Weirdly, I completely agree on the bino harness. I'm usually all for being tacticool 😂 I mean... the knife I carry into the Veld is a Bayonet style of Dagger, which I literally strap to my thigh. But man I just don't gel with my Bino Harness. I need to try a higher quality one, because mine is slightly too big for me, but my main issue is that I don't get much of a use of it and it's very much in the way when you want to suddenly go Prone.
Yeah, if you have neck issues, harness is good way to get rid of that pain in your neck. But even if I did this I'd ditch the extra case. Binos are well protected and durable without needing additional covers. I don't carry my rifle in a case during a hunt either.
For me it's not about protecting them. It's just a very convenient place to keep them stowed for the 95+% of the time I'm not looking through them, but handy enough to snatch a peek at something I want a better look at.
My chest rig is not for protecting my binos, it's for comfort. Especially when crawling on my knees or going through rough terrain. Also easier to mount to my tripod with having to deal with an attached sling.
Your gripe was absolutely bang on , many maxims come to mind but the most fitting appears to be " Function over Form " I love wooden stocks , but synthetics can be a better option for certain applications , Thanks for All the good info in Your video's & PCs , Shoot Straight Stay Safe & Stay Well .
I agree with you about the bino harness, they cost me an antelope a few years ago, I laid sprawled on my belly to take a quick shot, and missed, this is a shot, I would have made 98 out of 100 hunting shots, the harness didn't allow me to lay flat, on another note those bino harnesses are nice when there's alot of snow on the ground, keep snow from getting on the binos, especially if you fall down alot like me, ha ha, I really enjoy your videos, keep em coming
Interesting point. Yes, the simple neck strap lets you push bino out of the way quickly. I alternate from bandoleer style under my arm, chest carry, and even flung behind my back.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors Yeah I got annoyed with my bino harness, too much futzing around to get them out. A buddy had one that seemed to eliminate the hassle and he let me borrow his to try out, I bought one the next day - the "S4 Gear LockDown Binocular Harness", kind of minimalist but real handy. An elastic strap keeps the lenses covered when moving around, when you're hunting you can unhook the strap and get the binos up quickly with one hand without even looking. Stretch cord keep the binos eyepieces in the upper hood so all you have to do is grab the binos, pull down slightly and put them up to your face. Used it for ten years now and it's still working like a champ, won't keep airborne dust out like the bag type but it's much easier to use and won't wind up full of odds & ends like my wife's purse...
I learned shooting, reloading, and hunting from dad. In the years after I listened to anyone who would speak. Gleaning something here and there. I got pretty good but always just competed for fun. Please keep any information coming! Your show is very entertaining and I am willing to go where you do. If you make a change I don't like I may say something, try not to get upset. I know you're armed.
Ron, all the bullet talk brought back some fond memories. For years I used a 300 Wby with 180 factory loads. Never recovered that perfect bullet, or an bullet, like the Remington "deadliest mushroom in the woods" adverts. But never had to track an animal either. They got through the shoulder and grenaded in the heart/lungs. You talking about the "keyholing" bullets reminded me of a Zim buffalo. Big bull with a hot cow he split out and was honeymooning with. Reacted to the shot but something was strange. The 2 layed up in some bush and eventually feed out as the shade disappeared. Small bit of blood where the laidup. Followed for hours and caught them in the jess. One more shot and it was all over. That 400 gr RN SP from a 416 Wby went into his neck sideways. Going back to the 1st shot location the next morning we fond where that bullet ticked a little branch I didn't see. Beautiful old bull of 44". This was the last legal buffalo taken in the Sapi Safari area. Sadly, it's now a closed area. Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Now I must find my bed I've got an early morning date with a Thunder Chicken. All best to you. Cheers, Jeff.
My dad used to tell me stories of my grandfather hunting deer with a .22 long rifle. He still has the rifle, its the one we both learned to shoot with, but the barrel is so worn where the bolt lever locks in that the bolt wont stay in the rifle anymore when you fire it. I hope to inherit it when he passes, may that be many years from now. It would just be a nice piece of family history to have, maybe hang it over the fire place.
Good Stuff Ron! Shooters are always in search of the magic bullet. I'm not sure who is driving any more, marketing or the shooting community. Barring any deflections the only abhorrent bullet behavior I have seen under post mortem examination was from being too close. A nice problem to have right? I'm working on a long range setup just for fun in retirement, but I prefer up close and personal. And there is nothing like personal experience when looking at bullet performance. We would use a long wooden box made of scrap wood the width of a newspaper and pack them in there and wet them down a bit then shoot from 25 yards to catch the bullet. Knowing your shot angles and good placement has always been the key to success in the field. Now grandpa you need to play with those grand kids more!
Dear Ron After watching your cat tail white tail video, I couldn’t help but think about hunting something Similar here in the south. I’m speaking of two to 3 year old or possibly even older clear cuts or cut overs. After logging crews push up debris piles on ridges or slopes. White tailed deer will bed in these debris piles and watch the world pass by as hunters walk or even drive a ATV right past them. Over the last fifteen or so years I have improved but not perfected hunting large bucks in these large piles of debris. I have learned to hunt opposite of what most Whitetail hunters are taught. I hunt with the wind blowing my scent into these debris piles. I try to climb to the top of the pile while throwing rocks or sticks into the pile. Don’t just walk up to one and throw a rock or two and move on, if you do this the deer beat you. I have stood on top of these piles for up to thirty mins before that wise old buck finally sneaks out or even bolt out the large debris piles. Something else I learned is the deer I’ve seen in these piles always have the wind at their back while overlooking the open or partially open bottoms. If the pile doesn’t set up where they can accomplish that move on the bucks will not be there. Shoot str8!
I don't think I have ever had someone complain about a Nosler Partition! Do you shoot them often? What is your experience with them? As for me they have killed everything I have shot with them. I have only been able to recover 2 of them in all these years in a hog and a bear. Every Partition that I have hit a deer with has gone out the back side, with broadside shots. 270win, 30-06, 300H&H, 45-70 are the calibers I have used. I guess its my Magic Bullet and they just give me confidence....
Partition is one of the most reliable, consistent terminal performers around, proven since 1948. I don't use it much anymore because the Accubond does much the same with a higher B.C. and various homogenous metallics do similar without lead in the meat. Every Partition I've ever recovered had no lead remaining in the nose, all in the shank.
