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264
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Reged: 15/02/11
Posts: 614
Loc: NT Australia
Bubble creek tahr ballot
      #332743 - 26/09/19 07:53 PM

Heres a run thru of a good week in the landsborough river. Bubble creek 4th period of the Tahr ballot.
in a day late and two extra days as weather interrupted flying.
All got Tahr bulls varying in size.
Heres a pictorial with descriptions on how things went. Cheers Mick


James, Watto and Nat loading gea at kaangua hanger

500's lifting of to ballot blocks

Clearing centre of pic landing site Bubble creek

James leaving

MIA tent set up

Watto checking out the MIA and stove

Monkey scrub bash up , camp centre of pic

tahr whistle and a few break out of the monkey scrub, 2 shots had the meat supply sorted. Stoked Kimbe ascent 270WSM

removing meat, super eating.

200m further on Chris says Tahr bull above us, Keep moving for a shot, your out of sight. Chris ranged him at 210m. Pack down over some rocks , rest and aimed for a low chest shot up into him. Relaxed and squeezed of the shot. At the impact the bull did a superman dive of the knoll he was on and fell 40m. Bounced a couple of times and out of sight. quickly discussed the shot and confident of a bull on the ground.
Covered the steep boulder field and started looking for the bull. 40m away the bull stands up and hobble s forward, both shoulders this time dropped him and he slipped down the steep face out of sight. Didn't come out thru the rocks so new I had him.
Few yeah has and fist pumps!
Too soon , we couldn't find him. Picked up blood and followed the trail to a hole in the grounded a Tahr bull 2.5-3m down the hole.
I couldn't believe it. The hole


some muscle and dubious safety practices got the bull out "F&*5k yeah"


stoked not massive but hard earnt and appreciated

Travelled back down thru the monkey scrub in the dark............

Rest of the week was a repeat observe , climb , try to get in range and locate a recoverable bull. We all got animals and had a awesome trip heres some more pics.
thru the spotting scope , unobtainium too had to get to

Watto with great bull 270 weatheby win 70 extreme

Chris first bull 264WM

Nat the Ninja

spotting bulls

crampons my new favourite thing


few heads

stove pumping

frozen cape

bad weather had us over stay by two days , so jammed in to the MIA awaiting pick up

lift out came to Hasst pass , left my tent with the next group.

Bad week for the next group

Trophies home


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Sarg
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Reged: 20/01/07
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: 264]
      #332747 - 26/09/19 10:04 PM

Well done Mick, nice work in the Alps, much different from your normal haunts !

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DarylS
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: Sarg]
      #332756 - 27/09/19 01:10 AM

I'll say - wee bit cooler - my kind of hunting weather.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Homer
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Reged: 07/04/09
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: DarylS]
      #332764 - 27/09/19 10:38 AM

G'Day Fella's,

Thanks for sharing 264, and pleased to hear you all had a successful hunt and time.

Avagreatweekendeh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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DarylS
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: Homer]
      #332769 - 28/09/19 01:51 AM

Ahhhh - perfect (normal) hunting weather for a late draw.



--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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Louis
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Reged: 13/05/15
Posts: 977
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: DarylS]
      #332832 - 30/09/19 08:25 PM

Nice trophies and landscapes; good mountain hunting, not for the faint-hearted!
Which elevation was you base-camp, and which was the average elevation the areas you hunted?
Louis

--------------------
"Everything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger"


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Waidmannsheil
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Reged: 19/04/13
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: Louis]
      #332834 - 30/09/19 08:31 PM

Well done Mick, looks like a ripper trip once again. Nice trophies and good to see that 264 WM in action again.

Matt.

--------------------
There is nothing wrong with vegetarian food, so long as there is meat with it.


