Backpack Hunting Gear What Worked and What Didn't. Part 6 - Rifle, Ammunition and Maintenance

After a fantastic trip away in the Victorian High Country chasing Sambar Deer I thought it was time to delve into the gear we took with us. What worked and what didn't and in this Sixth and last video I talk about the rifle I carried on this trip, the ammunition and how to look after your firearm to make sure it is ready to go.

[@frankennis2947]

Loved the rundown. Hunted Sambar since 1982 and still learning, not only about the deer but also from the likes of yourself, fellow hunters. Cheers and thanks

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Frank. Always nice to know our videos are appreciated. Thanks for watching

[@bickie603]

Please I would love to see more and more. I try to test all of your suggestions.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Will do our best Chris. Thanks for watching👍👍

[@pasta759]

Awesome video. Thanks for the information.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching mate.

[@joshtrew7702]

Great series of videos mate, love watching them. Helpful as!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Glad they helped you out.

[@jekobe11]

Very informative vid mate. Really loved this series to date!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@matthewoniszk9972]

Love your videos, I'm learning each time so thank you..... just ordered a sako 85 finnlight in 308 and can't wait to hit the high country!! Keep the videos coming!!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers mate. Keep us posted on how your new rifle performs

[@hankbraff1135]

Well Steve I must say I have absolutely loved this series, learnt a heap of new stuff from you that I will put to good use in the future, thanks for taking the time and the effort in sharing this with all you subscribers, all the best for the future.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Hank. If these videos help a few fellow hunters out with what to do and not do then I am glad to have helped

[@highcountryrob]

I just finished watching all your gear reviews and I've taken away some very good tips. Thanks again for all your effort that you've put in to document your thoughts. PS-I love my old Macpac Cascade pack. Cheers, Rob.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Glad you got something out of them Rob and yes the old Macpacs rock.....

[@loadeddog8015]

Well that was informative.....appreciate you taking the time to cover these aspects. Still got a lot to learn so thx

[@BoltActionProductions]

Hope they helped a little...

[@adamconnolly7478]

Wicked series man, me and a friend are going down to VIC in October, and Im positive that you saved us alot of trouble.

[@BoltActionProductions]

I am sure you will have a great time mate. Just take it all in and enjoy the experience. I am sure it won't be the last time you venture south after Sambar. Keep me posted on how you go.

[@Tamatoy]

great an informative video, keep up the great videos, Love the content :)

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. I hope you got some ideas from this series

[@iand720]

Absolutely sensational series of videos mate. Might have missed it but i would include a first aid kit into your pack, If your anything like me its only a matter of time before your plugging some sort of hole you put in yourself. You done well to get all that stuff in there id have just started shedding my gear into the bush before i clutched my chest and died. Well done

[@BoltActionProductions]

First aid kit of some form is a given and always in my pack. The brand and type you carry is really personal preference and I don't have enough experience in that area to recommend one over the other.

[@tonygillahan]

Well said mate. I use the 180gr SST handloads in my 308s and always go for high heart/low lung shots and have never had an issue 👌 Loved this little series mate, very well put together!

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks Tony. If I was only going to shoot Sambar with the little 08 I would probably use the 165's or the 180's but I tend to use a bit of an all round load hence why I stick with the 150's and drive them as hard as I can. Tell me if I am wrong but you are using one of the new little Kimber 84 Hunters if my eyes don't deceive me. What has been your overall impressions of that rifle so far?

[@tonygillahan]

Bolt-Action Productions That's fair enough, I use 180s for everything as I have the Swaro Z5 turret setup for out to 550yds with the 180s. Yes that's a little Kimber Hunter, to be honest it's the best rifle I've ever bought 👌 absolutely love it, just such a light and handy little gun is ridiculously accurate all things considering

[@eyema_pierat8993]

Great job with the videos today - I was up at 03:50 this morning and watched the first one of them and they have continued all day - have you been asleep since yesterday? Love your work by the way.

