u/Personal-Net4263

I need help choosing a bird dog. Ideally I would like a versatile breed. I primarily hunt dove and upland game birds in Kansas and Oklahoma, but dabble in waterfowl and would like to get more into it, but upland is primary.

It’s always been a dream of mine to do a North American Upland Slam, so I’m looking for something that can handle multiple species across multiple habitats. Leaning more towards a pointing breed than a flusher for the way I’m used to hunting. I usually hunt with a group of 3-8, but like to set off solo as well.

Gotta be something that can handle the heat of dove season (not midday of course, that’s too hot for pretty much everything), do well in CRP and dryland corners, work agricultural prairie edges well, and work well with the walkers & blockers strategy we usually run without other dogs.

While I love labs, I don’t want a huge dog. 60lbs max to keep gear and food costs lower, and make traveling with them easier.

**One of the biggest points, this is the first dog I will be training myself, so it must be capable of working through my mistakes. I also (unfortunately) lead a busy life, so it has to be good with handling training a couple of nights a week and on weekends. My wife is a stay at home mom so higher energy exercise needs wont be much of an issue, but I would prefer something on the calmer side. It also has to be good with my family and my 3yo cat.

I don’t want to spend a small fortune, but I know this is not a cheap endeavor either. Staying on the lower to midrange price scale would be preferable.

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I know this is a long list and it’s probably tough to check every box, but I’d like to check as many as possible.

Thank you in advance for your time and input!

As the title says, I’m looking for a suppressor for .357/.38 Special use on my newly acquired Marlin Dark.

I want user serviceable so I don’t have to worry if I use lead rounds. It’ll primarily live on this rifle, and I plan to shoot both calibers suppressed. I also plan to use it eventually on a 5.56, .308, and 9mm handgun, but it’s not a priority for those calibers.

I would like a good balanced rifle with an LVPO on top, and quick attachments would be nice. Not opposed to going 46 caliber for future proofing, but I don’t want to compromise tone of the .357 and .38 special.

(I have searched on here but there seems to be no general consensus, and a lot of the posts are a year plus old, so may not encompass newer offerings).

Thanks in advance!

Hello, I recently got my hands on a Marlin Dark 1894 in .357 Magnum.

I plan to use this rifle for just about everything; fun at the range, suppressed pest control, hunting, self defense, and medium pest control work (coyotes).

I’m pairing it with Ruger Blackhawk .357 single action with a 4.6” barrel.

My question is, what ammunition should I use for general purpose use (riding around the farm, shots at varying distances), suppressed pest work (up close tree-line around the house), hunting deer at less than 200yds, consistent range training ammo, and some occasional carry in bear country.

I’ve been looking into 158g .357 JSPs for general use, and 158g 38 special wad cutters for suppressed work, 180g hardcast in the mountains, .158g XTP for deer, and .158g JHP for range time.

Just not sure which brands run the best and are consistent. As it stands, this is 5 different loads. If some of them can pull double duty I’m all for it. I don’t mind spending a bit more on the specialty rounds (hardcast, XTP), but of course want general purpose and training ammo on the cheaper side.

Thanks in advance!