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264
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Reged: 15/02/11
Posts: 614
Loc: NT Australia
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: Louis]
      #332857 - 01/10/19 07:14 AM

Base camp was at 1000m. Most hunting was done at 1600 -1800m. Plenty of areas unacessable. Hunted to our abilities as we are still fairly new to the mountains. Learning more each trip.
The pic of the Tahr thru the spotting scope, is around 1900m and above our abilities. Directly above our camp site.
Had a few scared sh#tless moments.
Cheers Mick

Edited by 264 (01/10/19 07:18 AM)


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DarylS
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: 264]
      #332863 - 01/10/19 10:13 AM

On the day the snow starts to fly, you needed to have vacated the mountains the day prior.
It gets bloody dangerous in the mountains in snow. It's bad enough when dry, eh, Mic.


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NitroXAdministrator
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: 264]
      #332869 - 01/10/19 02:28 PM



Mick's got a new scarf.

Well done Mick. Enjoyed your story and photos. Thanks for posting.

I wish I was fit enough to hunt there. Mountain slopes kill me! Even when I was younger and super fit. I found elevations above 3000 metres difficult in Peru, but I wasn't climbing around hunting either. Was walking around and some mild climbing around looking at sites. At 5000 metres it was difficult to walk without wobbling even a hundred metres.

I can see why Mick says some scary moments, heights, sheer drops, rough and uneven slopes, difficult trails or no trails, in mountains all add up to scary moments at times.

Tahr and chamois trophies. Master hunter trophies. Well done to Mick and co.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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264
.375 member


Reged: 15/02/11
Posts: 614
Loc: NT Australia
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: NitroX]
      #332875 - 01/10/19 04:28 PM

Quote:



Mick's got a new scarf.

Well done Mick. Enjoyed your story and photos. Thanks for posting.

I wish I was fit enough to hunt there. Mountain slopes kill me! Even when I was younger and super fit. I found elevations above 3000 metres difficult in Peru, but I wasn't climbing around hunting either. Was walking around and some mild climbing around looking at sites. At 5000 metres it was difficult to walk without wobbling even a hundred metres.

I can see why Mick says some scary moments, heights, sheer drops, rough and uneven slopes, difficult trails or no trails, in mountains all add up to scary moments at times.

Tahr and chamois trophies. Master hunter trophies. Well done to Mick and co.




Didnt realise, that our camp site is in the pic above. Bottom right hand corner, both tents just visible. On the flat next to the Landsborough river.


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Louis
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Reged: 13/05/15
Posts: 977
Loc: France
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: 264]
      #332877 - 01/10/19 06:54 PM

Thank you Mick; it's unfortunate that NZ is such far from Europe!
Louis

--------------------
"Everything that doesn't kill me makes me stronger"


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MickoC
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Reged: 19/11/09
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Loc: Queensland, Australia
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: Louis]
      #332878 - 01/10/19 08:28 PM

Thanks Mick , great effort and great photo's

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Homer
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: MickoC]
      #332892 - 02/10/19 10:13 AM

G'Day Fella's,

264, I just had a thought.
What did you think about your Kimber rifle, for use in an Alpine environment?
By this in mean, rifle weight, handling and it's chambering(.270 WSM), etc.

D'oh!
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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264
.375 member


Reged: 15/02/11
Posts: 614
Loc: NT Australia
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: Homer]
      #332893 - 02/10/19 12:04 PM

