Here are some pictures from my second outing this year. All I got right now is a Ruger 10/22 and this Marlin 17 HMR. Recently installed a Rifle Basix trigger and topped it off with a Leupy VX II 4-12x40 Fine Duplex Reticle. What an improvement and perfect setup for this rifle. I previously bedded the action with aluminum tape and took some sand paper to the stock to free float the barrel. This Marlin shoots bug holes for sure and I am always impressed with it every time I take it out.
Pretty basic gun rest and table as of now. I found some plans for homemade shooting benches online recently. Soon I'll be ditching the card table and hopefully replacing the rest with a nice Sinclair.
I like to position my trusty Subaru in such a way where opening the back door and setting up my table underneath provides a nice shady haven from the sun as well as a catch basin for ejected brass. Most of it finds its way inside the vehicle. Definitely a sign of a good time.
This is a first for me. I have had them explode drastically before, but never left any remains this high up swaying from the brush. I popped one in this spot earlier in the day and later noticed another army crawling towards it, I'm guessing for a snack. The little guy was about 100 yards away and facing me. I put the fine duplex right on his forehead and split him half, catapulting his innards into the air and landing in the brush. Pretty dramatic hit for sure. Amazing that this little HMR can cause such damage.
I call these guys the "Three Amigos," though with a different ending than the movie. My 10/22 shooting Winchester bulk 333 36 grain HPs was responsible for these three. I dispatched one in this spot. A while later I noticed another snacking on that one, so I took him out too. Then a while later I noticed two more munching away and took out the third, and the fourth ran off like someone lit his backside on fire and never looked back. When I was calling it quits for the day I walked over to observe the damage and found them positioned liked this. Gotta love an accurate 10/22. These fellas were a little over 60 yards away when they met their demise.
This is an expensive passion for sure. Already saving my $$$Benjamins$$$ for reloading equipment, as well as a 17 Hornet, 20 VT and 20-222. From all that I have read, I think these three, along with the 17 HMR and 10/22, should just about cover it.
Anyways, enough of my ramblings.
Jonesy
There's nothing like that "boom-thwop!" sound in the morning in the rat patch to put a smile on a guy's face. 
, and be willing to open your wallet! 