While I absolutely love Ron's videos and they teach everyone so much... Bino Harness is Recommended by this Hunter Education Instructor. They are not complicated to put on nor to take off by undoing one rib clip that's it. It's not noisy nor notable with sound to the extent at 100-400 yards. The flap is easy to manipulate even without looking at it. It protects your binos from branches etc, from slapping around on your chest when you lean over or crawl, and btw keeps the rain off your eyepiece so you can see better in adverse conditions. I usually agree with Ron but here I will admit I am 180 opposite. That said that's why we all have opinions. :) Cheers Ron.
Ron, do a podcast with Brian Pearce. I would think that you know him, and he lives in Idaho. Totally agree with what you said about binoculars cases and Berger bullets.
I normally listen to about 30 minutes at a time. On longer ones just means I pause and come back later to finish. Go with the length that suits you and/or Covey
20-25 minutes is great. Longer than that I have to take a break. Love my Marsupial bino packs! One hand operation when bow hunting; wind checker, tripod mount, calls, GPS or cell phone, all where I can get to them without fumbling around under rain pants or in my day pack. Knew a old (72) hunter once that only carried a packsaw/knife combo on his belt and nothing else (not even water) when hunting elk, so he was a minimalist before we knew there was such a thing, but I turn 77 this year and enjoy the utility of my set-up for Western hunting. I just wish that I was still able carry a small apartment complex/grocery store/clothing store in my backpack like so many do today:-). Do what works for you, but that bino pack even makes a great rear bag for my rifle when shooting prone, so I won't be without it.
I was once hunting whitetail out in central Texas with a. 300 Win Mag using Federal Premium loaded with 165gr Barnes TSX (non-tipped) because I was expecting the possibility of decently long shots (more than the typical 150 and in for where I’m from. I accidentally “sneaked” up on a nice Buck that was 30 yards away from me and closing. Ended up taking the shot where the Buck stopped broadside to me at about 18 yards. The exit hole was the size of a softball. And no I don’t think I actually snuck up on him, I think the wind was blowing toward me from his direction and it was just past first light so still not very bright out and I was behind brush so he didn’t see me. I can only think he must have thought by the sound he heard from me that I was a doe. Very lucky that happened,
Ron, many people use a bino harness because the neck strap will kill your neck after hours of walking around (especially if one is on a multi-day self supported hunt) -- I would be surprised that people use harnesses to 'protect' the binos.
Ron, the harness does a couple things 1) it keeps them drier in rain or snow without screwing around with lens caps and I find it quicker when it is wet out then dealing with lens caps. 2) it keeps the binoculars snug against your body which I find a bit quieter either when I am stalking on my hands and knees or in very rough terrain. That said my dad is firmly in your camp on the harnesses being worthless, so maybe it's a generation thing. That's the joy of hunting there's a lot of right ways to go about hunting.
I’m kinda in your Dad’s camp. If raining I zip them up in my jacket. Spring, summer early fall (varmits) no jacket. Tend to set them aside beside me. Like you it’s what you’re used to, or comfortable with. My sons like the harness. 😅
Great subject Ron. With today's advancement and bullet technologies, it seems as if each major bullet manufacturer has an outstanding bullet. It is hard to break into Berger's death hold on competitive shooting sports and so I like to use them on targets. But they all make very very good hunting projectiles. I still hunt with old faithful and that is the Nosler Partition. For me, it has always put the deer right into the dirt but I think I will start giving the monoliths a try. For targets, my guns just like the Berger offering most of the time.
@@mikemccleery7253 sure, I’m not a fan of that design either. I like the Marsupial Gear enclosed and the T&K bino harnesses the best. More minimalist designs that are simple to use and open
On the topic of bino covers: Try keeping good glass clean in the dusty Texas Panhandle or anywhere within 6 hours west of there. It’s not a silly or vanity thing.
Ron, if you are only bird watching.. the conventional strap works, if you actually hunt and hump in the mountains, the bino harness is an absolute MUST! Get a KUIU harness, it’ll never lose you down!
I appreciate the thought, Andy, but I've been humping, backpacking, and hunting in mountain wilderness since the 1980s and somehow survived and succeeded despite just the neck strap. Not sure how that happened!
The harness is useful in real cold weather. Put that in a pouch under your outer jacket, keeps it tight to your chest, pull it out when you aren't on a 4 Wheeler or sled. I'd leave the flap open when walking around.
From my experience they perform better then most run of the mill hunting bullets at longer ranges. But most of us are not taking those extreme long shots to benefit from the performance and cost. The elite hunters are awesome. But so are the Hornady SST and ELDX at close to half the price
I carry mine same as you but I put a rubber band through a bottom hole and around binoculars to hole them in place if I have to walk bent or crossing cover never failed me .
I'm in California (yes - my life does suck) so non-lead bullets is all we have had here since 2019. I say the more copper bullets the merrier! I have used the Lehigh Controlled Chaos bullet (115 gr) in my 6.5 Grendel and was impressed! Similar design to Hammer in that the petals are designed to shear-off as a secondary wounding mechanism. Had better results with these that I did with cup & core lead bullets, the deer never travel very far. As always Ron, thanks for all you do!
Thanks again Ron, keep the knowledge and stories coming. I enjoy it all, thanks for sharing your adventures, passion, and life with us all. Good shooting to you and your fans. 🎥💯👍
I've had a bino case for a couple seasons now, and I love having one. The biggest advantage for me isn't keeping scratches off my binos, it is keep rain and snow off of my lenses so when I go to use it the lenses are clean and clear.
Hey Ron - I usually agree with you but in this case we will have to agree to disagree. I am a long time hunter, and used my binos for decades like you do. Then I got my bino case …. never will go back. It’s awesome, for me. I am a very traditional guy so this change is significant! I love wood and blued steel and traditional cartridges (no PRC’s or Nosler cartridges in my gun locker) but with the binos this new fangled way is pretty darn effective. Thanks for the video!
No problem, Tac. I've heard good things about those harnesses from several, so I might give them another try. But man, I sure hate all those straps and harnesses wrapping me up... Glad it's working for you.