The Ascent in 270WSM to me seams about right! It took several trips and different rifles to get the light weight mountain rifle.
The kimberlite Ascent of the shelf is just about spot on. Light, durable, accurate. Initialy I thought the price wasn't worth it and looked at building a NZ mountain rifle. Couldn't get anywhere near the Ascent price in a build.
Calibre - I had previously used the 270WSM and liked how it performed and decided to stay with it. Other considerations were 280 Ackley and 270. If the Ascent came in 264 that would have been my choice. All these cals would have worked fine.
Durability - all the rifles I've taken over the ditch show how tuff the country is with well worn synthetic stocks covered in scratches and wear marks. The hollow sound the stock makes when its knocked or bounced off a bit of NZ is terrible but it has held zero very well. The Ascent has significant wear from monkey scrub where it was exposed thru the removable cover. Didn't even notice it until I got home.
Brake - Im not a fan but use it in NZ as it makes for accurate longer shots. The noise is horrific and in a rush this trip I fired it twice with out hearing protection. Couldn't hear for two days
Interesting when we were climbing to glass tahr Chris and I use a quick release rifle cover to keep the rifle and scope protected. Unreal in the monkey scrub and Watto will have one next time we go over. Watto and Chris both picked up my ascent and appreciated the light weight.
Chris had trouble in heavy rain and snow with his action freezing after shots, very frustrating ..................
Have thought about going lighter and taking the Barrett field craft over in 308. Would it work certainly but the terrain allows for Houdini acts by hit bulls very quickly and I appreciate the extra bit of grunt from the 270WSM and hope that it drops them on the spot.
Learn more each trip and will eventually have enough experience to narrow down what works and what doesn't.
Should have went with crampons a couple of trips back. Hit some ice sheets and decided that they were not required. To lazy to put them on..... That changed after a few slides on my arse. Scary moments!
Confidence went thru the roof, bouncing around like a fool and had a large slip fall on thin slab rock, covered by sheet ice.
Chris went with shoe chains and had a bad fall for about 7m and was lucky that the chute he was in didn't go to a drop off. Watto watched it all happen and felt helpless as Chris slid down the chute! He's going to take crampons next trip. And have the ice axe ready. The chains worked well in the steep wet tussocks.
MIA tent........... Awesome is the only way to describe it. Being able to sit up, cook , dress get ready to hunt in reasonable comfort makes the trip a lot easier. Watto and Nat were in a 3 man Mac pac tent and shared our tent for cooking socialising etc.......
Rough weather in a tunnel tent or extended time in a tunnel tent is not enjoyable.
The group after us had atrocious weather with only two days of their week hunt able. They appreciated the MIA.
We did two trips in by 500 and both loads were under weight so could have taken more gear. Next time ill take wood rather than coal as the stove is designed for wood.
Going to get sorrel boots for around camp. Had dramas keeping my feet warm this year. Had temps in the minus. Felt for the other NT guys in Arbor ridge. They reckon it gets bugger all sun.
Nat is a chef and we ate very well, with no freeze dry meals . The young tahr and nannies are one of the better meats I've tried.
Im looking forward to the next trip. Bring on the ballot for 2020 Cheers Mick

Edited by 264 (02/10/19 12:09 PM)


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Homer
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: 264]
      #332927 - 03/10/19 07:49 AM

G'Day Fella's,

Thanks for your comprehensive insight into the rifle, and hunt 264, very much appreciated.

Regards
Homer

--------------------
"Beware the Lolly Pop of Mediocrity,
Lick it Once and You Will Suck Forever"


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
Posts: 26941
Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: Homer]
      #332929 - 03/10/19 11:12 AM

You guys, Mic re: .264 and John have me thinking of a re-chamber of my .260Rem. to 6.5x68S or .264. I already have a magnum bolt body for that action as well as dies & brass for both.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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264
.375 member


Reged: 15/02/11
Posts: 614
Loc: NT Australia
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: DarylS]
      #332930 - 03/10/19 11:37 AM

Either would be nice. Id go the 264WM but I'm biased towards the cal.
The pre 64 in 264 WM should tun up in the next day or two.
Regetted selling the old 264WM to Chris but he has put it to good use.
Plenty of good powder and projectiles available to get the most out of both cals now.
About the only negative of either Over here is that its not legal for sambar.................
Let us know which way you go with it. Cheers Mick


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DarylS
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: 264]
      #332933 - 03/10/19 12:22 PM

Tks for the Heads-up on them, Mic.

pm to you

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
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Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: 264]
      #332937 - 03/10/19 04:14 PM

Quote:

Either would be nice. Id go the 264WM but I'm biased towards the cal.
The pre 64 in 264 WM should tun up in the next day or two.
Regetted selling the old 264WM to Chris but he has put it to good use.
Plenty of good powder and projectiles available to get the most out of both cals now.
About the only negative of either Over here is that its not legal for sambar.................
Let us know which way you go with it. Cheers Mick




But you still use the alias "264"!? You could choose "TheFatLady" now or "270WSM" or ? Ha ha. But you aren't fat if you can climb those hills.

