7 POUNDS OF POWDER IN NZ.

1600 rounds of .204 Ruger expended equals a fantastic rabbit shooting trip.
This amount of shooting is put in perspective with the powder down the tube totaling seven pounds of Winchester 748 rifle propellant. The total count for two shooters over ten days then 3 people for another 10 days was 5225 rabbits along with 22 feral cats plus 4 ferrets.
This was another great shoot with a “target rich environment” for sure

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I have been shooting in this area since 1997 which was just prior to the Calici Virus being released. The virus nailed a great proportion of the population and since then the rabbits have increased their resistance to the virus steadily building numbers again. Several years of low rainfall and mild winters have resulted in a population explosion.

The current population level is an environmental disaster and the main property where I shoot is planning to spend $150K on a poison programme during 2010. Having witnessed the almost total lack of ground cover where the rabbits are prevalent I understand the need for such a scheme.

However this situation meant that the 2010 trip was shooting nirvana!

We all ran dry on ammunition and sourced extra from various shops on the South Island. Centre fire ammunition has been difficult to access in Australia and unfortunately New Zealand is similar or worse. The rough tally for ammo was approximately 2000 rounds of 22/250; 1500 rounds of 17HMR; 1000 rounds of 12GA along with the 204 Ruger above.

Because the 204 Ruger cartridges were so difficult to secure I had to resort to reloading some fired cases whilst there. I managed to borrow a set of beam balance scales and powder thrower from a kiwi friend plus I took a set of dies along with a shell holder; powder funnel; hand primer seating tool and projectiles.


A Lee hand press was light and did the job. Combined with the Redding Competition dies it was quite handy. These dies have spring loaded collets to guide and centre the cases and projectiles. The spring effectively acted as a self opener for the hand press as well as maintaining perfect alignment between case and projectile whilst seating. The loaded round run out proved minimal and checking on paper resulted in similar .4 moa groups at 200yd.

EQUIPMENT  

The Rifle – Sako Model 85 Laminated stainless steel fluted Varmint – this was the second trip for this rifle and it is a proven performer. The 6 shot magazine allows quick follow up shots where there are quite a number of rabbits close together. A set trigger is now standard on the 85 series and is invaluable for precise work on such small targets, especially at distances beyond 200 yards.

The Load - Using either Federal Premium ammo with the 39 grain Blitz King projectiles or reloads of the same pills, this rifle will consistently shoot .4 moa [under an 1” group at 200 yds]. My reload consists of moly coated 39 gr BK and Winchester 748 with CCI BR4 primers in Federal cases. The accurate node is at 3750fps and although I could go higher as pressure is still very reasonable I found that beyond approximately 3900 fps these projectiles begin to come apart in mid air. I chronograph and test for accuracy at the same time on our indoor range. The classic sign of such problems is a tell tale comet tail of lead vapor radiating out from the bullet hole on the target.
The first time I encountered this problem was during load development for my 22/6mm improved. Apparently the lead core is melting due to excess friction and vaporizes through the nose resulting in a lead “comet tail”.

The Scope – again a proven performer from previous years being a Leupold Mark 4 variable 8.5-25 with side focus for parallax. For game shooting where shots are taken at constantly changing distances the side focus is a must for convenience as compared to the awkwardness of a front focus unit.
This scope has the TMR reticule with fine 1/2 mil hashes on the vertical and horizontal stadia. Past 200 yds I range find and dial for elevation, then hold off for the prevailing wind condition. This reticule is fine enough to quarter a rabbit way past the ability of the 204 cartridge plus I can regularly apply a known amount of windage.

The Bipod – Harris swivel notched leg 6-9” is my standard bipod. I like to be as low as possible to the ground or truck bonnet for stability – thus the short leg height. The swivel style allows me to quickly level my rifle using a scope mounted bubble level. Having a level rifle is required to deliver consistent results at longer ranges. In the same vein I find the notched legs give easily identifiable leg extension lengths. This is necessary in the search for consistency as uneven leg length will lead to asymmetric recoil which is not conducive to accurate shooting.

The Rangefinder – Swarovski 8x30 monocular provides accurate range determination with performance exceeding manufacturer’s claims. This is the opposite situation to my experience with all the other brands I have tried. In twilight I have ranged up to 1850 yds with this unit and it has been reliable for 3 trips now while giving an excellent clarity and field of view.
It is possible in good light to see rabbits at 1000yds with this unit.

