Most useful thing ...

[MattM37]

What's been your most useful new gear or clothing purchase the last few months?

[jhjimbo]

I came across a pair of socks at a Ace hardware in a small town near camp. The old time kind of store that has everything you might need. I spotted the socks and a clerk said they are the warmest and they sell the most of them. Not cheap, I bought a pair and he was right. The warmest, most comfortable I have - they are called 'Heat Holders'. About $35.

[MattM37]

I came across a pair of socks at a Ace hardware in a small town near camp. The old time kind of store that has everything you might need. I spotted the socks and a clerk said they are the warmest and they sell the most of them. Not cheap, I bought a pair and he was right. The warmest, most comfortable I have - they are called 'Heat Holders'. About $35.

I'm in the market now for some new boots, socks, gloves, and mittens. First time ever, this past deer season, my toes and fingers got painfully cold. Never had that problem before. Partly I think it's just aging -- I'll be 50 this year -- and also some cardiology concerns came up over the past few months, nothing major, but have to realize that my circulatory system might not be the efficient machine I always took for granted. I guess you can't outrun the family history after all. (Funny thing is, I was reading over some of my old posts and found one where I was gloating to FirstBubba about how much bacon I eat. Hey, Bubba, I've cut it down to just twice a week!)

But also: A lot of my stuff is just plain old. Insulation wears out. My Muck Arctic Pros and Cabelas leather hunting boots are both a few years old. None of my wool socks are exactly threadbare but definitely have lost the soft wool loft you need to really stay warm.

[fitch270]

Next question.

[fitch270]

Actually Matt, you made me realize that I haven’t purchased anything else of significance since gearing up for last year’s trip, and most of that was bought well in advance since we booked two years out. Could be part of the reason I haven’t thought twice about investing in reloading.


If you’re in the market for new outdoor clothing you’d do well to check into Sierra Trading Post online, it’s clearance time for winter gear.

[jhjimbo]

I'm in the market now for some new boots, socks, gloves, and mittens. First time ever, this past deer season, my toes and fingers got painfully cold. Never had that problem before. Partly I think it's just aging -- I'll be 50 this year -- and also some cardiology concerns came up over the past few months, nothing major, but have to realize that my circulatory system might not be the efficient machine I always took for granted. I guess you can't outrun the family history after all. (Funny thing is, I was reading over some of my old posts and found one where I was gloating to FirstBubba about how much bacon I eat. Hey, Bubba, I've cut it down to just twice a week!)

But also: A lot of my stuff is just plain old. Insulation wears out. My Muck Arctic Pros and Cabelas leather hunting boots are both a few years old. None of my wool socks are exactly threadbare but definitely have lost the soft wool loft you need to really stay warm.

I stopped almost 30 years ago eating bacon and cut down on eggs. My cholesterol is under 100.

[MattM37]

Actually Matt, you made me realize that I haven’t purchased anything else of significance since gearing up for last year’s trip, and most of that was bought well in advance since we booked two years out. Could be part of the reason I haven’t thought twice about investing in reloading.


If you’re in the market for new outdoor clothing you’d do well to check into Sierra Trading Post online, it’s clearance time for winter gear.

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out.
Any story behind the pelt hanging next to your table?

[fitch270]

Target of opportunity mid deer season. I shot him moments after he passed by the camera but left him lay just in case something else showed up. I had my first mounted so just tanned this one. I’d like to make a hat out of the pelt but don’t want to screw it up.

[WA Mtnhunter]

Nothing purchased recently, but my last purchases were a LR Carlson Cremator choke tube and V3 autoloader to go with it. Hasn’t changed my shooting much but lighter recoil.

[DakotaMan]

I like shooting accurate rifles. I purchased parts to make a 6mm Dasher and built one in the last few months. Parts were hard to find but with lots of searching I found everything I needed. I made it for F-Class Open competition. I've only been out to test it once so far and haven't yet started load testing. Here is the first 3-shot 100 yard group I shot with it in its brief operation test. This target has a 3/8" white center (I shoot these off center intentionally so I don't blow up my target). I think it will be a shooter and might just be the cat's meow! The brackets show the average velocity, extreme velocity spread and standard deviation.

[DakotaMan]

fitch270 "Next question."
Now we know where all the ammo is going... happy shooting!

