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As Crosman representative Mark Deboard explains: “With the [MAR 177 upper kit], you can take off your AR’s centerfire upper, replace it with the Crosman upper and go to your basement or garage to shoot .177 pellets. You’re getting great trigger time without going to the range and without buying .223 ammo. You can buy a tin of 500 pellets for about five bucks.” (With a good pellet trap you could practice in your basement — but first consult your state and municipal regulations).

The 7.4-lb Crosman MAR177 Conversion Kit replaces your existing AR/M4 style upper and converts it into a PCP (pre-charged pneumatic) .177-caliber competition air rifle with 21″ free floating Lothar Walther™ barrel. Designed to support 10-meter match air rifle competition, the MAR177 is also suited for service rifle shooters who want to practice indoors in winter. Fitted with a 10-shot rotary magazine, all the shooter has to do work the bolt back every time after firing. The air reservoir offers up to 120 shots per fill.

It looks like the Crosman MAR177 will be popular. Crosman’s Deboard noted that: “We took the MAR177 to Camp Perry last summer for the High Power Rifle Championships, shot it inside the 20 foot Crosman Trailer and everyone loved it.”

Price and Availability
The MAR177 starts shipping 1/25/2012. It is available initially at crosman.com, creedmoorsports.com, and pilkguns.com. Look for retail price around $700, though Creedmoor Sports has a pre-order price of $600.

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Click Here for Video News Report on Sandia-developed Guided Bullet

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Sandia researchers Red Jones and Brian Kast (and colleagues) have invented a dart-like, self-guided bullet for small-caliber, smooth-bore firearms that could hit laser-designated targets at distances of more than a mile. “We have a very promising technology to guide small projectiles that could be fully developed inexpensively and rapidly,” Jones said. Researchers have had initial success testing the design in computer simulations and in field tests of prototypes, built from commercially available parts, Jones said. While engineering issues remain, “we’re confident in our science base and we’re confident the engineering-technology base is there to solve the problems,” he said.

Sandia’s design for the four-inch-long bullet includes an optical sensor in the nose to detect a laser beam on a target. The sensor sends information to guidance and control electronics that use an algorithm in an eight-bit central processing unit to command electromagnetic actuators. These actuators steer tiny fins that guide the bullet to the target.

Fin-Stabilization — Like on a Guided Missile
The guided projectile is shot from smooth bore barrel with no rifling. While conventional bullets are spin-stabilized, Scandia’s guided bullet doesn’t spin in flight. To enable the guided bullet to adjust its trajectory toward a target and to simplify the design, the spin had to go, Jones said. As on most guided missiles, fins both stabilize and steer the projectile. But on this projectile, the fins are tiny — just a few millimeters tall.

The bullet flies straight due to its aerodynamically stable design, which consists of a center of gravity that sits forward in the projectile and tiny fins that enable it to fly without spin, just as a dart does, he said. The four-inch-long bullet has actuators that steer tiny fins that guide it to its target.

Projectile Flies at 2400 fps — More Speed Is Possible
Testing has shown the electromagnetic actuator performs well and the bullet can reach speeds of 2,400 feet per second, or Mach 2.1, using commercially available gunpowder. The researchers are confident it could reach standard military speeds using customized gunpowder.

Sub-MOA Accuracy at 1000m — No Matter What the Wind Does
Computer aerodynamic modeling shows the design would result in dramatic improvements in accuracy, Jones said. Computer simulations showed an unguided bullet under real-world conditions could miss a target more than a half mile away (1,000 meters away) by 9.8 yards (9 meters), but a guided bullet would get within 8 inches (0.2 meters), according to the patent.

The prototype does not require a device found in guided missiles called an inertial measuring unit, which would have added substantially to its cost. Instead, the researchers found that the bullet’s relatively small size when compared to guided missiles “is helping us all around. It’s kind of a fortuitous thing that none of us saw when we started,” Jones said.

As the bullet flies through the air, it pitches and yaws at a set rate based on its mass and size. In larger guided missiles, the rate of flight-path corrections is relatively slow, so each correction needs to be very precise because fewer corrections are possible during flight. But “the natural body frequency of this bullet is about 30 hertz, so we can make corrections 30 times per second. That means we can over-correct, so we don’t have to be as precise each time,” Jones said.