Agree with you on the binoculars and I've shot over 3800 rounds of projectiles through one of my 7mm rem. mags. It's a custom built rifle. I didn't like Berger bullets til I finally tried them. I shot 18 three shot groups and including my flyers was .628". I've shot several 3-4" groups at from 914 yards to 1053 yards. They do destroy a lot of meat when they hit though. Thanks for the info and keep em coming
@@rodneyhickman825 I have tried both 168 grain hunting and almost identical 168 grain target bullets. They are both target projectiles but one has a thicker jacket. The target version is actually better for hunting though 🙂
Thanks Ron great stuff. 20min was great. Also loved your rant about the bino chest harness. For me I like them as I'm a cluts and it adds a bit extra protection. Al's well as I don't have to put up with them swaying back and ford around my neck.
224 valkerie using federals factory 90 grain fusion hunting ammo leaves them DRT (dead right there). Shooting over crops for a farmer gave me lots of opportunity to try my new gun, frankly I was amazed. I also found the accuracy to be very good, especially out of an AR platform. My usual choice was a 308, but I kept using my 224 because it was so effective and because of the new gun novelty. Honestly bought the gun to shoot coyotes and did not ever imagine it would kill deer so effectively.
I have no problem with any bullet brand, it’s just that I’ve always loaded and shot Hornady, and some Sierra, and I’ve had amazing accuracy and they always drop the animal, so that’s what I stick with.
The shoulder harness eliminates the bino bouncing against my chest. It keeps rain and snow off the lenses. And I don’t lose the lens cover because I can leave it at home. It also makes it easier to crawl into position or sneak closer without stuff dragging in the dirt.
Yeah, lots of upsides to the bino harnesses. Another huge one for me is I can have my rangefinder, milkweed, licenses, pen, and knife all with me to be able to dump my big pack and make a final stalk. I also sometimes have my predator call remote or bear spray attached when appropriate. The systems aren’t perfect, but I find the pros by far outweigh the cons.
Ron, I use a binocular harness due to cervical spine problems. It even looks like the one you’re showing. I can’t hang a binocular or camera strap on my neck.
I've been shooting the flatline precision bullets for a few years! If you have a fast twist barrel! They shoot lights out guaranteed! They're a copper solid bullet.
I like the bino pouches, the neck straps hurt my neck after an all day wear. Keeps water and dust off the bino lenses without needing to deal with caps and I can leave my pouch open if I need fast access. Additionally mine holds my windicator, lenspen and my rangefinder.
Thanks Ron for the truth about Berger my feeling exactly credit where credit is due on bullets I mostly use bonded for every animal big difference between paper and fur
Might want to go watch some videos from Long Range Hunting Group. He goes into great detail on why you’re incorrect regarding match bullets. My results match his in that the internal damage I see on harvested animals is far more devastating with match bullets.
I think bergers fit a niche application in hunting as they blow apart pretty good and seldom have and exit wound on mule deer and almost never on elk this is desirable in situations like late winter damage hunts on a big ranch shooting into a herd or 600 elk as an extra precaution not to hit two however it is not desirable when stalking that public land monster in the thick brush where it could run 40yrds and never be found again In my opinion it is a purpose built round and fits a certain niche in the hunters arsenal I've always found them to be very effective but if I'm in the woods or an area where a blood trail/exit wound is a plus I'll always choose something like a Barnes TSX or Hornady SST
The Nosler Accubond Long Range trumps the berger hunting bullets. Ultra high BC plus bonded core and tapered jacket thin at the tip thick at the rear... designed for long range efficiency in both ecternal and terminal ballistics. These are phenomenal for extending the functional ranges of the lighter non magnum cartridges to make them compete with magnums... provided you have sufficient twist rate to stabilize these longer heavier bullets.
I think 15-30 minutes is good for a solo podcast, if you have a guest on then maybe 45-60 minutes. I enjoyed this being mainly around one topic and not entirely random questions, I think it's more beneficial for listeners and yourself to have a certain topic.
I had a pair of Bausch & Lomb compact binoculars years ago that I took everywhere. They were bombproof. I the 80 and 90's , the survived lots of birdwatching, hunting, and raft trips. I clipped them with a carabiner to a rafts, and they got submerged, yet never leaked. They eventually gave up the ghost to a bad hinge from being dropped, but I got my money worth. If you get quality optics, they can handle abuse.
I good bino harness is best invention there is. My kuiu pro Bino harness is compact and since I bow hunt it silences my binos while stalking in. I fought it off for years and kept using my bino strap over my neck and even over a shoulder but now stalking hunting a bino harness is must have for me. Plus it keeps a lot of stuff on you like light, fire source, knife, etc. I’m a fan of them now after 5 years of using them in back country
Personally I disagree with the complaint on the bino harness. I understand you’re viewpoint though. I personally prefer having the harness nice and tight to my chest so the binoculars aren’t flapping around. If I want the binos fast I just leave the top open on the harness. I also really enjoy having the binoculars covered to keep dust off the lenses without having the eyepiece covers on because those are SLOW. It’s a lot faster to take the binoculars out of the harness than to pull off three to for lense cover pieces in my opinion.
One point you made that I agree with though is that it is annoying to have to take your binoculars off to change or take off your jacket but when I’m hunting I’m also wearing a backpack so I’m taking that off anyway.
I would agree that in some cases the binocular harness is overkill however I have found that during intense hiking the harness is nice to keep from the binoculars bouncing around on your chest
Yes, it does. Another option is to make the neck strap quite short so bino rides on chest rather than belly. Or carry bandoleer style with one arm through the strap. This keeps bino protected under arm and/or behind back, yet easily swung round and up for use.
15 - 20 mins. is about great I guess. Longer is not realy a problem at all, but I usualy can't watch it in one take. Yours a source of knowledge, and I like to learn. So I'd watch a 3 hour movie. Eventualy :-) Greets from the Netherlands 🌷, T.
The copper bullets retain so much weight, I can see why they are so popular now for hunting. It also appears to be a trend to use all copper bullets for hunting instead of lead because of the toxicity of lead. I have heard it is harder to get access to lead as a commodity material in the U. S. now because there are no more lead plants in the U.S.
Badlands has a magnetic open case super fast and my purpose for a harness is so my binos ain't swinging around wind I'm climbing up and over stuff or crawling dragging the ground. I leave my caps off and in the magnetic badlands case it will take me less time to use then someone fidgeting with caps.
