Montana

[Calgary Bill]

I would say they are about the same out to 250-300 yds. After that, the 204 starts to fair better if there’s any wind. I shoot 32 gr Vmax in both, and the extra 400 FPS out of the 204 makes a big difference. I also use Leupold VH reticles on most of my doggin rifles, so it’s easy to move from one to another as the yardage increases with shots fired in one spot; Just a slight mental adjustment for windage and elevation holds and your hitting with different ballistic.

My 20 Tac has a 10 twist and, so far, only shoot 32 grains. I'll try 40 grainers when I find some time.
I use Nightforce scopes on most of my rifles---I keep a chart to tell me how many clicks I need for a given distance.
I sure love the flat trajectory of my 20 Tac---the topography of my gopher fields limits me to about 200 yards and the Tac is ideally suited for that distance. My 223 has been set aside for the time being.
Happy shooting
Bill

 

[Dgd6mm]

All this talk about the 20's is going to make me get one. I'm thinking 10 twist .204.

 

[Alguapo]

What part of Montana were you hunting, Alguapo?
I have hunted the Havre area and it is not as hot as say Billings. The last time I hunted the Havre area was 2 years ago and the big towns had been wiped out by the plague.

Way east. I don't give up exact locations anymore , sorry . It took from the early 80's to find some of these places. And some are now shot out.

 

[Calgary Bill]

Way east. I don't give up exact locations anymore , sorry . It took from the early 80's to find some of these places. And some are now shot out.

Just asking general area. I'm savvy enough to know that no one gives away specific areas.
Have fun shooting 'um up.

 

[1raggedhole]

Just asking general area. I'm savvy enough to know that no one gives away specific areas.
Have fun shooting 'um up.

We’ve been shooting in eastern MT for some time, and I am sorry to say that the plague has gotten pretty bad there in the last couple years. We are now scouting new areas because we won’t be able to shoot there next year. I even drove to the Thunder basin in WY last year to see for myself, and that area is still largely dead from the massive die out 5 years ago.

 

[timeout]

We’ve been shooting in eastern MT for some time, and I am sorry to say that the plague has gotten pretty bad there in the last couple years. We are now scouting new areas because we won’t be able to shoot there next year. I even drove to the Thunder basin in WY last year to see for myself, and that area is still largely dead from the massive die out 5 years ago.

I've been deer hunting that area the last two years and have not seen any sign or remnants of dog towns where we go. I would think that I should have encountered at least some empty dog towns? I have been specifically on public land. Going again this year. I'll have to ask the warden for info. He stops by our camp each year.

 

[Schandler]

Was in south east Wyoming last September and had a mix of temps that was about right. Warm enough during the day with light jacket and spitting snow when we left !! Only bad thing for September was the wind. Didn’t take a portable bench and the only way i could keep crosshairs on the dog was to lay down on ground and learned to watch for the little cactus plants fast. The wind was that bad. We hunted only blm land and found several towns around Shirley basin. Met a game warden that was very helpful in giving directions on where to find towns. People out there are real - if i had to move that would be the place. I say that but I’ve never been out there in the winter ! Might change a fellas mind. Hope to get back this September again and same spots and will take more center fire than rimfire but will say the 17wsm and 17 hmrs held there own even with the wind.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Going to Wyoming soon.

 

[Rule 243]

Went to Montana a few years back to shoot some Prairie Dogs it was hot and dry.
That being said the heat didn't bother me but here in Missouri the humidity kills me.
As for it being dry up there we'll be glad to send some of our rain your way, depending on your location in Northwest Missouri we got 10 to 14 inches the other night and that's not counting what we had the previous days.

Have a great day everyone.

 

[Hal]

Rule send us all the rain you can spare. It was dry last fall and no snow to speak of. This year we got about 2-2 1/2" of rain. All that's growling is grasshoppers.
Seen a jackrabbit the other day packing a canteen.

Hal

 

[JFrank]

Last couple days in Libby, 65 miles from Canada

 

[rardoin]

Last couple days in Libby, 65 miles from Canada

Libby is up in God's country for sure. I've hunted the Cabinets and spent a couple of days on Government mtn. Beautiful country!