Bolt gun Vacation

[Rhenerie]

Ok so heres the deal. A friend and I work for FoMoCo and we have the week of july fourth off. We are thinking about planning a vacation with our bolt guns. We want to have as much fun and learn as much as we can and maybe even meet some hiders. So heres the question. Where do we go?

Really looking for some good suggestions here, we are in Michigan and want to get out of town for the nine days we are off and our significant others are working. We both have 26" .308 Bolt guns, we want to stretch them out and try new things. We have talked about driving or flying so at this point the sky is the limit. Neither of us have been to Texas so it's one place we have thought of, but we have no idea where to go.

So guys point your fingers at the map and give us some recommendations anything that you guys have fun with or love. UKD extended steel target ranges that are rural and unique, praire dog hunting grounds, wind courses any ideas that we can make specific plans for.

If we fly, will we have to ship ammo ?

 

[FALex]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

go to Texas and get some pork products.

On your way there, stop in one of the many states with prairie dogs. Although, if you do this, be prepared to move to wherever the dogs are. That shit is hyper addicting!

 

[Rhenerie]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Didn't think about hog varminting.

Anything more specific ? places,locals or contacts?

 

[JWV]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

I did the same thing last May with some buddies. Drove to South Dakota from Michigan after contacting several ranchers. We brought a UHAUL full of bolt guns and had a blast. We destroyed prairie dogs and shot at rocks on the sides of hills and mountains. We didn't even have to look around and we were shooting from 25-1150 yards. Bring ammo. Lots and lots...and lots of ammo. Perhaps a .223 as well for the PDs. A 308 would get pricey quick.

 

[Mike]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

This is what you do.

Take the wives down to Destin, Florida. While they're shopping, hanging out on the beach, whatever, you're up in Crestview at www.kmprecisionrifletraining.com (about an hour away) shooting as much as you can. You get a day rate and shoot at one of the greatest facilities around.

 

[Rhenerie]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

This is thread is starting to show promise. I will check in to km precision

Keep the suggestions coming.

We have a couple gopro cams maybe when we get back we can post here and edit something cool for youtube.

 

[afate45]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Don't quote me on this, but if you fly, I believe the limit on how much ammo you can bring on the plane is a certain weight of ammo, not any specific count of rounds. I believe the amount is around 10 pounds.

Regarding a suggestion, I'd recommend going on a hog hunt in Texas. Places to hunt hogs are a dime a dozen, and its tough to have a better time than knocking down a 400 pound hog (or perhaps better yet, a 100 pounder since the sausage is incredible!!!)

 

[gstaylorg]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Airplane ammo limit is 5 kg (11 lb) per person. Comes to almost exactly 180 rnds of .308 175 gr. So in theory, you could take about 360 rounds between the two of you. If you need more, shipping it a few days ahead would be the way to go.

You might want to look at the Tactical Competitions section here at SH. Lots of posts that have shown some very cool shooting facilities that might be something you'd enjoy (Utah, Texas, etc).

 

[Mike]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

But if Mama's happy, everyone is happy. How much happier could she be than shopping, lounging around at the beach, quite romantic dinners with you when you get back to the range. Sure, you can go hunt. That's something she'll much rather be on board with.

BTW, ship ammo via ground that way the 11 lb. limit doesn't matter.

 

[KYS]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

We vacation in Gulf Shores Alabama a few times a year now. Last time we went I spend a day at the range to get away from my clan for a few hours. It took me about 2 hours with traffic to get there. Great place! One of the nicest ranges I have ever seen.

 

[Trovan]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This is what you do.

Take the wives down to Destin, Florida. While they're shopping, hanging out on the beach, whatever, you're up in Crestview at www.kmprecisionrifletraining.com (about an hour away) shooting as much as you can. You get a day rate and shoot at one of the greatest facilities around. </div></div>

K&M has a day rate? That's great news. I thought you had to be a member to shoot there outside of a class or competition. Awesome facility!

 

[Gray]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> BTW, ship ammo via ground that way the 11 lb. limit doesn't matter. </div></div>

^^^^ This!!

 

[skeetlee]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Texas in July sounds extreamly HOT!!!!!! Been there and done that. Wont ever do it again either. Worst dam heat i have ever felt. Lee

 

[Rhenerie]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mike</div><div class="ubbcode-body">But if Mama's happy, everyone is happy. How much happier could she be than shopping, lounging around at the beach, quite romantic dinners with you when you get back to the range. Sure, you can go hunt. That's something she'll much rather be on board with.

BTW, ship ammo via ground that way the 11 lb. limit doesn't matter. </div></div>

The girls are going to be working so this is a boys only trip

Anyone from texas know any local places for hogs or dogs?? Maybe we can do florida and texas.

 

[1911fan]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: afate45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't quote me on this, but if you fly, I believe the limit on how much ammo you can bring on the plane is a certain weight of ammo, not any specific count of rounds. I believe the amount is around 10 pounds. </div></div>

Yeah, and- I'm pretty sure it's 11 pounds <span style="font-weight: bold">on the plane</span>, not per person. Somebody shows up ahead of you with that much, and yours won't go on. May vary with airline.
Order and drop ship to your destination.

1911fan

 

[Rhenerie]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Texas in July sounds extreamly HOT!!!!!! Been there and done that. Wont ever do it again either. Worst dam heat i have ever felt. Lee </div></div>

This is a valid point, neither of us love the heat.

I know nothing of texas. Are there any higher elevation places that stay cooler?