I learned that some copper bullets have expandsion issues. Using my 257 Roberts the Barnes TSX was exceptional. But when I switched over to the LRX 101gr no expansion what so ever. 25 cal hole in, 25 cal hole out. Worst off was no blood trail. I shot three deer with it only because it was the only ammo I had. The buck went 60 yards cause the bullet hit the heart, no damage to any of the other organs. Second was a doe that was neck shot. The third deer, a doe, saw the impact behind the shoulder and she took off at full speed. She ran for almost a mile! Bullet nicked the lung but little damage. And very little blood loss. So, be careful with copper! Could barely see the exit hole in between the ribs.
@ryanherigstad4726 .257 hole in, .257 hole out is not a matter of bullet placement. Might as well use FMJ's! Heart was liquefied, buck went for another 100 yards. High shoulder shot on a doe, she went for 1/4 mile! Very little damage done. So don't tell me it's about shot placement!
@ryanherigstad4726 .257 hole in, .257 hole out is not a matter of bullet placement. Might as well use FMJ's! Heart was liquefied, buck went for another 100 yards. High shoulder shot on a doe, she went for 1/4 mile! Very little damage done. So don't tell me it's about shot placement!
I haven't seemed to have much luck with Berger VLD hunting bullets, compared to the accuracy @ a 200 yard zero, with others I use. Their match bullets punch the helloutta paper though. Some people swear by them, but for my collection of rifles, there are better options.
Vlds are more difficult to develop an accurate load. I emailed berger and they sent me back some great reload data on it as well as what length the bullet should be seated at. However their target/hunting hybrid are a lot easier and more forgiving. Their elite hunter is the one to get. Hope this helps.
The reason for binocular harnesses is because they are the cool thing right now Ron. I’m 28 and am exactly in the age group of hunter who should be wearing a harness and my binoculars are 6 years old and live hung around my neck on a parachord strap I braided myself. Never understood spending money on that sorta thing.
Try crawling 100 yards in Africa bush, you’ll appreciate a bino harness that stays on your chest. Also, hunt in Alaska in snow conditions and you’ll appreciate a enclosed bino harness. That might justify spending the money on this type of harness.
Over the years..I’ve learned ..particularly varmint calibers and varmint rifles… 17 to 25 caliber . if you really want to know just how accurate your rifle is.. you try Berger bullets at the range.. My history with Berger goes back to the early days with Walt Berger..when he 1st started selling his bullets….At the range I may load up 500 hundred rounds or so of 204 and .223 using Hornady or Sierra bullets..and they shoot great… but when I go to Berger bullets the groups are usually a little tighter..just my experience….
I love your opinion about the bino harness... ME TOO!. I've always and will continue to wear my strap around my neck with the binos under my left arm pit to protect them and keep them out of my way from interfering with my rifle shot and my bow shooting. Gadgets, Marketing, be like all the "sheeple"... funny thanks.
Some hunts are better with a bingo harness, some hunts are better without. I have no problems with Berger’s, they work great on what I use them for, I use Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, and Sierra all which work great in there application.
Most use their chest harness to carry much more than just binos. Mine holds a mini bic lighter wrapped in luko tape, chap stick, a mini back up headlamp, wind checker, lens cloth and has a pistol/holster mounted on the bottom. Most wear their harness and then put on their outer layer. Neck fatigue is not an issue 15+ miles in... Low crawl stalking is also much better with the harness...
Decoration that I have is not about binoculars. How about the old cartridge? 4570 is that good for deal and just about everything and what kind of range can I get out of it?
Hornady XTP, this is 1 that people are on both sides, especially for hunting, some say great on deer and some do not. same with the LeverEvolutions, people on both sides.
Hay will you make a video about reloading like taking different bullets for a same cal / mm cartridge and testing a light bullet for let’s say 6.5 and then taking a heavyer bullet and testing it and see which on goes faster,farther and still be ethical for hunting
The best way to make a bullet for match grade accuracy is with a thin jacket, because it must be perfectly concentric, and perfect concentricity is more attainable with lead than copper jacket material. The best way to make a hunting bullet is with a thick or tapered jacket, which can be detrimental to accuracy. The best compromise between the two is to make a bonded bullet with a tapered jacket, which makes it less than match grade in the accuracy department. Those are the laws of bullet making physics, a movement in either direction is a compromise in the other direction.
Keep them coming, I like the balance between questions, guests and stories. Anywhere between 30 min and an hour is good to me
I agree with you on a lot of things, but I'd leave my binoculars at home without my chest rig. I can't stand carrying binos around my neck!
Weirdly, I completely agree on the bino harness. I'm usually all for being tacticool 😂 I mean... the knife I carry into the Veld is a Bayonet style of Dagger, which I literally strap to my thigh.
But man I just don't gel with my Bino Harness. I need to try a higher quality one, because mine is slightly too big for me, but my main issue is that I don't get much of a use of it and it's very much in the way when you want to suddenly go Prone.
Yeah, if you have neck issues, harness is good way to get rid of that pain in your neck. But even if I did this I'd ditch the extra case. Binos are well protected and durable without needing additional covers. I don't carry my rifle in a case during a hunt either.
I dont use binoculars all my guns got scopes except my 30-30
For me it's not about protecting them. It's just a very convenient place to keep them stowed for the 95+% of the time I'm not looking through them, but handy enough to snatch a peek at something I want a better look at.
My chest rig is not for protecting my binos, it's for comfort. Especially when crawling on my knees or going through rough terrain. Also easier to mount to my tripod with having to deal with an attached sling.
👍 Ron, make the podcast as long as you'd like, I thoroughly enjoy all of it.
Love your podcasts Ron. 30 plus minutes is good for me!
Your gripe was absolutely bang on , many maxims come to mind but the most fitting appears to be " Function over Form " I love wooden stocks , but synthetics can be a better option for certain applications , Thanks for All the good info in Your video's & PCs , Shoot Straight Stay Safe & Stay Well .
20-30 minutes are just right. Thanks for the time you give making/answering these for us.
45 mins in a hour would be great. Love the show keep all of the info coming
I agree with you about the bino harness, they cost me an antelope a few years ago, I laid sprawled on my belly to take a quick shot, and missed, this is a shot, I would have made 98 out of 100 hunting shots, the harness didn't allow me to lay flat, on another note those bino harnesses are nice when there's alot of snow on the ground, keep snow from getting on the binos, especially if you fall down alot like me, ha ha, I really enjoy your videos, keep em coming
Interesting point. Yes, the simple neck strap lets you push bino out of the way quickly. I alternate from bandoleer style under my arm, chest carry, and even flung behind my back.
