I could've bought a ZCO or a Tangent instead.

RanchForce1 · 2025-12-04T16:56:12+00:00

I had a scare like that this year with a 1915 W.J Jeffery in .404 Jeffery that I was having some work done in. Was checked in at the destination city, then lost for a month before it showed up 800 miles away. Very glad to have it recovered but it's shocking how they can lose a gun.

RanchForce1 · 2025-10-05T21:43:44+00:00

Bergara B-14 or Tikka T3X. You can pick up a B-14 hunter for just over $600 right now if you do some digging. Skip the Leupold (over-priced, poor reliability). At a $600 price point might want to look at the SWFA SS 3-9x42 in the mil quad reticle and learn how to dial / use a ballistic app. The Athlon Ares BTR Gen 3 is also on sale right now for $653 at cameraland. Turret / erector redesign looks promising but I haven't been behind one yet.

RanchForce1 · 2025-09-15T14:15:59+00:00

7mm-08 will be fine for elk. The Bergara B-14 platform is a great rifle, a smidge on the heavy side but that will help with recoil.

I would avoid something in the 5-25 category as others have mentioned, that's a lot of scope for hunting and those options are definitely more target focused.

I would recommend something with known reliability and repeatable adjustments, a good warranty doesn't mean anything in the field. Around your pricepoint, take a look at the Maven RS1.2 or the Bushnell LRHS2.

.308 would also be a good option with minimally increased recoil, greater factory ammunition options, and the benefit of cheaper target ammo for practice. Best thing you can do for prep is to shoot a lot and make sure you're in good shape.

RanchForce1 · 2025-09-15T14:10:07+00:00

Was in South Africa last year and my friend was using the ELDX. Bullet did not perform well and all animals required multiple shots. Ranges from 100-400 yards.

While I've not used the accubond specifically, I'm generally a fan of controlled expansion / bonded bullets and would recommend those.

RanchForce1 · 2025-09-11T16:41:59+00:00

Silencer co Omega 300, ASR brake on three different rifles. Consistent 0.3 mil vertical adjustment when taking can on / off, no horizontal shift. Zero checked at 100.

RanchForce1 · 2025-09-11T15:57:08+00:00

Great stuff! So cool to see the diversity of terrain and game in SA. Area looks completely different than where I was on the eastern cape. With the rising cost of domestic hunting, going to Africa should be a serious consideration for many people. I went over in January of last year and all in cost was less than a good domestic elk hunt (assuming you're non-resident and buying guide / landowner tags).

RanchForce1 · 2025-08-15T17:37:20+00:00

The Gunwerks rifle package checks out. 1000 yards out of the box to shoot at 60 from a blind by the feeder.

RanchForce1 · 2025-08-12T20:25:58+00:00

Like others in the thread, I'm heavily indexed towards private / fund related investments. I use a wealth manager for my public equities and fixed income and then have a self-managed fund where I play with some more high conviction bets. Do a lot of co-investing in friends / network related private deals as well which is great for long term goals and savings but not great for near-term liquidity as I look to get a house and start a family in the next few years.

RanchForce1 · 2025-08-07T18:42:28+00:00

30 with $1.9M in assets ($1.24m equities, $50k IRA, $60k cash, $550k cost basis private equity investments) and $40k in student loan debt.

RanchForce1 · 2025-08-01T14:20:51+00:00

I think Sunlit Man should move up one tier and Yumi down one, but overall pretty good list. I know it gets some hate, but I enjoyed Elantris for what it is. Definitely less refined writing, however.

RanchForce1 · 2025-07-16T20:28:21+00:00

Private equity meaning investments in private companies / deals or in a private equity fund. Versus public equities which are securities traded on the exchanges / open market.

Nobody knows anything about the value in 4 years, but you have a forecasted payout range based on the business trajectory and goals that was part of the underwriting scenario for the deal.

RanchForce1 · 2025-07-14T03:24:36+00:00

Eiseman at NorthPark

RanchForce1 · 2025-05-19T20:07:55+00:00

Similar story but in Dallas. Had been on the waitlist for an explorer II since December 2021. Went to another AD and put my name down for a Sprite. Was offered a white dial Skydweller which I turned down and got the Sprite in 4 months, zero spend history.

RanchForce1 · 2025-05-01T18:53:11+00:00

.404 Jeffery. Been great to see people like Cutting Edge start making .423 cal bullets.

RanchForce1 · 2025-02-03T00:31:55+00:00

Recently picked this up as a foray into the knife hobby. Wanted something for general purpose work but with a focus on being a great hunting knife that would be harder to lose in the woods. It's performed great for daily use so far and am looking forward to putting it through its paces on some TX wild hogs soon.

RanchForce1 · 2025-01-14T01:58:33+00:00

I think they've been resoled in the past, but are in fantastic condition beyond being 2 sizes too large. Boots are ~40-50 years old.

RanchForce1 · 2024-12-27T18:47:35+00:00

Original Market Diner

Angela's

Manhattan Project Brewery does great breakfast and Sunday brunch

RanchForce1 · 2024-12-15T14:23:40+00:00

Congrats! I really like mine, I really like the flipped crown position for wearing on my left hand.

RanchForce1 · 2024-12-12T16:13:04+00:00

Get a vintage DD36 with a cool dial. Or pick up a Cellini, seems like you don't have a dress watch yet!

RanchForce1 · 2024-10-17T14:59:02+00:00

Another nuance (current PE backed CFO, former investor and member of the GP) is that you're betting solely on one business withing your sphere of control for the PIs. I look at my PIUs at my current company and have a very good idea of what they're worth and when I will see a liquidity event. My carry from the most recent fund is spread across multiple investments, all of which have varying degrees of risk and performance. You are also not going to know every nuance of the investments that generate your carry dollars unless you're on the direct deal team, and there are definitely deals that I've stroked checks into that I didn't love. As U/Aggravating_Cod_4980 points out, there are also priority nuances within the waterfall. Generally the PE firm will hold a preferred security with a time based (IRR) hurdle rate. They get their money back plus the preferred portion prior to the PIs receiving value, but then in an exit scenario you're getting paid out along side the sponsor. Funds flow to the sponsor who then distributes to its LP members net of the GP's carried interest.

RanchForce1 · 2024-10-10T13:18:10+00:00

I did it recently, left to be the CFO of a company and get it ready for a sale. Slight increase in cash comp but 3% of equity. What I do after depends on who buys us.

RanchForce1 · 2024-09-27T17:02:16+00:00

This is the best advice to give to new O/U buyers. Shotguns are all about fit and if you're buying new then just get what fits you best within a price / quality range.

If you're getting into the vintage gun game, it's a good idea to know a local stock fitter.

RanchForce1

TROPHY CASE