Nice Way to Spend the Afternoon

[6.5 forever]

I call my rifle Plain Jane, which is what some folks used to call the cartridge, "20 Plain Jane"; or 20-222.

It's an old seventies 700 action, with a 26" PacNor #6 11 twist barrel. I planted it in an old 40x sling stock, and left it as single-shot. Scope is a Vortex Viper PST 5x25. She's a fifteen pounder.
View attachment 1538627


View attachment 1538628
Rifle is capable of great groups, but as soon as I hit one that was consistent 1/2 MOA, I quit working for it and started shootin.

View attachment 1538632
Here's my "check group" before I started shooting yesterday. jd

How did you get that beauty up to 15lb?

 

[jds holler]

How did you get that beauty up to 15lb?

Well, I guess I was talking out my butt. I just went and checked it, and it's 12.5 lbs. And I guess that's the heaviest rifle I've got.

I actually wouldn't mind taking 4 or even 6 inches off that barrel.. jd

 

[kyotekiller25]

What part of EO? I'm in Hermiston and we have zero ground squirrels for whatever reason. Usually go to the mountains for red diggers, or outside La Grande for the sage rats.

 

[saunaking]

jds: Lookin' good! And that's what I consider a perfect day setting! Love the .20's for 'squirrel work'.

Oregon ground squirrel...actually the Belding's Ground Squirrel according to the U of O 'experts'.....

A young family group emerging from their burrow last spring:



They're about 1/3 the size of an adult PD, much more stupid and harder to hit at longer ranges, and being smaller and lighter, they offer great "flight characteristics" when smacked with a good hit:



Right now my crew and I are staging gear for our annual 10-day "Rat Rodeo" at our favorite ranch in E. OR soon. If the WX cooperates, it should be another bonaroo time! The local hawks and eagles seem to welcome us, and come as soon as they hear the gunfire. Smart birds, they know when the dinner bell sounds.

That was the inspiration for our informal group:

Shot around the Alturas area in Northern California for "skippy" a bunch of times. You should market that t-shirt...one of the best I've seen related to p-dog or belding squirrel shooting.

 

[jds holler]

Shot around the Alturas area in Northern California for "skippy" a bunch of times. You should market that t-shirt...one of the best I've seen related to p-dog or belding squirrel shooting.

Some of the best shooting ever is in Northern Cali -- Siskiyou and Modoc counties. But no lead bullets. Most of us who live on the Oregon side, simply don't go down there much. I could double or triple my hunting/recreational ground if I could just get comfortable with the laws, license, and extra BS that comes with California. And I probably should do it. jd

 

[nakneker]

I call my rifle Plain Jane, which is what some folks used to call the cartridge, "20 Plain Jane"; or 20-222.

Looks like fun! The little 20-222 is a hoot. I have one in a Tikka bolt, enjoying it enough to have one built in a #3 Ruger, barrel is inbound. So easy to load, accurate, like many other 20 cals I know, I like the 20-222.

I always enjoy seeing Rick’s post too, he always seems to get some good trigger time in.

 

[snert]

Well, I guess I was talking out my butt. I just went and checked it, and it's 12.5 lbs. And I guess that's the heaviest rifle I've got.

I actually wouldn't mind taking 4 or even 6 inches off that barrel.. jd

Carry it more than 30 feet and it gets heavier. It is a well known fact. It just is never proven because one would have to carry a scale as well, and that means too much work. So there's that.

 

[jds holler]

Carry it more than 30 feet and it gets heavier. It is a well known fact. It just is never proven because one would have to carry a scale as well, and that means too much work. So there's that.

I'm thinking of designing a "rifle sled" and it's gonna look nothing like the ones I see advertised. jd

 

[Treerat-sniper]

jds: Lookin' good! And that's what I consider a perfect day setting! Love the .20's for 'squirrel work'.

Oregon ground squirrel...actually the Belding's Ground Squirrel according to the U of O 'experts'.....

A young family group emerging from their burrow last spring:



They're about 1/3 the size of an adult PD, much more stupid and harder to hit at longer ranges, and being smaller and lighter, they offer great "flight characteristics" when smacked with a good hit:



Right now my crew and I are staging gear for our annual 10-day "Rat Rodeo" at our favorite ranch in E. OR soon. If the WX cooperates, it should be another bonaroo time! The local hawks and eagles seem to welcome us, and come as soon as they hear the gunfire. Smart birds, they know when the dinner bell sounds.