But re-reading I see you are regaining your old persona. good luck with the pre 64 .264 Win Mag. Should be fun to use. One of the original hot shots.

BTW would the rifle be light enough to use in the Kiwi mountains?

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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NitroXAdministrator
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39795
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: DarylS]
      #332938 - 03/10/19 04:29 PM

Quote:

You guys, Mic re: .264 and John have me thinking of a re-chamber of my .260Rem. to 6.5x68S or .264. I already have a magnum bolt body for that action as well as dies & brass for both.




Hi Daryl, great minds think a like. As you would know from my ramblings I always wanted a 6.5x68 barrel for my Mauser M03. Probably near impossible to ever happen. A Blaser would work out, but then I would need all the same barrels in the Blaser I already have for the Mauser.

Mickey suggested to me years ago, after I asked him what a true double rifle man would use as a mountain hunting rifle, that he would use a single shot. Now some of these beautiful European single shots, such as Louis's in the other thread, can be very light. Sometimes scoped arpound 6 lbs or a little more. A break open single shot in 6.5x68 (no S as that is assoiated with the 8x68S and stands for .323 calibres versus the earlier .318 "8mm" cartridges) would be a spectaculaer mountain rifle. Perhaps a 6.5x68R for better extraction. The 6.5x68 with the original 93 gr PSP RWS bullet reached almost 4000 fps if I remember rightly. And was designed for chamois. There are other good bullets in the 90 to 100 gr range available from American bullet makers for handloading. A 120 to 127 gr projectiles also would be excellent.

Or for a little more oomph and also unusual factor a 7mm Vom Hofe Super Express (Magum?) if one thought additional bullet weight useful for hunting anywhere in mountains all over the world.

Would make great longer range plains rifles as well.

Neither of those cartrisdge chamberings would recoil enough to be a worry in a light rifle. I've shot a 6 1/4" Blaser in .375 and it did recoil sharply. And could become a problem. if lots of rounds had to be fired. But these medium bores should be managable.

A break open rifle also has the advantage of a longer barrel, minimum 650 mm or 26", is not as long. And the advantage of a shorter travelling/shotgun style case being possible for carrying it.

The disadvantage is one shot only.

Maybe Mick, can comment, how often is one shot enough? If additional shots are required, would an experienced single shot loader usually have enough time to reload and fire again?

These single shots are also often extremely accurate.

Need the wallet to bulk up first before any such fantasies. And hundreds of hours at the gym, or a several seasons of 30 km fox drive walks in broken country.

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"


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DarylS
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Reged: 10/08/05
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Loc: Beautiful British Columbia, Ca...
Re: Bubble creek tahr ballot [Re: NitroX]
      #332970 - 04/10/19 04:29 AM

I understood the "S" in 6.5x68S stood for "Schuler", the originator of that round.

I was aware the "S" stood for groove diameter of .323" in the 8mm.

My buddy Keith's second barrel for his 6.5x68 had a 9" twist, which allows up to and including pointy 140's and 156/160gr. RN's.

If I were to buy a new bl. in 6.5mm, it would have an 8" twist. My .260 has a 9" rate of twist.

I have a local friend with a Merkel 16bore over 7x65R. The 7x65R will put 3 quick shots with 160gr. TSX under an inch @ 100 meters with the (horridly -to me) huge crosshairs in the Zeiss scope.

--------------------
Daryl


"a gun without hammers is like a Spaniel without ears" King George V


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