Rockchuck Walkabout

[Rick in Oregon]

The weather here recently has been crap. Not 'springlike' at all with wind, rain and even snow. Our annual 'Rat Rodeo' was more like an Arctic armed adventure than a rat shoot. So when I awoke to clear skies and decent temps, it was time to take a rifle for a walk to a friendly local ranch with a chuck problem. The "Rifle of the Day" was my Cooper M38 Phoenix 221FB with the 40gr Nosler VG, RL-7, 7-1/2, in Lapua brass for just over 3,100 fps, shoots this load in the low .2's.

The walk in to the junipers and rock piles:



A neat little buck oblivious to me, too busy munching on tender spring buds. Looks like he'll be a fork horn this year:



After spotting a large chuck on a rock pile in the far high corner of the property, trying to get a decent shot position was almost impossible due to the target being about 30' higher than my position, so lying prone only resulted in a stiff neck and spring grass only visible through the scope. The chuck busted me trying to sneak to a better position for a shot, so once I got to almost the same elevation as the rock pile, I laid down and waited. You can see the rock pile at just left of center in the tree opening. Range was only 144 yards, easy peasy for the little Furball.



When the chuck finally came back out and laid out on a rock looking to my left, I put the crosshairs between the eye and ear and pressed the 10 oz Jard. Thwop!



Results as expected. A decent morning too that let me escape chores a bit longer. Seems there's always more chores than shooting somehow.

 

[STS]

I'm kinda thinking you guys west of here (Gallatin County Mt.) are responsible for all the garbage weather we've been having. You get done with your rain and snow and send it over here. I've been trying to do gopher clean up for a rancher friend and can't catch a break in the weather. I've only had 2 days in the last 3 weeks that there hasn't been rain or snow (up to 2 feet), or the pastures have been too wet to get into. I can tell you one thing for sure. When the weather straightens out, and I can get in there, they are going to catch he!!.

 

[stacy]

Nice

 

[boltfluter]

The weather here recently has been crap. Not 'springlike' at all with wind, rain and even snow. Our annual 'Rat Rodeo' was more like an Arctic armed adventure than a rat shoot. So when I awoke to clear skies and decent temps, it was time to take a rifle for a walk to a friendly local ranch with a chuck problem. The "Rifle of the Day" was my Cooper M38 Phoenix 221FB with the 40gr Nosler VG, RL-7, 7-1/2, in Lapua brass for just over 3,100 fps, shoots this load in the low .2's.

The walk in to the junipers and rock piles:



A neat little buck oblivious to me, too busy munching on tender spring buds. Looks like he'll be a fork horn this year:



After spotting a large chuck on a rock pile in the far high corner of the property, trying to get a decent shot position was almost impossible due to the target being about 30' higher than my position, so lying prone only resulted in a stiff neck and spring grass only visible through the scope. The chuck busted me trying to sneak to a better position for a shot, so once I got to almost the same elevation as the rock pile, I laid down and waited. You can see the rock pile at just left of center in the tree opening. Range was only 144 yards, easy peasy for the little Furball.



When the chuck finally came back out and laid out on a rock looking to my left, I put the crosshairs between the eye and ear and pressed the 10 oz Jard. Thwop!



Results as expected. A decent morning too that let me escape chores a bit longer. Seems there's always more chores than shooting somehow.

Great story, thanks for sharing. Trying to plan my annual Rockchuck hunt in Idaho around the crazy weather! Always a fun trip no matter what.
Paul

 

[Bocephus]

The weather here recently has been crap. Not 'springlike' at all with wind, rain and even snow. Our annual 'Rat Rodeo' was more like an Arctic armed adventure than a rat shoot. So when I awoke to clear skies and decent temps, it was time to take a rifle for a walk to a friendly local ranch with a chuck problem. The "Rifle of the Day" was my Cooper M38 Phoenix 221FB with the 40gr Nosler VG, RL-7, 7-1/2, in Lapua brass for just over 3,100 fps, shoots this load in the low .2's.

The walk in to the junipers and rock piles:



A neat little buck oblivious to me, too busy munching on tender spring buds. Looks like he'll be a fork horn this year:



After spotting a large chuck on a rock pile in the far high corner of the property, trying to get a decent shot position was almost impossible due to the target being about 30' higher than my position, so lying prone only resulted in a stiff neck and spring grass only visible through the scope. The chuck busted me trying to sneak to a better position for a shot, so once I got to almost the same elevation as the rock pile, I laid down and waited. You can see the rock pile at just left of center in the tree opening. Range was only 144 yards, easy peasy for the little Furball.



