The day started at 4.30 am so we could leave at 5 for the run up to a Central Otago property where I often go after rabbits in the low country and goats up high.
Got away on time and was on the rabbit patch by 6.30 and in this target rich country, I had run out of ammo by just after 9 am. While this part of the hunt was not tackled by a lead boolit I have done so with a 22LR in the past and been handicapped by the lack of reach. With rabbits going from almost under your feet (I have done a run with my shotgun but again didn't have the reach) out to about 200yds plus I decided to take the 20VarTarg this trip. I have developed a short range load for the 34gn j.word at 2750 but had to leave a lot of animals as a less than perfect hit made for a messy result. Even so I bought home about 50 jointed pieces ( just the back legs and the loins) so after washing they areresting in salt water for 24 hours before drying and fre flow freezing.
After this we went up into goat country with the 7x57 and softnosed cast 160gn boolits but for the first time failed to find a mob. Still it was a very good day and I picked up a peach tree for our orchard on the way home.
Goat country.
Even my co-pilot had a great time of it.
Von Gruff.