Help me spend my bonus

[BackofBeyond]

Granted, this suggestion is based on hitting as many of your options as possible…

Ruger #1 in 6mm Remington, send it to Paul to AI and gussy up.

Hitting your Buzz goal with the 6mm, man-bun goal with the AI, lever gun/wood stock coolness with the #1.

Boom.

Nailed it.

 

[ismith]

Give it back to your boss, there was obviously a mistake.

 

[brymoore]

Hard no.

We took those little shitters to hawaii last time and all I heard was complaints. Non-stop
"the water is too cold"
"I don't want to go to bed"
"This food tastes weird"
"Can we get/do ____" "no" *complaining*
"It's too hot"
"Are we just going to sit here?"
"I'm bored."

Nope, not happening. I can get all those same responses going to the WA beach for pennies on the dollar.

Go quail hunting with your dog in Arizona

 

[Letthemgrow]

It sounds like you try to stay in shape so I will be the outlier and say buy a new mountain bike that has enough "wow" options that will motivate you to use it.
It gives you an option to running every time and keeps up your lower body strength.
Your long term health is the greatest investment you will ever make.

 

[Irrelevant]

Granted, this suggestion is based on hitting as many of your options as possible…

Ruger #1 in 6mm Remington, send it to Paul to AI and gussy up.

Hitting your Buzz goal with the 6mm, man-bun goal with the AI, lever gun/wood stock coolness with the #1.

Boom.

Nailed it.

You haven't seen me shoot. One shot is like 2 too few

 

[mtmuley]

It sounds like you try to stay in shape so I will be the outlier and say buy a new mountain bike that has enough "wow" options that will motivate you to use it.
It gives you an option to running every time and keeps up your lower body strength.
Your long term health is the greatest investment you will ever make.

Mountain bikes cost more than a good rifle. Doesn't pencil out. At least for me. mtmuley

 

[BackofBeyond]

You haven't seen me shoot. One shot is like 2 too few

There’s only 1 way to fix that… shoot more.

 

[Irrelevant]

Mayhe Hawaii wasn't the best spot. Don't take this the wrong way but I'd love to be able to take my kids to Hawaii ( well not hawaii thats not my thing ) and have them drive me nuts. That's what kids do, generally...until they dont.

I get what you're saying but hands down the two best types of vacation we've taken were river trips and backpacking. Both are already on the docket

 

[Nick87]

. Both are already on the docket

Well there ya go.

 

[Lostinthewoods]

I’m not really good at just getting one singular thing in a situation like this.

So my brain would be going - bike, pistol, and lever gun.

Or any assorted combo under your budget.

Maybe new to you, but used bike to optimize more for the gun purchase/purchases.

 

[Irrelevant]

I’m not really good at just getting one singular thing in a situation like this.

So my brain would be going - bike, pistol, and lever gun.

Or any assorted combo under your budget.

Maybe new to you, but used bike to optimize more for the gun purchase/purchases.

Based on the price of bikes it would have to be used. It's hard to find anything even used under 2k. New is like 4-5k

 

[Jbotto]

Bonuses came out and they're.... um, good. I'll throw most if it at investments and savings for future real estate, but there is room for a frivolous new purchase.
Options:
Truck Cap: I debate this every year, it would be great most of the time, but I'll still need to take it off for firewood and xmas tree, and occasionally dirt/rock hauling.
Kevlar/Carbon Canoe: I have a fleet of used canoes, but all are plastic or fiberglass. Haven't used them as much as I hoped as the girls prefer paddle boarding, and my son prefers the sit-on-top 'yak. But I still have hope.
Mt Bike: Currently rocking a 2003 Yeti 26-er. Both shocks need to be rebuilt and a tune up. But literally everyone tells me the geometry on new bikes is worth upgrading. I was biking way more in the past, but didn't even touch it this last year as all my time was devoted to running.
Rifle Option 1: Fancy long range shooter. I have a tikka 270 that I hunt with, it checks all the boxes for an all-around rifle. But it's not a 600 yarder. Probably in manbun caliber or something similar.
Rifle Option 2: Smaller caliber gun/pronghorn gun. Like a 25-06 or 257 roberts, maybe 6mm (so I can be cool like buzz). Older, woodstock, but still needs to be a shooter.
Rifle Option 3: Old ass level gun in 30-30. No idea if I would ever shoot it, but damn they're cool.
Rifle Option 4: Have Pham modify either the 270, or a 300 WM (I've been telling myself I'll do this for years), add new barrels, stock, and suppressor.
Pistol (or 2 or 3): I don't have one... seems like a gap.