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Projectile Becomes More Stable After Launch
Researchers also filmed high-speed video of the bullet radically pitching as it exited the barrel. The bullet pitches less as it flies down range, a phenomenon known to long-range firearms experts as “going to sleep.” Because the bullet’s motions settle the longer it is in flight, accuracy improves at longer ranges, Jones said. “Nobody had ever seen that, but we’ve got high-speed video photography that shows that it’s true,” he said. (See below)

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2011 European F Class Championships – Building the Winning F-TR Gun

by Vince Bottomley
I started shooting F Class when the Great Britain F Class Association (GBFCA) was formed in 2005. Initially, I shot Open Class with a variety of cartridges including the 6.5 and 7mmWSM. However, I eventually tired of burning barrels out in less than a season and switched to F-TR a couple of years ago. My first F-TR gun was actually based on my 1000-yard benchrest gun, built on a BAT ‘M’ action and re-barrelled with a 30 inch Bartlein with 1 in 13.5 twist to shoot the 155gr Lapua Scenar bullet. The gun was originally chambered for the 7mmWSM but I have another BAT bolt with a .308 bolt-face.

The rifle weighed 16.5 lbs with a 36X BR Leupold scope, so to keep it under 18 lb 2oz. F-TR weight limit, meant building my own lightweight bipod. The rifle lived up to expectations and got me a third place in the 2010 European Championship. I also found out that even .308 barrels don’t last forever. After driving 155gr bullets at 3100fps with Vihtavuori N540 double-base powder, my barrel’s accuracy started to fade in just 1200 rounds! OK, it would still shoot sub-MOA groups but now, sub-half MOA is required to be competitive!

New Rifle for 2011 — With Gain-Twist Barrel and Long-Wheelbase Stock
For the 2011 season, I decided to build a dedicated F-TR rifle. As weight is always a major consideration, I chose the Stolle F-Class action, which is a pound lighter than the BAT ‘M’ or the popular Barnard P action.

Light, massive flat bedding area, built-in rail with 20MOA taper, built-in recoil-lug – the perfect F/TR action.

Again, I chose a Bartlein barrel but this time, a 1:12″ gain-twist as I intended to try the 185gr Berger Target Long Range bullet, which was proving to be very effective in the hands of some of our top F-TR shooters. My Pacific Tool & Gauge .308 Win reamer was ground with the freebore to suit the 155gr Lapua Scenar (which is longer than the equivalent Sierra) seated out so as not to compromise case-capacity. Fortunately, this PT&G reamer also proved perfect for the 185gr Berger.

I’m primarily a benchrest shooter so I know the value of a long, stiff stock that will work well off the bags, or in this case, bi-pod and back-bag. I went for the Precision Rifle & Tool stock, which I first saw on Charles Ballard’s F-Open gun (Gun of the Week no.88). This is the longest laminate stock I’ve seen in production, at just over 38 inches – without butt-pad. Weight-wise, I couldn’t afford (and didn’t need) an adjustable cheek-piece or butt-pad – remember, I’m a benchrest shooter! To make weight meant milling down the butt and shaving the comb. That saved me a useful 12 ounces, but I didn’t touch the benchrest style fore-end, save for chamfering the front purely for appearance.

The 32″ Bartlein barrel weighed 8 lbs., the finished stock 4 lb. 6oz., the Stolle action 2 lb. 2 ounces. With screws, trigger, trigger-guard, butt-pad, scope rings etc., that left me just two and a half pounds for scope and bi-pod. Initially, I used the 36X BR Leupold scope but eventually I built an even lighter bi-pod and managed to make weight with the superb March 10-60X scope — with about half an ounce to spare!

Testing with Leupold 36X scope. A lighter bi-pod followed, allowing heavier March Scope.

Load Development
The rifle shot very well with the 185gr Bergers and Vihtavuori N150 powder giving MVs in the region of 2775 fps. Yes, more speed can be had with the VV N550 double-base powder but, having learned my lesson with VV N540, I went with the single-base N150.

Large Primer Choice
Many of the top GB shooters swear by the new Lapua small-primer cases but I stuck with the large primer. They don’t take the pressure quite as well as the small primer and my primer pockets are slack after a couple of firings but, the brass is cheaper and I’m prepared to scrap it after three or four firings. For a big match, it’s new or once-fired brass. Incidentally, the 3″-wide fore-end is excellent for load development using a front benchrest.

