Ya thats what i meant if you measured with meat on as in picture you will lose more then just shrinkage, if your concerned about score then clean as soon as possible and get the 60 days done with. could use beetles if you no of some close to you. But as said a beauty bear no matter what.
Congrats Beautiful bear both size and color if you took the measurements off the skull the way it is shown in the picture it will be different after cleaning and the 60 day drying.
Ive used Speer for around 45 years I have loaded the hot cors but prefer the BTSP shoot the 145 grain in the 7mm-08
and the 180 in 30-06 taken many animals. In the 7mm-08 I use H 4350.
I realize this question was directed to idaho nick and was going to stay away from this thread but thought would say a few things every one does things different.
Been following cats around for 30 plus years. IMO shooting a cat out really does nothing and is more for the people then the dogs...
ya don't leave mine in long either, have scored them right out of the pot and no change after 60 days and have seem some change up to half inch
mind you those were first scored by others, I think a lot depends on age of animal as well older skulls don't shrink as much. I want to get beetles
some...
Congrats on a beautiful bear, man you sure cleaned that skull fast, im guessing you boiled it. Will be interesting to see final measurements, many people say you loss a lot more boiling vs beetles.