 

[Pat Harrison]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1911fan</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: afate45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Don't quote me on this, but if you fly, I believe the limit on how much ammo you can bring on the plane is a certain weight of ammo, not any specific count of rounds. I believe the amount is around 10 pounds. </div></div>

Yeah, and- I'm pretty sure it's 11 pounds <span style="font-weight: bold">on the plane</span>, not per person. Somebody shows up ahead of you with that much, and yours won't go on. May vary with airline.
Order and drop ship to your destination.

1911fan </div></div>
No it's 11 lbs per person. I've tucked extra ammo in my wifes suitcase when travelling. Also when travelling to the USPSA Nationals we usually have flights with many, many shooters on board and thats on multiple airlines. Some (AIr Canada) will charge extra but its still gtg.

 

[RyeDaddy]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rhenerie</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skeetlee</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Texas in July sounds extreamly HOT!!!!!! Been there and done that. Wont ever do it again either. Worst dam heat i have ever felt. Lee </div></div>

This is a valid point, neither of us love the heat.

I know nothing of texas. <span style="font-weight: bold">Are there any higher elevation places that stay cooler?</span></div></div>

Not really, unfortunately. Even in West TX where the elevation are higher it's hot as hell all through July and August. It's a great place to be, but the summers are like being on the surface of the sun.

My brother and I went on a west TX ram hunt for my birthday in 2011, weekend of July 4th. It was 107 degrees during the day, total brutality.

 

[Rhenerie]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Ok so maybe not texas, so as of now we have Florida .. any more suggestions ? anything west or midwest ?

 

[9sigman45]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

You may want to check out the home of the NRA (Whittington Center) in Raton, NM. Lots of shooting opportunity there.

 

[triceratops3]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

If I had the opportunity to take a "bolt gun vacation" I would probably want to try to go to a match.

I think something like this would be awesome..

http://www.snipershide.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=3856326&gonew=1#UNREAD

but would probably require a lot more preparation and training than just going somewhere and going shooting.

 

[GentleBen]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

About six of us shootin' buddies drove up to southwest Kansas right near the Colo. border in late May two years ago. Shot prairie dogs for three days on flat to rolling plains. I burnt up right at 1,000 rounds of .223.

Great trip, people were friendly enough though curious about our fascination with shooting PDs. Food was lousy (we brought a lot of our own Louisiana cooking.)

Wind was unbelievable -- 20mph sustained was the norm. It hailed on us, too. (May is still tornado time.)

Will do it again soon, I hope. May try far west Texas or Arizona next time.

 

[Hunt4life]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

That is a heck of an idea, may make a run to the gulf beaches and go shooting with the wife. That would be about perfect.

 

[Maelstrom]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

If headed to Texas don't forget to check out rifles only and possibly take a class

 

[jwp6114]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

well if you decide to go to SD to shoot prarie dogs their wont be any left as me and some friends are going in May

 

[Flying Goose]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

http://spiritridgeriflegolf.com/ check this out!

about 90 miles north of Salt Lake City and there are a ton of other great ranges around there and public lands to go shot on!

 

[Rhenerie]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Rifle golf sounds like alot of fun. Thats going on the list of possibles for sure.

 

[StrayDog]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Another vote for Raton. Try to make the Monthly Sporting Rifle Match: 60 rounds needed, plus maybe a few to check your zero when you get up to that high desert. Lots of fun and a good challenge.

 

[Rhenerie]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Any ideas for something closer to michigan? Or something on the way to one of these places? We have nine days so some sight seeing could be fun as well.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

At Whittington, assume an altitude of roughly 6,000ft ASL. It can get hot, but not as bad as Texas.

Camping and quarters are available; I can recommend the Hunters' Cabins, within sight of the Tubb 1000yd range.

Check their website for more specific info, and take time to peruse their schedule, so your intentions and their events don't clash.

The Highpower Silhouette range has a steel Buffalo at 1KM/1123yd, and I think it's a total blast. It made a .260 Rem believer out of me.

Ammunition carry Restrictions for airlines. I found out the hard way that the weight of a USGI ammo can counts as part of the weight restriction. Lapua Ammo packaging is the lightest weight commercial packaging I've seen so far.

Raton NM is a typical small Southwestern town, and is several hours drive from Denver; the logical airport for accessing Whittington, which has rough roads. You might want to consider renting an SUV. Get a White one, the heat in the Southwest can be surprising.

Greg

 

[Rhenerie]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Still looking for more options, Anything in PA KY or TN ?

 

[Buckeye Scott]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

Seeing how you live in Michigan you might look at going to Thunder Valley in Ohio. I have not been there yet but heard nothing but good things.

 

[triceratops3]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rhenerie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Still looking for more options, Anything in PA KY or TN ? </div></div>

Don't think you'll be able to find many prarie dogs and that sort of this closer to the east coast so if that's what you would want, I'd keep looking out west.

I know there are a few ranges in pa that go to 1k or so and a couple places that have formal training. (can't think of names off the top of my head, but I'll check tomorrow)

As said above you could go to TVP. It is a great place and Tom is a great guy. Usually some type of match going on most weekends during the summer and Tom offers private formal training as well. I know there were a couple of guys that drove down from Michigan for the spring sniper match last year.

 

[Eagleclaw]

Re: Bolt gun Vacation

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Buckeye Scott</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Seeing how you live in Michigan you might look at going to Thunder Valley in Ohio. I have not been there yet but heard nothing but good things. </div></div>
What I was thinking. In the same boat as you Scott.
http://thundervalleyprecision.com/