Bottomley’s .308 Win Reloading Methods
I tend to do all my loading with Forster benchrest dies — always full-length re-sizing. I run the Forster full-length die without the expander ball. This leaves the necks a little undersized in diameter, so I then finish neck-size by running a Sinclair .308 expander mandrel in the necks. Before filling the case, I weigh all powder-charges on a Denver Instrument MXX 123 balance. Along with Berger bullets and VV N150 powder, I use Lapua brass and Federal primers.

For various reasons, I didn’t manage to shoot many of our League matches in 2011, so I decided to build myself an Open Class rifle for the 2011 Europeans — just for a change. This is our biggest F-Class shoot of the year with 180 competitors from 12 countries. It is possibly the world’s biggest F-Class event. So, when my good friend Stuart Anselm was without a gun for the European Championships, I offered him the Stolle.

Stuart is the owner of Osprey Rifles, www.ospreyrifles.com and will captain the GB F-TR team at the World Championships in Raton in 2013. Yes, Stuart has built many successful F-Class rifles but due to circumstances (he sells everything he builds!), Stuart found himself without a suitable gun for the Europeans with just a couple of weeks to go. I loaned him the Stolle to shoot, knowing that he could pilot the gun to its potential.

New Rig Proves Accurate from the Get-Go
As it turns out, Stuart had very little practice time with his “loaner rifle”. In fact, Stuart only pulled the trigger on the Stolle days before the event. But the gun performed well — a 3.75″ 5-shot group at 800 yards, put a smile on his face!

New F-TR Champion Reviews Bottomley’s Stolle-Action Rifle
Stuart Anselm tells us: “I only shot the rifle a couple of days before the Europeans — two sighters and then five rounds at 800 yards which went into a 3.75-inch group. That gave me a lot of confidence in the rifle. The bi-pod is very light and looked a bit flimsy but it’s well-engineered, so it worked well. That long Precision Rifle & Tool stock is definitely the way to go and helps the rifle to track nicely under recoil. Of course, the Stolle action was perfect with the right-bolt, left-port set-up and the 10-60X March is just about the ultimate F-Class scope.”

Well, the rest, as they say, is history. The 2011 European F-Class Championship was held November 4-6, 2011 at the Bisley Range in England. This is a two-day event with 800-yard, 900-yard and 1000-yard stages each day, for a total of five, 15-round matches and one 20-rounder. The competition was fierce with some great shooting, particularly from a Ukrainian shooter Alexandr Nicolaev — who could have won it, up until the very last match — plus of course, the current World & European Champion. At the end of the final match, when the scores were counted, just two points separated 2nd place from 7th place. However, Stuart was way ahead of the pack.

Anselm Wins F-TR Championship, Posting Highest V-Count As Well
Scoring 452 points out of a possible 475, Stuart won convincingly, finishing 10 points ahead of F-TR runner-up Adam Bagnall (also from Great Britain). Stuart also had the highest V-Bull count with 33. (The “V-Bull” is the equivalent of the “X-Ring” in North American events.) That means that, over the course of six matches in two days, with all targets at 800 yards and beyond, more than a third of Stuart’s shots went into that 5″-diameter V bull. That’s impressive trigger-pulling, especially with an unfamiliar “loaner rifle”. I’m proud of Stuart, and doubly proud that he proved how well this gun can shoot.

Vince Bottomley Contact Info: If you’re interested in learning more about this rifle build, or long-range shooting in the UK, you can contact Vince Bottomley via email: vinceb [at] 6ppc.fsnet.co.uk . Vince notes that he is not a professional builder. He tells us: “I just build guns for fun – and to write about! I’m happy to answer any questions of course.”

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SCATT Training Systems employ an electronic optical sensor fixed to a gun’s barrel, frame, or the compressed air cylinder of an air gun. The shooter then aims at the electronic target. A trace of the point of aim can then be followed on a ‘real-time’ display screen. When the shooter pulls the gun’s trigger, the point of impact is then displayed on the screen. (This is dry-fire only — no projectiles are loaded). All results of training sessions can be recorded for later analysis. Russian research has shown that SCATT training is both effective and efficient. Using SCATT, beginning marksmen can acquire competitive skills two to three times more quickly than with conventional practice methods alone.

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SCATT Shows How an Olympian Holds
The video below shows the aiming patterns of Olympic bronze medalist Miss Snježana Pej?i?, a 10m Air Rifle shooter. The SCATT system records the air rifle’s muzzle motions as green traces while Snježana dials in her aim. Her final shot positions (and scores) are recorded when the large circle appears.

