Recent trip to the Big Horn Mtns - WY

[MTPaul]

My recent absence from the forum can partially be explained with this posting. Being as I permanently reside in MT, where the winters can sometimes be very long, during the warmer parts of the year I can be found enjoying all manner of activities in the great outdoors through-out the northern Rockies. Often these pursuits involve seeking out areas frequented by rock chucks and the attached pictures are a testament to that endeavor.

In years past I typically bring along my trusty Cooper 204R and this year was no exception. The shooting distances ranged from 150 to 200 yards and the cartridge used was factory Hornady, 24-grain NTX (lead free). The elevations ranged from 8,500 feet to slightly above tree line. The scenic beauty found in this region is a treat for the senses and as you can probably tell it is not heavily trafficked, which further adds to its appeal.

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[Rick in Oregon]

Paul, looks like a great trip, excellent scenery and photos too. Good job!

What tripod are you using with your Cooper MTV? I just got the BOG Death Grip tripod and converted it to a ball-head from Little Crow Gunworks for chucks here. Works great for all my Coopers and other rifles I don't want to put pic rails or ACRA rails on. As it comes from the factory, leveling it properly is an excercise in frustration with the OEM setup, but adding the ball-head is a game changer. Mine is now field-worthy and ready for rockchucks come spring (which right now seems like a light year away!).

My 204's all seem to thrive on RL-10X and the 39gr SBK too. Seems to be quite the combination for this caliber.

[MTPaul]

Hi Rick! I'm glad you enjoyed the photos, and you are right about the scenery, it is definitely "eye candy" for the soul.

As for the tripod, I too did not wish to add a pic or ARCA rail to my rifle stock. After looking at various options I finally settled on the BOG Death Grip and like you, I was not especially happy with the OEM head setup, so I converted the stock head to a ball-head arrangement, allowing far more adjustability in the field. I further modified the tripod legs by wrapping them with bicycle handlebar tape (Cinelli Original Cork Ribbon). This not only improved the grip, but it also provided a spongy but durable addition to the tripod. My BOG Death Grip is not at all a lightweight carbon fiber tripod, but I am not so much concerned with the weight but rather having the added stability provided by the mass (about 8.5 pounds in its current configuration). I also use this same tripod in the fall when I am deer hunting.

I have one more trip planned for the coming week when I'll head south for the cowboy state of WY for a little trout fishing and "red misting" of prairie dogs. Yes, I'll be sure to share a few pictures once I return to MT.

[Varmint Shooter]

This mornings high country chucks, Colorado.

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[Rick in Oregon]

This mornings high country chucks, Colorado.

Nice going there VS.

So then, are we to assume because you're on the 204R forum you used a 204? I wonder what rifle you used.....what bullet/load? Ranges involved? Did you use a bipod, tripod or shoot off field bags?

A bit of info on your hunt would be nice to put with your photos to give us an overall picture of what transpired in that beautiful country.

[Varmint Shooter]

To answer Rick's questions. I shoot off of a tripod in the high country. I shot these two chuck, your only allowed 2 per day here in Colorado,
with my 223 AI using the Hornady 62gr VLD-VT bullet. I don't own any 204's, sold them both, built a 20TAC and 20-223 AI plus a couple 20PPC's,
and never looked back. My 17 fireball's take care of my p-dogging ventures.

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[Rick in Oregon]

Lookin' good there Varmint Shooter. Like you, I've been pondering if I want to turn one of my 204's into a 20T also.

I've just found the joys of shooting with a tripod too. There's many times a shot must be made from standing, and trying to hold a varmint rifle steady while standing is a fools errand...just ain't possible. The tripod makes for an entirely better solution and makes those shots a snap.

I went with the BOG Death Grip tripod, but found it lacking to be able to level the rifle properly, so splurged for the ball-mount conversion from Little Crow Gunworks. Now the unit is fully field worthy and dialed for next season. With it I can use any of my wood-stocked rifles and not have to install an ARCA rail or Pic rail, which is jus not in the cards with some of the very nice Claro walnut Cooper used on their rifles.

Thanks for the pics and details of your foray....great scenery you've got there.

[Bill 204]

I am enjoying seeing all of the photos of the chucks and scenery being shown. And it is funny and interesting that I am also not shooting my 204's as often, but using my 20-223AI ( 40%) more all the time. It really seems to reach out further. But I must use the lead free bullets and have loads for the Nosler LF and Hornady's in 32 gr. Works great.
The sage and rimrock areas are slowing down now in my area and I am only limited to how many I want to shoot in a day, but not overshoot and leave seed for the next year. ( Varmint Shooting know what I mean, as that is what and how we did, when he was still living here, prror to moving to Colorado),