Anyone been to Philmont?

[Mule]

My nephew will be hiking Philmont this summer. The chosen Trek will include .30-06 reloading and shooting. My nephew would like to get a jump on the competition and asked to learn about my hobby.

Does anyone know what load they are having the kids build. And how many rounds are they allowed to shoot?

 

[gathert]

I've been and it was a blast. You pay $1 for three shots if I remember correctly once you go through your "reloaded" ammo, which was more of a lets take bullets apart with a bullet puller as far as I can remember. I think you get three of those as well. This was way back in 2005 when I went the year after the fires. They were using synthetic stock open sight Remmington 700s as the guns of choice. Dead accurate at 100 too.

Take him shooting and he'll learn more than going to Philmont and only spending a few ours at one of the stops shooting. I went to the Sawmill stop I'm pretty sure. Had a nice range.

 

[Mule]

I would like to have him duplicate the load he will be shooting. Any ideas on bullet weight, powder charge, ect. Youth loads or full power?

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I went back in 1978. Back then it was black powder loads in a 58 cal muzzle loader. I still have one of the cast balls. AC713 if I remember right for my Philmont code.

I rode the Amtrak train from Flagstaff to Raton which was also a lot of fun. Think about doing that also.

 

[Sport45]

My son went a few years ago and had a blast! It's an experience they remember forever.

I would like to have him duplicate the load he will be shooting.

You're over-analyzing. The shooting he does will be such a small part of the experience that it really doesn't matter.

 

[Toforo]

Our troop (Troop #103) out of Elkhart, IN went in the summer of 1971

We took the Amtrak from Chicago all the way to Raton

We did the "long treck" there - at that time, the longest time/trip that Philmont had to offer - 2 weeks (and another 1week there and back on the train, lol)

Incredible trip - etched on my mind forever - EVERY kid should go!

 

[gathert]

The stuff they use I'm sure is the cheapest they can get ahold of. Looked to me as just standard FMJ .30-06 round, nothing special. I also stopped by a black powder shooting range, so those are still there. Someone left their nalgene water bottle there, and it didnt survive.

I did about 60 miles while I was there, hiking from South to Mid country on the map, coming down the Tooth ridge on our last day. The hike numbers change all the time, so every year they are something else so its hard to correlate from year to year the same trek. But every single one of them are lots of fun.

Just think of it as a way to get your nephew into shooting, and take him often

 

[soloban]

I went back in the mid 90s and did a 70 mi trek that started in the South and made a loop up through the center. We did the .30-06 and if I recall it was reloaded on a progressive or turret style press. If I recall you shot at steel targets.

I'd worry more about getting in shape for the hike than the shooting. We hiked with fully loaded packs every Saturday morning for 5-6 miles for two months before the trip.

There is also a stop that has a Trap/Skeet range where you reload shotgun. They had Ruger Red Label O/U shotguns.

 

[Mule]

Thanks guys. You are probaly right, i am over-analyzing. The trap range/shotshell reloading stop is also on his trek. The u-tubes from Philmont I have seen only show shooting irons. My 06 is scoped. I will teach him to load for my .308 that has only iron sights. Then I plan to wear out his shoulder on the Size Master. Then off to the range to make some smoke, punch paper targets and smash some clays.

Thanks for the info on the Red Labels. I planned on letting him use my Beretta semi. Looks like the O/U is coming out of the safe.

This is going to be fun!

 

[Sport45]

Don't forget to have him train for the hiking part too.

My son did a LOT of hiking before going and still came home with some pretty impressive blisters.

 

[Mule]

The troop is working on conditioning. My brother asked me to prep his son for reloading and shooting.

 

[68wj]

The reloading programs (shotgun or rifle) are designed to teach somebody that has never done it and may even be afraid of the results. The best thing for the scouts to do is pay attention and follow instructions. I would be most worried about the kid who sits there thinking, "I already know. Lets shoot something already" since he has loaded a few in the past.

For Philmont prep, focus more on learning propper pack loading, camp setup/take down, and most importantly, doing dishes in bear country. Leave the special programs to the Philmont instructors. Just get some good socks.