They are certainly worth it for some people but not for me.
@@RonSpomerOutdoors Yeah I got annoyed with my bino harness, too much futzing around to get them out. A buddy had one that seemed to eliminate the hassle and he let me borrow his to try out, I bought one the next day - the "S4 Gear LockDown Binocular Harness", kind of minimalist but real handy. An elastic strap keeps the lenses covered when moving around, when you're hunting you can unhook the strap and get the binos up quickly with one hand without even looking. Stretch cord keep the binos eyepieces in the upper hood so all you have to do is grab the binos, pull down slightly and put them up to your face. Used it for ten years now and it's still working like a champ, won't keep airborne dust out like the bag type but it's much easier to use and won't wind up full of odds & ends like my wife's purse...
Bullets, bullets, bullets. Thank you. 15 minutes to 30 minutes is pretty good for us.
REMINGTON CORE LOKT GOOD, NEITHER BEST NOR WORST
I learned shooting, reloading, and hunting from dad. In the years after I listened to anyone who would speak. Gleaning something here and there. I got pretty good but always just competed for fun. Please keep any information coming! Your show is very entertaining and I am willing to go where you do. If you make a change I don't like I may say something, try not to get upset. I know you're armed.
Ron, all the bullet talk brought back some fond memories. For years I used a 300 Wby with 180 factory loads. Never recovered that perfect bullet, or an bullet, like the Remington "deadliest mushroom in the woods" adverts. But never had to track an animal either. They got through the shoulder and grenaded in the heart/lungs.
You talking about the "keyholing" bullets reminded me of a Zim buffalo. Big bull with a hot cow he split out and was honeymooning with. Reacted to the shot but something was strange. The 2 layed up in some bush and eventually feed out as the shade disappeared. Small bit of blood where the laidup. Followed for hours and caught them in the jess. One more shot and it was all over. That 400 gr RN SP from a 416 Wby went into his neck sideways. Going back to the 1st shot location the next morning we fond where that bullet ticked a little branch I didn't see. Beautiful old bull of 44". This was the last legal buffalo taken in the Sapi Safari area. Sadly, it's now a closed area.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane. Now I must find my bed I've got an early morning date with a Thunder Chicken.
All best to you.
Cheers, Jeff.
Hour podcast please!!!!! I listen to you on my ride home everyday and look for to all your new episodes. Please keep them coming
Good podcast Ron! I like the longer videos. It's like a show and makes a great video to watch over lunch or dinner sometimes.
Good point about starting expansion. Hornady reloading manual has pictures of how their all-copper GMX bullets expand at three different velocities
My dad used to tell me stories of my grandfather hunting deer with a .22 long rifle. He still has the rifle, its the one we both learned to shoot with, but the barrel is so worn where the bolt lever locks in that the bolt wont stay in the rifle anymore when you fire it. I hope to inherit it when he passes, may that be many years from now. It would just be a nice piece of family history to have, maybe hang it over the fire place.
Good Stuff Ron! Shooters are always in search of the magic bullet. I'm not sure who is driving any more, marketing or the shooting community. Barring any deflections the only abhorrent bullet behavior I have seen under post mortem examination was from being too close. A nice problem to have right? I'm working on a long range setup just for fun in retirement, but I prefer up close and personal. And there is nothing like personal experience when looking at bullet performance. We would use a long wooden box made of scrap wood the width of a newspaper and pack them in there and wet them down a bit then shoot from 25 yards to catch the bullet. Knowing your shot angles and good placement has always been the key to success in the field. Now grandpa you need to play with those grand kids more!
Love it, man. Keep ‘em coming.
15-30min is perfect for my life.
Dear Ron
After watching your cat tail white tail video, I couldn’t help but think about hunting something Similar here in the south. I’m speaking of two to 3 year old or possibly even older clear cuts or cut overs. After logging crews push up debris piles on ridges or slopes. White tailed deer will bed in these debris piles and watch the world pass by as hunters walk or even drive a ATV right past them. Over the last fifteen or so years I have improved but not perfected hunting large bucks in these large piles of debris. I have learned to hunt opposite of what most Whitetail hunters are taught. I hunt with the wind blowing my scent into these debris piles. I try to climb to the top of the pile while throwing rocks or sticks into the pile. Don’t just walk up to one and throw a rock or two and move on, if you do this the deer beat you. I have stood on top of these piles for up to thirty mins before that wise old buck finally sneaks out or even bolt out the large debris piles. Something else I learned is the deer I’ve seen in these piles always have the wind at their back while overlooking the open or partially open bottoms. If the pile doesn’t set up where they can accomplish that move on the bucks will not be there. Shoot str8!
I use Berger Jackets to make my own projectiles, Essentially it allows me to modify alloy hardness and make the weight to exactly how i want..
Very interested in this
Love your pod cast . 15 min to 30 is great . And thanks for the info.
I don't think I have ever had someone complain about a Nosler Partition! Do you shoot them often? What is your experience with them? As for me they have killed everything I have shot with them. I have only been able to recover 2 of them in all these years in a hog and a bear. Every Partition that I have hit a deer with has gone out the back side, with broadside shots. 270win, 30-06, 300H&H, 45-70 are the calibers I have used. I guess its my Magic Bullet and they just give me confidence....
Partition is one of the most reliable, consistent terminal performers around, proven since 1948. I don't use it much anymore because the Accubond does much the same with a higher B.C. and various homogenous metallics do similar without lead in the meat. Every Partition I've ever recovered had no lead remaining in the nose, all in the shank.
While I absolutely love Ron's videos and they teach everyone so much... Bino Harness is Recommended by this Hunter Education Instructor. They are not complicated to put on nor to take off by undoing one rib clip that's it. It's not noisy nor notable with sound to the extent at 100-400 yards. The flap is easy to manipulate even without looking at it. It protects your binos from branches etc, from slapping around on your chest when you lean over or crawl, and btw keeps the rain off your eyepiece so you can see better in adverse conditions. I usually agree with Ron but here I will admit I am 180 opposite. That said that's why we all have opinions. :) Cheers Ron.
Ron, do a podcast with Brian Pearce. I would think that you know him, and he lives in Idaho.
Totally agree with what you said about binoculars cases and Berger bullets.
