One of the things about this popular mind blog is that it's supposed to be about guns and country life, as well as anything else I care to think of. Fine, so where's the guns, so-called LSP? Good question, and to put the record straight I drove out to a churchman's ranch to burn some powder.
We started off slinging skeet and I wanted to see if the venerable Mossberg Ultimag was working, it'd had extraction issues. But hey, the gun worked flawlessly, knocking orange adversaries out of the sky like a good 'un.
Next up, an over and under 12 made in Brazil under license by Stoeger, an unshot gift from a kind churchperson. Would it work? Magnum mysterium. It did, smoking clays with uncanny authority. Then on to a CZ 20 SxS. Great little gun and... I could've shot better. Obviously need some remedial 20 action.
Note 5 shot minute of Copenhagen group. Nice.
Next up, another unshot rifle, a Marlin .22 WMR. How would that perform under the big Texan sky, did its previous owner zero the beast in, and at what range? Was the rimfire weapon on? Turns out it was, with the best group hitting steel at 100 yards sub moa. Nice, especially with the Marlin's bizarrely stiff trigger. Whatev, compensate, and we took the target out to 200 yards, just for kix.
Because awesome ballistic science, something like an 8" drop was on the cards, so I held at that and, after a few test shots got in the zone, putting rounds into center mass within minute of Copenhagen. Result. Then it was time to ride out on the quads.
First up, an inspection of a new-built ranch house. Note this, and note it well, all you house builders. This home wisely has a tower, which is awesome. Tour over, we roared about in a Polaris kind of way around the fields and trails of bucolic Texas.
What a lot of fun, and I really want to thank CR for a great day out. Powerful medicine.
Shoot on,
LSP
That my CZ back from the watery depths? A replacement? Or belong to someone else?
ReplyDeleteYour CZ has miraculously returned from the depths, T! I didn't shoot it as well as I should've though. Clearly need some remedial 20 action...
DeleteI'm thinking a tower would be nice, but a little out of place in my neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteI am reticent to burn powder. I may need it soon.
Same here on the ammo, Ed, but I had to get + 12 and 20 value packs are back online so...
DeleteGood view. My wife grew up in the Panhandle. I've been out there only once, and I would have talked at my parents to move from the Piney Woods had I known how it was. She grew up in Fritch. I mentioned comedian Ron White, who is of an age with hers. She said she remembered a Ronnie in first grade. "I used to hit him in the head with my books," she said. We now know the cause. He's funny and all, but anytime every fifth word is a bleep, it gets kind of tiresome.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good view, Sgt. Fun to ride around on a quad, too. Don't know the Panhandle much, though I've driven through parts.
DeleteThe question of whether to build a tower or not is well asked. Does it make your compound a target or does it provide a fair warning?
ReplyDeleteHere at the WWM, surrounded by 150' tall Ponderosas, the tower would have to be at least 300' to matter - with a lightning rod on top because it will get hit. If it's that tall, the law would require a red, rotating beacon that screams, "nuke me first".
And a 300' climb would be good exercise, or I'd need an elevator to get to the top.
A 300' tower would certainly stand out, LL. This one was interesting, mostly internal to the structure of the house, opening out into a rooftop lookout. Pretty neat.
DeleteTower is a good idea, but Richie Brothers have a few bucket lifts available next auction, more versatile in rural ranch country, can move as needed.
ReplyDeleteInteresting solution, Paul!
DeleteYep, towers call too much attention to one's self... And good days at the range/a range are well worth the time spent!
ReplyDeleteNFO, I'm all for a good tower and wouldn't mind a small but sturdy castle, either. You used to be able to buy them in Ireland, curiously. Pricey now though.
ReplyDeleteAnd for sure, great to get out and shoot. About time...
Buy a castle from Ireland? Can I get free shipping with Bezos Prime?
ReplyDeleteIf you ever make it up this way, Parson, I'm sure Well Seasoned Fool would be happy to escort us out to one of the open air ranges he knows of. I don't have much, but you're welcome to try them.
That is fantastic news! Time to get the clay thrower going.
ReplyDeleteI love the smell of gunpowder in the morning.
ReplyDeleteSaint Barbara would be proud of you, LSP, and Friar Roger Bacon as well.