6x47L and 6mmBR go to Wyoming for Antelope

[darrenk75b]

Well, after having to postpone my antelpe hunting in Wyoming the last two years, I was finally able to make it out this year. I took my 7 year-old son with me, as well as a couple coworkers. We all had 2 doe tags, so we were expecting a fun-filled, casual hunting experience.

We arrived at our unit early Friday afternoon (unit 91, just north of Farson), with plenty of time to set up camp. We camped right next to Big Sandy Reservior. Unfortunately, the wind was blowing pretty well, and our poor tent was struggling to stay up. So, thanks to the low level of the lake, we were able to use the bank of the river to block out the wind.

My son love camping next to the lake, and quickly did what kids do - ejoy a few moments of play. Here's my little buddy

Here are my coworkers just after camp was set up

As dust fell, we saw quite a number of small antelope herds making their way down to the lake for an evening drink. It certainly got us excited for what the following day would have in store. As the sun went down, the wind settled, and we were treated to some of the beauty of God's creation

Opening morning found us leaving camp just after sun up. About 10 minutes into our drive, we spotted a couple dows and a fawn standing about 100 yards from the road. I quickly exited the truck. Startled, they took off running. However, the lead doe stopped about 150 yards away. My 6x47 barked out a 105 Berger VLD. The doe flinched, took a couple steps, and sat down, dead. Here I am with my helper, as well as a shot of the damage the berger did.

 

[darrenk75b]

With this doe down within the first 10 minutes of hunting, we were sure this trip was going to over abut as quickly as we coupld pull the triggers. However, the antelpe didn't get the message. While the original group of does was close, the next 4 hours were spent observing some very skittish lopes. Few groups let us get any closer than 800 yards before they took off. It was miles and miles of this without any results

So, in a moment of divine inspiration, we decided to head out of the area and refocus our efforts farther east, just south of Eden Reservoir. Nearly the moment we crossed into public land we started seeing antelope again. Not 5 minutes into our drive, I spotted a one doe on a hill. The rangefinder read 548 yards. I've spent the past 6 or so months preparing for this trip, with multiple range sessions out to this distance. I looked at my dope card, spun the turret dial and plugged the doe through the lungs. In my excitement, I forgot to take any pictures. While I didn't hit the heart, the lungs were mush.

After gutting and skinning my doe, we headed down the road again. Not 500 yards beyond where my doe went down, we spotted another 30-40 lopes standing on a ridge heading toward a small pond. With my tags filled, my coworkers put on a stock. They got to within 150 yards of the herd when Wes absolutely flattened a doe with my 6mmBR slinging a 105 Berger. The doe nearly did a backflip when she went down.

We cleaned and skinned Wes' doe, and started to head out. However, just after starting up the truck we noticed another truck had pushed another herd close to us. The antelope were coming over the same ridge where we were, just a few hundred yards away. Mike, my other coworker, tried to put himself in position to take one of the does as they crested the hill. However, his positioning was off and he couldn'r get a shot. I yelled at Wes to grab my 6x47 and take a shot if the oportunity came. With lopes steadily coming over the hill, I quickly eyeballed the range at 400 yards and spun the dial on the scope for Wes. With Mike unable to get a clean shot, Wes let a shot fly and planted his second doe. He was nearly standing next to the gut pile from his first doe taken just minutes before.

We now felt like we were in the promise land. However, Mike had developed a small headache so we decided that some food and a little downtime were called for. After all, Wes and I were now done for our trip, so whatever Mike wanted to do we would do. Back at camp, Mike's headache became more intense so we decided to call it a day and head out to finish out hunt in the morning. However, during the night the headache turned into a debilitating migrane for Mike. Instead of filling his tags Sunday morning, Mike found himself in the Rock Springs emergency room. Whatever they gave him sure worked, but there was no way he could hunt. So, we made the unfortunate decision to call off our hunt before he could even get a single doe. Even with the sudden end to our trip, I had an absolute blast and will be heading back next year, no doubt.

 

[T 700]

The pic's are great, nice lope, if you don't mind, what are the specs on the 6x47L, i am wanting to get one built. Wish i could hunt antlope, not many in VA.

Thanks T 700

 

[darrenk75b]

We're from California, so it was a bit of a drive to get there. Took us about 15 hours of solid driving.

Regarding the rifle:
Specs are as follows
Stiller Predator SA
McMillan Classic sporter fill
PacNor 1:8 at 23" Lilja #2 contour
Old-style rem trigger
Hooper Ordnance DBM
Leupy 3.5-10

6x47L

It is slingin' 105 Bergers at 2980 fps pushed by 39gr or H4350 with a Wolf SR Mag primer

 

[5spd]

I am glad that you all could take some fresh meat home. Darned about Mike though, but health before anything is more important. We will always have speed goats around here for your next trip.

 

[MrMajestic]

Good for you guys! Glad to see the little guy along. Thanks for the read.

 

[alf]

Thanks for the write up.

A low keyed, long range, antelope doe hunt is on my bucket list.

Nice to see the actual VLD performance.

 

[darrenk75b]

Thanks for the write up.

A low keyed, long range, antelope doe hunt is on my bucket list.

Nice to see the actual VLD performance.

Thanks alf. The hunt was low key indeed. It was a great way to get my son involved as well.

The Bergers performed well. All through-and-throughs. The 550 yard shot didn't show quite the same level of damage but that is to be expected. The lungs were still destroyed but not to the same impressive level as the closer shots.

 

[Cigarcop]

Looks like everyone had a great time including the little guy...Just awesome!

 

[T 700]

Great looking Rifle, Thanks for the spec's