Kevin Jones

When you are fortunate enough to draw the permit of a lifetime, investing in the best preparation makes sense. Phone calls to biologists, map study, exercise training, and many scouting trips were all part of my strategy for my 2004 bighorn hunt. I also decided to update some of my gear, and wanted to put a new scope on my .270 Browning. The Burris Fullfield II 3-9x40 with Ballistic Plex seemed to be good optics and a great value, and Chris at SWFA agreed. With the scope mounted, I sighted in my rifle with a favorite handload.

The season arrived and my friend and I backpacked deep into the Colorado wilderness. Early the first morning, we climbed a mountain that I had found rams on several weeks earlier. After some glassing we managed to find a group of rams bedded down. Then, we stalked as close as possible, and after a short time the ram I wanted rose and began feeding up a ravine. He would soon disappear behind rocks, perhaps forever. My rangefinder said 270 yards, and the moment of truth had arrived. The scope reticle floated over the ram’s chest, and when the rifle went off I knew he was mine. Precise ranging and using the ballistic-plex reticle gave me confidence. Sure enough the ram made it only about 10 yards and collapsed. We picked our way down the mountain to the ram and stood in awe of this magnificent animal. All of the pieces must come together to make the hunt of lifetime successful. One critical piece is optical equipment that makes possible the shot of a lifetime.

Kevin used:

• Burris 3-9x40 Fullfield II Rifle Scope
• Butler Creek Lens Caps Kit