When the chuck finally came back out and laid out on a rock looking to my left, I put the crosshairs between the eye and ear and pressed the 10 oz Jard. Thwop!



Results as expected. A decent morning too that let me escape chores a bit longer. Seems there's always more chores than shooting somehow.

The weather here recently has been crap. Not 'springlike' at all with wind, rain and even snow. Our annual 'Rat Rodeo' was more like an Arctic armed adventure than a rat shoot. So when I awoke to clear skies and decent temps, it was time to take a rifle for a walk to a friendly local ranch with a chuck problem. The "Rifle of the Day" was my Cooper M38 Phoenix 221FB with the 40gr Nosler VG, RL-7, 7-1/2, in Lapua brass for just over 3,100 fps, shoots this load in the low .2's.

The walk in to the junipers and rock piles:



A neat little buck oblivious to me, too busy munching on tender spring buds. Looks like he'll be a fork horn this year:



After spotting a large chuck on a rock pile in the far high corner of the property, trying to get a decent shot position was almost impossible due to the target being about 30' higher than my position, so lying prone only resulted in a stiff neck and spring grass only visible through the scope. The chuck busted me trying to sneak to a better position for a shot, so once I got to almost the same elevation as the rock pile, I laid down and waited. You can see the rock pile at just left of center in the tree opening. Range was only 144 yards, easy peasy for the little Furball.



When the chuck finally came back out and laid out on a rock looking to my left, I put the crosshairs between the eye and ear and pressed the 10 oz Jard. Thwop!



Results as expected. A decent morning too that let me escape chores a bit longer. Seems there's always more chores than shooting somehow.

And your choice of equipment is superb!
The 221FB is never far from the perfect choice on critters that dig, and many that don’t.

 

[HillbillyLongRifle]

Thanks for sharing Rick. 221 Fireball is a sweet little cartridge. You have a nice Rockchuck rig in that Cooper!

 

[K22]

Nice photos - sounds like a great day.

One of the reasons I switched to shooting cross sticks many years ago is that I don't have to go prone to take a shot. Sitting on my lightweight portable shooting chair with my rifle resting on cross sticks, I have a much wider field of view giving me many more shot opportunities. Granted the position is not a stable as prone with a bipod but with a little practice it's not difficult to make consistent shots under 300 yards.

Also, I minimize the chance of getting ticks on me since I'm in the sitting position with only my feet on the ground. Eastern PA is really bad area for Lymes Disease.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

K22: Thanks, and I agree that cross-sticks give more options over the bipod. I've got three or four sets of sticks in varying lengths and materials, just did not take any with me that day. When I'm in the outback after mulies, I always take a set of sticks. Now thinking on it, I'll most likely take sticks instead of a bipod to that ranch next time out. We don't have much of a tick problem here, but we've got 'em, and something to consider when sitting on one's butt with sticks. I'm more paranoid of scorpions.

Hillbilly: Thanks, I think the little Furball is a greatly underappreciated caliber. It seems about perfect for settled areas that larger calibers are not suited for, and ideal for work under 300 yards. And that little Cooper Furball has never let me down.

And to all of you guys east of us here on the high desert.....sorry for all the bogus weather we've been sending your way. From wildfires, rain, floods to tornados, it all sucks big time. H3ll, a couple of weeks ago, we had snow on the ground! If I had my way, I'd send it all south, way south. Maybe that would impede illegal border crossings?

 

[Kittitas George]

Shooting in western MT. last week the weather was terrible, rain, cold wind and a day with snow. Mostly shooting a Cooper 17HMR, got quite a few gophers. I shot well for me. The one good day, sun, lite wind and 60degrees I shot a 17 Hornady Hornet, Ruger #1, Lilja barrel. I haven't got it tuned up as well as I'd like due to the brass shortage. But I did get a couple of 250 yard hits. My so-called friend and host shot 4 gophers I was zeroed in on as I was tightening on the trigger. It was a good trip, good guys, comfortable accommodations, saw deer, antelope and lots of elk. I left one big beautiful rock chuck grazing in a snow storm, maybe there will be more next year. Then when I got home I tested positive for COVID.