This next photo shows how the full SCATT display, with single target and multi-shot impacts displayed. Scores are automatically logged by the SCATT system. When used with a lap-top, complete training sessions can be recorded for later analysis.

SCATT Company has dealers worldwide for its training systems, electronic tragets, and shooting accessories. To order SCATT systems in the USA, contact:

Center Shot Sports
www.CenterShot.com
14001C St. Germain Dr., #282
Centreville, VA 20121
Toll Free Orders: 1-866-CENTERX (1-866-236-8379)
Phone: (703) 266-1874
E-mail: info [at] centershot.com

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The coverage of the Bullet Database is amazing. Manufacturers in the database include: A-Square, Barnaul, Barnes, Berger, Brenneke, Calhoon, CDP, CheyTac, ColoradoBonded, CT, DAG, David Tubb, Delsing, DEWC, DKT, DTK, DYN, Federal, Fiocchi, FMJ, FN, Fortek, FP, Freedom, Frontier, GECO, Gian-Marchet, GPA, GS-Custom, H&N, Hawk, HeviShot, Hirtenberger, Hornady, HP, Igman, IMI, IMI-Samson, Impala, JDJ, JLK, Klimovsk, Lapua, LEADEx, LEE, Lehigh, LIMA, LostRiver, LYM, MEN, Mil, Norinco, Norma, NorthFork, Nosler, PMC, PMP, Powell, PrviPartizan, Rainier, RCBS, Reichenberg, Remington, RN, RNFP, RUAG, RWS, Sako, Sellier-Bellot, Shilen, Sierra, Sinterfire, Speer, Stoklossa, SWC, Swift, Swiss, The Gun Haus, TMJ, WestCoast, Winchester, WM-Bullets and Woodleigh.

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The database is great if you’re looking for an unusual caliber, or you want a non-standard bullet diameter to fit a barrel that is tighter or looser than spec. You’ll find the popular jacketed bullets from major makers, plus solids, plated bullets, and even cast bullets. For those who don’t already own QuickLOAD software, this is a great resource, providing access to a wealth of bullet information.

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Laminated Long-Term Storage Bags
Before you put your guns away for the winter, you may want to pack them in long-term storage bags. You can get superior protection with ZCORR long-term storage bags. Used by the USMC for arsenal storage, ZCORR bags are like the ultimate zip-lock baggie. They keep air and moisture out, and the interior is impregnated with corrosion inhibitors that block rust. The basic long-gun bags cost $12-$16, and have a velcro closure. The “Collectors Series” storage bags ($22-$30 for long-guns) feature a foil-adhesive closure that is 100% air and water tight. The deluxe preservation-grade ZCORRs, priced at $32-$39, can be vacuum-sealed for maximum protection — just hook up a vacuum cleaner to the special one-way valve. See photo below of rifle in ZCORR Vacuum storage bag.

Our friend Jim Sheppard of the Shooting Wire, has used ZCORR bags for years. He writes: “I’ve used ZCORR bags in the past, but the latest firearms versions are reusable, equally durable (they’re far tougher than a plastic bag) and available in sizes that will protect pistols, carbines and long rifles. Their Collector Series storage bags and Ammunition and Parts Pouches use zip closures to protect a variety of sizes of parts, ammo or whatever.”

How ZCORR Bags Work
The laminated material used in ZCORR bags is puncture-resistant, tear-resistant, and will not harm any non-metal surfaces. Two key elements in bag’s laminate construction allow ZCORRs to block corrosion: 1) the foil barrier layer; and; 2) the VpCI-impreg-nated sealant layer.

The foil layer in ZCORR FSP Bags™ performs two tasks simultaneously; it keeps harmful corrosion causing elements out of the bag and keeps the corrosion inhibiting VpCI chemistry in the bag

The VpCI-impregnated inner layer provides the anti-corrosive properties. The VpCI chemistry impregnated in the interior layer migrates out of the plastic and forms an invisible gas inside of the bag. This gas is made up of VpCI molecules that are attracted to the interior and exterior metal surfaces of your firearm. The gas coats these metal surfaces with a one-molecule-thick layer of VpCI chemistry that stops corrosion before it can begin. This one-molecule-thick layer of VpCI chemistry dissipates off of the firearm when it is removed from the bag.

