PD Shooting how many rounds per hour of 223?

[RegionRat]

Based on my own experience and based on what I have discovered on guest's guns, I always used to carry a portable target frame and paper targets for the purposes of troubleshooting and boresight testing.

If you want to know how far you can go in terms of barrel heat or fouling, you are going to test. A good target test is better than trying to spot a clod of dirt.

I would try and plant it 200 yards straight down wind if possible while setting up on a dog town. Over the years, I noticed it was used on every trip and sometimes got used on multiple days. Even with a good spotting scope, one the aim points get cluttered you found yourself walking down to change paper.

Then along came the Shot Marker. I didn't take it the first year, but have it on every trip thereafter. It gets used a lot. The battery at the target can go for several days, but the one at the firing point goes for about two long days before needing a charge. You have to build yourself a portable target, but I am suggesting it is way better than paper when you have several folks with multiple guns that are probably not boresighted. It also answers the question of fouling or heat damage, plus you get velocity at the target to help touch up your dope. YMMV

 

[BobbyJ]

Sorry for derailing the thread. I deleted my posts.

Jim

You did not have to do that i thought you felt bad because you dont hit enough p dogs or something. Just reminding you i dont care about that as long as you have fun doing it is all that matters.

 

[DogBuster]

Sham Wow soaked in ice water works

Along with a spare rifle or two

Lean the hot rifle up against the tire on the shady side of the truck

You'll get the 'chimney effect'

Been a real hot summer.......48* this morning here....p/dogs are calling

A good dog patch.......I can run 60-65 rds per hour

 

[markT]

You'll get the 'chimney effect'
yes sir! "heat goes to cold" / i.e. "heat rises."
Never snuffed out a candle and held close to, or in action to see chimney effect. I'd bet it has a slight draw.

 

[BobbyJ]

Sham Wow soaked in ice water works

Along with a spare rifle or two

Lean the hot rifle up against the tire on the shady side of the truck

You'll get the 'chimney effect'

Been a real hot summer.......48* this morning here....p/dogs are calling

A good dog patch.......I can run 60-65 rds per hour

Bet the Sham Wow guy never thought of that. Loved those commercials.

What about ARs 24" with a 15" hand guard? Just cool the short section past the guard?

 

[RegionRat]

Bet the Sham Wow guy never thought of that. Loved those commercials.

What about ARs 24" with a 15" hand guard? Just cool the short section past the guard?

You can, and... run a chamber chiller and rotate it in and out of action.

 

[searcher]

People that are worried about how many rounds per minute, per hour, shooting a 1,000 rds a day or more Could save themselves a lot of money by buying some steel pdogs targets set them up at whatever range you have access to and blast away if that’s what you are into. Too many people think their story has to top the other fantasizer’s story

I DO FANTASIZE about a day I can fire 1,000 rounds at vermin. (Have come pretty close). If one can't look forward to more fun doing what he enjoys most - his life is diminished. People aren't worried about running out of ammo - they are worried about the fun ending when the ammo dries up. Big difference! Moving targets at varied distance offer far more challenge to keep one engaged. I doubt you do your pheasant hunting on steel pheasants. The folks willing (wanting) to shoot 1,000 rounds per day know full well they don't have to shoot anything at all.

 

[searcher]

A good rule of thumb is to take twice as much ammo as you think you will shoot- and then add back-up ammo. Every time I go on a trip - someone in the group runs out. If you can borrow a rimfire from a friend, take that and a few bricks of ammo. Then you can still shoot if the action gets better than you had anticipated. That pencil barrel will have you cooling that tube down every four or five shots if things are lively- so the wet towel is the only thing that will keep you going if the action is hot. It will cool the tube many times faster than any of the air-cooled methods. Mirage and a hot skinny tube will give you fits otherwise. How much ammo? While really good action can have one shooting upwards of 500 rounds per day - Most likely, you will be able to shoot no more than around 300 rounds per day with the pencil barrel - as you will be cooling off for as long as you are shooting - if you are using wet towel to cool. If you rely on air cool - you will probably be shooting even less. I'd shoot maybe 6 rounds then wrap the barrel and wait maybe five minutes. If you had to air cool - you will be waiting at least ten to 15 minutes. That would keep you going all day long without problems. Have fun!

 

[BobbyJ]

If you can borrow a rimfire from a friend, take that and a few bricks of ammo.

Hehe what makes you think I don't have any rim fires. I have too many of those. Did not think they would be worth bringing except for maybe the .17 wsm they shoot 20gr at 3000 fps, pretty hot for a rimfire like 2x .17 hmr. For sub 100 yard shots .22 LR might be fun, but I never hear about those shots seems everyone always talking about 300+ yard shots as if PD never get any closer than that.

