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Seekers of the Red Mist
(Varmint Hunting Discussion)

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Wow, its been

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Wow, its been very quiet for abut a week!

Now that summer is officially here, is everyone out shooting?

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Only made it out once this summer so far- had a great day. The little boogers were fearless. Made kills with usual .223 rigs, and when buddy's 788 went down in an apparent fit of constipation of the bolt- a BPUT slipped up to within 15yds of the truck and sacrificed himself to a 9mm out of a Sig. Amazin shot... all luck, and could probably never do it again in a million years. But, it made me feel good none the less. Dusted another one with a shotgun on the way out. Buddy got one or two with a 1903A3 while I was trying to put his 788 back into service.

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Still waiting for the first cut of hay to get finished. The groundhogs are going to be in trouble the next few weeks. LOL. I'll be sure to post any pictures I get.

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I killed a bunny out in the garden last night.

Varmint Grenade bullets

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I bought some 6mm Barnes Varmint Grenade bullets for my .243 Win. I loaded them with 43.6 gr. of Varget over a large rifle primer at an overall length of 2.675". They chrono. at 3,588 f.p.s. and shot a .571" group at 100 yards. I shot several jack rabbits out in the high desert of Utah with this load. The rabbits would almost explode when hit by the Varmint Grenade bullets. The attached is a rabbit shot at about 110 yards. WARNING: don't look if you just ate dinner.

seekers rabbit.jpg (224.9 kb)

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Not bad. Good performance and nice group. Interestingly there is the short thread regarding the varmint grenades being inconsistant in their grouping. Are you finding them to be consistant?

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I have only shot rounds from a single box of 100 projectiles. I have another box and will see if the rumors are true about inconsistencies. Will advise SRM forum when I get into the second 100 rounds. I would so like to get a coyote to test one of these explosive bullets. I wonder if a chest shot on a coyote would allow for an exit wound?

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what weight bullet were you using?

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Sorry, 62 grains.

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The inconsistancies I got were with the 36gr in a .223, I could not get a group better then 1 1/2 inches. But with that being said I just got back from a shoot at my cousins ranch and got the try out the 50gr rounds. Ok these are the ticket to outrageous flips and all-out explosions. I didn't get to shoot beyond 150 yards but the close in shots were amazing. those rats looked like they blew up from the inside out. I am heading back to get more tomorrow morning. But I have to load up more ammo tonight. And it really helps that they are nice and fat right now.

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Barnes offers a free DVD on the Varmint Grenades and Triple Shock bullets. The footage of the Grenades opening up before exiting a grape was very impressive. I have tried the 62gr. 6mm in my .243Win. with good results, but have yet to try them on groundhogs. I saw a couple hogs out of hibernation yesterday...I started to twitch a little and my trigger finger got itchy.

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I just got back from a hunt with the BountyHunter. I used a 36g Varmint Grenade with 38.5g Varget and Fed Match Primers, new brass. I had some great hits out to 200 yards plus. I used a rangefinder to verify the distance. The picutres are on my web page. They are very graphic so if you are an animal lover you probably should not look. After reading about your results I was a little worried about how they would do, I think they work great though.

http://doatactical.com/mypictures.html

0417081110.jpg (54.8 kb)

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I didn't have any problem with the picture. I thought it was great.

I love animals...they're delicious!

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Now check out the video we made in South Dakota and Wyoming. If you like the picture you will love the video. The Video is very Graphic so don't be scared!

http://www.doatactical.com

Misty.jpg (224.2 kb)

First PD shoot - gear?

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I head out on my first prairie doggin' trip on Thursday. I have the gun and ammo ready to go, along with what I think will obviously be needed. Anyone have suggestions on what to take - based on prior experience? I'd hate to get 400 miles away from home and realize i should have brought the widget...

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Hi, glad you are getting into pdoggin. Enjoy.
A lot depends on where you go but here's a few ideas:

Sun protection (hat/sunscreen/sunglasses)
Ear protection with backup
Lip balm
Multi tool
String
Snacks (that don't melt)
If in a really big area and you walk a large area then using a GPS to set waypoints to remember good locations can be useful.
Camo - Plain ol' Military surplus camo is often quite good this time of year. Then later when things dry out the desert camo works well.
Ground tarp (the ground can be covered with all sorts of nasty things from plants to poke you, various scat,etc)
Back pack (put food,water, cleaning equip, ammo etc in it so you can move from vehicles) Can be used in place of bi-pod.
Bipod
Brass catcher if needed. You can take a couple collapsable poles and use a jacket for it. If done right and the sun is in the right place relative to the direction you are shoot then you can also use it to block the sun.
Snake pistol
Good shoes/boots
If with friends (and you should be), radios for communication are good
Bino/Spotting scope
Wind guage ( a dowel with a piece of party streamer hanging off a fishing line works well but there are lots of variants out there)
Bore snake. Good fast clean out if in a pinch.
Light emergency rain poncho (don't ask)
Small first aid kit (cactus, barb wire, etc are a real pain)
I personally like a portable radio. I enjoy the music and I listen for weather updates. If you have electronic hearing protection with an external input this works nicely.
Extra socks
Camera
Paper and pencil

Info:
Watch the sky. Weather changes can be a real problem.
Watch for snakes.

There is some good stuff at http://www2.whidbey.net/bobh/pdog/2005/main.htm to spur some thoughts on what to take.

Good luck.
lw

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Plain good old fashioned water. Not much makes a shooting day go to poop like sitting there with a cotton mouth. Plus, I'm about half convinces that staying hydrated helps ease that ocular de-oxygenation thing that makes long spells peeping through a scope get rough on some folks.

Edit: Oh, and a gunsmith screwdriver set and allen wrenches that match your scope mount/rings if you're going to make the day a barrel burner (long). Never hurts to have something to tighten action screws and scope stuff up if groups suddenly go south.

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Booster box, and an EXTRA spare tire! 2! Water! Water! and before you get thirsty, water again.

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Don't forget lots and lots of water. ;)

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...sandwich stuff..and beer...i cant believe nobody said beer! after 10 beers its all funny!.......please drink responsibly. good luck!

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In addition to all the other suggestions add a couple of cans of "fix-a-flat" if you are going to drive off the road in areas with cactus. Some cacti have needles that will go thru a tire (or a boot, so watch where you step) quicker than a nail.

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This is true we lost a tire on our trip just driving around the feilds. Check out the DVD Movie we have posted so you can watch it for free at the website. If you like to kill prairie dogs this is up your alley

http://www.doatactical.com

South Dakota.jpg (111.5 kb)

Prairie Dog Shooting

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Hi, Where can we go shoot some prairie dogs south central South Dakota?

Need fellow member to verify 500 yard shot on prairie dog.

Need info on reloading Cal .204

Mrtruckaudi

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Since you ask about, specifically, central SD, -- #1). BRING MONEY, lots. #2). In SD the Native Americans (Indians) market use of reservation lands. You need a reservation hunting license in addition to a state hunting license.

You want all the details, talk with a lawyer. The Indians have land, but it is held in trust by US government... Bottom line, they have laws in addition to SD laws. Be careful or you slip into a big sewer!

South Center of South Dakota is the Rosebud Reservation of Sioux/Lakota Indians. You can google them for current regs, license requirements, etc.

BEWARE! There is plague in the furballs. While it is cureable in humans, just don't bother. Leave the pieces for the scavangers. Get a bigger rifle. Or come prepared with the tools of the biologist. Rubber gloves. Sealed containers. Flea powder. Etc. B). It does wipe out a town on occassion. Takes a couple years for town to repopulate.

Just west of Rosebud is Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. One contact is on lakotamall.com. There is a drinking problem on Pine Ridge (much discussed in the newspapers). Beware of the intoxicated and unreliable. [Reservation is "dry" as in no alcohol. Berg (pop 16?) just outside sells 4 million cans of beer a year...]

North center is Brule Sioux. North of them, Standing Rock. (Northern Cheyenne?)

Years ago I saw a list of ranchers who were begging for shooters to thin the herds of rodents... made up by the extension people. No idea of current activity. You have to ask.

And I would be remiss to not mention that in the SW corner of the state is Buffalo Gap Nat. Grassland. Fed. land open to anyone to shoot, camp, etc. This is the "wide open spaces." If you go alone, reliable vehicle. 2 spares. LOTS (AND LOTS AND LOTS) of water. Cows are no help with breakdowns and the owner may check on them once a week. May not. There are places of black gumbo soil, it rains, and that is rare, and you sit until it drys. Day or so, but you cannot move on the slippery goo. ENJOY!. Luck.

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Just got back from Gregory South Dakota and he is right bring some money with you, you're going to need it. It was some of the best shooting this year, however the year is early so we will wait and see how the next hunt goes in Wyoming. Check out the DVD movie online of our hunt, You know it is good PETA got us kicked off of YouTube for posting it. It is on the homepage half way down.

http://www.doatactical.com

South Dakota 2.jpg (185.9 kb)

Planning My FIRST trip...I live in Dallas...Advice?