That was the inspiration for our informal group:

Were you guys affiliated with the "Rocking Chair Raptor Feeding Society" that was in the VHA magazine back in the 90s? I always got a kick out of their member's pics.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Were you guys affiliated with the "Rocking Chair Raptor Feeding Society" that was in the VHA magazine back in the 90s? I always got a kick out of their member's pics.

Our little group was featured in VHM a few times, but I'm not familiar with the 'Rocking Chair' version. Sounds like most of us would fit in to that group though, being into what I'm told is "Geezerhood".

I miss that magazine. One of the few of the time worth reading.

 

[Larry Koch]

Looks like Cooper country.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Some of the best shooting ever is in Northern Cali -- Siskiyou and Modoc counties. But no lead bullets. Most of us who live on the Oregon side, simply don't go down there much. I could double or triple my hunting/recreational ground if I could just get comfortable with the laws, license, and extra BS that comes with California. And I probably should do it. jd

I hear that, JD!
For many years we put on a shoot just outside of Alturas at a friends large alfalfa ranch. The shooting was spectacular in all regards, but with CA going full Commie with no lead laws, no carry laws, and other restrictions, we just quit going. All my crew here has carry permits for Orygun, and with no legal way to carry to protect ourselves from the growing CA crime, we all voted to not go to CA any more, period.

So we don't buy gas/fuel there, no motels there, groceries and all the other sundries associated with a week from home. I doubt that we've affected the N. CA economy in any way, but I know it didn't help either. It's a real shame that the liberal lunatic fringe has taken over what was a very nice place to visit, shoot and enjoy.

The one friend I still have down there in the central valley now comes up here for a week to ten days with us at our favorite ranch here, and seldom shoots in his home state any more for the same reason we quit the place.

A pic of the N. CA ranch we'll now never return to. Pity, as now with the lack of rat shooters, the owner has resorted to either poison or planting crops that are not attractive to the squirrels; with less revenue. It's now apparent that we did our job there well. This all shows what the liberal left Demo's have done to their own state. I'm sad to say we're done with the place....forever.

 

[jds holler]

I hear that, JD!
For many years we put on a shoot just outside of Alturas at a friends large alfalfa ranch. The shooting was spectacular in all regards, but with CA going full Commie with no lead laws, no carry laws, and other restrictions, we just quit going. All my crew here has carry permits for Orygun, and with no legal way to carry to protect ourselves from the growing CA crime, we all voted to not go to CA any more, period.

So we don't buy gas/fuel there, no motels there, groceries and all the other sundries associated with a week from home. I doubt that we've affected the N. CA economy in any way, but I know it didn't help either. It's a real shame that the liberal lunatic fringe has taken over what was a very nice place to visit, shoot and enjoy.

The one friend I still have down there in the central valley now comes up here for a week to ten days with us at our favorite ranch here, and seldom shoots in his home state any more for the same reason we quit the place.

A pic of the N. CA ranch we'll now never return to. Pity, as now with the lack of rat shooters, the owner has resorted to either poison or planting crops that are not attractive to the squirrels; with less revenue. It's now apparent that we did our job there well. This all shows what the liberal left Demo's have done to their own state. I'm sad to say we're done with the place....forever.

I've lived in this area my entire life, and now reside one mile north of the Kali line. For most of my life, 90% of my recreation took place within a 50 mile drive from my home. When you consider that going to California now leaves a bad taste in my mouth, that leaves me with a much smaller "zone of recreation". I'll still consider myself pretty lucky compared to most, but I kinda feel like the last of the "buffler hunters" watching the sod busters arrive. jd

 

[Tesoro]

Some of the best shooting ever is in Northern Cali -- Siskiyou and Modoc counties. But no lead bullets. Most of us who live on the Oregon side, simply don't go down there much. I could double or triple my hunting/recreational ground if I could just get comfortable with the laws, license, and extra BS that comes with California. And I probably should do it. jd

What about north Nevada between Fields and Winnemucca on 140? I see lots of crop circles on satellite. I went to Denio this fall to inquire about the annual spring rat shoot but the fellow who owns the bar and puts the event together said they all started poisoning in his area.
I have a farmer in Kfalls who has offered to let me shoot. He said he tried poisoning and it worked for a few years and then it didnt, like they got wise. Also, he said it was expensive like 3500 bucks an acre. I hear ya on the Cali experience!

 

[209jones]

Still waiting for a bit more snow to melt off, there is the odd gopher up and around in our area, leading edge of the goose and duck migration just hit here week ago, then it snowed 4-5" again. Be time to toss the .22 in the truck this weekend though, temps are supposed to get into high 50's, been hitting in the 40's last couple of days.

