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Originally Posted by sube01  We haven't made our final decision yet, but most of the places we are looking at are in South Dakota although that may change if we find somewhere that offers a better price. Right now we are leaning to Badlands Ranch in Interior, South Dakota. It offers a three day hunt for $400 including meals and lodging. |
The equipment mentioned, specially the bench and rest, is almost as important as the ammo. But I would check where you are staying, they might supply that. If not, you want it solid/steady what ever you bring. If you have one a machine rest is nice also. You hear of guys shootin a 1000 rnds a day. Maybe, but 500 is plenly in mind, you take 10hrs of straight shooting, and thats close to a round a minute. At that rate, better have 3 guns or you'll burn out a barrel in a couple thousand rounds. I go with 3-400 per day and get all the fun I need. Generally though if you each got your own gun, I find what works best specially on the longrange work, is one guy spot, for one guy shooting. , rotate every 3 rounds or so,. This don't get the barrel too hot, and allows alil cool down time. and I still switch guns.
As far the rangefinder,,, at first you'll have short shots well within rimfire range, but eventually the close one will stay down. If early in the season the young ones will pop back up at short ranges. Beyond that, in some dog towns the range can go as far as you can see. For the most part, you'll be playing around at 2-300 out 1000 + yds. The less costly rangefinders rated to 800 don't cut it much past 600, and the 6's about 4-500. yds. If you are buying one for the trip, and plan on doing this regularly, buy the best one you can afford. You'll be more satisfied in the long run. My choice is Swarovski followed by Leica, a distant 3rd would be Nikon. They cost 2-3 times more, but you'll be a 10 times happier.
Here's some of the gear I use.
b4 i painted it, homemade with purchased thermalplastic top, and legs bought off the net somewhere. I did beef up the bottom wit a 2" piece of extruded alum.
220 swift
6mmAI
my son checking out the new shootin chair
243AI
contvertible machine rest with ambi. windage top
My "trail bench"
and friends
currently being rebuilt for my ultralongrange handgun
Dave