I normally listen to about 30 minutes at a time. On longer ones just means I pause and come back later to finish. Go with the length that suits you and/or Covey
20-25 minutes is great. Longer than that I have to take a break. Love my Marsupial bino packs! One hand operation when bow hunting; wind checker, tripod mount, calls, GPS or cell phone, all where I can get to them without fumbling around under rain pants or in my day pack. Knew a old (72) hunter once that only carried a packsaw/knife combo on his belt and nothing else (not even water) when hunting elk, so he was a minimalist before we knew there was such a thing, but I turn 77 this year and enjoy the utility of my set-up for Western hunting. I just wish that I was still able carry a small apartment complex/grocery store/clothing store in my backpack like so many do today:-). Do what works for you, but that bino pack even makes a great rear bag for my rifle when shooting prone, so I won't be without it.
I was once hunting whitetail out in central Texas with a. 300 Win Mag using Federal Premium loaded with 165gr Barnes TSX (non-tipped) because I was expecting the possibility of decently long shots (more than the typical 150 and in for where I’m from. I accidentally “sneaked” up on a nice Buck that was 30 yards away from me and closing. Ended up taking the shot where the Buck stopped broadside to me at about 18 yards. The exit hole was the size of a softball.
And no I don’t think I actually snuck up on him, I think the wind was blowing toward me from his direction and it was just past first light so still not very bright out and I was behind brush so he didn’t see me. I can only think he must have thought by the sound he heard from me that I was a doe. Very lucky that happened,
Ron, many people use a bino harness because the neck strap will kill your neck after hours of walking around (especially if one is on a multi-day self supported hunt) -- I would be surprised that people use harnesses to 'protect' the binos.
15 - 30 minutes is good. Thanks for answering questions and sharing knowledge.
Ron, the harness does a couple things 1) it keeps them drier in rain or snow without screwing around with lens caps and I find it quicker when it is wet out then dealing with lens caps. 2) it keeps the binoculars snug against your body which I find a bit quieter either when I am stalking on my hands and knees or in very rough terrain. That said my dad is firmly in your camp on the harnesses being worthless, so maybe it's a generation thing. That's the joy of hunting there's a lot of right ways to go about hunting.
I’m kinda in your Dad’s camp. If raining I zip them up in my jacket. Spring, summer early fall (varmits) no jacket. Tend to set them aside beside me. Like you it’s what you’re used to, or comfortable with.
My sons like the harness. 😅
Great subject Ron. With today's advancement and bullet technologies, it seems as if each major bullet manufacturer has an outstanding bullet. It is hard to break into Berger's death hold on competitive shooting sports and so I like to use them on targets. But they all make very very good hunting projectiles. I still hunt with old faithful and that is the Nosler Partition. For me, it has always put the deer right into the dirt but I think I will start giving the monoliths a try. For targets, my guns just like the Berger offering most of the time.
Thanks for adding the timestamps/chapters!!!
I like what you have going on as it is. Good job 👍
Definitely like the podcasts. Very informative.
BERGER E.O.L. ELITE HUNTER FINE FOR PRONGHORN AND DEER, I'D BE NERVOUS ABOUT ELK, MOOSE, ETC
I appreciate your honesty in regard to bullets. Your spot on about the bino harness. They are a pain in the you know what. I wouldn’t have one.
Have you used one? If so which?
@@therealgearhunter8935 badlands didn’t work for me
@@mikemccleery7253 sure, I’m not a fan of that design either. I like the Marsupial Gear enclosed and the T&K bino harnesses the best. More minimalist designs that are simple to use and open
Hey Ron, I’m good with 15 to 20 minute videos. I appreciate what you do.
I really like this length of video just right about 20-30min is perfect
On the topic of bino covers: Try keeping good glass clean in the dusty Texas Panhandle or anywhere within 6 hours west of there. It’s not a silly or vanity thing.
Ron, if you are only bird watching.. the conventional strap works, if you actually hunt and hump in the mountains, the bino harness is an absolute MUST! Get a KUIU harness, it’ll never lose you down!
I appreciate the thought, Andy, but I've been humping, backpacking, and hunting in mountain wilderness since the 1980s and somehow survived and succeeded despite just the neck strap. Not sure how that happened!
I agree with you 100% on the binoculars
The harness is useful in real cold weather. Put that in a pouch under your outer jacket, keeps it tight to your chest, pull it out when you aren't on a 4 Wheeler or sled. I'd leave the flap open when walking around.
Half an hour is a sweet spot, thanks Ron.
From my experience they perform better then most run of the mill hunting bullets at longer ranges. But most of us are not taking those extreme long shots to benefit from the performance and cost. The elite hunters are awesome. But so are the Hornady SST and ELDX at close to half the price
Thanks Ron! Great episode! Love the longer format!
I carry mine same as you but I put a rubber band through a bottom hole and around binoculars to hole them in place if I have to walk bent or crossing cover never failed me .
Good idea, Anthony
I'm in California (yes - my life does suck) so non-lead bullets is all we have had here since 2019. I say the more copper bullets the merrier! I have used the Lehigh Controlled Chaos bullet (115 gr) in my 6.5 Grendel and was impressed! Similar design to Hammer in that the petals are designed to shear-off as a secondary wounding mechanism. Had better results with these that I did with cup & core lead bullets, the deer never travel very far.
As always Ron, thanks for all you do!
Thanks for the info, Chuck.
Thanks again Ron, keep the knowledge and stories coming. I enjoy it all, thanks for sharing your adventures, passion, and life with us all. Good shooting to you and your fans. 🎥💯👍
I've had a bino case for a couple seasons now, and I love having one. The biggest advantage for me isn't keeping scratches off my binos, it is keep rain and snow off of my lenses so when I go to use it the lenses are clean and clear.
Hey Ron - I usually agree with you but in this case we will have to agree to disagree. I am a long time hunter, and used my binos for decades like you do. Then I got my bino case …. never will go back. It’s awesome, for me. I am a very traditional guy so this change is significant! I love wood and blued steel and traditional cartridges (no PRC’s or Nosler cartridges in my gun locker) but with the binos this new fangled way is pretty darn effective. Thanks for the video!
No problem, Tac. I've heard good things about those harnesses from several, so I might give them another try. But man, I sure hate all those straps and harnesses wrapping me up... Glad it's working for you.
