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I first hunted Colorado for elk in the fall of 2013...and never saw a thing. Cervus canadensis may as well have been Latin for unicorn, because we’d seen just as many of the latter as the former. And, despite my best efforts, that outcome remained in the back of my mind as I returned to the Centennial state in October 2015 for redemption. I was due to join Leupold Optics, Ruger and Nosler for a five-day adventure in the mountains of southeastern Colorado, alongside the fine folks from Fred Eichler's FullDraw Outfitters. As I came to find out, however, the story couldn't have gone any differently. How so? Check out the photo gallery embedded above for more.
Looking for some last minute gear to take your hunting season to the next level? We have what you need. Check out our list of last minute hunting essentials for the season.
The .404 Jeffery dates back to 1905 or 1906, and was supposedly created by W.J. Jeffery & Co. to replicate the performance of the .450/400 3” Nitro Express, but in a bolt-action magazine rifle. But the offspring of that cartridge—as well as those cartridges which were “highly inspired” by the .404 Jeffery—have gotten much more of the spotlight than the .404 ever did.