6 days of dogs, 1 day of squirrels

[chuckshooter]

Went to visit my friend in NE WY. to shoot dogs on 5/4. It was windy and cold almost every day and a started out little on the slow side. We were still able to get in some fine shooting as some pups started coming out, not many, maybe we saw about 15 clusters, shoot mama first and the pups would just hang around the hole waiting for us the lob a bullet into the center, quit a few doubles, triples and two quads. After 4 days, my friend had to go back to work and I went down to SE WY. to meet up with some other friends and shoot. It was windy and cold again, with broken clouds. the shooting was slow and then it started to rain. we were almost out of the ranch when the rain stopped, so we set up a couple more times. the last place we set up I had big fat dogs on the side of this hill everywhere, they were out at about 350 yds. just mulling around and eating. For many it was their last meal. On the next day (my 6th day of shooting) my friends both had other commitments, so I went out to check out this new ranch and I found nirvana, prairie dogs everywhere and it was as if they had never been shot. I shot 600 rounds for the day. Quite a few pups were out, so more dbls and triples. Bad weather was on it's way, so I pulled the plug and headed home the next morning after 6 days of shooting dogs. On the way home, I decided to stop in Nevada at one of my favorite spots to shoot sage rats/ squirrels and the babies were out. it was like wack-a-mole in the alfalfa. they just kept popping their heads up. Shot 674 rounds in 5 hours with damm near 100% kill. there were enough doubles and triples to make up for any misses. A fitting end to my trip. 6 days of dog's and 1 day of squirrels. guns were .20Ackley Hornet, 342 rds. Killer bee's, 737 rds. vartarg's, 1267 rds. .20 tac. 220 rds. 204r, 27 rds. (extractor broke) 223, 205rds. 22br, 335 rds. 22-250, 50 rds. Total round count for the trip was 3182. Now the hard part, reloading

 

[Ackman]

Nice rig. I've shot using a pivoting bench in the bed, also from racks along the top of a camper shell which worked really well. Nice to be up high, it makes a difference. Your rig is even better, looks to be a perfect height. Seeing that Martini makes me want to get mine going again.

 

[5spd]

3rd to last spot we shot that day.

 

[Daddycaddie67]

Nice set up!

 

[farmerjohn]

3rd to last spot we shot that day.
View attachment 1439939

Feller I love your setup and I'm green with envy for your hunt! Don't have any sympathy what's so ever for you having to do all that reloading, if it gets to be too much for you I would be happy to help with the stipulation that I got to help you empty them out again , congratulations on a great hunt, John

 

[chuckshooter]

3rd to last spot we shot that day.
View attachment 1439939

5spd, nobody is as fast as you with your setup. table in the back and guns in a rack. with just one guy on top of my truck, I did stop putting my stabilizer jacks on. made me a little quicker. In Nevada, the wet towel wasn't keeping the guns from getting too hot, so I ended up with a 4 gun rotation. big difference in heat production from 20ackley hornet to the .20 killer bee, the .20 vartarg and then the 223. However, the wet towel on my head was very comforting. Can't wait to hear how you and M like the new spot.

 

[chuckshooter]

Nice rig. I've shot using a pivoting bench in the bed, also from racks along the top of a camper shell which worked really well. Nice to be up high, it makes a difference. Your rig is even better, looks to be a perfect height. Seeing that Martini makes me want to get mine going again.

I do love my martini's. my dad paid $7.00 a piece for 4 of the seven I have. ah, the good old days. now $8 or $900 on GB for garbage. the falling block action works very well for me in colony shooting. Work the lever with the right hand load with the left.

 

[17VLD]

Awesome setup! It’s great to see all those small calibers getting a workout.
When my 17Ackley Bee falling block gives up the ghost it will become a 20Killer Bee.Although my 20 VarTargs might get jealous of all the attention the KB will get.
Glad your trip ended up well,the weather sure can be iffy up there in May.

Matt

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Being a real fan of shooting grass rats from an elevated position using a pivot bench, I can say that your setup is one of the best I've seen in a while. Nice job. For what we love to do, there's nothing quite like the first time you experience shooting in the 'Overwatch' position in a target-rich environment. (insert grin)

Your last day pic also shows an ideal setup with you shooting across that draw to the opposite hillside. Sort of like the best of both worlds. It reminded me of some glory days in N CA in the mid-70's shooting colonies of squirrels with a network of holes and squirrel trails very visible from the opposite hill. Was like shooting into a 'squirrel village'. Fond memories indeed.