Agree with you on the binoculars and I've shot over 3800 rounds of projectiles through one of my 7mm rem. mags. It's a custom built rifle. I didn't like Berger bullets til I finally tried them. I shot 18 three shot groups and including my flyers was .628". I've shot several 3-4" groups at from 914 yards to 1053 yards. They do destroy a lot of meat when they hit though. Thanks for the info and keep em coming
They are accurate because they are essentially a target bullet
@@rodneyhickman825 I have tried both 168 grain hunting and almost identical 168 grain target bullets. They are both target projectiles but one has a thicker jacket. The target version is actually better for hunting though 🙂
Any length is good, love the info and the in depth details 👍🙂
Thanks Ron great stuff. 20min was great. Also loved your rant about the bino chest harness. For me I like them as I'm a cluts and it adds a bit extra protection. Al's well as I don't have to put up with them swaying back and ford around my neck.
Nice job. How ever long you want to run.
20 to 30 minutes is good for me. But as long as you want to make them, I will listen
224 valkerie using federals factory 90 grain fusion hunting ammo leaves them DRT (dead right there). Shooting over crops for a farmer gave me lots of opportunity to try my new gun, frankly I was amazed. I also found the accuracy to be very good, especially out of an AR platform. My usual choice was a 308, but I kept using my 224 because it was so effective and because of the new gun novelty. Honestly bought the gun to shoot coyotes and did not ever imagine it would kill deer so effectively.
I have no problem with any bullet brand, it’s just that I’ve always loaded and shot Hornady, and some Sierra, and I’ve had amazing accuracy and they always drop the animal, so that’s what I stick with.
Speer Gold Dots
Speer gold dots. Federal Fusion. Remington Cor lockt. Are my favorite in order.
The shoulder harness eliminates the bino bouncing against my chest. It keeps rain and snow off the lenses. And I don’t lose the lens cover because I can leave it at home. It also makes it easier to crawl into position or sneak closer without stuff dragging in the dirt.
Yeah, lots of upsides to the bino harnesses. Another huge one for me is I can have my rangefinder, milkweed, licenses, pen, and knife all with me to be able to dump my big pack and make a final stalk. I also sometimes have my predator call remote or bear spray attached when appropriate. The systems aren’t perfect, but I find the pros by far outweigh the cons.
I love the longer podcasts.
Ron, I use a binocular harness due to cervical spine problems. It even looks like the one you’re showing. I can’t hang a binocular or camera strap on my neck.
I've been shooting the flatline precision bullets for a few years! If you have a fast twist barrel! They shoot lights out guaranteed! They're a copper solid bullet.
Hey Ron ENJOY, keep them coming, 15 to 30,,,, more often
I like the bino pouches, the neck straps hurt my neck after an all day wear. Keeps water and dust off the bino lenses without needing to deal with caps and I can leave my pouch open if I need fast access. Additionally mine holds my windicator, lenspen and my rangefinder.
22 to 30 minute podcasts are great
Thanks Ron for the truth about Berger my feeling exactly credit where credit is due on bullets I mostly use bonded for every animal big difference between paper and fur
Might want to go watch some videos from Long Range Hunting Group. He goes into great detail on why you’re incorrect regarding match bullets. My results match his in that the internal damage I see on harvested animals is far more devastating with match bullets.
I think bergers fit a niche application in hunting as they blow apart pretty good and seldom have and exit wound on mule deer and almost never on elk this is desirable in situations like late winter damage hunts on a big ranch shooting into a herd or 600 elk as an extra precaution not to hit two however it is not desirable when stalking that public land monster in the thick brush where it could run 40yrds and never be found again
In my opinion it is a purpose built round and fits a certain niche in the hunters arsenal I've always found them to be very effective but if I'm in the woods or an area where a blood trail/exit wound is a plus I'll always choose something like a Barnes TSX or Hornady SST
Sounds as if you'verthought things through nicely, Blake.
The Nosler Accubond Long Range trumps the berger hunting bullets. Ultra high BC plus bonded core and tapered jacket thin at the tip thick at the rear... designed for long range efficiency in both ecternal and terminal ballistics. These are phenomenal for extending the functional ranges of the lighter non magnum cartridges to make them compete with magnums... provided you have sufficient twist rate to stabilize these longer heavier bullets.
I think 15-30 minutes is good for a solo podcast, if you have a guest on then maybe 45-60 minutes. I enjoyed this being mainly around one topic and not entirely random questions, I think it's more beneficial for listeners and yourself to have a certain topic.
I had a pair of Bausch & Lomb compact binoculars years ago that I took everywhere. They were bombproof. I the 80 and 90's , the survived lots of birdwatching, hunting, and raft trips. I clipped them with a carabiner to a rafts, and they got submerged, yet never leaked. They eventually gave up the ghost to a bad hinge from being dropped, but I got my money worth. If you get quality optics, they can handle abuse.
35 minutes of information is just about perfect. Steven 7
The podcasts are excellent and the answering lots of different questions are really great could you get a sampling of your knowledge
I good bino harness is best invention there is. My kuiu pro Bino harness is compact and since I bow hunt it silences my binos while stalking in. I fought it off for years and kept using my bino strap over my neck and even over a shoulder but now stalking hunting a bino harness is must have for me. Plus it keeps a lot of stuff on you like light, fire source, knife, etc. I’m a fan of them now after 5 years of using them in back country
You are the best, Ron. Thanks again!
Thanks Tyler. And thanks for watching.
Tyler, you are very welcome
Personally I disagree with the complaint on the bino harness. I understand you’re viewpoint though. I personally prefer having the harness nice and tight to my chest so the binoculars aren’t flapping around. If I want the binos fast I just leave the top open on the harness. I also really enjoy having the binoculars covered to keep dust off the lenses without having the eyepiece covers on because those are SLOW. It’s a lot faster to take the binoculars out of the harness than to pull off three to for lense cover pieces in my opinion.
One point you made that I agree with though is that it is annoying to have to take your binoculars off to change or take off your jacket but when I’m hunting I’m also wearing a backpack so I’m taking that off anyway.
I would agree that in some cases the binocular harness is overkill however I have found that during intense hiking the harness is nice to keep from the binoculars bouncing around on your chest
Yes, it does. Another option is to make the neck strap quite short so bino rides on chest rather than belly. Or carry bandoleer style with one arm through the strap. This keeps bino protected under arm and/or behind back, yet easily swung round and up for use.