The Binoculars – Swarovski 10 x 42 SLC have been utililized for the last two years and are excellent glass. The new HD and EL series are marginally brighter and clearer to the edge but this is only noticeable in a direct comparison in poor light. I believe they offer great value and if one looks at a quality pair of binoculars as an investment over say 10 years then the relative cost is only $265 per year. Anyone who uses these glasses agrees as to the outstanding quality of the image.
Last year I had the best example of their ability when neither a Swarovski 6-24 x 50 rifle scope or my Mark 4 Leupold scope could resolve a rabbit in deep shade at 250yds. Both could only show a “lump” within the shaded area. The binocular’s clarity showed not only that it definitely was a rabbit but gave 4 different shades of grey, white and browns.
These binoculars allow comfortable viewing of difficult rocky hills and shady briar for many hours without tiring the eyes thus being the mark of quality glass and coatings.

The Suppressor – Last year I took advantage of the New Zealand legislation and had High Country Suppressors [situated in Fairlie on the South Island] fit a unit to my .204 as well as our 17HMR Volquartsen.
Fairlie is between Christchurch and Queenstown on the main highway so it was convenient for us as we passed through after arriving at Christchurch.
I am a total convert to these suppressors and would not use a rifle without one if legal to do so. The term “silencer” is most incorrect as these units lower the sound level but do not remove sound altogether which is impossible. My 204 sounds similar to a 22LR high velocity from my position as the shooter. The supersonic crack of the projectile cannot be hidden from in front of the firearm but it is greatly diminished at the rear.
The low recoil of the 204 is reduced even more with this unit in place as the internal baffles act as muzzle brakes. This allows the shooter to spot his / her shots with precision. Another benefit in this is effective shot follow through and higher hit rates!
We definitely shoot much greater numbers of rabbits from a given “stand” when compared with unsuppressed rifles. After 6 or 7 shots from a standard 22/250 everything “goes to ground”. The most useful feature I can identify is that the suppressor destroys muzzle “signature” – the game is unable to work out where the danger is located.
As an example on one of my last days this year I shot 57 rabbits from a static position on a ridge line over a couple of hours. I would have shot 10 within 20 yards as they ran up the hill towards me! Obviously they were totally confused as to the whereabouts of my position.
The only negative to these units is the physical size and weight they add to the rifle. The overall length becomes cumbersome especially for vehicle access. Also these units are not able to be dismantled or cleaned. They steadily build up powder residue etc. and increase in weight with use.
There is a finite use of probably 7-10K rounds in 204 Ruger after which a complete replacement will be required.
It is an absolute shame that here in Australia we have legislation banning the use of suppressors due to a Hollywood perception of them by our legislators. Even in such strict firearms control countries as the UK, suppressors or moderators are legal. This is due to high population densities and the recognition of the benefits to health / hearing issues.

Secondary rifle 17HMR – for quite a number of years we have used a 17MR of one sort or another. This is the most excellent rabbit caliber out to 150 metres or so on mild days. By that I mean little wind! Every rifle of this caliber I have witnessed to be capable of sub moa accuracy except of course when the wind blows. Rarely will this small bullet shoot through a rabbit and yet it delivers clean kills in comparison to the common rimfire – the 22LR.

Country and hunting notes – we can stroll out from the cottage we hire and shoot rabbits on the adjacent hillside or down along the river which runs on the other side only a few hundred metres away.
For quite a number of years I have had a sound old Nissan GQ Patrol wagon which is reactivated each trip. It is perfect for wandering the hillside tracks and accommodates up to four people with all our associated gear out of the weather. We drive to other heavily populated areas within the main property or to other easily accessed farms as required. This year with the high concentration on the “home” property we did not need to travel any further. Commonly we will move to a known area and dismount to shoot along ridges and rocky outcrops. Sometimes for a change we will walk the thick briar infested gullies with shotguns – often with a long range rifle above and UHF radio communications between all parties.
Quite a lot of shooting can be done either from the vehicle or within 50 yards of same. The country varies from river flats to steep rocky gorges with hills of varying steepness and difficulty in between.
It is always amazing how quickly a day can “get away” and most days the “shooting plan” is never fully completed! Until next time then!!!