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Bloop Tubes Designed by a National Champion
Norm Houle is a High Power and long-range shooter who has used these tubes to win National High Power Rifle Championships multiple times in past years. This past summer at Camp Perry, Norm’s bloop tubes were used by top “podium level” shooters in various events, including David Tubb, who won the National Long Range Championship using one of Norm’s tubes. Rodrigo Rosa also used Houle tubes this year to place second in the National High Power Rifle Championship and third in the Long Range National Championship.

I have a couple of Norm Houle’s bloop tubes that I have used with a couple of rifle projects. Here are some of my thoughts on installation and use of the Houle Bloop Tubes:

• Accuracy with the tubes in place is excellent!
• The tube assemblies are two piece clamp-on tube assemblies, and the bloop tubes can be removed and re-attached with no loss of zero (and I mean no loss of zero). This is a big one! Over the years I have had quite a few clamp on tubes, but few of them repeated like these.
• The tubes are very light but also very strong and low profile. Some of the clamp-on bloop tubes I have had over the years were huge, heavy and provided a large side profile (crosswind sail factor for offhand, etc.).
• Norm offers 2″, 4″, and 6″ bloop tube lengths. The tubes are made to work with a .750″ dia. muzzle turn-down and both of the ones I have work perfectly with a minimum turn-down of 1.625″ long which provides enough “front-back” distance to permit the locating ring and bloop tube to be properly mounted on the barrel at the same time and work as they should. The tubes are also set up to use front sights which fit a .750″ diameter mounting.
• Each tube assembly has a clamp-on locating ring plus a clamp-on bloop tube that positively indexes off a tapered pin that protrudes from the locating ring. The locating ring is light but very strong and absolutely stays put when you clamp it on the barrel end (clamps on with one screw using a common 7/64″ Allen wrench). The bloop tube part of the assembly has two clamp-on screws (use a common 7/64″ Allen to put on, mount and take off).

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Using Different-Length Tubes for Different Applications
You can buy one tube with two or more locating rings and set multiple rifles up so you can move your bloop tube (with front sight attached) from rifle to rifle. You can also use two different bloop tubes to mate up with one locating ring on the same rifle. Norm uses a 2″ tube (with a front sight attached) for offhand and rapid sitting at 200 yards (short tube minimizes crosswind sail factor). For 300-yard rapid prone and 600-yard slow prone, Norm takes off the 2″ tube and mounts a 6″ tube on the rifle (with a front sight attached to it). Norm switches back and forth as needed from match to match (a 4″ tube is also offered). Norm noted that Rodrigo Rosa also used the same Houle bloop tube set-up with two different tubes this year at Perry to take second overall.

The price of a Houle bloop tube assembly with locating ring is $125.00. That’s more than some other brands, but a good value considering the design, features, and high-quality construction of Norm’s bloop tubes. Just as with all sights and optics… you get what you pay for.

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Diamondback Switch-Barrel Rifle Specifications
The action is a Stiller Diamondback, drop-port. The custom stock is similar to a Shehane ST-1000, but crafted from 40-year-old English Walnut. [Editor's note: the wood on this gun is gorgeous!] There are three barrels for the gun with three different chamberings: 6BR Brux 1:8″-twist HV; 6BRX Krieger 1:8″-twist HV, and 6mm Dasher Krieger 1:8.5″ twist fluted straight contour (no taper). The scope is a Nightforce 12-42x56mm, with 2DD reticle.

Comments: This rifle is a good study in comparison of the three different chamberings. On the same rifle platform (same stock and action), each of these barrels had killed prairie dogs over 1,000 yards. So if someone asks which is best, a 6BR, or 6BRX, or 6 Dasher, VolDoc says they are all effective. The improved cartridges will deliver higher velocities, which can be an advantage. On the other hand it is simpler to load 6mmBR brass right out of the box, and it’s easy to find an accurate load for the 6mmBR (see photo).

Nesika 6mmBR/Dasher Rifle Specifications
VolDoc’s “Big Orange Crush” rifle has a stainless Nesika ‘J’ action, with 2 oz. Jewell trigger, in a painted fiberglass Shehane ST-1000 stock. Originally a 6BR, the gun is now chambered as a 6mm Dasher with a .271 no-turn neck. The barrel is a 1:12″-twist Krieger fited with Vais muzzle brake. On top is a NightForce NXS 12-42x56mm scope with double-dot reticle. The double-dot gives precise aiming and lower dot can be used as an aming point, when you need a few more MOA of elevation in the field.

