Rule #3 "The Double Tap" or Since Shadow has been critter deprived :)

[Atchman2]

Well since Shadow's hunting area has been devastated; well by him AND another predator, it is up to someone to fill in the night hunting.  

After putting in a new spring and seal in my RWS 350, I've had some POI issues.  Mostly it fires fine, but then when I sit it down for awhile the POI changes.  I swapped out the scope to a Centerpoint scope 4x16 and a one-piece mount.  

I shot about a hundred pellets through it today at 20 yards. Most of them in a dime-sized group.  After it got dark I re-confirmed the zero AGAIN just to be sure and it was stacking pellets so instead of swapping it out for my proven TF 89, I decided to give my first magnum its chance to shine.  

The wifey and I were watching TV when the ding donger went off.  I went outside just as Chip the Wonder dog got a whiff of possum and it was "buh bye" possum.  However, about 15 minutes he decided to come back down the trail towards the culvert.  The ding donger went off again, and this time I was ready.  I had my camo coat on, black sweats, and I snuck out the back door crouching low so he couldn't see me through the fence.  

Just like the coyote hunting videos, I waited for him to turn.  At that time I brought the gun up to a good shooting position resting it on the back of my arm over the deck rail.  A few weeks ago, I took a course on marksmanship.  Today when I was practicing and zeroing in the rifle, I really worked on breath control.  

I took in a breath and let it out slowly then held it.  The crosshairs were right where I needed them to be.  At I'm guessing over 22 FPE of energy spat a CPHP downrange.  It sounded like a baseball hit through my new hearing aids.    He instantly hit the ground and didn't move.  I grabbed another CPHP out of my pocket, reloaded and administered Rule No. 3 "The Double Tap", since pellets are cheap and possums are TOUGH.  This time he went into a wild death dance and spewed blood all over the game trail.  I knew I hit him both times, but I loaded yet again and observed him through the scope, but I saw his tail curl up and I knew he was KAPUT (a little German lingo there)  

He was a little scrawny possum that I've spotted before.  I also have a couple pictures of him on the game camera.  Earlier I ran off the white skunk.  

It was good to have my 350 back and in action.  I felt really confident in it today after several rounds of practice.  


Here is my veteran .22 RWS 350 and its prey


Here is the right side.  

j
There you go Shadow, a perfect side fusebox shot at 33 yards.  A little tuning, a little practice, a little skill, and some excellent breathing=a decent shot.  

[longislandhunter]

Way to go Randy, nice shooting    Doesn't get any better than that

The pics tell it all..

We have a new "night hunter" in our ranks 

Jeff

[Furseeker]

Nice shooting Randy. Glad so see you have all the tools of the trade working like they shoud.

[renowntwo]

great shot and pic's

[Tpatner412]

Great shooting. I'm sure Ed will love that one.

[1377x]

nice shooting
good job!

[Atchman2]

Well since the critters are moving around at the onset of cold weather, I may be able to start the video taping.  They've been so erratic before now that I haven't really had a chance to do any taping.  

I'll probably set the alarm for around 2 AM tonight and give it a try. The last couple of days I've accumulated some cold weather gear so I can sit for a couple hours with relative comfort.  The camera will shoot 6 hours of video at a time, so if I can stand it I can stay until daylight or until I get the first critter.  

I did get another shot last night, a bandit was on the game trail.  I didn't get as good of a rest as I did earlier.  At first I thought I hit him, but I must have missed high and he ran straight away.  He didn't stay long enough for the game camera to snap his picture either.  My mistake this time was really not turning on the lighted reticule.  I find it makes a big difference with my old eyes in the dark. 

[SGTCPabon]

Way to get it done Randy!! Great shooting and story, and way to get that breathing down brother! Shadow sent the rifle out the other day.  I'm gonna spend a day zeroing and plinking, then my youngest brother is coming over. He wants to spend a night in a tent in the yard, doing some shooting and talking.  Can't wait!! I'm gonna make you guys proud! Also, I might be getting my back surgery soon!! After I heal up, how bout I take a road trip down to TN?

[Atchman2]

Woo hoo! That gun will for certain take down a raccoon or possum.  

You just get better!  America needs you mobile  

I'd start with the rifle at 10 yards and then move it out to 20 yards for a zero.  That way you get a good feel for how it is shooting.  If I know Shadow it will shoot like butter, being easy to cock and with a nice soft action.  

