mikegideon

I really like that. Good blade steel too. I think it's going on my list.

Well... at least you have 3 guys in this thread with that smoker, and we're all happy.

  I always smoke at 225, but can't imagine why it wouldn't. It's real consistent at 225. I do use an electronic thermometer stuck into the meat. I wouldn't try to do it by time. 

Tole ya it was gonna shoot pretty good. Might even do a little better with some load tweaking

I think I prefer to hit them with one of my cheap AR's, or just use this...

It's not that heavy. Mine came from Bass Pro. Even has their logo on it.   EDIT: Bass Pro still has Masterbuilt, but that one doesn't show on their site anymore

  That's the one I have. 

  http://www.midwayusa.com/product/411481/vortex-viper-pst-rifle-scope-30mm-tube-6-24x-50mm-side-focus-first-focal-illuminated-ebr-1-moa-reticle-matte

  I wouldn't know about the Savage 99. I think you own all of them. :)

  I grew up the same way. I spent an afternoon at the range going back and forth between my mini 14 and one of my AR's. Same ammo, same barrel length. The AR was just more comfortable to shoot, strictly because of the geometry. We won't even get into the difference in accuracy :)

  That should be a good shooter. Probably a great shooter if you tune the ammo. In case you haven't noticed already, AR's just shoot better than conventional rifles. The line of recoil force is straight into your shoulder, instead of above your shoulder. They ain't pretty, but they work real well.   BTW... I'm not so sure you sling attachment points are in the wrong place. My A2 is slung that way. It's not a go fast gun. Hell, we're not go fast guys :)

  There won't be much recoil anyway. 123 grain pill leaving at 2500 fps. Has more to do with squeezing off long range shots with a 1 lb trigger break. Doesn't take much to yank the gun off the target at 600+ yards. It's a heavy barrel. Looks to be close to a 1" straight profile under the handguard.

  Thanks. Sucker's heavy, which is a good thing. 13lbs 9oz as it sits.

Done. Still gotta stick a BAD lever on it...

The gun is together, optic and all. I just have to bore sight it, and it's ready to hit the range. It's pretty heavy. Haven't weighed it yet.

  Good luck with Satern. They have a reputation for being impossible to get. Great barrels.

I doubt that I'll build out a complete rifle. May just steal the lower off my .223 varmint gun and replace that receiver. It has a PRS stock and a 1lb trigger. Or, I may share the upper on the new gun. A lot depends on if I can get the Shilen under 1/2". If it shoots bug holes at 100, I may just sell the JP before I shoot it.

Merry Christmas, to the guys that has everything! :)

Well, I went from bitching about barrel lead time to being covered up with barrels. The Shilen showed up yesterday, and I just couldn't keep myself from sticking it on the gun. Then, the JP showed up a few minutes ago. THIS is where the advanced stages of AR disease gets ugly. I have this spare billet upper receiver...

  Hoping for the best

Sorry to hear it, G. I'm hoping your dog will be OK. I've had better luck with vets than people docs

It's pretty cool that you have all those choices. Mind boggling at first

  Barrel proof whiskey seems to be in the pocket. It's warm, but has lots o' flavor. I have been conserving some money because of my gun sickness. But, Booker's was on the right track.

  :up:

I have a Masterbuilt. I get great results, once I learned a couple of things. I wind up smoking more frequently because you don't have to stay on top of it as much as a real fire. The electrics tend to be a little quicker too, because the temperature is pretty constant. If it ever dies, I'm pretty sure I'll replace it with a Brinkman.