Sounds like a very good trip, glad you had a grand time and home safe.

 

[mule]

Went to visit my friend in NE WY. to shoot dogs on 5/4. It was windy and cold almost every day and a started out little on the slow side. We were still able to get in some fine shooting as some pups started coming out, not many, maybe we saw about 15 clusters, shoot mama first and the pups would just hang around the hole waiting for us the lob a bullet into the center, quit a few doubles, triples and two quads. After 4 days, my friend had to go back to work and I went down to SE WY. to meet up with some other friends and shoot. It was windy and cold again, with broken clouds. the shooting was slow and then it started to rain. we were almost out of the ranch when the rain stopped, so we set up a couple more times. the last place we set up I had big fat dogs on the side of this hill everywhere, they were out at about 350 yds. just mulling around and eating. For many it was their last meal. On the next day (my 6th day of shooting) my friends both had other commitments, so I went out to check out this new ranch and I found nirvana, prairie dogs everywhere and it was as if they had never been shot. I shot 600 rounds for the day. Quite a few pups were out, so more dbls and triples. Bad weather was on it's way, so I pulled the plug and headed home the next morning after 6 days of shooting dogs. On the way home, I decided to stop in Nevada at one of my favorite spots to shoot sage rats/ squirrels and the babies were out. it was like wack-a-mole in the alfalfa. they just kept popping their heads up. Shot 674 rounds in 5 hours with damm near 100% kill. there were enough doubles and triples to make up for any misses. A fitting end to my trip. 6 days of dog's and 1 day of squirrels. guns were .20Ackley Hornet, 342 rds. Killer bee's, 737 rds. vartarg's, 1267 rds. .20 tac. 220 rds. 204r, 27 rds. (extractor broke) 223, 205rds. 22br, 335 rds. 22-250, 50 rds. Total round count for the trip was 3182. Now the hard part, reloading

That is a nice setup

 

[pauls]

Nice setup and great shooting. Sounds like a great time.

 

[Pheasanthunter]

Went to visit my friend in NE WY. to shoot dogs on 5/4. It was windy and cold almost every day and a started out little on the slow side. We were still able to get in some fine shooting as some pups started coming out, not many, maybe we saw about 15 clusters, shoot mama first and the pups would just hang around the hole waiting for us the lob a bullet into the center, quit a few doubles, triples and two quads. After 4 days, my friend had to go back to work and I went down to SE WY. to meet up with some other friends and shoot. It was windy and cold again, with broken clouds. the shooting was slow and then it started to rain. we were almost out of the ranch when the rain stopped, so we set up a couple more times. the last place we set up I had big fat dogs on the side of this hill everywhere, they were out at about 350 yds. just mulling around and eating. For many it was their last meal. On the next day (my 6th day of shooting) my friends both had other commitments, so I went out to check out this new ranch and I found nirvana, prairie dogs everywhere and it was as if they had never been shot. I shot 600 rounds for the day. Quite a few pups were out, so more dbls and triples. Bad weather was on it's way, so I pulled the plug and headed home the next morning after 6 days of shooting dogs. On the way home, I decided to stop in Nevada at one of my favorite spots to shoot sage rats/ squirrels and the babies were out. it was like wack-a-mole in the alfalfa. they just kept popping their heads up. Shot 674 rounds in 5 hours with damm near 100% kill. there were enough doubles and triples to make up for any misses. A fitting end to my trip. 6 days of dog's and 1 day of squirrels. guns were .20Ackley Hornet, 342 rds. Killer bee's, 737 rds. vartarg's, 1267 rds. .20 tac. 220 rds. 204r, 27 rds. (extractor broke) 223, 205rds. 22br, 335 rds. 22-250, 50 rds. Total round count for the trip was 3182. Now the hard part, reloading

674 rds in 5 hrs is alot of work you have to learn to relax

 

[chuckshooter]

674 rds in 5 hrs is alot of work you have to learn to relax

I know, I have a problem. I fiquire, I'll relax when i'm dead.