I think the sidelever will be okay for your back.  It has an extension arm on the lever so that you can pull that out and it will be even easier to cock.  The only thing that I never got used to was that a lot of stuff is backwards on a sidelever gun.  I did shoot it awhile before sending it off.  It hits really hard!  Try the heavier pellets if you have any, but I had pretty good luck with regular CPHPs in it.  

[SGTCPabon]

That's the plan brother! How heavy would you go in the rifle? I know it should be heavy enough to knock a little speed off but you don't want to go too heavy as the spring will wear out.  You have no idea how excited I am to take my first game ever!! With my little 20 year old brother doing it also!! I really cannot wait, I feel like a kid on Christmas.   Over the next couple of days I'm going to make every hunter on here very proud.  The only thing I need now is about a gallon of red nail polish lol!

[shadow]

Great shooting and pic's bro and he's a scruffy looking Country Rat you should have brushed his fur out for the pic's lol. It's been real slow here despite the fresh track activity and I'm holding up in different spot's each night to narrow down their movement. They should be out raiding food sources to fatten up for the winter but like last year I hit them pretty starting in the spring. It's great to see the 350 getting some solid hit's and action she's been wanting it we know. Ed

[Mebits]

I like the "Double-Tap".

I'll remember that with the zombie starlings...

Along with cutting their heads off and staking their hearts with tooth picks.

:O

[dk1677]

Nice shooting Randy! LOL on rule #3

[Atchman2]

When I went to shoot the 350 at a squirrel this morning it was at least 2" low!  This gun is driving me crazy!  It must be the temperature differences that is causing it.  It was shooting fine last night but then this morning it is off.

Last night I left it out on the deck, today it was inside all morning.  Maybe that is the issue.  It just isn't that way on my TF rifles. They shoot the same all the time. So I'm going with befuddled. 

[wicki67]

Ok!.... I give up!

If Rule #3 is Double Tap; what are Rules #1 and #2? Are there more  than 3...?

Dave T.

[Atchman2]

Well it is actually rule #2 from the movie "Zombieland" a must see if you enjoy zombie movies.   His point was why risk having a zombie get you when you can administer the "double tap" and make sure you've put him down. Here are all the rules:

# 01. Cardio-(got to be able to outrun the zombies)
# 02. Double Tap
# 03. Beware of bathrooms
# 04. Seat belts

According to a trailer.
# 06. Cast Iron Skillet

From a TV Spot.
# 07. Travel light

From a TV Spot.
# 12. Bounty Paper Towels

From a TV Spot.
# 15. Bowling Ball

From a TV Spot.
# 17. (Don’t) be a hero

Changed in the movie, after it’s defined, to “Be a hero.”
# 18. Limber up
# 22. Plan your escape

aka: When in doubt, know your way out.
# 29. The Buddy System
# 31. Check the back seat
# 32. Enjoy the little things
# 33. Swiss Army Knife

[bradyman1]

What do you do with the country rats, do you eat them?

[Atchman2]

Noper, I take them over to the bluff where I hunt and give them to the buzzards that roost over there.  Usually by the next day there is nothing left after about three dozen vultures make a meal out of them. 

I skin the raccoons though, but the meat still goes to the same place. 

[bradyman1]

So it's a hunt just for the sake of hunting. I am not against that but many seem to be. It seems that most of the board members on here eat what they shoot. If I get a shot at a possum, racoon, crow, or starling I am going to take it but I will not be eating them. Do you eat the nutters and rabbits?

[only1harry]

Excellent shooting with the 350 Randy!!  That was my first Magnum gun too   Actually my first adult air rifle.  Yep, 350's can eat scopes, so be mindful of that scope you took off it before you put the CenterPoint on it.  It might be bad or need service if it's under warranty. 
Glad to see you are back in action with the 350.  I got some issues with mine right now too, but I 've been working too much and too busy to deal with it right now.  That's why you must have lots of guns to choose from   BTW, I never got a pass-through on any of the possums I have shot with the 350 and they were close, just over 20yds.  They got some tough skulls and their brain and that whole area inside the skull is very dense with cartilidge and other thinner bone throughout inside there.  Very tough skull "internals" on top of the thick skull.  I am working on another big country rat but every time I shine a light on it he takes off.  That's ok, tomorrow (or tonight) is another day

I don't eat the possums either.  Just knowing that many of them are Rabies carriers, in addition to that long Rat tail, just completely turns me off