Chuck season opener

[Stormbringer]

I hunted rockchucks over the weekend on some public land I had not been on in almost two decades. It was cool in the morning but warmed late afternoon. It was quite windy and we shot 30 chucks in about four hours. We found a couple of spots that had good numbers and stayed on those locations most of the time.
I was shooting small calibers. I had a Savage 20BR and a TC Contender/Bullberry 17 Ackley Bee. I made a hit on my first shot of the season at 439 with the 20BR in some nasty winds. I then missed my next couple of shots from 450 to 375 (rust I guess). I offered my usual excuses about moving truck from wind or slippage but my shooting partner was not buying it. LOL.
Picture of landscape of where we were shooting.

We shot about an equal number between the two calibers. Most shoots were in the 175-250 range. The little Bee performed well and I noticed a big difference in performance on the two loads I had for it. The Nosler 20 grain FBT was not nearly as destructive as the Hornady 25 grain HP (IMR 4198 .5 grain difference between loads).

I had along a new pair of Swarovski SLC 8x30 neo binoculars. What a pleasure they are in the field. This time of year the chucks are very dark and blend in well with the rocks. The new SLC's helped me find them quickly even at long range or only with a head peeking out.

Good company, several targets and good equipment made the season opener a lot of fun.
Mike.

 

[jpx2rk]

Definitely sounds like a good day.

 

[swd]

Glad to hear they're out. I need to load some ammo...

 

[nmkid]

Lucky you have that many. My brother and I used to shoot them in California but, in order to keep things going we always just shot 5 a year, (each). We were lucky if we saw as many as you shot. Good shooting!!

 

[snert]

Now that is heaven...Western scenarie and a groundhog on steroids. I think I need to move.

 

[Grimstod]

They are out in PA. I am frantically trying to load up as much 6.5x47 lapua as i can to have fun

 

[Jgraf]

I just shot my first rockchuck today here in Idaho. I beat my previous record of 542 yards with a 670 yard shot. It was on the second shot, however, after I made an adjustment to my wind call. I was using my Rem 40x single shot chambered in 7mm Rem mag. I'm pushing a 180gr. VLD 2825 fps. I really like this rifle. I have a 5.5-22x 56 Nightforce NXS on it. It's a great combination.

 

[snert]

I just shot my first rockchuck today here in Idaho. I beat my previous record of 542 yards with a 670 yard shot. It was on the second shot, however, after I made an adjustment to my wind call. I was using my Rem 40x single shot chambered in 7mm Rem mag. I'm pushing a 180gr. VLD 2825 fps. I really like this rifle. I have a 5.5-22x 56 Nightforce NXS on it. It's a great combination.

I started on the same rifle back in 1979....great gun