Had a trip planned to Sandpoint, ID early August, so I decided to 1st head to Dakota territory, shoot PD's 5-6 days, and travel to ID afterward...took alot of rifles and ammo in the Tacoma.
Headed to a spot w 3 dog towns spread over a large area. Although this area gets heavy use in June, I had a feeling I'd be the only shooter there late July and I was correct. There is one spot that most guys don't seem to know of, requires hiking 2 mi., and yup there were mini-groundhog sized, dark brown PD's that were fun to shoot since they were 2X the size of most. The beauty of this spot is - a short hike puts you on a 200' knoll with nearly 360 degree shooting. 175-800 yds.
A surprising amount of dogs for 1 shooter, and they didn't all always immediately dive for cover at the 1st shot, to my surprise. I formerly packed a 70 lb +/- shooting bench (which I found I seldom used), so left it behind this trip and only shot off bipods. I sling up 1 rifle and carry another, hike to fields, and sleep in the truck on the prairie. Usually a heavy barrelled gun on my back and a light one to carry. Keeps the barrels from getting too hot, with 2 rifles available.
Since the grass was green and high, I had to walk fairly close to the PD towns, where the grass was shorter (eaten), in order to see through the scope (prone), above the grass...of course the PD sentries at the periphery were alerting the others, not ideal. Still, plenty of shots 200-500 yds away, where the danger was not obvious to many PD's - but of course that makes for the most fun
Had some doubles, gotta love the 2fer.
I zero'd each rifle before using once out "here" and glad I did. Some were fairly off, loose action screws etc. and I had switched a couple scopes, which needed to be bore sighted and zero'd. Always good to have that zero target confirmation just before shooting - especially in a stiff breeze where it sometimes seems like you are shooting blanks.
My Sako 75 .204 Ruger had shot tiny groups w 32 g V maxes for years, but the accuracy was just not there for this bullet based on earlier tests this year, oddly enough, so I tried 39g Sierra Blitz Kings, and lo and behold, tiny groups again. 25.5g Benchmark gave 5 shot 1 ragged hole groups. This was the "no wind" rifle and there was 1 day of absolute calm, and satisfying to connect pretty often. A great bullet that SBK.
A Rem 700 22-243 w a very stout Krieger bbl - 73g. Hornady ELD-M really sent the PD's flying many feet, and was super in the wind- 1/2 the hold off vs a .223. I dialed the power down to 12-15X so I could catch the air time.
I had new MSA Sordin Extreme Pro X hearing protection, and the smack of the bullet was quite audible, even out to 500 yds. If I could not see the hit (recoil or mirage), I could sure hear it! Very nice unit, the MSA's. my .02. I didn't use earplugs under, fwiw.
For longer shots 500+ yds, I used a Hvy Krieger 26" barrelled 6X47 Lapua, Surgeon repeater action - as a single shot - w a bob sled in the mag. 105 Amaxes were devastating, clearly works as varmint destroyer. scope - 6.5 X 20X Leupold Mark 4, converted to FFP by Premier reticle. Rifle & scope at least - 15 lbs, so recoil is nil. I usually dial elevation and hold off for wind. Generally can spot the misses, even w bit of recoil. I was surprised to see how far I was actually shooting, as I shot further up the slopes where the PD's still remained. Not alot but OK for 1 guy and for keeping barrels coolish.
I zero 1.5" high @ 100 for all and find that works pretty well. Oddly enough,
I find that adding 1 MOA for per 100 yds gets me darn close - w any rifle.
Late July in the Dakotas is DARN hot, and I had 2 days where I thought I was going to fry, so I rigged up a silver tarp from my leer cap window for some shade, and 11 am - 3 pm read a book in the shade. Looked kinda half-assed, but provided shade. In the old days this would be "sultry weather". The mosquitoes were in full force, so I slathered on 98% deet. Not the most pleasant experience for a couple hours.
I tried out my newish Rem 5R .223 with 53g vmaxes and was pleased. a GREAT PD bullet. Used a SAS suppressor and had some fun w that combo, up close and personal. 1/9 twist.
Think my favorite PD scope is the NF BR 8-32X. Amazing glass, and at times, it felt like cheating at 32X. nice thin reticle + NP-R2 seems tailor made for PD shootin.'
Some pix.
brass up/down in the box : 46 of 50 hits w the 6X47/105 amaxes. a good morning.
back home - brass drying in sun after STM tumbling. not a lotta shooting for 6+ days...!
the 6X47 rig.
Took a side trip to visit Little Bighorn battlefield, neat to see as I've read quite abit about it.
"The PD's see me coming but they don't see me leaving". never get tired of those exploding targets...missed plenty, too, tho. Rifles built by Greg Tannel (2X), Bob Green (2X), Short Action Custom, et al. what a pleasure.
