PD SAFARI 2025
- Thread starter ricco1949
- Start date
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I was out a week ago. Five of us went this go around, we made short work on a couple of virgin towns. One I doubt had even seen a pickup or human, 5’ to 750ish yards. Lots of barking when we got there, not much noise when we left.
Some here may get “upset” with putting such a large dent in a town. Well if we don’t they will poison them and it may well be years before any come back.
Shot a huge virgin town last year. Two days in a row shooting from same spot. Went back last week and worked over the edges a hard to get to spot.
I always have a tool kit, high lift jack, a couple of clevis, tow strap and a chain,also a tire plug kit. I have added a floor jack and cordless impact, bought a jump start pack/air compressor last year.
May sound silly to some. Get out in the toolies, no cell reception, 5 or more miles to the nearest house.
Some here may get “upset” with putting such a large dent in a town. Well if we don’t they will poison them and it may well be years before any come back.
Shot a huge virgin town last year. Two days in a row shooting from same spot. Went back last week and worked over the edges a hard to get to spot.
I always have a tool kit, high lift jack, a couple of clevis, tow strap and a chain,also a tire plug kit. I have added a floor jack and cordless impact, bought a jump start pack/air compressor last year.
May sound silly to some. Get out in the toolies, no cell reception, 5 or more miles to the nearest house.
Monday, June 9, 3rd shooting day
Rick 482/511
Terry 624
Total 1106
Best day ever for me @ 482/511 including about 20 doubles.
Total for the day 1106....not to worry there are still 10,000's left on those towns.
Day started with smoke from Canada fires and threatening 25 MPH winds but turned out beautiful with typical lull over last couple hours.
Terry shot 4 towns over about two miles. I stayed within about 3/4 miles of truck. Just didn't have to move much.
Same results as Saturday 95% of shots between 100-200 with the remainder 200-300. I Choose to move ahead with wheeler rather than extend range.
I ran out of ammo...forgot to replenish my ammo box. Had to borrow 150 VTs from Terry and use his 204 for last 35 rounds.
I was back at truck and waiting at about 8:00 PM but Terry wanted to reach 1000 so we went back out till dusk. 1106 is his top 5 all time and top 3 for two shooters.
Photo of Terry and his setup. He moves frequently with electric ATV and two gun setup.
Rick 482/511
Terry 624
Total 1106
Best day ever for me @ 482/511 including about 20 doubles.
Total for the day 1106....not to worry there are still 10,000's left on those towns.
Day started with smoke from Canada fires and threatening 25 MPH winds but turned out beautiful with typical lull over last couple hours.
Terry shot 4 towns over about two miles. I stayed within about 3/4 miles of truck. Just didn't have to move much.
Same results as Saturday 95% of shots between 100-200 with the remainder 200-300. I Choose to move ahead with wheeler rather than extend range.
I ran out of ammo...forgot to replenish my ammo box. Had to borrow 150 VTs from Terry and use his 204 for last 35 rounds.
I was back at truck and waiting at about 8:00 PM but Terry wanted to reach 1000 so we went back out till dusk. 1106 is his top 5 all time and top 3 for two shooters.
Photo of Terry and his setup. He moves frequently with electric ATV and two gun setup.
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Tuesday, June 10, 4th day shooting
Got a late start, left Terry's about 1:00. After a 1 hr drive, another party was setting up in the town we had planned to shoot so we went back to day 1 towns. Not very good. It apparently has been hit hard in the last 3-4 days. Dogs very spooky and the mosquitoes were atrocious.
Shots were much longer today. Most in 150-300 range. Very few gimmes.
I stuck a bullet and dumped powder in 222 so retired it after 125 rounds and 99 dogs.
Vartarg only lasted 45 rounds today. I blanked a primer and the brass is cold welded in bolt counter bore. I suspect powder bridged in the 650 Dillon. Will deal with it later.
Had an unusual encounter the last box of 222. Every shot started going low in late PM. I cranked up 1 minute and all was good. Terry said the same thing happened to him. I suspect it was lighting...."lights up...sights up".
Day summary:
Rick 131/170
Terry 206
Total 337
Got a late start, left Terry's about 1:00. After a 1 hr drive, another party was setting up in the town we had planned to shoot so we went back to day 1 towns. Not very good. It apparently has been hit hard in the last 3-4 days. Dogs very spooky and the mosquitoes were atrocious.
Shots were much longer today. Most in 150-300 range. Very few gimmes.
I stuck a bullet and dumped powder in 222 so retired it after 125 rounds and 99 dogs.
Vartarg only lasted 45 rounds today. I blanked a primer and the brass is cold welded in bolt counter bore. I suspect powder bridged in the 650 Dillon. Will deal with it later.
Had an unusual encounter the last box of 222. Every shot started going low in late PM. I cranked up 1 minute and all was good. Terry said the same thing happened to him. I suspect it was lighting...."lights up...sights up".
