Just finished building another rifle. You always "need" one more....right? Found, more like stumbled upon, an extremely reasonably priced 1:12 twist 1.250" 29" straight shank chrome moly barrel. Seller said the manufacturer was unknown and has owned this barrel for several years. Well, I need the practice on the lathe, so the barrel is now a 223 AI on a single shot long action Savage with Rifle Basix trigger, and bedded into a Choate Ultimate Varminter stock (only stock I have that will fit this barrel). This is my "budget build" as dictated by the price of the barrel, so I also topped it with a 4-16x40 Tasco scope (an old one....made by B & L with Japan glass...and BDC turret).
Of the 81 rounds, I missed ten early on by not judging distance. But all ten of those went exactly where they were pointed! At the end of this trip, the new rifle now has the nickname of "Confidence". After working up some loads and shooting them last night (everything from H4198, 10x, 15x, Benchmark, H4895, AA2460), I found this barrel will shoot just about any powder with any bullet weight from 40 gr VMax to 55 gr VMax with very good accuracy.
Because my wife does not like to hear the terms "killing prairie dogs", all of my adventures are "photographic opportunities". ....and I almost ran out of "film" for the second rifle that I brought as well.
Of note, I did pack a sidearm when walking about, and will continue to do so in the future. The very accurate XD Service model in 40 S & W packs well and has enough bite should a snake encounter occur. Thankfully, none were seen. Better to be prepared, as the saying goes.
Of note, there was one slight hurt in this adventure. On my final walkabout, after crossing two fences, I was bit/stung by a flying insect of some size. I did not actually see the flying zapper, because I was between barbwire strings #3 & #4 crossing back into the field. With ear plugs in, I did not hear the little bugger diving in on me until it was too late, I felt the thud on the left side of my rib cage and then immediately felt pain. Pulling on my shirt to dislodged the 3" fangs/stinger (well, they felt three inches long) dislodged the winged assasin from the host body while I completed fording the fence obstruction without getting the camera and rangefinder caught in the above mentioned #3 barb wire. Of note, I AM allergice to hornets, wasps, and the like. To say that I made a beeline to "Unit A1" on the most direct route while monitoring my breathing AND watching out for Mr. or Mrs. RattlesnakesRus would be an understatement. I did not have any adverse reactions. If so, cell phone was at the ready and I did have three houses that I could stop at that knew me...as it is 25+ miles to town.
To cap this evening off, I did make one phone call to my best friend, Jason. He recently moved to a state that does not have prairie dogs. Not rubbing it in, but just sharing in the joy of a successful photoshoot. The excitement in his voice was louder than his actual words, of which, his last words......"...make sure you send pictures!". Of course, I did, and will send the link to the story as well.
Believe that I shot the largest BULL Dog that I have ever seen. Also snagged one with most of a tail gone. Did not look like mange, but possible birth defect. Also of note, all of the dogs today were the normal "dishwater blondes", unlike some of the brunettes that Silverfox has had the opportunity to photo.
As the title states, I AM counting this as a kill. Unless I have a stick, I am not reaching down into the holes anymore.
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I don't know what nasty bugs these are, but they were REALLY going after this soldier. Black with orange coloring...and they were FEISTY!!!
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I call this one "bent".
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Bent straightened out a bit....
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Hole in one....yes...I snagged this one out of the hole.
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One word, three dogs..... EXIT
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These two are up the hill to my right and in a seperate little valley. I crested the hill just to take a picture.
This little depression is one of the hardest places to successfully take "pictures" at. As they usually see you from all sides as you crest the hill. So, if you want to take some "pictures", you have to belly crawl and use bipods.
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Believe this is what is known as a "Texas Heart Shot"....or close to it. This is actually my favorite "point of camera lense" when using the 22/6mm AI with 75 gr AMax. Well, the 223 AI with 55 gr VMax did ok as well. Lense was a Tasco 4-16x40 with AO and adjustable eyepiece....and optional remote release.
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"Texas Heart Shot"
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Couple pics of some nasty foliage on the sandhills....NO PETTING ALLOWED!
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Now we have BULL DOG. Picture taken less than 10 minutes after the...um...well...other picture was taken. That is NOT bloating.
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BULL Dog with Short Tail and a yearling.
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Allllmost made it to cover.........
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"I feel sick mom"......
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"I think it was something we ate...."
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"I know it was something we ate....."
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Just skipping across the top of the grass.....and then I ran into VMAX!!!!
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Almost made it to base...but not quite!
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Sir, we are down one sentry. I think he is sleeping again.
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Anybody heard from the East Sentry?
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Sunset pictures.....beautiful.
Nipping on the heels of 400 yards from "Unit A1". The second fence is the "scene of the flying dracula" attack from the winged assasin. Is actually quite challenging to take pictures of prairie dogs at 380 yards, through TWO fences, and not nipping a wire.
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) but reaching in a hole can be just downright nasty. The last time I gathered up bodies for a photo my hands stunk all day long, made my supper less appetizing.
Why didn't you find a rattlesnake to really put me over the edge! 
I have to sign off now to go to therapy! 
Gary
