Estimated studying time: 14 minutes
A Rockchuck is the West’s model of the East’s Woodchuck. The animal’s appropriate identify is Yellow-Bellied Marmot. Fewer in quantity than the better-known Prairie Canine, however simply as harmful and enjoyable to shoot. A Hangun looking pal initiated this journey with an invite. Although we’d by no means met head to head, we did have many dealings by electronic mail and the Web. He’s additionally somebody I’ve the utmost respect for in his information and expertise at handgun looking, Dick Thompson.
Rockchuck Looking Journey Planning
The journey can be a handgun-only affair. It might embrace my spouse, Sherry, who has embraced handgun looking within the final yr. Whereas she will not be new to handgunning, having been a aggressive shooter for a few years. Our selection in weapons would come with some we meant on utilizing later within the yr for a Maine Black bear and a Texas unique. Figuring we might solely profit from the familiarity gained with the weapons and masses. We had all our bases coated from medium to lengthy ranges.
The Weapons
Sherry meant to make use of her two favorites, a S&W 657 and a Ruger 357 Most. She additionally had a newly acquired Freedom Arms mannequin 83, which might use its 45LC cylinder. The three utilizing looking masses meant for regular recreation related to the weapons. There isn’t a higher solution to develop into aware of your gun and cargo than to make use of them. It’s with this in thoughts that the choice to make use of huge recreation weapons and massive recreation masses made sense.
I meant on doing the majority of my taking pictures with a brand new to me Freedom Arms 83 in 454 Casull, in addition to my very own Ruger Most. I additionally wished to examine the trajectory and efficiency of my Ruger Redhawk 41mag. All three of my revolvers put on Burris optics, a 1.5-4x and 2-7x scope, plus a FastFire on the 41mag. My long-range gun would be the identical as my spouse’s, as we’ll share the XP. It runs a Burris 2-10x XTRII rifle scope.
What We Truly Used
These have been the meant weapons. In the long run, she relied on her 357Max for all of her taking pictures from 50 to 150 yards. Her 357Max wears a Burris 2-7x pistol scope, and it labored very effectively for the circumstances and distances. When long-range taking pictures was required, a Remington XP100 in 223rem. was used. The XP is for pictures past 150 yards, having confirmed itself beforehand on Prairie Canine out to 300+ yards.
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The Bullets
Her 657 used a 250gr. bullet meant to be used on our Black bear hunt, that runs 1130fps. Within the Ruger Most, she used her regular medium recreation load, consisting of a 180gr Hornady XTP, going 1485fps. The brand new-to-her Freedom Arms 83 used a 270gr powder-coated forged hole level that makes 1250fps. The 270gr. and the 250gr. bullet made by our host for the hunt, the aforementioned Dick Thompson. Dick makes a number of of the forged bullets I take advantage of for looking
The bullets shot from my weapons have been a 180gr powder-coated forged hole level made by one other pal for my 357 Most, working 1615fps. The Redhawk makes use of a forged 265gr powder-coated bullet that will probably be used for my black bear. It runs 1430fps, from the 7.5” barrel, and was zeroed 2.5” excessive at 50 yds. The XP223 sends a 40gr. Sierra HP from the 15.75” barrel at 3100fps, and delivers sub 1” accuracy at 100. The Freedom Arms 83 will run a load that’s speculated to ship a 250gr. Hornady XTP at 1450fps, a gentle load. My FA confirmed up the day earlier than leaving, so it was sighted in at 50 yds after we arrived, however chronoing was not capable of happen.
The Gear
Earlier than leaving, we checked the anticipated climate and noticed lows within the 20s and highs within the 50s. So base layers, fleece and flannel have been packed, together with wool socks, coats and gloves. We arrived to blue skies and mid-fifties, however 15-20mph winds on day one. Regardless of the mid-thirties within the morning, it was remarkably nice, even with the winds. The winds did have an effect on the rockchucks, based on our host, it retains them from being out extra. I assume a lot the identical means winds could cause deer to lie up extra. The winds would gradual a bit over the three days we have been out, however by no means actually obtained under 10-15mph.