Comments: Big Orange Crush shoots 87gr V-Maxs into bugholes at 3,400 fps. VolDoc’s load with the 87s is very stout, more than 32 grains of Vihtavuori N-135 with Wolf SRM primers. Cases are full-length sized, with an 0.266″ bushing for the necks.

This 3400 fps load with the 87gr V-Maxs has accounted for hundreds of Prairie Dogs killed from 97 yards to 1,050 yards. The 87gr V-Max at this speed literally picks Prairie Dogs up and throws them 10 feet vertically and laterally. VolDoc reports: “The barrel now has more than 3,000 rounds down the tube and exhibits little throat fire-cracking and no loss of accuracy. I can’t explain why, it just hasn’t deteriorated yet. This rifle is my best-ever ‘go-to’ Prairie Dog rifle.”

Savage 20 BR Rifle Specifications
The action is a Savage Dual Port, with an aftermarket Sharp Shooter Supply (SSS) 4 oz. Evolution trigger. The stock is a modified Savage factory unit that has been pillar-bedded. The factory barrel was replaced with a 28″ Hart stainless, 1:9″ twist barrel fitted with a Rayhill muzzle brake. The gun is chambered in 20 BR with a 0.235″ no-turn neck. Kevin Rayhill did the smithing. To provide enough elevation to shoot at 1,000 yards plus, Ray fitted a +20 MOA Bench Source scope base. This +20 rail is very well-crafted, and made especially for the Savage Model 12.

Comments: VolDoc reports: “When I got the Savage back from Kevin Rayhill, it still had my 6 BR factory barrel on it, as I use it to compete in Factory-class regional matches. I put on the new 20 BR Hart barrel Kevin had chambered and quickly put in a full day of load development using the 55gr Bergers (0.381 G1 BC) and the 40gr V-Maxs. Both proved very easy to tune and I soon had my loads. My 55gr Berger load with runs about 3590 fps. Varget was very accurate with the 55s (see load dev. targets below).

The mild recoil of the 20 BR, along with a very good muzzle break (Rayhill’s design) enables me to spot every hit or miss myself. Kevin also re-contoured the underside of the Savage stock so it tracks straight back on recoil, also making seeing hits easier.”

Making the 1032-Yard Shot with a 20 BR
by Dr. John S. (aka “VolDoc”)
This article covers my recent successful quest for a 20-caliber varmint kill past 1,000 yards. This may be a first — I couldn’t find anyone else with a confirmed 20-Cal Prairie Dog kill at 1000+. I started a thread on the Varmint section of the AccurateShooter.com Forum about building a 20 BR capable of 1,000-yard Minute of Prairie Dog accuracy and many said 20 Cal bullets just could not do it. Some came to my defense and said those that doubted had never studied the ballistics of the 20BR with the new Berger 55gr bullets now available. Well, folks, I can tell you, hitting a Prairie Dog at 1000 yards isn’t easy — but it IS possible. Here’s how it was done….

Gale-Force Winds and High Temps
After arriving at our Prairie Dog Ranch in Colorado, I soon realized my quest was going to be especially difficult because we had continual 40+ mph winds and 100° heat every day. We had a special place where Birdog and I had made many 1,000-yard+ kills in years past, so I knew the ideal location but needed a small window of opportunity either early morning or late afternoon. Based on past experience, I knew I needed about 21 MOA from my 100-yard zero to get to 1,000 yards. On the first day of the Safari, I shot the 20 BR in the 45 mph brutal winds and heat of 97°. But after about 20 shots, I connected on a dog and lifted him about three feet high. Well, that’s a start.

Winds Subside — Here’s Our Chance …
On the second day of our shoot, I had listened to the early weather forecast, so I knew that there was to be a brief period of light winds early in the morning. We were out on the Colorado prairie at daylight and the conditions were perfect. The sunrise was at my back and we had about a 10 mph tailwind. I looked through my Leica Geovid Rangefinder Binos and the Prairie Dogs were out for breakfast. I quickly ranged the targets and found a group at about 1,050 yards. The technique is to find the dogs, range them, click-up according to your ballistic chart and shoot.

