stand on my hind legs and shoot a rifle like they were ment to be shot. try it--you'll see what I mean.

I just had to have that fancy o/u with the great looking engraved sidelocks and I saved every nickel that I could put away to one day be able to buy one like it. Eventually I bought A beautiful shotgun and I somehow knew that I would be a better person and shooter for having that piece of firearm art. I used it some at the skeet range and occasionally when I hunted grouse but somehow the old model 12 that had belonged to my father seemed to wind up in my hands as I took to the woods. I love quality and I certainly admire the artistry of a finely done firearm and I hope my son does as well because I have a beautiful shotgun for him! It's hardly been shot!

5 years ago I made the longest shot of my life and killed a deer at 230 yards. I weighed 380 lb. was out of shape, and couldn't bench press a musket.

2 years ago I killed a deer at 60 yards after missing at 275, 180, and 95 yards and making my hunting partner from the previous hunt laugh in the treehouse we call a stand. I weighed 330 lb. could run 60 minutes on an elliptical without breaking a sweat, and could bench press 315.

Physical stamina is no substitute for being able to shoot well. I gained back some of the weight, and cant run as well now, but I can shoot 4 minute groups offhand.