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Hey Guys...

I just discovered this site and have not had a chance to dive deep into past threads at all...I am sure other newbies have posted threads similar to this, and I apologize if this is repetitive.

I have been prarie dog hunting only once, nearly a decade ago. I was in high school, and my Uncle completely organized it. We were hunting up in the Panhandle near Amarillo. My only responsibility was to bring my gun and shoot straight. I still remember that as being one of the most fun hunting experiences I have ever had, and now I want to plan my own trip. My buddies and I primarily only hunt whitetail, duck, and dove, so I am really have no idea how to go about organizing a good prarie dog hunting trip.

When my Uncle got our trip set up several years ago, we did not use guides or anything. It almost seemed like we would wake up early, go to whatever local diner was serving breakfasst, and ask the folks in there if anyone had prarie dogs that needed to be taken care of. The old ranchers seems more than happy to let us on their property to shoot some dogs.

So after than long intro, I guess my primary question is if three or four of my buddies and I wanted to take a trip to the TX panhandle for a good prarie dog hunt, where should we go? Are there places in Texas better for dog hunting than the panhandle? I would DEFINITELY prefer NOT to use a guide. How do you go about gaining access to where the prarie dogs are if they are on private ranches?

Basically, I am in the dark, and I need all the help I can get on finding prarie dogs in Texas and the best way to have a successful hunt without a guide. Thanks so much to anyone whilling to help me out.

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i). Never been that far south to shoot. What I am told by others it is very very largely "pay to shoot" in TX and OK and if you don't have contacts and money... you don't.
ii. Speaking of farther north, OK/KS border... You need grass. P'dogs are the tree squirrels of the grasslands. There is a Nat. Grassland [joke is "cinnamon", actually "Cimmaron" Nat. Grassland] in SW corner of KS. These are rodents and shooters are like having Terminex come to your home to exterminate all the mice FREE. [ALL? well try...] If you don't look "flakey" like hippies of survivalists or ??? you should be welcomed with open arms. Please show great respect and gratitude and make things nice for the next along. Please. Ham? Cawee of Coke (the drink in bottles). Fruit basket. Well, maybe not around Broke back Mountain. In these areas where guns are not automatically feared and gun owners assumed to be criminals (call the swat team...) if you ask nicely at the chamber of commerce, any farm store, many smaller diners, the local "bar & grill" watering hole where people (with the price) eat and drink in the evening... someone will know about someone with a pest problem. With the price of gas, I would start calling Chambers of Commerce in towns in SW KS. OK? Maybe.

There is plague in the furballs. Lethality is questioned. Don't bother. Leave the pieces or get a bigger rifle or ??? If you must have a trophy, bring flea powder, rubber gloves, sealed containers, etc.

There is a program to re introduce black footed ferrest to the wild. They went almost extinct from a house cat disease a fed biologist told me. There are areas closed to shooting. All they want to eat is p'dogs. Shoot there, fed slam. Confiscation. Hard time. DON'T! Find the areas. AVOID the areas.

VHA of Pierre, SD was from Lone Grove, OK. If you call, they might have some old timers still around with OK info. Might not.

SD markets. Bring money, lots. Wyo is wide open. No license. Lots of begging ranchers. But you asked for close. KS is best I can suggest. LUCK.

PS I won't promise you a 500 round day. I will promise there have been 500 round days. Don't bring a "box or two" and think you will be happy... And a spare rifle to let one cool while you shoot the other... Like that. AND WATER. NEVER ENOUGH.

Pa, Woodchucks

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The new Groundhog pupps are out of the hole. Bu here in WPa. it rained all last month so there are very few hay fields cut so the hunting is tough.

060408_12381.jpg (173.9 kb)

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I was just going to add that this pup is one of 4 I shot w/ 25-06 with in 1/2 hr. Here is pick of moma and another of the pups. As you can see the shot kind of streched the little one out a bit. lol/ All came out of the same hole.

