snert
Silver $$ Contributor
Earlier in spring I posted a request for information from any forum member regarding a place to hunt PD in OK. I had no experience with Pd, but I was passing thru OK on a return trip from CO where my son graduated from a ministry program. A forum member, Mark, PM'd me and graciously offered to guide me and my kids on a PD shoot. This thread is a report on that absolutely awesome intro to PD shooting. I will likely add to the thread as time passes and the photos upload.
I had my son, Ethan, 19, and my daughter Paige, 14, as co-shooters, with sister's Blythe 16 and Sidney, 14, as photographer and statistics keeper. We used a HR 17HMR, a Contender carbine in 22K Hornet, and a 722/40xbr clone in 222. Scopes were 10x Bushnell, T10 Weaver, 6-18 VX2 Leupold. Loads were 17 grain Vmax, 40 grain Vmax and 50 grain TNT or NBT. We used a Bald Eagle rest, a Hart benchrest, and a McFadden Tripod. Rangefinder was a Newcon. Our host lent his 17Rem to Paige and about 75 rounds of handloads, in a very gracious gesture to get her experience on a 17.
In eight hours of shooting we fired about 580 rounds total. Our statistics keeper lost count at times, but as best as we can determine we bagged about 234 PD, give or take 20. The closest was about 20 yards with a 22, offhand, and Paige took the longest, with several at about 350+ yards with the 222. Most shooting was from 150 to 250 yards, where the 22K worked wonderfully. The PD's were cooperative and the town had not been shot, with many pups. We managed several doubles, some air time and a LOT of fun. My K Hornet got so dirty that I stuck a brass brush in the barrel and had to soak it thru!
Take-aways:
1)As a groundhog shooter, it was hard for me initially to not worry about missing, and to hold-over. I am used to calculated "one-shot" opportunities, requiring ranging, wind reading, click calculations. With PD's, it is no big deal to miss, or even to shoot at one and hit another! Just adjust and shoot again!
2) A chipmunk sized pd at 250 yards is as tough as a 550 yard g-hog. However, the PD comes right back, barking when you miss.
3) a 20 caliber small case rifle seems ideal, as would be a 204 for the longer stuff. The 17HMR, which on g-hogs is really not impressive really shines on PD's, with hits to 190 yards. It is awesome out to 150, and together with the 22 k-hornet made a nice pair.
4) the McFadden is made for PD hunting
5) Jackrabbits are fast, there are cottontails under ever derrick, culvert, bush and coyotes round every bend. It was cold, so we encountered no snakes, thank the LORD.
6) The learning curve is so fast I forgot to extend the legs on the tripod so I could shoot fully standing, and never took off my coat, despite heat...too busy shooting!
7) Oklahoman's are simply the nicest, most gracious people I have ever encountered, and Mark tops them all.
More to follow when the photos are sized...
I had my son, Ethan, 19, and my daughter Paige, 14, as co-shooters, with sister's Blythe 16 and Sidney, 14, as photographer and statistics keeper. We used a HR 17HMR, a Contender carbine in 22K Hornet, and a 722/40xbr clone in 222. Scopes were 10x Bushnell, T10 Weaver, 6-18 VX2 Leupold. Loads were 17 grain Vmax, 40 grain Vmax and 50 grain TNT or NBT. We used a Bald Eagle rest, a Hart benchrest, and a McFadden Tripod. Rangefinder was a Newcon. Our host lent his 17Rem to Paige and about 75 rounds of handloads, in a very gracious gesture to get her experience on a 17.
In eight hours of shooting we fired about 580 rounds total. Our statistics keeper lost count at times, but as best as we can determine we bagged about 234 PD, give or take 20. The closest was about 20 yards with a 22, offhand, and Paige took the longest, with several at about 350+ yards with the 222. Most shooting was from 150 to 250 yards, where the 22K worked wonderfully. The PD's were cooperative and the town had not been shot, with many pups. We managed several doubles, some air time and a LOT of fun. My K Hornet got so dirty that I stuck a brass brush in the barrel and had to soak it thru!
Take-aways:
1)As a groundhog shooter, it was hard for me initially to not worry about missing, and to hold-over. I am used to calculated "one-shot" opportunities, requiring ranging, wind reading, click calculations. With PD's, it is no big deal to miss, or even to shoot at one and hit another! Just adjust and shoot again!
2) A chipmunk sized pd at 250 yards is as tough as a 550 yard g-hog. However, the PD comes right back, barking when you miss.
3) a 20 caliber small case rifle seems ideal, as would be a 204 for the longer stuff. The 17HMR, which on g-hogs is really not impressive really shines on PD's, with hits to 190 yards. It is awesome out to 150, and together with the 22 k-hornet made a nice pair.
4) the McFadden is made for PD hunting
5) Jackrabbits are fast, there are cottontails under ever derrick, culvert, bush and coyotes round every bend. It was cold, so we encountered no snakes, thank the LORD.
6) The learning curve is so fast I forgot to extend the legs on the tripod so I could shoot fully standing, and never took off my coat, despite heat...too busy shooting!
7) Oklahoman's are simply the nicest, most gracious people I have ever encountered, and Mark tops them all.
More to follow when the photos are sized...
I can read and write and it really doesn't matter to me where you came from or what color you are (though I confess a preference for my brunette of 30 years) as long as you try to work as best you can, live and die for liberty and make your kids behave. I don't have much, and i am a Remington guy, so I might lose a vote here and there, but can't help myself. I don't feel bad when a PD takes flight, or a G-hog heads to the alfalfa field in the sky after a "snert", and I think old cars, a well painted house and a smooth coffee are simple pleasures in life. I have never borrowed or taken another mans wife, try to pay my bills with my own money, and thank those that help me out. I don't want or need a pile of money or power, and i lost my hair raising four kids, so I do not have to worry about looking dumb if the wind blows. i don't fit in a pantsuit.
