Rick in Oregon
Well-known member
When I awoke this morning to nice mild temps and a sunny sky, and being it's mid-May, I knew it was time to get out of the sack, grab my rockchuck kit, load it into the truck and get over to my friends small ranch for some morning fun. Rifle for the day was my Cooper M38 221FB, or more commonly known as my "Furball".
As this is a fairly small ranch, shots are limited to under 300 yards, most are around 150-200 yards, so the FB is about perfect for use there. My load is the Nosler 40gr Varmageddon loaded over A2200 for 3,100 fps. Mild in all regards, plenty of terminal energy at these ranges. Most chucks hit will literally fly off the rock they were basking on previously. "Flying rockchucks?" Yes Loretta, I've seen it myself!
After a cruise through the junipers and sage, a walk across a small pasture to start stalking the rockpile dens:
A large rockpile in the corner of the property always has a resident chuck population. Being it's mid-May, I knew the young ones were now grown enough to be considered worthy targets, along with the adults. I set up my Furball on my Death Grip tripod with a small 3-leg folding sit stool that works like a charm for this, and is light and easy to secure to my field pack for transport. With elbows rested on my knees, it's pretty much rock solid for shots under 250 yards.
I plopped my butt down and started glassing the rockpile. After sitting and glassing I spied a chuck that climbed to the top of the rocks for a look-about. The 40gr Nosler flipped him all the way up and over the rocks to the far side. No more than ten minutes later, another got the same treatment on the far right side of the rocks. Five more minutes and another flew off the left side of the pile. Range to the rocks was right at 165 yards; easy-peasy.
Operator POV showing the rockpile in line with the rifle barrel. Photo taken with a 200mm lens, so the rocks appear much closer than they are.
Now that the primary critters were addressed, I shot a few sage rats on the walk back to the truck. This guy was seen over some sage around 50 yards away; he could not see me so I 'shot' him first with my 300mm lens, then did it properly with the Furball. The morning had its first flying squirrel.
An adult chuck emerging from his den, oblivious to my presence in my hide. (300mm tele).
Living on the east slope of the Cascade Range, I'm a sucker for taking pics of them in the spring when everything is nice 'n fresh.
All in all, a decent way to spend a spring morning. When I got home I had a bonus, as Fed-X had delivered a nice new folding knife from Bear and Son Cutlery (USA).
Now time to clean my rifle and get my BR Pivot bench out, along with other gear for a hookup with forum member TheCZKid for ground squirrels locally later this week. Stay tuned.......
As this is a fairly small ranch, shots are limited to under 300 yards, most are around 150-200 yards, so the FB is about perfect for use there. My load is the Nosler 40gr Varmageddon loaded over A2200 for 3,100 fps. Mild in all regards, plenty of terminal energy at these ranges. Most chucks hit will literally fly off the rock they were basking on previously. "Flying rockchucks?" Yes Loretta, I've seen it myself!
After a cruise through the junipers and sage, a walk across a small pasture to start stalking the rockpile dens:
A large rockpile in the corner of the property always has a resident chuck population. Being it's mid-May, I knew the young ones were now grown enough to be considered worthy targets, along with the adults. I set up my Furball on my Death Grip tripod with a small 3-leg folding sit stool that works like a charm for this, and is light and easy to secure to my field pack for transport. With elbows rested on my knees, it's pretty much rock solid for shots under 250 yards.
I plopped my butt down and started glassing the rockpile. After sitting and glassing I spied a chuck that climbed to the top of the rocks for a look-about. The 40gr Nosler flipped him all the way up and over the rocks to the far side. No more than ten minutes later, another got the same treatment on the far right side of the rocks. Five more minutes and another flew off the left side of the pile. Range to the rocks was right at 165 yards; easy-peasy.
Operator POV showing the rockpile in line with the rifle barrel. Photo taken with a 200mm lens, so the rocks appear much closer than they are.
Now that the primary critters were addressed, I shot a few sage rats on the walk back to the truck. This guy was seen over some sage around 50 yards away; he could not see me so I 'shot' him first with my 300mm lens, then did it properly with the Furball. The morning had its first flying squirrel.
An adult chuck emerging from his den, oblivious to my presence in my hide. (300mm tele).
Living on the east slope of the Cascade Range, I'm a sucker for taking pics of them in the spring when everything is nice 'n fresh.
All in all, a decent way to spend a spring morning. When I got home I had a bonus, as Fed-X had delivered a nice new folding knife from Bear and Son Cutlery (USA).
Now time to clean my rifle and get my BR Pivot bench out, along with other gear for a hookup with forum member TheCZKid for ground squirrels locally later this week. Stay tuned.......
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) made my decision to move back to the US an easy choice. Love the country up there along with the people, but I'm at home here in my element.
Friends, rifles, good food, fun and......targets!