Day summary:
Rick 131/170
Terry 206
Total 337
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Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
I see the clicker Terry is wearing. Will have to remember to take one to SD this summer.
Wednesday, June 11, 5th Day of shooting
Went to visit my old friend Waylon, and shoot a town nearby that was hit by the plague in late 'teens. Waylon joined me as spotter and short range rimfire specialist.
Town is L shaped with 3/4 mile x 1/2 mile legs and 1/4 mile wide. It had not recovered in 7-8 years. I only shot 24 dogs traversing the entire town. We previously had shot 500-1000 per trip from this town.
We went to another small town nearby and finished the afternoon there. Shot 58 dogs over a couple hours just relaxing and reminiscing over few beers. Never moved...the town was only about 200x300 yards. Just waited for them to pop up here and there. Owner wanted us to "kill them all" so we did our best to oblige.
Daily summary:
82 PDs.
Went to visit my old friend Waylon, and shoot a town nearby that was hit by the plague in late 'teens. Waylon joined me as spotter and short range rimfire specialist.
Town is L shaped with 3/4 mile x 1/2 mile legs and 1/4 mile wide. It had not recovered in 7-8 years. I only shot 24 dogs traversing the entire town. We previously had shot 500-1000 per trip from this town.
We went to another small town nearby and finished the afternoon there. Shot 58 dogs over a couple hours just relaxing and reminiscing over few beers. Never moved...the town was only about 200x300 yards. Just waited for them to pop up here and there. Owner wanted us to "kill them all" so we did our best to oblige.
Daily summary:
82 PDs.
Thursday, June 12
No shooting today, high winds and rain all day.
Terry reloaded and I removed the cold welded piece of brass from 20 VT bolt. 700 extractor is damaged and will not work after removal and reinstall. Will install a Mini-16 replacement when I get home to mill and lathe and bush the pin hole while I'm at it.
Terry's friend Mikey loaned me one of his 700 223 bolts to use in my 20 VT. After a couple test fires it appears GTG.
Another friend, Greg arrived today, so it will be 3 shooters tomorrow.
No shooting today, high winds and rain all day.
Terry reloaded and I removed the cold welded piece of brass from 20 VT bolt. 700 extractor is damaged and will not work after removal and reinstall. Will install a Mini-16 replacement when I get home to mill and lathe and bush the pin hole while I'm at it.
Terry's friend Mikey loaned me one of his 700 223 bolts to use in my 20 VT. After a couple test fires it appears GTG.
Another friend, Greg arrived today, so it will be 3 shooters tomorrow.
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D Coots
Silver $$ Contributor
Scorio I believe the aggregate is they use on the roads. Red in color. It's used around Gilette also. Sharp...hard on 2 ply tires.
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Friday, June 13, 6th shooting day
Day started out with light rain. Waited till rain stopped to go out in PM.
Went to a very large town...covered maybe 1.5 x.75 miles of it. Still a very light mist and 5-10 MPH wind when we started.
Started slow again but picked up as mist cleared. I had 94 dogs by the time we stopped for lunch. After lunch I had a bonanza for about an hour, had several times I shot 10+ dogs from one setting topped by one place with 20. Pups were out everywhere with 5-6+ on a mound.
Wind picked up from the usual late PM lull and dogs became scarce so packed it in a little early.
Shot the Rem 20 VT all day with Mikey's loaned bolt...worked just fine. Seemed to still be shooting well to the end despite 355 round count....which I attribute to moly bullets.
Day results:
Rick. 276/355
Terry 217...took a nap mid PM.
Greg. 49.....no suppressor, dramatic difference
Total 542
Day started out with light rain. Waited till rain stopped to go out in PM.
Went to a very large town...covered maybe 1.5 x.75 miles of it. Still a very light mist and 5-10 MPH wind when we started.
Started slow again but picked up as mist cleared. I had 94 dogs by the time we stopped for lunch. After lunch I had a bonanza for about an hour, had several times I shot 10+ dogs from one setting topped by one place with 20. Pups were out everywhere with 5-6+ on a mound.
Wind picked up from the usual late PM lull and dogs became scarce so packed it in a little early.
Shot the Rem 20 VT all day with Mikey's loaned bolt...worked just fine. Seemed to still be shooting well to the end despite 355 round count....which I attribute to moly bullets.
Day results:
Rick. 276/355
Terry 217...took a nap mid PM.
Greg. 49.....no suppressor, dramatic difference
Total 542
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Saturday, June 14, Day 7 shooting
Wet weather, rained most of the night, couldn't go to town we planned due to road conditions. Went to a small town nearby and shot for couple hours. Very slow, came back to trucks for lunch and decided to pack it in.
Loading up:
Results:
Rick 80
Terry 55
Greg. 29
Greg was 29/24 with 5 doubles and didn't miss a shot. Since he doesn't shoot suppressed he just tries for as many doubles possible.