Headed to a spot w 3 dog towns spread over a large area. Although this area gets heavy use in June, I had a feeling I'd be the only shooter there late July and I was correct. There is one spot that most guys don't seem to know of, requires hiking 2 mi., and yup there were mini-groundhog sized, dark brown PD's that were fun to shoot since they were 2X the size of most. The beauty of this spot is - a short hike puts you on a 200' knoll with nearly 360 degree shooting. 175-800 yds.
A surprising amount of dogs for 1 shooter, and they didn't all always immediately dive for cover at the 1st shot, to my surprise. I formerly packed a 70 lb +/- shooting bench (which I found I seldom used), so left it behind this trip and only shot off bipods. I sling up 1 rifle and carry another, hike to fields, and sleep in the truck on the prairie. Usually a heavy barrelled gun on my back and a light one to carry. Keeps the barrels from getting too hot, with 2 rifles available.
Since the grass was green and high, I had to walk fairly close to the PD towns, where the grass was shorter (eaten), in order to see through the scope (prone), above the grass...of course the PD sentries at the periphery were alerting the others, not ideal. Still, plenty of shots 200-500 yds away, where the danger was not obvious to many PD's - but of course that makes for the most fun
Had some doubles, gotta love the 2fer.I zero'd each rifle before using once out "here" and glad I did. Some were fairly off, loose action screws etc. and I had switched a couple scopes, which needed to be bore sighted and zero'd. Always good to have that zero target confirmation just before shooting - especially in a stiff breeze where it sometimes seems like you are shooting blanks.
My Sako 75 .204 Ruger had shot tiny groups w 32 g V maxes for years, but the accuracy was just not there for this bullet based on earlier tests this year, oddly enough, so I tried 39g Sierra Blitz Kings, and lo and behold, tiny groups again. 25.5g Benchmark gave 5 shot 1 ragged hole groups. This was the "no wind" rifle and there was 1 day of absolute calm, and satisfying to connect pretty often. A great bullet that SBK.
A Rem 700 22-243 w a very stout Krieger bbl - 73g. Hornady ELD-M really sent the PD's flying many feet, and was super in the wind- 1/2 the hold off vs a .223. I dialed the power down to 12-15X so I could catch the air time.
I had new MSA Sordin Extreme Pro X hearing protection, and the smack of the bullet was quite audible, even out to 500 yds. If I could not see the hit (recoil or mirage), I could sure hear it! Very nice unit, the MSA's. my .02. I didn't use earplugs under, fwiw.
For longer shots 500+ yds, I used a Hvy Krieger 26" barrelled 6X47 Lapua, Surgeon repeater action - as a single shot - w a bob sled in the mag. 105 Amaxes were devastating, clearly works as varmint destroyer. scope - 6.5 X 20X Leupold Mark 4, converted to FFP by Premier reticle. Rifle & scope at least - 15 lbs, so recoil is nil. I usually dial elevation and hold off for wind. Generally can spot the misses, even w bit of recoil. I was surprised to see how far I was actually shooting, as I shot further up the slopes where the PD's still remained. Not alot but OK for 1 guy and for keeping barrels coolish.
I zero 1.5" high @ 100 for all and find that works pretty well. Oddly enough,
I find that adding 1 MOA for per 100 yds gets me darn close - w any rifle.
Late July in the Dakotas is DARN hot, and I had 2 days where I thought I was going to fry, so I rigged up a silver tarp from my leer cap window for some shade, and 11 am - 3 pm read a book in the shade. Looked kinda half-assed, but provided shade. In the old days this would be "sultry weather". The mosquitoes were in full force, so I slathered on 98% deet. Not the most pleasant experience for a couple hours.
I tried out my newish Rem 5R .223 with 53g vmaxes and was pleased. a GREAT PD bullet. Used a SAS suppressor and had some fun w that combo, up close and personal. 1/9 twist.
Think my favorite PD scope is the NF BR 8-32X. Amazing glass, and at times, it felt like cheating at 32X. nice thin reticle + NP-R2 seems tailor made for PD shootin.'
Some pix.
brass up/down in the box : 46 of 50 hits w the 6X47/105 amaxes. a good morning.
back home - brass drying in sun after STM tumbling. not a lotta shooting for 6+ days...!
the 6X47 rig.
Took a side trip to visit Little Bighorn battlefield, neat to see as I've read quite abit about it.
"The PD's see me coming but they don't see me leaving".
never get tired of those exploding targets...missed plenty, too, tho. Rifles built by Greg Tannel (2X), Bob Green (2X), Short Action Custom, et al. what a pleasure.
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