060408_11151.jpg (164.5 kb)

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Great pics nomercyv! There's nothing I like to see more than a couple dead hogs. I live just outside of Pittsburgh (Let's go Pens!!!) but do most of my hunting near Somerset. Here's a pic from last year.

hogs-8-17-06 012.jpg (254.0 kb)

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I think I may have seen your plate and truck but I couldn't say when or where. With gas at $4 though I won't be traveling to shoot piggies. Thanks

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I digress a bit....D'y'all hear 'bout that sports writer from Fla that had audacity to claim y'all have stolen Canadian game from us Canucks? FYI our Nat'l game is Lacrosse and besides who pays attn to some guy living in near tropical conditions talking about a game played on ice with blades strapped to one's feet. Steel Town's franchise player was/is Mario/Sid. Although one is a francophone, we do not hold that against him. Both born in what Country? Although neither is a westerner, I personally know quite a few displaced farm boys from the prairies(past and current professional floggers of hard rubber discs) that have popped far more than average amounts of BPUTS. Both Steel Town and Motor City close to the border, so favoritism is not a factor. Smart money at start of series indicated the winged wheels in six. Of course admittedly I know SFA about roundball and cannot tell whether Beantown or Lala land shall prevail.

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I'm sorry is this person talking english or is it some kind of code? Any way I was told by my Dad today I've been spelling Ground hog incorectly He clames it should be "Ground Howg"/ LOL

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attn hoghntr: Flightless birds shall one day within few years drink from Stan's mug....if they re-sign free agents. One has to have quick mind to follow fastest game on ice and understand the lang! Definitely gotta re-sign the guy that busted his nose twice; the last one by the flying rubber disc at around 147 feet per second.

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I agree that the Pens must re-sign the likes of Ryan Malone and Marian Hossa. We have a great core and must continue to keep it together. As I am writing this I must say that I am sad that my flightless birds lost the Final, but I am extremely proud of the team. It was an extremely exciting series to say the least but the better team did win. They don't say it's the hardest trophy in sports to win for nothing.

By the way, here's another pic to keep this thread on the original subject.

6-23-07 002.jpg (675.3 kb)

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Nice headshot!

What range?

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This one was only out at 264yards. It was a 70gr. ballistic tip out of my .243 700VLS that did the damage.

I am hoping that my favorite hog hunting fields are being cut this week. We have had nothing but rain for the last month and the fields are too high to hunt right now.

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I'm glad to see we're back on topic, this one I got was last nite with my .22mag at only 25yd through the neck w/ cci-mini mag-V. Some times you just have to sit on them and if your in close around barns and sheds I dont like to use a hi-powered rifle. This one waved it's tale at me, somthing they often do if the bullet severs the spine.

#9.jpg (149.5 kb)

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I don't think the pic attached I'll try again.

#9.jpg (149.5 kb)

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I get that alot. I call it the "Death Wave".

Have you ever gotten a hog with a bow? It's a howl. I've gotten two during the PA early archery seasons. You can "Shish-ke-Hog" them to the ground beneath your tree stand.

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No, years ago back in the mid 80's when my boys were young, my wife and I were into archery. Indoor and field, I (we) never took it to the hunting stage. I doubt if either of us could pull a bow now and we really have no intrest.

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Years ago when I was still a kid there was a GH causing havoc in the backyard garden. I took it out with a bow, though it was a bugger to dig out of its hole.

While arrow was quite fatal, the GH made it back to its burrow and tore up the arrow along the way.

Still, good memories!

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Damn, I hope you didn't let a good Muzzy go down the hole! If you did, Shame on you!

I hope it was a freaking expandable.

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It was with a recurve and a wood-shaft arrow. The arrow pinned the woodchuck to the ground for a second, then it ran into the hole with the arrow cross-wise.

Of course, the arrow didn't last long and I got it back in two pieces.

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Carbon arrows and fixed two-blade broadheads are just about indestructible. I usually have a "Hog" arrow in my quiver every time out. It also comes in handy when the squirrels are in season. Very tough to hit, only connected once in my 22 years of hunting.

I did miss a nice gray fox last year. That would have been a nice trophy.

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That would have been an awesome trophy PA! (FOX)! We don't have Grays here just Reds. I've nailed a few song-dogs, (Coyotes) out of the tree. Passerby's and a little whistle, you get lucky once in awhile!!!

Never have shot a GH in my life! We have a few around here but never really try! Badgers!, now that's a different story!!

HB, You old Traditionalist!! Glad you didnt lose a Muzzy!! I'm glad somebody keeps the faith still! I don't have the time! Sucks!

Clean up crew

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I was back on this farm that I hunt alot and noticed a few turkey buzzards(or vultures) circling around the area. I spotted a piggie that I've been watching for. 234yd and made the shot w/ my 270 win. 110gr, v-max,75.5gr 760bp
When I put the shot off it was like I had rung the dinner bell. It only took maybe 10min and there were 7 of these birds on that fresh kill. one was on it and 6 more were sitting on the fence posts right above it.
I noticed they had also found a howg that I had shot several days earlier.
I'll get a pic when I can "Big Birds"
At this point I'm really happy with my set ups My 22-250, 25-06 and the 270 are all working great I've made kills with all of them in the last 2wks. And I have a .22mag that I use fore shots under 50yrd and I shot a pigg through the neck w/ it last evening. So when the hay gets cut and I have the time I'm ready for them. LOL/ Happy Hunting out there. Be safe. Have Fun.