Random other ideas?

If I can't come up with anything, I'll just add it to savings, but that's not nearly as much fun.

We are a few years away from good bonuses going to anything but debt. But if I was in your shoes with the options listed, I’d go the truck topper route. I’d probably buy a used one and just have the patience find it in the color you need it.

OR I’d do one of the rifle options. I like the lever gun idea as it would just be fun to have and shoot. I’d probably just bullet-proof my existing hunting rifle, if I liked it enough to do so, or just buy exactly the rifle I want and go work hard to shoot it enough to wear out the barrel in a few years.

 

[FREAK]

I sleep in my topper 5+ times a year. Plus nice to be able to lock it and keep the elements off my gear.

Mtn bikes are freaking expensive now but a pretty fun way to get some exercise. You could almost get a topper and 3 pistols for what the nice ones are going for now.

 

[Hilljackoutlaw]

New Zealand red stage hunt fund.

 

[Brittany Chukarman]

There's times I wish I had a camper shell instead of setting up a tent camp. I think I would do more short, overnight trips. Would also be nice to have my gear secure while traveling. I drive straight through 18 hours from Wyoming so my gear doesn't get ripped off.

 

[44hunter45]

Rifle Option 3: Old ass level gun in 30-30. No idea if I would ever shoot it, but damn they're cool.

Random other ideas?

If I can't come up with anything, I'll just add it to savings, but that's not nearly as much fun.

Ultrasonic woodchuck repellent?

I just had @p_ham go through my 1916 production 1894 in 30WCF. All period correct parts. Coolness defined. This WILL put more meat in our freezer in the future.

Let me warn you though. Paul's work becomes an addiction. I've got three more pieces lined out for him as the funds become available.
I have dream rifles unfinished by myself and others. Each one requires another Fallon run.

 

[44hunter45]

There's times I wish I had a camper shell instead of setting up a tent camp. I think I would do more short, overnight trips. Would also be nice to have my gear secure while traveling. I drive straight through 18 hours from Wyoming so my gear doesn't get ripped off.

On my full size pickup, I can sleep under the tonneau cover. As it has gotten older, it is no longer watertight. I need to see if I can do some maintenance to fix that.
On the 1983 Toy there is no way I could sleep in it without a topper.

 

[crock239]

I have a soft roll-top topper for everyday use and love it..keeps stuff dry amd out of sight out of kind has worked well for "security" so far...cheap aluminum hardshell topper gets installed for hunting trips or long road trips etc.

I'd say get whatever you'll use the most...and also, memories last forever.

Maybe spring for some cool experience you wouldn't otherwise typically splurge for...(guided waterfowl, or guided fishing, or cool new trip for you and the wife)

 

[TN2shot07]

I can’t comment on most of your choices, I don’t have those hobbies

This would be an easy one for me as I’m fighting a similar rifle decision once season is over…

Rifle option 1: The tikka is a great platform to build off if you like it. I’m sending it to Pham with a new carbon fiber stock, barrel, bottom metal, trigger spring and a paint job. My chambering would be 280 ackley if you’re wanting to stretch it out (keeps with the standard bolt face)

Rifle option 2: I like the wood/blue route for a dedicated speed goat rifle. I’d hunt down a nice model seven in 243 or a super grade model 70 in 243 or 25-06…

 

[Rie Bread]

I’d get the topper for the truck. Great place to sleep to get away from the family. Get a 10mm so that way you don’t get axed by a tweeker.

I was never a pistol shooter but I shot that more than anything else lately. Be sure to get a light for it. F looking for your head lamp when you gotta camp infiltrator