Wet weather, rained most of the night, couldn't go to town we planned due to road conditions. Went to a small town nearby and shot for couple hours. Very slow, came back to trucks for lunch and decided to pack it in.
Loading up:
Results:
Rick 80
Terry 55
Greg. 29
Greg was 29/24 with 5 doubles and didn't miss a shot. Since he doesn't shoot suppressed he just tries for as many doubles possible.
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Sunday June 15, Last Day in Dakota's
Greg left early for MN.
Terry and I planned to shoot one last day at nearby ranch that has only been shot once all year.
Woke up to rain and fog. Decided to head for MN too. Quickly packed up, good bye to Terry and on the road at 7:07. Pea soup fog for first 50 miles.
Home on North Shore at 4:45 PM.
Despite missing 4 days due to rain, and some gun issues it was a great trip. Might try to schedule trip a little later in the year next year to avoid wet season
Summary,
1466/1749 83.8%.... Best ever in PD count and hit ratio for a trip....mainly due to 90+% of shots between 100-200. (Edited 6/19 to include 2 additional boxes of fired rounds after weighing empties)
The 54mm camera ball mount on the 6x6 also was a contributing factor to high hit ratio. It worked perfectly. I was concerned about the rifle being locked in solid with no recoil slide so I initially set the lock with just slight resistance so it could slide in the Swiss Arca rail. I found it was not necessary and locked it hard thereafter.
Shot the 20 VT and 222 nearly equally, still prefer the VT, mainly due to 2 oz Jewell trigger on 700 vs Rifle Basix on Savage.
Next shooting adventure will be a return to LRBR in a couple weeks after a 15 year hiatus.
Until I return to PDn in the fall...good shootin' to ya.
Greg left early for MN.
Terry and I planned to shoot one last day at nearby ranch that has only been shot once all year.
Woke up to rain and fog. Decided to head for MN too. Quickly packed up, good bye to Terry and on the road at 7:07. Pea soup fog for first 50 miles.
Home on North Shore at 4:45 PM.
Despite missing 4 days due to rain, and some gun issues it was a great trip. Might try to schedule trip a little later in the year next year to avoid wet season
Summary,
1466/1749 83.8%.... Best ever in PD count and hit ratio for a trip....mainly due to 90+% of shots between 100-200. (Edited 6/19 to include 2 additional boxes of fired rounds after weighing empties)
The 54mm camera ball mount on the 6x6 also was a contributing factor to high hit ratio. It worked perfectly. I was concerned about the rifle being locked in solid with no recoil slide so I initially set the lock with just slight resistance so it could slide in the Swiss Arca rail. I found it was not necessary and locked it hard thereafter.
Shot the 20 VT and 222 nearly equally, still prefer the VT, mainly due to 2 oz Jewell trigger on 700 vs Rifle Basix on Savage.
Next shooting adventure will be a return to LRBR in a couple weeks after a 15 year hiatus.
Until I return to PDn in the fall...good shootin' to ya.
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dusterdave173
Silver $$ Contributor
Great report and write up--You guys made us all jealous--good you showed some of the down side too--Mother Nature always has her say when you are out doors--Happy Trails get back home safe
Thanks!!
Thanks!!
Final comment:
Hope to have my newest wildcat operational by my fall trip. It's the one on the right:
L to R:
20 VT Std
20 VT .100 short
20 VT .150 short
I hope to achieve 3400-3500 with a 32 VMax and 14 grains of powder. Similar to K-Hornet in a high pressure non-rimmed case.
Hope to have my newest wildcat operational by my fall trip. It's the one on the right:
L to R:
20 VT Std
20 VT .100 short
20 VT .150 short
I hope to achieve 3400-3500 with a 32 VMax and 14 grains of powder. Similar to K-Hornet in a high pressure non-rimmed case.
Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
Where I shoot in MT, a June run can be rain problems (wettest month). July is dry as is Aug. Rain returns in Sept.
Wow! What a trip.
I was out there from 6/7-6/10 and our shooting didn't even come close to approaching this. The wind on the 8th really kicked our butts. My 20p was lights out to about 350yd but I only put 190rd through it total. My 6br saw some use on the windy day but even then I only averaged 55 shots per day across the whole trip.
I was out there from 6/7-6/10 and our shooting didn't even come close to approaching this. The wind on the 8th really kicked our butts. My 20p was lights out to about 350yd but I only put 190rd through it total. My 6br saw some use on the windy day but even then I only averaged 55 shots per day across the whole trip.
Avoiding the rainy season and catching the pups emerging is the Catch 22 where we shoot.
It appears to be about a 1-2 week window. Ironically one large town had very few pups out the first time through it while my favorite town only 2-3 miles away was loaded.
I Do the samething with my 6x6 but I put a umbrella on mine so I'm in the shade all the time.
I've thought about adding a shade umbrella but I don't think it would stand up to 20+ winds.....maybe up to 10-15 MPH it would work?
What has been your experience?
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