 

[STS]

See what I was talking about? You sent this white crap over here again just to keep me from going gophering didn’t you? Looking south of my house about 6 miles to the Gallatin Range.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

See what I was talking about? You sent this white crap over here again just to keep me from going goohering didn’t you? Looking south if my house about 6 miles to the Gallatin Range.

Nope, not us here. Take it up with the weather-guessers. Like I said above, if I had my way, I'd send it all south, way south! There's never been a better time to take advantage of WX forecasts to take advantage of one or two day windows of decent sunny weather to get out with a rifle.

In the 50 years I've lived here, this is the wettest spring I can remember. The alfalfa growers love it, all the varmint shooters hate it. I've heard more stories of weather-ruined shoots this year than any other in memory. So I'll offer up a "group sorry" for both you and all us here. Feel a bit better now? lol (I know, it didn't help a bit.)

George K: Hope your Covid is not serious and you're asymptomatic.

 

[centerlineseal]

6 inches of snow here this morning in the foothills of Boise! (2,950 elev.)

Your photos and story line take me back 40 years when I lived near O'Neil while Smokejumping out of Redmond. Jump plane pilot took me on a "secret place" chuck hunt. We both had Ruger 77Vs, mine in 22-250 and his in 220 Swift (he had about 50 yds on me).

Chucks were so thick the first 7 or so shots, we waited for and got "Doubles"! Never seen anything like it!

 

[Kittitas George]

Nope, not us here. Take it up with the weather-guessers. Like I said above, if I had my way, I'd send it all south, way south! There's never been a better time to take advantage of WX forecasts to take advantage of one or two day windows of decent sunny weather to get out with a rifle.

In the 50 years I've lived here, this is the wettest spring I can remember. The alfalfa growers love it, all the varmint shooters hate it. I've heard more stories of weather-ruined shoots this year than any other in memory. So I'll offer up a "group sorry" for both you and all us here. Feel a bit better now? lol (I know, it didn't help a bit.)

George K: Hope your Covid is not serious and you're asymptomatic.

Thanks, Rick. Much better today, Sat and Sunday were uncomfortable. Need to be in 'solitary confinement' for 10 days. Oh well, I'll spend some time at the loading bench, and dream up some "why I missed" excuses. My wife, that I really depend on, isn't feeling well either. But, so far negative for COVID. Old and ill is not a good thing.

 

[Idaho-45]

Rick, Great story, as usual!!! With Great Pics, as, usual!!!! I always love reading your varmint articles. Tho, I'm always jealous, Ha Ha..... Keep them coming for the rest of us!!!!!

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Rick, Great story, as usual!!! With Great Pics, as, usual!!!! I always love reading your varmint articles. Tho, I'm always jealous, Ha Ha..... Keep them coming for the rest of us!!!!!

Thanks for the kind words there, I45. Sharing the adventure is half the fun. I like reading about others time in the field too, as we all share the same passion.

If I was not in the middle of a major home improvement project right now, (scheduled by my wife.....) I'd be out in the field during this time of year much more often with rifle and camera. But alas, "happy wife, happy life". I'm told I'll be happy when it's all complete. I'd be happier with my rifle right now.

And just for fun:



A couple from recent times along with my Cooper M38 VR in 20VT. The 32gr Nosler VG never fails to please.



If the chucks are still up when this project is finished, I'll be jonesing big time to get out some more yet this season. There may still be time for squirrels too. A friend here on the forum is almost finished with load development for his new-to-him Sako Vixen 20VT, so another reason to get out again with some company for some fun with rodents.

 

[Bill K]

Same around here, more weather, rain, snow and wind this spring and the pivots love it, but not us shooters. But hopefully it will turn into some decent sun and no wind yet. Getting out and seeing some, has been a hit and miss and slow season, so far. ( I have been in this area since 1947, with exception of a couple years in 60-61) and I have seen snow every month of year on occasion, more than once in this area.

In the 50 years I've lived here, this is the wettest spring I can remember. The alfalfa growers love it, all the varmint shooters hate it. I've heard more stories of weather-ruined shoots this year than any other in memory. So I'll offer up a "group sorry" for both you and all us here. Feel a bit better now? lol (I know, it didn't help a bit.)