Any Sage rat hunters?

24 on/ 48 off · 02-25-2003, 08:44 AM

Season is getting close! Any stories and/or pics?

--spdu-- :smile:

1pump · 02-25-2003, 10:42 AM

I used to hunt rats on private land near Ashwood. We were pretty laid back about it. We used scoped, autoloading .22's, mainly because we'd go through 1000-2000 rounds each over a weekend, and at that rate centerfire ammo would bankrupt you.
The first trip of the year would require a 35' class A motor home and about 8 people, with enough food for 20 and enough alcohol for 50. We also made the mistake (once) of bringing a keg along, but after getting shook up on the way up there it was nothing but foam for 2 days. :depressed: No problem, we had plenty of back-up booze. :smile: Which might also explain why we went through so much ammo.
We had the run of 18,000 acres of grassland, complete with a really cool canyon which Trout Creek ran through. If you got bored with shooting, you could head down in to the canyon and fish, or hunt for artifacts, of which there were plenty. In the fall, doves would work the stock ponds on the ranch. That was always a blast. And at night, providing we weren't too drunk, we'd hunt for porcupines. The property was crawling with quail, chukars, coyotes, bobcats, rattlesnakes, mule deer by the dozens, and geese on occasion.
Those were some good times. If I had a scanner I'd show some pics.

skein · 02-25-2003, 10:47 AM

Talked to a friend in Mitchell just last week and he said they were starting to show. Of course that was when we'd had that spate of 50+ degree weather. Don't know how it looks now.

My wife and I will go over probably around the middle of March, simply because of time commitments between now and then. She's after me to buy her a new .17 HMR. (Okay, honey, I will.)

Here's a pic of a friend's badger he got while we were shooting over by Crane.

So many hobbies....so little time. :grin:

Skein

1pump · 02-25-2003, 10:59 AM

Check out those claws on Mr Badger. :shocked:

willametteriveroutlaw · 02-25-2003, 12:48 PM

Next batch of warm weather I'm off to slay a couple hundred :grin: :grin: . We have a dynamite spot that is only a couple of hours away. Last year me and one of my close buddies shot 2000 rds in 7 hours over there.. It was great, I had blisters on my fingers from loading my clips. I just got my 10/22 set up and am ready to go..

Big Willie · 02-25-2003, 01:00 PM

Yup...I started reloading the .22-250 last weekend. Looking forward to it!

Lucky Lunker · 02-26-2003, 03:41 PM

The last couple of years I have routinely made trips out to the Gilcrest and Peoria area to "hunt" rats... always lots of fun...

If you have the chance, leave a bunch in the field you hunt in and wait just before nightfall and you'll often find you will have shots at your fair share of coyotes also!

Lucky Lunker · 02-26-2003, 03:43 PM

did I say Peoria? I ment La Pine... oops../

DAB · 02-26-2003, 04:51 PM

Hey Big Willy what cases, bullet ,primer and powder do you load for that 22-250. Just looking to see what other guys use.

When I get a chance to hunt RATS I use
Ruger 10/22 long rifle
Ruger 10/22 Mag.
Ruger 77 heavy barrel 22-250
Ruger MkII Heavy barrel 6-7/8 inch and 10 inch pistols
T/C 50 Cal. Muzzle stuffer.
I had some privite land to shoot on but they built houses in the direction we had to shoot so have to find another spot.
DAB

[ 02-26-2003, 06:03 PM: Message edited by: DAB ]

Big Willie · 02-27-2003, 06:21 AM

DAB, I use mainly Norma brass that I found at an estate sale...but also have Rem, Win also.

Powder: IMR 4064 (35gr)
Bullets: Speer 55gr Spitzer
Primers: CCI (I think) Large magnum

I shoot a Remington 700 BDL VLS with the heavy barrel. Those rounds shoot very well out that gun. I think they are going about 3600fps at the muzzle.
Gary

Btw...I bet those pistols are fun for the rats!

