surprise valley squirrel roundup

Experiences and effectiveness in hunting with the .204 Ruger.
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brooksb
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Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:34 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M12 FV
Location: up date, we sold in Ca, we are house hunting.

surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by brooksb »

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Well I made it Thursday Afternoon and had dry pavement after Burney, I was shooting alone so my pictures are all of the truck and rifle, the wind was blowing 15mph plus when i got there, I had about an hour of shooting and scouting. Friday morning i left way early and just beat "Squirrel Team Six" to one of my go to spots by 90 secs, and after 0800 with a little filtered sun they starting coming up and I had a really great shoot till about 1045 when I lost the sun and it started snowing, after lunch the WX improved and the good shooting continued, but I found out the property owner had given this field to friends for both days of the roundup. Saturday I went to Fort Bidwell and again beat Squirrel Team Six to a good field, it was tough shooting with 5 to 8 mph cross winds, below freezing temps, and no sun. I got in some more good shooting in a small field just south of Cedarville before the BBQ at the fair grounds, the dinner was fine, Wife and I got our hats, she bought every raffle ticket she could and won a leather man type tool and we had fun with old friends and some new ones, later a bunch of us had a campfire and... Sunday was a short shoot, but the sun was out with just a little cross wind, I shot mostly with the 204 at longer ranges and had a good shoot, the fence is 320 yards and boy they are small at that range. I'll probably be there again within a few of weeks and there won't be so many shooters.
randyman
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Posts: 228
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2016 1:04 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: .204 on AR platform, .20 Vartarg built from Rem. 700 SA
Location: Butte and Lassen counties in Northern Calif.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by randyman »

Thanks Brooks for the update. I was a puss and didn't go because of the weather but looking forward to a day at the pits to shoot with you. Randy.
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brooksb
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Posts: 181
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:34 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M12 FV
Location: up date, we sold in Ca, we are house hunting.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by brooksb »

I do need to get there, good WX Coming.
Bill K
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Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by Bill K »

Glad you ended up with some shooting. It was fairly stormy down my way and I thought for sure, it would put the kibosh on that area, but looked like it was not as bad.. It will only get better, both there and down this way. Although right now, it is snowing really good and is it wet and heavy. Will be plowing the drive and street in a hour or so, maybe wait until after lunch. Bill K
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brooksb
Senior Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:34 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M12 FV
Location: up date, we sold in Ca, we are house hunting.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by brooksb »

Friday morning there was 1.5" of new snow in Cedarville, 7" in Burney, and almost 4 feet in La Porte East of Oroville. I had to remind myself a couple times that I was having fun.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by Bill K »

Know what you mean. Bob & I did the same on that first shoot a minus 12 setting up and starting, but in the long run it was a very successful day.. Like yours. Bill K
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by Bill K »

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Not Surprise Valley, but Varmint Shooter and I had a very good morning today. 3 hours or so and each had over 200 each, with very few misses. And NO SNOW or COLD. Gave the 17fb, 17hmr and a couple of 20vt/scc's a work out. Bill K
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User avatar
brooksb
Senior Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:34 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M12 FV
Location: up date, we sold in Ca, we are house hunting.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by brooksb »

Nice work boys, I'm headed to Lassen Co. Monday for a 2 day'er.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by Bill K »

You should get some decent weather and have a good time. Keep us posted and maybe some photo's.. Bill K
User avatar
brooksb
Senior Member
Posts: 181
Joined: Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:34 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Ruger M12 FV
Location: up date, we sold in Ca, we are house hunting.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by brooksb »

I won't be SOLO so maybe better pics, looks like for your area the WX brought them out. I haven't seen big numbers yet, but they should be out next wk.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by Bill K »

As it keeps warming, more will be coming out, along with the young one's. Bill K
randyman
Senior Member
Posts: 228
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2016 1:04 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: .204 on AR platform, .20 Vartarg built from Rem. 700 SA
Location: Butte and Lassen counties in Northern Calif.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by randyman »

Nicely done! Hope to get up there myself sometime next week. I've got the same hat you have on in the photo. Randy.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by Bill K »

I will watch for the old Pendleton then Randy. Have a good shoot. Maybe one day, yet, Varmint Shooter, you and I will meet for coffee. Bill K
randyman
Senior Member
Posts: 228
Joined: Fri Aug 19, 2016 1:04 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: .204 on AR platform, .20 Vartarg built from Rem. 700 SA
Location: Butte and Lassen counties in Northern Calif.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by randyman »

My mistake-It looks like I mixed you two up. I have the same ball cap with the squirrel in crosshairs and blood splatters all over the back. I just got notice that my 700 action has been shipped to my FFL. After the 10 days in gun jail, I'll be able to start putting this 20 VT together. Hopefully with the help of you and Varmit Shooter. Randy.
Bill K
Senior Member
Posts: 2622
Joined: Tue Jan 18, 2011 10:00 am
.204 Ruger Guns: also now, a Savage switch bull barrel in 204R. 23 inch SS
Location: Lake Forest, Ca.

Re: surprise valley squirrel roundup

Post by Bill K »

Yes, the ball cap is Bob (Varmint Shooter) I am the old guy in the Pendleton. Good show on the action, now it will really start falling into place. Bill K
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