Different gear would come with varied taking pictures baggage for the completely different weapons, blast pads to guard from the recent gases exiting cylinders. This will destroy a superb pack or bag in just a few pictures. Together with chairs for taking pictures from and staying comfy whereas ready for the rockchucks to look. A taking pictures tripod to help in taking pictures the XP at longer distances, and we did convey a recognizing scope.
The Priorities
Dick had talked about that we might be looking some native farmers land, that would come with livestock, farming tools and older constructions. The livestock was most essential, the tools equally essential, and the constructions wanted to be given consideration. The rockchucks have been burrowing beneath them, and their rock or concrete foundations have been comparatively bulletproof. We simply wanted to not shoot via picket sides with out understanding what was on the opposite aspect.
Rockchuck Habitat
The lava reefs adjoining to agricultural crops have been our major looking grounds. The nooks, crannies, and cracks within the reefs have been seemingly an ideal habitat for them. It supplied spots for mendacity within the solar and safety from predators. Fixed scanning of the rock would offer glimpses of fur or a tail, typically only a head. Different instances, the entire rockchuck would immediately be there when seconds earlier it was simply rock. Initially, I believed a recognizing scope can be helpful. Nevertheless, we relied on binoculars solely. Utilizing a monopod or different steadying implement was most useful. Our Burris LRF binoculars labored nice in each readability and ranging capabilities.
Rockchuck Conduct
One of many ways that Dick talked about utilized by the Rockchuck was their tendency to stay an eyeball up over an impediment to examine its environment however not expose itself an excessive amount of. In doing so, it presents about half an inch of head, and that’s it. Being affected person and never transferring would usually convey a greater presentation. This habits appeared rather more prevalent in and round artifical constructions the place straight traces abound. I by no means skilled this on the lava fields. It did occur quite a few instances across the outdated barns. When it did, getting behind the gun and getting ready for the inevitable head-only presentation was prudent. The rockchuck’s habits and its habitat made attempting to find it rather more like attempting to find huge recreation. It seems like excellent follow for hunters, each new and skilled.
Our Conduct
You have to be quiet, it is advisable depend on good glass, hold actions to a minimal, and know your trajectories. You additionally must be exact together with your taking pictures, particularly when utilizing conventional straight-walled handgun calibers. We took the overwhelming majority of our chucks between 70 yards and 100 yards. That’s the right distance to check out your tools, your load, and your potential. About 10-15 rockchuk have been taken past 100 yards utilizing the XP in 223rem., the longest profitable shot was 255 yards. The sunshine and quick 40gr. bullet proving itself helpful when taking pictures round livestock by eliminating the danger of ricocheting.
The Tally
Whole chucks taken within the three days have been about 100-130, I say about as a result of they have an inclination to drop down within the rocky crevices. Whereas indications can look optimistic for successful, no signal or carcass can create doubt. In addition to it being impractical to stroll over and examine each “hit”. Rockchuck “looking” will not be like prairie canine “taking pictures”. The numbers are usually decrease, and the motion is a bit slower paced. The enjoyment is not any much less, and the practices wanted to achieve success relate on to huge recreation looking. Doing it with a standard handgun as an alternative of a specialty handgun or rifle provides extra technical problem.
Rockchuck Taking pictures Concerns
Even with the comparatively brief distances of 70-100 yards, and the 180gr bullets from the Maximums. Often, a wind maintain off of 5-6” needed to be utilized to compensate for the drift supplied by the 15-20mph winds. The windage wanted for the XP and its 40gr. bullet was at instances as a lot as 10-12”. Fortunately, we by no means needed to take care of full worth wind drift. The wind is one other facet of taking pictures and looking that’s good to follow in.