 

[Pheasanthunter]

I DO FANTASIZE about a day I can fire 1,000 rounds at vermin. (Have come pretty close). If one can't look forward to more fun doing what he enjoys most - his life is diminished. People aren't worried about running out of ammo - they are worried about the fun ending when the ammo dries up. Big difference! Moving targets at varied distance offer far more challenge to keep one engaged. I doubt you do your pheasant hunting on steel pheasants. The folks willing (wanting) to shoot 1,000 rounds per day know full well they don't have to shoot anything at all.

You are correct I have never shot a steel pheasant I have shot a lot of pattern boards and paper checking various loads and chokes so I knew what my gun would do with a certain load and choke. I never said anything about running out of ammunition. I was not referring to Rimfire rifles. I agree you should be prepared and have a good time. I guess maybe folklore would be a better phrase!!

 

[searcher]

Hehe what makes you think I don't have any rim fires. I have too many of those. Did not think they would be worth bringing except for maybe the .17 wsm they shoot 20gr at 3000 fps, pretty hot for a rimfire like 2x .17 hmr. For sub 100 yard shots .22 LR might be fun, but I never hear about those shots seems everyone always talking about 300+ yard shots as if PD never get any closer than that.

You have it covered on rimfire!!! I'd take the WSM for everything under 200 yards unless the wind is gusting. The .17 HMR could do anything under 150, though both calibers can reach much further. It will depend on the field you are shooting. Some fields offer so many shots well under 200 that we start with the rimfires and don't stop using them till all the "stupid ones" are pretty much wiped out. Some fields are not so kind and the customers are so gun shy - it is hard to get many shots within around 175 yards. If you are there early in the season when the babes are out - close is the norm. The longer the season goes on and they are shot at - the longer the game gets.

 

[Dub]

take 2 223 rifles and shoot all you can

 

[BobbyJ]

You have it covered on rimfire!!! I'd take the WSM for everything under 200 yards unless the wind is gusting. The .17 HMR could do anything under 150, though both calibers can reach much further. It will depend on the field you are shooting. Some fields offer so many shots well under 200 that we start with the rimfires and don't stop using them till all the "stupid ones" are pretty much wiped out. Some fields are not so kind and the customers are so gun shy - it is hard to get many shots within around 175 yards. If you are there early in the season when the babes are out - close is the norm. The longer the season goes on and they are shot at - the longer the game gets.

Whens the best months to go?
Who are the best outfitters (ones that supply range, cabin, food, tables)
Whats the best states

 

[Rick in Oregon]

As for rimfires, taking a HMR or WSM is great, we always do too. But one thing we also do is to take a good .22LR belt pistol for those early stupid ones and the always curious one that will pop up out of his burrow and give you 'the look' with the classic standing pose. I carry a Kimber 1911 CDP .45 frame with a 3" Kimber Compact Conversion on it for this, and it's always a hoot.



Popping those little buggers is great pistol practice while out there with that wicked accurate CF rifle, and just about as much fun. Seen here before, but this jackwabbit ripped through our trailer rat camp right in front of five guys standing together. He stopped for the ole 'look-back' at a fatal 52 yards. The little 3" Kimber 22LR Conversion did the deed, even with the fixed sights.



Moral: Don't leave that .22LR handgun at home when out for those grass rats with your HB varmint rifles.

And BobbyJ, if you really want lots of shooting, consider going out for ground squirrels vs prairie dogs. Much more stupid target (more shooting), found in larger numbers in more mild weather compared to roasting at 100* on the open prairie during summer. Just something to consider, having choices is good.

 

[searcher]

Whens the best months to go?
Who are the best outfitters (ones that supply range, cabin, food, tables)
Whats the best states

I don't use outfitters, at least those who provide anything other than direction to their fields, so I can't help with that. To find the places most likely to have the hottest action - look for places that take time to get to and way out in the middle of nowhere. Places that offer no lodging and where it takes a 1/2- hour drive to nearest motel will usually be much better than easily accessible places that provide lodging, all else being equal. If you don't mind the smaller size of sage rats over prairie dogs and prefer to shoot in cooler weather, the highest volume shooting will usually be with the sage rats. The timing will depend on where you go - as the young ones start emerging at different times, depending on elevation and temperature. If one were to go to Northeast California by the border of Oregon - or on the Oregon side or border - or the ag fields around Burns, Oregon (best places in my opinion), you want to be there between the first of April into May. Because the hot action will take place on cut fields, you want to get there before the crop grows high enough to obscure the rats - which is only a matter of 6". Ideally that will be before the first cutting. It will usually be cold in the morning, and you may get snowed on a bit- but it usually has little impact on the rats coming out. You can play it "safe" weather-wise and go in May - but you will have missed most of the young ones coming out. Prairie dogs very similar - but the shooting comes a bit later, is not as reliant on crop fields, will be in warmer weather, and typically longer distance. On a really good rat field, you could get by with nothing more than the WSM and HMR rifles without running out of targets. You can actually get those rimfires overheated!