 

[sw282]

I hear that, JD!
For many years we put on a shoot just outside of Alturas at a friends large alfalfa ranch. The shooting was spectacular in all regards, but with CA going full Commie with no lead laws, no carry laws, and other restrictions, we just quit going. All my crew here has carry permits for Orygun, and with no legal way to carry to protect ourselves from the growing CA crime, we all voted to not go to CA any more, period.

So we don't buy gas/fuel there, no motels there, groceries and all the other sundries associated with a week from home. I doubt that we've affected the N. CA economy in any way, but I know it didn't help either. It's a real shame that the liberal lunatic fringe has taken over what was a very nice place to visit, shoot and enjoy.

The one friend I still have down there in the central valley now comes up here for a week to ten days with us at our favorite ranch here, and seldom shoots in his home state any more for the same reason we quit the place.

A pic of the N. CA ranch we'll now never return to. Pity, as now with the lack of rat shooters, the owner has resorted to either poison or planting crops that are not attractive to the squirrels; with less revenue. It's now apparent that we did our job there well. This all shows what the liberal left Demo's have done to their own state. I'm sad to say we're done with the place....forever.

I experienced your Heavenly shooting just once in 2002 Rick. Twas at Goose Lake on the OR/KALI line. Stayed on the Kali side. Shot the little critters in 0regon. The freaky weather actually allowed me to shoot them in the SNOW! A 17HMR VMAX would leave a 4ft RED squirrel vapor trail across the SNOW. My wife still wonders why her crazy husband would fly 3000 miles from South Carolina to 0regon just to shoot RATS!

 

[jds holler]

I experienced your Heavenly shooting just once in 2002 Rick. Twas at Goose Lake on the OR/KALI line. Stayed on the Kali side. Shot the little critters in 0regon. The freaky weather actually allowed me to shoot them in the SNOW! A 17HMR VMAX would leave a 4ft RED squirrel vapor trail across the SNOW. My wife still wonders why her crazy husband would fly 3000 miles from South Carolina to 0regon just to shoot RATS!

Yeah, our wimmin sometimes just don't get it.

There is still plenty of good shooting over at Goose Lake and the Lakeview area in general. If I didn't still have pretty good shooting in my area, I'd make more safaris over there. Lakeview folks are some of the finest on earth.

Speaking of heavenly shooting, I have to show these pics of my little squirrel patch every now and then. This was the "pre-poison days"

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Yeah, our wimmin sometimes just don't get it.

There is still plenty of good shooting over at Goose Lake and the Lakeview area in general. If I didn't still have pretty good shooting in my area, I'd make more safaris over there. Lakeview folks are some of the finest on earth.

Speaking of heavenly shooting, I have to show these pics of my little squirrel patch every now and then. This was the "pre-poison days"
View attachment 1541015

JD, copy that on the folks around Lakeview. We've had some good times there as well.

As for our 'wimmin', my wife of 42 years is well aware of what she calls "Rat Brain" about this time of year. She worked for Nosler for many years, so she's been around a rifle loony at home (me) and at work too, so she's now basically one of us so to speak.

And just for fun, some pics of what is now the 'old days', prior to the poison thing. I know we all miss arriving at our squirrel spot, and see acres of mounds and rats frolicking about before even getting out of the truck. "Those were the days!" (As Archie and the Mrs. used to sing.)





How many rats in this pic?



A substantial body count after a hot half hour with my Annie 17HMR a while back:



This post wouldn't be complete without at least one pic of "Skippy The Flying Squirrel"!



Rat shooting is by far the most fun you can have with a rifle! And the season is just getting started! Oh the joy!

 

[jds holler]

My latest "more civilized" technique for my squirrel shooting set-up is this.
From the gate where I drive into the field, I stop and glass the area with binocs and judge the wind and squirrel activity. Then I drive my rig to within a hundred yards of the epicenter, creating my shooting lanes to be mostly with or against the wind. (there is almost always wind)

THEN -- I walk into the epicenter, with a target board to place at 100 - 200 yards. This makes the squirrels go down, and gives me a chance to set up my bench, tripod, and hood of the vehicle to provide a few shooting stations.

Now I can relax and comfortably shoot from a couple different angles and rifles, out to 300 yards, and occasionally sniping a close one with my pistol or boys rifle.

If I shoot even a hundred shells with the big guns, I'm happy and ready to call it a day - or about 3 or 4 hours. Lately, the eagles have been showing up for clean-up, and I think the squirrels fear them more than me. jd

 

[Seagull]

That looks like fun. We dnt have those sorts of rodents doen here . So it's either shooting foxes ,ferals cats or as I do spend most nites out shooting kangaroos for pet meat .