[@BoltActionProductions]

No mate. If I don't go for it I just won't get it done. Thanks very much, it is nice to know it is appreciated

[@dogrunnerlive1]

Nice mate, very informative and some great products there. Keep at it mate, I was hoping you were going to cover some gear that you carry in with you, packs, sleeping gear etc. I am yet to get into the high country but getting some gear together, hopefully not too much longer as not getting any younger. Safe hunting👍

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thankyou. Like most things with hunting we are always changing and refining what we use. If we don't have an open mind it is so easy to miss out some really good products and experiences. You certainly are right mate we aren't getting any younger so definitely get the pack on and head up high. Well worth the effort.

[@darrenoz2953]

Great series mate.Always look forward to your clips.Just got myself set up to do a backpack hunt so found it very informative. Out of curiosity, what did your pack end up weighing . Cheers mate.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. At its heaviest on the way in with all the camera gear it was around 33kg. Add the rifle and it was well over 35.

[@petej2533]

love it.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Cheers Pete

[@walt5797]

Zippo lighter fluid can be substituted with prep wash, obtained at any paint shop, it's what spray painters use to prep any surface for painting. It removes grease and oils and is perfectly safe on timber, guitar builders use it to wipe down timber guitar bodies before spraying them. And a litre of prep wash is a lot cheaper then lighter fluid. Thanks for the tip on Nulon air intake cleaner. Chears.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks for the information Walter

[@dunamisjc]

Thanks for the great info. I’m assuming you’re only cleaning out the carbon after a fair few rounds have gone through. Do you fire a couple of fouling shots before hunting? I’m running a 308 with the Hornady whitetail and not super impressed with the groups I’m getting so hope to try handloads in the future. I don’t have a bench rest so shooting off the bags but might need a limb saver because 12 shots in on load testing and the bruising starts!

[@BoltActionProductions]

My pleasure mate. How often I clean my rifles depends on a few factors. Weather conditions they have been used in, how many shots fired, rifle use whether it is a long range rig or a little rimfire. Handloading is certainly the best way to tune up your rifle and get the best out of it. Good luck with it mate and thanks for watching.

[@dunamisjc]

@@BoltActionProductions I’ll get some of that intake cleaner. Do you bother with a fouling shot before hunting?

[@BoltActionProductions]

@@dunamisjc no mate

[@bonsai9069]

Hey robbo, what do you guys use for game bags in the field? Is it worth the money for game bags or do the old cotton pillow cases do the same job for a fraction of the price?

[@BoltActionProductions]

We use a few different variations and brands including pillow slips. Realistically we use what ever we have on hand.

[@deanno7067]

Great video mate loving this mini series. I can here the cockatoos in the background do you live on a farm or in the bush?

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. Shit you've got good ears. Couldn't live in the city to save myself. Bad enough having to work there

[@deanno7067]

That's awesome i can not wait to get out of the city and suburbia be nice to live somewhere close to where theres great hunting. Its too nice to only hunt there like you did and not go back for a while.

[@darrenkent9569]

for you what is the trade off you make for the 150g to 180g 308 rounds. and is that trade off the same at 100m compared to 300+m??????????

[@BoltActionProductions]

It all comes down to velocity weight ratio IMO and the .308 has just the right velocity with the 150’s on most game. The 165’s aren’t a bad compromise on heavier game

[@darrenkent9569]

Thanks for the reply. I love your vids and hope you continue to keep the coming.

[@danberko123]

For a beginner like me, part 1 to 4 were awesome, part 5 and 6 lost me a bit.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Daniel Bourke. Don’t worry mate I lost myself after awhile😂😳

[@joehowe1258]

Can you do more gun reviews

[@BoltActionProductions]

If I had more guns. What rifles do you want reviewed?

[@joehowe1258]

Maybe some budget gun reviews

[@joehowe1258]

Like a budget 22 lr

[@joehowe1258]

Bolt-Action Productions thank you for being a great role model you are the one who's made me love hunting.

[@BoltActionProductions]

Thanks mate. When we were younger I still remember all of us going out and buying BRNO model 2 .22's. Still have this rifle today and besides needing a little work on the trigger they are very hard to beat. There's your review mate. Hands down one of the best .22's that will last the test of time. If you are after one the Model 2 is the best value IMO. Don't buy new.