UT Lope Hunt!
- Thread starter 180ls1
- Start date
What is your load make up with that 124 gr hammer??
I’m working on the Hammer 125 gr HHT currently
ruining kit to the range as I type this.
H1000
60.7
61
61.3
61.6
I’ll make a thread about it but started at 56.5 gr and have yet to find pressure
It was @JakeSCH that figured it out, made it look way to easy.
63gr of n560, Lapua brass and a 1/4 crimp. Its just shy of 3400fps in a 1/7 twist factory 24" browning. I think we went up to 64 and pressure started showing obvious signs.
We leave the house @ 4 AM Friday and hit the unit in the afternoon. Driving roads and glassing until its too dark. We finally spot the buck in the video with 90mins of light left. Back at camp I look at pictures of him and 1 other buck who I actually thought was bigger, however the proof was there on my phone that he was the one I should chase. There was bad news though as there was a lot of pressure around where he was. We decide to go for him anyways.
Alarm rings @ 4:25 opening morning. We drive out and park 1000 yards from where we last saw him. As the sun rises and the day progresses we start seeing other bucks/does but not him. Then, he just appears again with his herd which was reduced in 1/2 over night. He is running off challengers left and right as we try to approach and get within range. This goes on for 2 hours playing cat and mouse moving and not wanting to spook them or risk a longer shot in the wind.
As they moved into a bit of a dip a nice buck appears behind us. Perfect, we're right in between him and a challenger while only 200 yards from his does. My dad is trying to get me to shoot that new buck but I passed. About 5mins later the target buck comes back over the ridge from running off a different buck. Something about us does not look right but we are sitting still and have some bits of taller brush around us. Sure enough, he starts closing the distance ready to fight. I can see his head/neck and have the rifle on him. 2 more steps and I have a perfect frontal shot with a tripod on front rest and packframe in the rear. WHOMP! He is down and we start celebrating. Fantastic buck and a fun hunt.
Alarm rings @ 4:25 opening morning. We drive out and park 1000 yards from where we last saw him. As the sun rises and the day progresses we start seeing other bucks/does but not him. Then, he just appears again with his herd which was reduced in 1/2 over night. He is running off challengers left and right as we try to approach and get within range. This goes on for 2 hours playing cat and mouse moving and not wanting to spook them or risk a longer shot in the wind.
As they moved into a bit of a dip a nice buck appears behind us. Perfect, we're right in between him and a challenger while only 200 yards from his does. My dad is trying to get me to shoot that new buck but I passed. About 5mins later the target buck comes back over the ridge from running off a different buck. Something about us does not look right but we are sitting still and have some bits of taller brush around us. Sure enough, he starts closing the distance ready to fight. I can see his head/neck and have the rifle on him. 2 more steps and I have a perfect frontal shot with a tripod on front rest and packframe in the rear. WHOMP! He is down and we start celebrating. Fantastic buck and a fun hunt.
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Nah..he is moving in on the lady's after El jeffe was sent to meet his maker ..doing what a true cocksman does .Is gone.
Antelope is on its was back from taxidermy. Thank you @ilovesprig !!!!!!!! I figured some of you would find this interesting. I used Chat GPT to score it lol.
Sent two pictures of it -
What does this antelope score?
To estimate a pronghorn score, we typically assess:
If you want a more accurate score, you’ll want to measure it officially. Want a quick DIY scoring guide? I can help walk you through it.
4o
That puts this buck right on the edge of the B&C minimum for all-time (82) and well above the minimum for awards entry (80).
If the second horn matches up pretty evenly with that 16" length, you might be just a fraction away—or even slightly over—depending on exact prong and mass measurements.
Either way: this is a stud of a buck! Do you have full measurements for both horns? I'd be happy to run a full score for you.
Sent two pictures of it -
What does this antelope score?
ChatGPT said:
Great pronghorn! From the photos, it looks like a solid buck with nice symmetry and mass. While it's tough to give a precise Boone and Crockett (B&C) score just from pictures, I can give you a ballpark estimate based on visual cues.To estimate a pronghorn score, we typically assess:
- Horn length – Ideally measured along the outer curve. Trophy bucks often have lengths of 14–16"+.
- Base circumference – A good buck has thick bases, around 6–7".
- Mass in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters – Important for overall score. Pronghorns lose mass quickly above the base.
- Prong length – Long cutters (4"+) add a lot. Yours look like they have decent length.
- Horn length looks to be around 14.5–15.5 inches
- Bases appear heavy, maybe 6.5 inches
- Prongs look solid, possibly 4–5 inches
- Mass looks to carry decently up the horn
If you want a more accurate score, you’ll want to measure it officially. Want a quick DIY scoring guide? I can help walk you through it.
4o
You said:
I measured one of the horns at 16" total length. Can you please update your score guess?ChatGPT said:
Nice! A 16" horn on a pronghorn is exceptional—definitely changes the estimate. Let's recalculate with that in mind:Updated Estimated B&C Score Breakdown:
- Horn Length
16" × 2 = 32 points - Prong Length
Let’s say they’re around 4.5" × 2 = 9 points - Base Circumference (1st quarter)
Looks heavy — around 6.5" × 2 = 13 points - Second Circumference
Estimate around 5.5" × 2 = 11 points - Third Circumference
Estimate 4.5" × 2 = 9 points - Fourth Circumference
Drops off higher up — around 3.5" × 2 = 7 points
Total Estimated Score:
- 32 (length)
- 9 (prongs)
- 13 + 11 + 9 + 7 = 40 (mass)
- Total = 81 points
That puts this buck right on the edge of the B&C minimum for all-time (82) and well above the minimum for awards entry (80).
If the second horn matches up pretty evenly with that 16" length, you might be just a fraction away—or even slightly over—depending on exact prong and mass measurements.
Either way: this is a stud of a buck! Do you have full measurements for both horns? I'd be happy to run a full score for you.
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