[PigHunter]

I've upgraded much of my gear in the last 18 months. This has been a mild winter and I had no problem staying warm. Here's what's been working well:

Boots:
Amazon.com | Danner Men's 41341 Pronghorn 8" GTX 400G Hunting Shoe, Realtree Edge - 9 D US | Hunting

Hat - Orange Cap:
The Hat Depot 300N Washed Cotton Low Profile Baseball Cap (Orange) at Amazon Men’s Clothing store

Hat - Beanie:
Amazon.com : Mossy Oak Country Reversible Blaze Orange / Camo Hunting Knit Beanie : Clothing

Outer layer jacket:
Amazon.com: Mossy Oak Sherpa 2.0 Fleece Lined Camo Hunting Jacket for Men, Camouflage Clothes: Clothing

Shirt:
Amazon.com: Mossy Oak Cotton Mill 2.0 Long Sleeve Camo Hunting Shirts for Men: Clothing

Pants:
Amazon.com: Mossy Oak Cotton Mill 2.0 Camo Hunting Camouflage Pants: Clothing

Binoculars:
Amazon.com : Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 8x42 Binocular (Black) : Sports & Outdoors

Spotting Scope:
Amazon.com: Gosky 2019 Updated 20-60x80 Spotting Scope with Tripod, Carrying Bag and Smartphone Adapter - BAK4 Angled Telescope - Newest Waterproof Scope for Target Shooting Hunting Bird Watching Wildlife Scenery: Camera & Photo

Bipod:
Amazon.com : Caldwell XLA Fixed 9-13 Inch Bipod with Adjustable Notched Legs and Slim Folding Design for Easy Transport, Rifle Stability, and Target Shooting : Gun Monopods Bipods And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Magnetic Gun Mount:
Amazon.com: GMW Gun Magnet [2-Pack] | 30 lbs. Rating Magnetic Gun Mount | HQ Rubber Coated Gun Accessories Gun Magnet Buckler Series for Car, Truck, Desks, Safes, and Walls | Concealed Gun Holder for Handgun: Sports & Outdoors

Clamp-On Boat Lights:
Amazon.com: Attwood 14191-7 Clamp-On Portable Marine Boat Navigation Light Kit: Sports & Outdoors

[FirstBubba]

Most useful thing I've purchased to assist me was a shoulder implant!
Aug '21 will be 2 years and I'll be back to shooting.
No mag loads/firearms! But then I don't like "mangrums" anyhow! LOL!
MSR's and semiauto shotguns only.

[MattM37]

I've upgraded much of my gear in the last 18 months. This has been a mild winter and I had no problem staying warm. Here's what's been working well:

Boots:
Amazon.com | Danner Men's 41341 Pronghorn 8" GTX 400G Hunting Shoe, Realtree Edge - 9 D US | Hunting

Hat - Orange Cap:
The Hat Depot 300N Washed Cotton Low Profile Baseball Cap (Orange) at Amazon Men’s Clothing store

Hat - Beanie:
Amazon.com : Mossy Oak Country Reversible Blaze Orange / Camo Hunting Knit Beanie : Clothing

Outer layer jacket:
Amazon.com: Mossy Oak Sherpa 2.0 Fleece Lined Camo Hunting Jacket for Men, Camouflage Clothes: Clothing

Shirt:
Amazon.com: Mossy Oak Cotton Mill 2.0 Long Sleeve Camo Hunting Shirts for Men: Clothing

Pants:
Amazon.com: Mossy Oak Cotton Mill 2.0 Camo Hunting Camouflage Pants: Clothing

Binoculars:
Amazon.com : Nikon 7576 MONARCH 5 8x42 Binocular (Black) : Sports & Outdoors

Spotting Scope:
Amazon.com: Gosky 2019 Updated 20-60x80 Spotting Scope with Tripod, Carrying Bag and Smartphone Adapter - BAK4 Angled Telescope - Newest Waterproof Scope for Target Shooting Hunting Bird Watching Wildlife Scenery: Camera & Photo

Bipod:
Amazon.com : Caldwell XLA Fixed 9-13 Inch Bipod with Adjustable Notched Legs and Slim Folding Design for Easy Transport, Rifle Stability, and Target Shooting : Gun Monopods Bipods And Accessories : Sports & Outdoors

Magnetic Gun Mount:
Amazon.com: GMW Gun Magnet [2-Pack] | 30 lbs. Rating Magnetic Gun Mount | HQ Rubber Coated Gun Accessories Gun Magnet Buckler Series for Car, Truck, Desks, Safes, and Walls | Concealed Gun Holder for Handgun: Sports & Outdoors

Clamp-On Boat Lights:
Amazon.com: Attwood 14191-7 Clamp-On Portable Marine Boat Navigation Light Kit: Sports & Outdoors

Good haul. Reminds me of the old days when every third or fourth tax refund, I'd head to Bass Pro and fill up a cart. I like using stuff to death but it does feel good to go shopping.

[PigHunter]

Good haul. Reminds me of the old days when every third or fourth tax refund, I'd head to Bass Pro and fill up a cart. I like using stuff to death but it does feel good to go shopping.

Thanks. I'm much like you and use items until they're either worn out (boots and clothes) or I'm tired of the lower quality (spotting scope, binoculars, and boat lights). The bipod was to improve my shooting at the range. The jacket provides warmth with less bulk than my old one.

The gun mount magnets help for stashing home defense firearms out of sight but keeping them close at hand.