[ 02-27-2003, 07:22 AM: Message edited by: Big Willie ]

skein · 02-27-2003, 02:52 PM

Dab,

I load the following in my 22-250

Brass - mostly Win, some Rem
Powder - IMR4895 - 35gr
Bullet - 50gr Nosler Ballistic Tip
Primer - CCI Large Rifle

Rifle - Kimber

I've tried 40 grainers, 52's, and 55's, from Sierra to Nosler, and that's the load my rifle likes. It's a pretty honest 1/2 in. load if I do my part. I took a prairie dog at 425 yards with one shot (no walking it up), and that's my longest shot so far. I've shot it 1000's of times, and I think the modest load has kept the barrel from being shot out.

It also wears a Leupold 6X18.

Skein

Damien · 02-27-2003, 03:07 PM

I've never gone out sage rat hunting but would love the chance to do so. How did you guys find a place to go and shoot them up. Are there many good places to go fairly close to Bend. I live in Albany and don't want to have to drive to far eastern oregon. Any tips on finding really good land to hunt would be appreciated. I can't imagine going through a couple thousand rounds of ammo on a weekend. It must be nonstop action. Do you just sit down were the little critters pop up and blast them all day or do you have to move around? Anyway any advice for the sage rat novice would be great.

24 on/ 48 off · 02-27-2003, 03:51 PM

Damien,

I have sat in one spot with my 10-22 and popped at least 50 of them without moving an inch. When my buttcheek gets sore, I only have to move another 25 yards to get more shootin' in (and sit on the other cheek.)

You can easily shoot 1500 rounds per day of 22LR.

If you head south of Bend, start looking for alfalfa fields around the LaPine area. The further south, the more fields. Just walk up to the farmer's house and ask for permission.

One day about 3 years ago, my buddy and I decided to knock on a few doors. We stopped knockin' after 6 farms. Every single farmer gave us permission- they hate the little critters.

Good luck.

--spud-- :smile:

DAB · 02-27-2003, 05:26 PM

Skein & Big Willie
The load I use for rat shooting is
Case W/W
Primer Federal 210m large rifle bench rest
Powder IMR 4064--33.5 Grs.
Bullet Sierra 52/53 grain hollow point bench rest
Shoots 1/2 in groups.
The most accuret load I have used is
Case - R/P
PR- CCI 200 LR
PD. - IMR 4064 @ 35.0 GRS.
BT-Sierra 63 gr. Semi. Point (almost a Round nose)
on a good day before my stroke I could put 5 in one raged hole of 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch now it spreads out to 1/2 to 5/8 In. groups.
I also have a Canjar trigger on my gun set at about 1 pound , that helps out a lot .
Years ago I used to shoot on the Double Tree Ranch at Fort Rock. I like 22 rim fire LR or MAG because it is more of a chalange . Wife hollerd SUPPER

DAB/

[ 02-27-2003, 06:27 PM: Message edited by: DAB ]

nerta · 02-27-2003, 05:39 PM

Time isn't close, it's here. A friends 14 year and his buddy got 26 saturday. They told me they were starting the( red mist, :smile: society for teens.) :grin:

24 on/ 48 off · 02-28-2003, 09:37 PM

Mid March to mid April always seems best to me.

--spud-- :smile:

Damien · 02-28-2003, 11:15 PM

Thanks for awnsering my question about places and what not. The only other question I had was whats the range of times to go. I would think that you would have to have a sustained time of somewhat warmer temps to get them going. Also once the alpalpa starts really growing(May-ish?) is it hard to see the little guys. Thanks again.

skein · 03-13-2003, 12:21 PM

So anybody been out yet? I've heard of a couple of second-hand reports, but nothing I could substantiate. I'm sure getting antsy to go.

Skein

BuKuBass · 03-13-2003, 04:00 PM

Love these mid-60s temps. Yesterday I shot nine rockchucks southeast of Terrebonne. A friend of mine in Baker City has been popping sage rats for the past three weeks.

skein · 03-13-2003, 08:54 PM

Way to go, Buku. We hunt 'chucks in the same general area around Terrebonne, but haven't made it over yet this year. I keep going to work when I should be out hunting and fishing.

Glad to hear something is popping its head up and that someone is on station when they do.

I've got bad fever and chills - spring fever, cabin fever, rat fever - and work leaves me cold. :grin:

Skein