My first shot was very, very close. I added about four clicks up and a couple of clicks left for windage and let another go. That shot threw dirt all over, but the dog didn’t even flinch. This is another good point to remember about long-range Prairie Dog hunting. To be successful, the dogs can’t be too skittish, because if they have been shot at even a few times, they will go down and stay down. So, you should have an agreement with those in your party as to where each member is going to be shooting and respect this boundary. Drive-by shooting style is OK if that’s your thing, it’s just not mine.

Hitting the Mark — Dead Dog at 1032 Yards
On the fourth shot, I saw the dog go belly up and kick its final throws. My quest for the 20-Caliber 1,000-yard Prairie Dog had become a reality. We confirmed the distance with our lasers at 1,032 yards. Our technique for retrieving a dead dog at that range is worth mentioning. When I killed that dog, I left it in the crosshairs of my Nightforce scope. My shooting buddy kept looking through the scope (of my gun) and guided me to the deceased dog using Motorola walkie-talkies. When I got to the dog I was jubilant. I marked it with my tripod and orange jacket, and we took some pictures. (See view through scope photo below). The 55 Bergers require a center mass hit as they will not expand, especially at that range. I centered this dog in the head — his BAD LUCK, my GOOD.

After making the 1,032-yard kill, I shot many many other Prairie Dogs with the 20 BR using the 40gr V-Maxs. The dog flights were spectacular — red mist and helicopters, counter-clockwise or clockwise on demand. I killed at least five at over 500 yards. I will not use the 55 Bergers on Prairie Dogs again since the quest is over. I will use the 40gr V-Maxs and 39gr Sierra BlitzKings for next trip’s 20 BR fodder.

The One That Got Away … The Really Long Prairie Dog Shot
During our Prairie Dog Safari I attempted some other very long shots, including one at about 1,500 yards. After one extreme-distance shot, my buddy watched my target dog for about 5-6 minutes and then remarked, “Doc, he’s moving.” Before I could get reset and shoot again, the dog got behind some tall prairie grass out of view. I knew he was hit hard but wasn’t sure if he was a goner. I went out to the hit area and JR guided me to the spot. The dog had gotten into his hole. Just for kicks, I ranged back to my shooting table in two increments as the Geovids are only good to about 1,200 yards. We figured the total yardage was slightly over 1,503 yards. Now that would have been a Loooong Dog.

SPECIAL THANKS and Credits One of the most important ingredients of my successful 2011 quest for a 1,000-yard Prairie Dog (taken with a .20 Caliber) was one of my “Best of Friends”, JRinKY. He and I have been on many Prairie Dog hunts in Nebraska, South Dakota, and Colorado. He maintains a low profile but he’s always there to help with all the menial chores, such as setting up and tearing down shooting sites. He always kills more Prairie Dogs than Birdog and I put together. He is the heart of my “Shooting Fun”. Without JR, Ol’ VolDoc would stay at home. JR uses the spot-and-stalk technique and kills hundreds when I kill only a few. I thank JR for all his help. I would also like to thank my smith, Kevin Rayhill, who transformed a factory Savage into an ultra-accurate Prairie Dog Killer. Kevin’s work made a big difference.

Topics: Colorado, Voldoc, 20 BR, 6BR, 6mm Dasher, ST1000, Prairie Dog, 1000 yards, Nesika, Savage, Diamondback, Stiller, Berger, NightForce, Hunting, Varminting, Shooting, Marksmanship, Reloading, Precision, Accuracy, Precision Shooting, 20 Cal, 20 Caliber, 6mmBR.com, 6mmBR, benchrest, long-range, barrels, gunsmithing, Daily Bulletin.

CLICK HERE to Launch VHA Virtual Tour

After a few seconds, the virtual tour will start rotating (it can make you a bit dizzy). To stop movement, left-click with your mouse anywhere in the view-frame, or hit the “auto-rotate” control in the lower left (globe icon). Use the right/left arrows to move horizontally. Use the up/down arrows to tilt your view vertically — but be careful — hold the up-arrow a bit too long and you’ll be seeing nothing but blue sky. There are also plus/minus zoom controls. When the orange navigation box disappears, you’ll find the directional controls in the lower RIGHT hand corner. You can also restore the orange control box by clicking the left-most “Navigation Info” icon in the lower LEFT.

FREE Digital Editions of Varmint Hunter Magazine
While you’re visiting the VHA website, you can also read the FREE July and April, 2011 digital Editions of Varmint Hunter Magazine. Each issues contains dozens of informative articles about precision shooting and hunting. CLICK HERE to read FREE Varmint Hunter Magazine Digital Editions.