I know I'm not saving anything! I really enjoy reloading, the pride and confidence that comes from a well developed load is something I can't get from factory ammo. I do it for the option to load the exact bullet, at the exact velocity that I want.
I don't think there is much of a cost savings...
I hunted that unit during 4th season this year. It was pretty tough. The bucks were just starting to chase Saturday/Sunday. We found large groups of does without any bucks around. We were scouting the 10th, 11th, and 12th and hunted the whole 5 day season. The biggest ones we could find on...
I definitely agree about the budget firearms. You don't have to be giving away $1000+ guns, but don't just do the cheap ones. Some very nice rifles and shotguns can be had for $500-600, and I believe people will spend more for a chance to win something nicer.
I've been really happy with the 53 grain TSX on coyotes. It seems to not open up very well, which leads to much smaller entry/exit holes, but puts them down much faster than a FMJ.
Well that’s not good! My .22-250 is the only rifle I have that will shoot the Barnes bullets really well (53 grain TSX). I’ve tried them in .243 Win, .270 Win, 7mm-08, and .300 Win Mag with less than stellar results
At .22-250 velocities, I'd try it. Barnes recommends 1-12" for their 55 grain TSX, but it should stabilize at higher velocity. The 69 grain Matchkings that I shoot are supposed to have a 1-10", but work great in my 1-12". Now at .223 velocities I wouldn't push the twist recs as hard.