flhshvlhed
10-13-2004, 02:30 PM
Well - I just wanted to drop a line, and give an update on the saga of the "stolen" LH Savage I had bought for my daughter. To make part of the long story short, I took the rifle back, and received a refund. Then, thanks to observant board members, I purchased the LH 308 was on line. I had it shipped to the gun shop. However, it didn't make it until after we had returned.
The shop did the change over for free, and gave her a hard case for it. When I bring in the 30-06 ammo, they are going to change it out for some 308.
The rifle came in, and looks like new. I talked w/ the PO, and he only shot about 2 boxes of ammo through it. Get this - the "buy now" price included shipping!! I couldn't beleive it! Needless to say, my daughter was happy as a pig in slop! She had shot my Ruger 308, and it's not a problem for her, so I'm just going to put a Pachmayer on it, and run w/ it! (A 12 y/o girl w/ a 308 - ain't this a wonderful country!! )
Now - to the hunt. We drove the Haul Rd/Dalton Hwy on Labor Day weekend, and went above Atigun Pass out on the tundra, to see what we could find. Let me say - for those that have never made this drive: 1. It's a must do, before you leave this earth, and 2. It's not for the faint of heart. This road is no joke!! Make sure your vehicle is in excellent condition, and you have various spare parts and fuel. Fuel points (civilization!) are about 150-200 miles apart. We drove 1550 mile in 5 days, from near Anchorage to Prudhoe and back. From about 50 miles north of Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay/Dadhorse (495 miles!), you will only see about 10 buildings, and that's at a little town/community about 1/2 way there! Once you go through Atigun Pass, it's pretty much NOTHING for the next 150-200 miles. Only rolling tundra - the tallest vegatation out there is maybe knee high! Words don't do it justice. On 2 Sep, we drove through a snow storm in Deadhorse (the fartherest northermost place in the US that you can drive to)!
Getting back to the hunting - we saw some caribou, however, due to the hot dry summer that we had up here this year, the herds were behind the power curve on their migration cycle. They were still way east and hadn't crossed the river yet. About the only way that you can get to them is via airboat or a boat w/ a jet drive. Those that paid for this type of transportation ($500), were hauling out some monsters.
If you are bow hunting, you can shoot one, after you step off of the road. W/ a rifle, it's a 5 mile hike (each way!) I took a shot at one that was about 350 yds or so. Although I aimed high, my 308 w/ 180's still hit low. (Note to self - no matter how big of a rush you are in to go hunting, make sure you do an equipment check, and make sure that you have your RANGEFINDER!!). My litle girl didn't get a shot on one.
OTOH - there's a gun show this weekend, and I'm going to look for a Savage for me, IOT make a 6.5-06! I'm going to build something that'll shoot light sabers at those guys. I figure between that, and having the range finder taped to my hand, we'll get one next time.
The next time we do this, I'm taking a week (and maybe a boat!). It's a must do for a hunter. Should anyone be comtemplating coming up here, I have a good buddy, that I can put them in touch w/, that is a registered guide. This is just a plug for him - I make no money off it.
Thanks for all of your help and support.
Mike
RLTW
The shop did the change over for free, and gave her a hard case for it. When I bring in the 30-06 ammo, they are going to change it out for some 308.
The rifle came in, and looks like new. I talked w/ the PO, and he only shot about 2 boxes of ammo through it. Get this - the "buy now" price included shipping!! I couldn't beleive it! Needless to say, my daughter was happy as a pig in slop! She had shot my Ruger 308, and it's not a problem for her, so I'm just going to put a Pachmayer on it, and run w/ it! (A 12 y/o girl w/ a 308 - ain't this a wonderful country!! )
Now - to the hunt. We drove the Haul Rd/Dalton Hwy on Labor Day weekend, and went above Atigun Pass out on the tundra, to see what we could find. Let me say - for those that have never made this drive: 1. It's a must do, before you leave this earth, and 2. It's not for the faint of heart. This road is no joke!! Make sure your vehicle is in excellent condition, and you have various spare parts and fuel. Fuel points (civilization!) are about 150-200 miles apart. We drove 1550 mile in 5 days, from near Anchorage to Prudhoe and back. From about 50 miles north of Fairbanks to Prudhoe Bay/Dadhorse (495 miles!), you will only see about 10 buildings, and that's at a little town/community about 1/2 way there! Once you go through Atigun Pass, it's pretty much NOTHING for the next 150-200 miles. Only rolling tundra - the tallest vegatation out there is maybe knee high! Words don't do it justice. On 2 Sep, we drove through a snow storm in Deadhorse (the fartherest northermost place in the US that you can drive to)!
Getting back to the hunting - we saw some caribou, however, due to the hot dry summer that we had up here this year, the herds were behind the power curve on their migration cycle. They were still way east and hadn't crossed the river yet. About the only way that you can get to them is via airboat or a boat w/ a jet drive. Those that paid for this type of transportation ($500), were hauling out some monsters.
If you are bow hunting, you can shoot one, after you step off of the road. W/ a rifle, it's a 5 mile hike (each way!) I took a shot at one that was about 350 yds or so. Although I aimed high, my 308 w/ 180's still hit low. (Note to self - no matter how big of a rush you are in to go hunting, make sure you do an equipment check, and make sure that you have your RANGEFINDER!!). My litle girl didn't get a shot on one.
OTOH - there's a gun show this weekend, and I'm going to look for a Savage for me, IOT make a 6.5-06! I'm going to build something that'll shoot light sabers at those guys. I figure between that, and having the range finder taped to my hand, we'll get one next time.
The next time we do this, I'm taking a week (and maybe a boat!). It's a must do for a hunter. Should anyone be comtemplating coming up here, I have a good buddy, that I can put them in touch w/, that is a registered guide. This is just a plug for him - I make no money off it.
Thanks for all of your help and support.
Mike
RLTW