This was my 3rd year to go to WY for a PD hunt. I had been shooting my .223 & 20 VT, but this year I also took my 17 HMR. I wanted to take the HMR in the past, but it just didn't group well at 100 yards. I replaced the barrel on the HMR with a Lothar Walther barrel. Man on man, what a difference.
The HMR is in an MDT stock with an arca rail. 19" Lothar Walther barrel, threaded for a suppressor and a vertical grip. I was shooting the Hornady 17 gr V-Max.
During the night a storm came through and when I headed out there was still a drizzle and the temperature was at 56*. Not a promising start. Getting to my location, it was very overcast, wet grass and cool. At this time of the morning it is normally very sunny, but not today. No dogs were out. So I just cruised the property checking out prior hunting spots and looking for new ones. After a couple of hours, the sun came out and warmed up the area. Heads started popping up from the mounds looking around. It was time.
I was still driving across the property when I saw one standing up on the two track road, stopping, I opened the door, laid the HMR across a bag, and down he went. He was the first one of many that morning with the HMR.
After the first one, I went to the area where I intended to start that morning. It did not disappoint. The wind was working in my favor being very light. I used the HMR most of the morning. With the very light wind and a suppressor on the HMR I was wreaking havoc on the PD's. My longest shot of the morning was a lasered 163 yards with the HMR.
The following day started the same as the first with some rain and cool temp's. When the sun came up shooting started again. I switched over to the 20 Vartarg since it didn't get much use the day before and again the PD's started flying.
With the very light wind still present, I could have stayed in one location, but using the VT without a suppressor, it is very loud. So when the PD's go down, I walk around. It allows me to get a better angle or closer to some that was not available before.
It was a great trip and I'm looking forward to the next one.
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