I like to make a high country rock chuck trip once a year. For 2025 I decided to invite others to do the shooting following Handgun Hunter’s Competition.
HHC focuses on field shooting with handguns from practical positions at various distances. Immediately following a match like this, the shooters should be prepared.
A Couple Last Minute Tasks
Just prior to heading up the hill I had a few things to accomplish. I had to pick up all the steel targets from HHC and I had one other task. This task was important. I was assisted by Marc Sheehan with getting Brad Williams a few prairie dogs. We spent a little over a half a day sneaking Brad into range and getting him on dogs.
Brad used a 6 Arc T/C Contender to connect out to 280 yards on several prairie dogs. Once we got Brad within range and on target the results were spectacular!
Packing the Gear
Once all the steel was picked up I went straight to packing. We were going into the back country on foot and needed all the right gear to have a safe and enjoyable trip. Part of packing was doing a quick zero check/bill drill with the back country defense handgun. I carry my Spohr 283 Carry 357 Magnum in a Nixon Chest Rig and it is loaded with Cutting Edge Bullets 160 grain solids.
For my Bill Drill/Bear Drill I strive for 6 shots in under 2 seconds from the draw at 7-10 yards. A chest holster is not as fast as a hip holster but it is the only way to keep a gun from interfering with the pack belt. Breaking 2 seconds is something I rarely achieve with this carry method, but I’m close. For critter defense in the back country you have a small target to stop the threat RIGHT NOW! These action pistol targets do a pretty good job of representing that all important nervous system shut down shot.
After checking the gun over I proceeded to packing my gear and getting ready.
To the Mountains
The next morning I met Clint, Jay, and Nick at the local gas station and we made our way to the mountains just a few hours away. After a short drive up a horrible road we were at camp. Tents were set up, gear readied, and we were off on the trail.
On day one we had a mix of sun and rain which was perfect. When it would rain we could move about and as soon as it stopped the chucks would pop out.
I was there playing tour guide and spotting while letting the others do all of the shooting.
Lessons Learned
There was a bit of a learning curve in the beginning as we were shooting steep angles on the hillsides. When shooting up or down slope at a great angle there is only one shooting technique that works consistently for the revolvers when shooting from support. That technique is placing a small bag under the butt of the gun.
Other methods where utilized by some of the shooters in the beginning with less than desirable results. But after an hour or so they started connecting!
Success
Clint used his BFR 44 magnum with a Crimson Trace scope to connect at about 100 yards. The Hornady XTP made quick work of the chuck, and we were on the board.
As the day progressed so did the success rate. Connections with revolvers were out to just over 100 yards and the single shots went to about 300 yards.
Sometimes the guys got a little excited and crept a little too close to the glass and got a kiss from the scope.
Day Two
On day two we had much better weather. Multiple chucks were taken with revolvers from practical field positions while hiking all over the mountain. Jay used his BFR 357 Magnum with an Ultradot Match Dot Two and Clint Continued to use his BFR 44 Magnum.
After a good bit of revolver shooting all of the closer chucks went into hiding and it became the day of the single shot. Chucks were shot out to about 380 yards with a 7BR XP100 from the prone position.
This xp shooting the 139 Hornady SST was deadly accurate on the chucks and accounted for many connections that day.
The Locals
While out there its always nice to see the locals. We had our hunt interrupted by the local elk population as they climbed the hill.
It was a fun filled two days with lots of shooting, hiking, camp stories, and Nick even mixed in some fishing. There is nothing like introducing new people to back country hunting and enjoying our public land.
One response to “Back Country Rock Chucks by: Chris Rhodes”
I had a great time. Thanks again Chris.