Thread: Ruger Walkabout

Had the enjoyable task today of taking the 300 Blaser Magnum out for a few quick shots to check both the rifle and I are still shooting straight. The morning was mild and still and I ensured I arrived super early as I wanted to see if I could catch out any critters in the surrounds. For this I packed the little Ruger along. No V-Max ammo this time but just the five rounds I had laoded with Hornady ELD-X 90 gn over AR2209. This is a backup but seldom used load developed a while back that whizzes along around 3200 fps.
Parking some way back I walked in quietly and scanned ahead with the binos. Around 300 yds off I picked out a small brown form moving around in the gloom. Immediately I set off to the side behind some low ridges for concealment and started cutting distance. Arriving at the pre-determined spot I sneaked over and propped the Ruger on the bipod. The brown form should have been straight below, but wasn't. But off to my left, 135 yds, was a form I instantly saw was a Hare. An easy shot but it was hard behind a fence post for several minutes as I impatiently willed it to move. Eventually it did and I could line up the shot. I remembered that on the current scope setting this load shoots slightly left and high so judged my hold ( correctly, luckily ) and the shot neatly bowled the Hare. Eject the empty, recharge the chamber and while remaining low scanned around for anyhing else that might have been disturbed. Waited probably ten minutes and was just about to stand when off to my right slightly I spied a mobile brown form. Binos up to find a Hare and Rabbit moving together. Gallivanting they were, with each other. First time I've ever seen this sort of interaction between Hares and Rabbits. Both stopped to feed, only 1 meter apart. Rabbits take priority on this place for control so I lined up the 158 yds shot and bowled the bunny. The Hare scarpered. I saw ears briefly in long grass then lostsight. After ten minutes or so I stalked doen through that long grass hoping to flush Hare but to no avail. Smarter than me today. But no disappointment to me. So far, a good result to open a new day.
Don't know if it was the same Hare but after maybe 1 1/2 hours blasting away with the 300 Blaser Mag I was all packed up and just started driving out when a Hare sat up in the paddock ahead. Stopping the truck I watched. The Hare seemed unconcerned. Quietly I opened the door, grabbed the rifle, ammo, loaded a couple into the mag, pulled the bipod legs down and was actually laying down when Mr. Hare decided enough is enough and departed the scene. I raced up there hoping he might have stopped still in range, but no. I think the hunting gods were getting retribution on me for some past transgression. I had to laugh. Serves me right for thinking I was invincible after some great shooting this morning. But, next time, I will be looking hard for that Hare ....