The .35 Rem can be legal with a trim of the brass. This is the one I'm most aware of folks doing that with.
Based on the questions in the most recent deer survey, I'd not be surprised to see rifle regulations relaxed in the not too distant future. Wish they'd approve .224" centerfires.
To...
That's very cool!! 'Twould love to have a group that does that. Most I know around here don't even process their own deer.
Local butcher does a bag up job for under $3/lb and only takes boned meat. I took them two different deer this year. Very much dig the snack sticks and am happy to pay...
Our BGE is probably the "best" kitchen tool we have. Takes some getting used to how to control temps, but once you have that down you're on easy street.
Me and the boys really like 'em. Wife found them to rich/fatty, prefers them made from a beef brisket.
I may try them again, but out of pork butt/steak so they aren't so fatty.
We had nearly 40ac that we recently bought heavily logged last summer. Be interesting to see the new growth and changes over the next couple years.
Haven't personally done anything for mule deer in almost 11yrs, but was involved in brush/fuels reduction projects in a previous job. Some used...
Also interesting to read about the huge scarcity of game in many areas. Though I realize it's controversial, might want to look up Dr. Charles Kay's work on that topic.
That'd be a dandy scope!! Not light, but won't have to baby it. I've used Sportsmatch Rings to mount 30mm scopes to two different Tikkas and like them a lot. Really like the recoil pin they use/include for the front ring...
Yes, if you think you need to upgrade the scope, I would. Other than maybe a bullet change, I'd not suggest a change. IMO neither of those are really going to buy you much increased capability, especially in light of the current shortages and difficulty in finding LH rifles.
My suggestion...
Buy it!
I imagine you might be a bit surprised what they go for. I have a 30-30 that I hope fills a deer tag or two this fall. Oldest shot his first buck with it.
Since you don't load your own, I'd lean heavily towards the 243 Win and/or 6.5 Creedmoor. Lots of factory offererings, improving your chances of finding your something the rifle likes. For deer to 300yds either would work great and could be found in a lighter rifle than the one you are looking...
So, if he's not complaining, you're cool with him? The one's complaining could buy/lease/go to another spot and make it less crowded as well...
If he has the proper tag, he has as much a "right" to hunt public and fill his tag on whatever it permits. Heck, just a week or so back, folks were...