Yes they are !
An episode on accessory gripes would be cool!
15 - 20 mins. is about great I guess. Longer is not realy a problem at all, but I usualy can't watch it in one take. Yours a source of knowledge, and I like to learn. So I'd watch a 3 hour movie. Eventualy :-)
Greets from the Netherlands 🌷, T.
The copper bullets retain so much weight, I can see why they are so popular now for hunting. It also appears to be a trend to use all copper bullets for hunting instead of lead because of the toxicity of lead.
I have heard it is harder to get access to lead as a commodity material in the U. S. now because there are no more lead plants in the U.S.
Love your channel brother
Great job, view just right
Badlands has a magnetic open case super fast and my purpose for a harness is so my binos ain't swinging around wind I'm climbing up and over stuff or crawling dragging the ground. I leave my caps off and in the magnetic badlands case it will take me less time to use then someone fidgeting with caps.
I learned that some copper bullets have expandsion issues. Using my 257 Roberts the Barnes TSX was exceptional. But when I switched over to the LRX 101gr no expansion what so ever. 25 cal hole in, 25 cal hole out. Worst off was no blood trail. I shot three deer with it only because it was the only ammo I had. The buck went 60 yards cause the bullet hit the heart, no damage to any of the other organs. Second was a doe that was neck shot. The third deer, a doe, saw the impact behind the shoulder and she took off at full speed. She ran for almost a mile! Bullet nicked the lung but little damage. And very little blood loss. So, be careful with copper! Could barely see the exit hole in between the ribs.
sounds like user error to me. No bullet will replace the importance of placement.
@ryanherigstad4726 .257 hole in, .257 hole out is not a matter of bullet placement. Might as well use FMJ's! Heart was liquefied, buck went for another 100 yards. High shoulder shot on a doe, she went for 1/4 mile! Very little damage done. So don't tell me it's about shot placement!
@ryanherigstad4726 .257 hole in, .257 hole out is not a matter of bullet placement. Might as well use FMJ's! Heart was liquefied, buck went for another 100 yards. High shoulder shot on a doe, she went for 1/4 mile! Very little damage done. So don't tell me it's about shot placement!
I would like to see a video on just binoculars. I am thinking of getting a new pair. My old Nikon's are getting long in the tooth. Half hour is good.
Here's one, Zechnar: czcams.com/video/7tgn0zY80ns/video.html
I haven't seemed to have much luck with Berger VLD hunting bullets, compared to the accuracy @ a 200 yard zero, with others I use. Their match bullets punch the helloutta paper though. Some people swear by them, but for my collection of rifles, there are better options.
Vlds are more difficult to develop an accurate load. I emailed berger and they sent me back some great reload data on it as well as what length the bullet should be seated at.
However their target/hunting hybrid are a lot easier and more forgiving. Their elite hunter is the one to get. Hope this helps.
The reason for binocular harnesses is because they are the cool thing right now Ron. I’m 28 and am exactly in the age group of hunter who should be wearing a harness and my binoculars are 6 years old and live hung around my neck on a parachord strap I braided myself. Never understood spending money on that sorta thing.
Try crawling 100 yards in Africa bush, you’ll appreciate a bino harness that stays on your chest. Also, hunt in Alaska in snow conditions and you’ll appreciate a enclosed bino harness. That might justify spending the money on this type of harness.
Around 20 minutes is great
Hi Ron. I slipped on ice elk hunting and my bino flew up and gave me a bloody mouth. I will never hunt without one.
Aha! Self-protection via bino harness case. I hadn't thought of that angle. Not bad, not bad...
Over the years..I’ve learned ..particularly varmint calibers and varmint rifles… 17 to 25 caliber . if you really want to know just how accurate your rifle is.. you try Berger bullets at the range.. My history with Berger goes back to the early days with Walt Berger..when he 1st started selling his bullets….At the range I may load up 500 hundred rounds or so of 204 and .223 using Hornady or Sierra bullets..and they shoot great… but when I go to Berger bullets the groups are usually a little tighter..just my experience….
I love your opinion about the bino harness... ME TOO!. I've always and will continue to wear my strap around my neck with the binos under my left arm pit to protect them and keep them out of my way from interfering with my rifle shot and my bow shooting. Gadgets, Marketing, be like all the "sheeple"... funny thanks.
Some hunts are better with a bingo harness, some hunts are better without. I have no problems with Berger’s, they work great on what I use them for, I use Hornady, Nosler, Barnes, and Sierra all which work great in there application.
Most use their chest harness to carry much more than just binos. Mine holds a mini bic lighter wrapped in luko tape, chap stick, a mini back up headlamp, wind checker, lens cloth and has a pistol/holster mounted on the bottom. Most wear their harness and then put on their outer layer. Neck fatigue is not an issue 15+ miles in... Low crawl stalking is also much better with the harness...
Sounds like you're using yours as a front pack! Smart.
Decoration that I have is not about binoculars. How about the old cartridge? 4570 is that good for deal and just about everything and what kind of range can I get out of it?
I'm not a patreon fella but I have a request for a comparison between the 7mm and the .264 win mag.... and other comparable calibers.
Hornady XTP, this is 1 that people are on both sides, especially for hunting, some say great on deer and some do not. same with the LeverEvolutions, people on both sides.
Hay will you make a video about reloading like taking different bullets for a same cal / mm cartridge and testing a light bullet for let’s say 6.5 and then taking a heavyer bullet and testing it and see which on goes faster,farther and still be ethical for hunting
Great discussion today 👍👍
I vote fir 15 to 20 minutes. But I’ll watch either way.
30 minutes - 1 hour is fine!
You talk about how the hydro effect opening on impact. What about rain? Shooting in the rain and having the expansion start with the bullet
Interesting idea, Jake. I suspect no single drop of rain is substantial enough to do the job. A cup of water surely would, though.
The best way to make a bullet for match grade accuracy is with a thin jacket, because it must be perfectly concentric, and perfect concentricity is more attainable with lead than copper jacket material. The best way to make a hunting bullet is with a thick or tapered jacket, which can be detrimental to accuracy. The best compromise between the two is to make a bonded bullet with a tapered jacket, which makes it less than match grade in the accuracy department. Those are the laws of bullet making physics, a movement in either direction is a compromise in the other direction.