This was the first ranch we shot Saturday. I used my Ruger No.1 Varmint in .223 Rem and went through 100 rounds in no time on this very large field. As you can see in the distance, the place was loaded with mounds and had a very active rat population. The juveniles are now out, so the ones inside of 50 yds made great fodder for our 22LR pistols and ones farther out for our 17HMR's.
Here's a better look....we could see rats all the way out to 800 yards on the other side of the irrigation pivot. I love a target-rich environment!:
No.1 overlooking Ratutopia. I wish Barnes would bring back their "Blue Meanies" (VLC coated bullets) in 204. They sure allow more shots in between cleanings:
The "Blue Meanies" up close:
My 17HMR CZ 452 Varmint got a real workout on this trip. Check the damage from 88 yards from the 17gr V-Max on an adult rat:
On the bags doin' her thing with Skippy:
This juvenile rat is just starting his launch from the HMR from about 65 yards (shot w/200mm tele lens):
We moved to our regular ranch on the second day and stayed at the "Rat Hilton", the bunkhouse the rancher lets us use while we're shooting his pesky alfalfa munchers.
My overly-gear laden shooting setup the second day. "Bench Rest Rat Shooting" is a gadget oriented sport to be sure. By spacing our benches out at least 30 yards or so, we each have a huge field of fire, but still have the ability to rotate and engage targets anyplace in the entire field, especially if your buddy does not see rats in "his" zone. Nothing like having a rat explode at 100 yards right in front of your bench that you couldn't see because it was behind his mound that your buddy could see easily from his position.
I shot The Silver Princess of Death, my 11 twist custom M700 the other two days, and am amazed at both how accurate the rig is, and how effective the 204 is at extended ranges shooting the 39gr SBK over RL10X. I was able to hit rats in the head that were peeking out over their mound with only the top half of their heads showing, ear, eyeball and nose, at 310 yards longest on that type of shot. Body shots out near the 400 yd mark were no problem either, about as far as the wind would allow without wasting precious handloads (primers ya know are purty scarce):
Dan (Rat Force One) at work on the squirrels with his wife's HMR, breaking it in properly. Note Ruger 22/45 handy for the sneaky rats:
His dad Gary with his Ruger HMR giving Skippy the workout he deserves (customary Ruger/Tactical Solutions MK-III w/Red-Dot holstered):
The following day we used the ranchers flatbed Chevy and a flatbed gooseneck trailer, our 204's, and really had a hoot at extended ranges.....see Part II. As you guys seem to love the flying action shots of Skippy and his pals, you won't be disappointed.