 

[Sport45]

Straying way off topic, but get him a folding plate like the one in this set. The boy can pretty well lick it clean after eating and washing is easy. After a couple of days they seek every calorie they can get...

 

[Mule]

I know what you mean. My son went about 6 years ago. Everybody in the troop lost weight.

 

[hiker44]

I was at Philmont in 1967 and they were still shooting Winchester 94 lever actions with open sights. We spent about 5 minutes shooting. The hike in, the overnight stay in that camp and the rest of the 2 weeks we hiked were the real treat. I bet its different now. Pack light and break those hiking boots in first!

 

[soloban]

I dont seem to remember that we spent a whole lot of time shooting at the .30-06 range. Probably 15 - 20 shots worth. I think I lost 20lbs during the hike.

Our Scoutmaster was a retired Marine and challenged us to get up at 0500 every morning and have eaten breakfast and be ready to hike by 0600. It worked out great since most days we would be at or very near the next campsite by lunch. Definitely beat hike in the afternoon heat, not to mention it rains at 2pm almost every day.

 

[Whiskey11]

Been to Philmont twice, never did the rifle reloading on either trek. I miss it and absolutely loved both times there I agree, he should enjoy the hike more than the shooting part.

The first trek we hiked 120 miles in the 10 days, and the second we hiked 50 miles in 5 days on an adult only trek. Great place

Enjoy it while you guys are there it's an absolutely wonderful time!

 

[Wicked1911]

pemmican bars!!!

 

[GW Staar]

Was a scout master for 15 years, and never got to go to Philmont....even though I live in the same state. You folks are lucky it will be worth it.

On the other hand the LaPlata Mountains are 40 minutes away, where we spent most of our hiking/camping time. Very easy to get your 50 miler trek there and most times you never see another human. Lots of deer, elk, and bears, but not many humans.

One bit of advice to drill into your son's head.....do not keep food, candy, or even

pemmican bars

in your tent or anywhere near it....or it will get visited by something in the middle of the night. Skunks, racoons, and even bears. Nothing is worse than waking up at 3 a.m. to screams. For me the experience was with a scout waking to a nudging at his pillow, flipped on his flash light and found he was staring nose to nose with a skunk.....could have been worse! Instill in your son the importance to listen to and being obedient to the rules of the trek. I have lots of stories of what happens to scouts who don't think that's important.

Don't worry about the reloading. It's an introduction to whet interest, no more. The best training for that is at your local gun club programs.

 

[MEHavey]

Don't forget to have him train for the hiking part too.

And do it with the boots he's going to wear once he gets there !!!!!!

 

[Peter M. Eick]

I had another suggestion.

When you are dividing up the group gear to tote around, tell him to pick food times and things that get consumed or used up.

Do not get the trash bag as it gets heavier each day and don't get stuck with the pots as they are dead weight.

Learn from my mistakes.

We did 102 miles on our 2 week trip. It was supposed to be 97 milesand we did a side hike of 5 miles so we could get two 50 miler badges.

As long as we are off topic. How many of you who went got your Eagle? I did and I figured that most who did Philmont would probably get it done.

 

[Toforo]

Eagle and Order of the Arrow

 

[GW Staar]

Eagle and Order of the Arrow

Good job. I managed to make eagle in spite of not getting to go to Philmont...but I RAN from Order of the Arrow! I was inducted, but didn't show up for the ceremony. Just wasn't my cup of.......chocolate.

Hi Pete! Didn't know you were a scouter. Good advice about the gear....if he gets a chance to choose what he carries.

 

[Sport45]

OA in 1975, Eagle in '78. ACM, ASM, or SM from the time my first was in 2nd grade until the 2nd turned 18. Both made Eagle.

Scouting is a great experience for Dads as well as boys. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time around. I didn't go to Philmont, but the 2nd son did. The first went to Double-H its first year of operation.

 

[cardinalfan]

Went to Philmont in 1972 for JLIT. Train ride from Kansas City to Raton with 2 others from my troup (supposed to leave from Jefferson City, but flood of '72 closed the locl train station). Didn't get to do the trek, although heard plenty about it. Still have the belt buckle from Philmont and looking to get another belt. They actually have a Philmont store online.