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Here is the pic

buzzards 001.jpg (473.8 kb)

Red Fox in WPa

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Some times its just as much fun to do your shooting with a digtal cam. I was glassing one of my favorite places for ground hogs when I saw these two little guys only abt 10yd from the truck. I observed these two fox cubs for two days and took some 58 picks of them.
I don't generally shoot red fox, although I have shot a couple that were obvously covered with mange. 90% of there diet is mice and if they get a rabit now and then I don't care, I don't eat rabit and we have lots of them around.

foxes 015.jpg (479.9 kb)

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That's a great picture!

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Thank you, I have more if you want them, most were taken at 1mp. I think their Moma moved them or I hope so. We havent seen them for a few days and they were prity exposed there.

Anyone know of a good primer deal

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Maybe I should say does anyone even know where you can find CCI 450 primers? Anyway, I'm looking for a reasonable deal on 450s. Anyone know of any? Midway USA is out of stock and so are several other big places. I can find 800 locally but they want a fortune and its not enough. I need a box of 5000. Thanks.

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Scheels in Omaha had about 3000 450's three weeks ago! I bought 2000 BR-4s! and they only had a 1000 box left after that hit.

GU had 8lb jug's of Benchmark and Varget on sale and I hit both of them! They had all the large primers but no smalls. Had to go to Scheels for the smalls!

Number is 402-289-5666! You will have to pay the standard 20$ shipping bull, But they do have smalls! Maybe you will have to take Feds or Rems by now, but they had a lot awhile back. when nobody else had anything!

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Not a bad idea at all. I forgot about Scheels (We had one in Great Falls, near where I grew up). I'll have to check them out (yours and mine). Now that I think of it I'll check out a couple other stores where I grew up. I have to go there in a couple weeks anyway. Thanks.

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Widener's is out of stock on CCI450's
...though they do have these.

Natchez has CCI450's, though they are expensive.
Their Winchester Small Rifle Magnum Primers are more reasonably priced.

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Thanks guys. After the gun show today I stopped by a place called Sportco and they had everything I needed and at a reasonable price. I tried all the links and did a whole bunch of searching on the internet and its amazing how short the primer supply is getting these days. Thanks again.

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Just a quick follow up. I had left a message with Bitterroot Valley Ammunition and they contacted me today. Their prices were way better than anyone else (under $100 for 5000 CCI 450 primers vs $140+ for most other places). They are just getting their hazmat paperwork in place so I didn't order anything else but these guys are worth serious consideration. Their web site aint much so I'd call them instead, if you want to order from them.

Bitterroot Valley Ammunition
http://www.bvac-ammo.com/index.html
Phone: (406) 273-9140

Got the Itch...

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Its supposed to be 77 degrees Thursday and 80 on Friday (incredible for this area at this time of year). I've got the itch to find some varmints. I finally have a lead on some good yote areas around Ellensburg. If this were an actual itch I'd have scratched myself silly.
How's everyone else holding up:-)

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Unseasonably cold up here in so called Canuck Desert. Temp predicted to climb above 30C (around 90F) Thur/Fri. Friend back east (Alta) already bagged circa 100 BPUT pups before it snowed again. We are around five/six wks behind schedule for norm temps. Ice not even off some of our higher lakes....fly fishing....fubar. Instead of stretching fish lips, it looks like I may have to revert to teaching fur bearing animals how to fly.

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I've had the itch for a LONG time!

It's "been on the list" to get out for at least a long weekend and thin the spring BPUT heard, though family matters have intruded again.

I'll be heading back up to Minnesota again to help handle my dad's affairs. My vacation will be cleaning out his house and getting it ready to rent/sell. He's a pack-rat type and has been living in the same house for the last 40+ years. The house has gotten away from him in the past several years and it needs extensive (and expensive) work to get it ready.

OK - rant off. Time to get back to work.

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I hear you there. I've been through the "family affairs" thing. Good luck. I'm sure you will be rewarded sometime with a target rich environment:-)

My powder and bullets arrived recently so my itch is really getting bad.

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TCOB, HB! I'm sure there will be some left, sometime, when you get ready!!

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