In the end
Sherry did all of her taking pictures along with her 357max. Each Maximums are proving virtually excellent for the distances and precision wanted for the goal measurement. I relied on mine virtually solely, having used my Redhawk 41mag for 3 after which switched to my FA83 in 454Casull for a single rockchuck. The remainder falling to the XP and 357max. The primary Rockchuck taken was by Sherry. The host was exhibiting us the bottom we might hunt on, when one sat up us from 40 yards. Our host handed her his Kimber 9mm carry gun, and she or he planted a forged HP via its shoulders utilizing the iron sights.
After I come again for one more journey, I’ll seemingly give attention to one revolver. Particularly because the taking pictures is slower paced and heating a gun up is much less of a priority. Supplied it could produce 3-4 inch accuracy at 100 yards. The 357 Most or FA83 are each able to this degree of efficiency. Selecting a bullet that’s extra fragile or able to extra speedy growth would assist solidify opinions of an enough hit.
Memorable Rockchuck Photographs
The longest shot taken was on the beforehand talked about 255yds. The sequence of occasions earlier than and after the shot is value sharing right here. Once we drove into the world, there was a pair of pink foxes working the pasture. As we shot chucks, they moved off however remained within the space. As we shot, the nearer chucks grew to become fewer and fewer. It obtained to some extent the place the XP would must be used. Then an enormous fats Rockchuck offered itself in entrance of a big flat-topped rock.
My Shot
I ranged it at 255yds. and directed Sherry to identify for me. The wind was blowing in our face, so no wind name was wanted. I held a bit excessive as my drop was about 5” at that distance. On the shot, Sherry chuckled and mentioned he flopped up onto the rock he was in entrance of. Considering I’d missed, I reloaded and reacquired him within the scope. He was on his again, with all 4 toes up within the air. About 10 minutes later, one of many foxes strolls by and helps himself to a free dinner.
Sherry’s Shot
Sherry’s most memorable shot was one on a better Rockchuck. Nevertheless, the shot had the added problem of a slim hole and a swinging rope within the hole. As we drove as much as a gate within the pasture, I noticed a Rockchuck standing on a concrete culvert header. I eased the Polaris RZR to a cease and shut the motor off. She took a relaxation on the door edge and tried timing the rope swing because it moved in pendulum vogue. I seemed on via binoculars as she aimed. On the shot, the Rockchuck flopped and slipped over the sting of the culvert header, useless!!
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First, not Final
This was our first Rockchuck tour, and we preferred it a lot greater than Prairie dogging. The numbers are decrease, however the expertise and follow that it gives are a lot extra than simply taking pictures. The glassing duplicates what we do when looking mule deer or elk. Being quiet and minimizing motion duplicates whitetail looking from a stand. The distances for pictures replicate good distances for constructing stable handgun taking pictures confidence, and the precision wanted is all the time good to try for. Squirrel looking could also be good looking follow the place the Fox and Grey squirrels stay. Within the Rockies, there isn’t a substitute for the Rockchuck.
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Trapr Swonson,…hunter, coach, competitor, proprietor operator Trapr Ltd., retired firefighter/first responder, and Hunt365 author.
I’d be referred to as a traditionalist. I like and recognize the most recent tech, however actually take pleasure in doing issues the outdated methods.
Expertise/{Qualifications}
-USAF small arms teacher and competitor because the mid 1980’s and proceed offering small arms coaching to at the present time.
-Began competing in archery and held state information, in addition to a part of the Texas state “All Recurve” 3D workforce.
Progressed to sensible taking pictures competitions with handgun, rifle, and shotgun, and in early lengthy vary competitions.
-Have represented the USA a number of instances in worldwide sensible taking pictures.
-Developed one of the best functioning and most dependable shortened stroke or “stroke timing system” modification for 3 gun-type Benelli Nova/SuperNova shotguns.
-Have hunted from Texas north to Montana and east to Minnesota plus some worldwide hunts.
-At the moment retired after 27+ years as a firefighter, medical first responder.
-Began an organization that makes a speciality of “harmful animal abatement”, specializing in Canine, Feline, and Swine. Trapr Ltd. has been in operation since 2007.
