Shot of a lifetime!

[Phantom 631]

05-05-2010

 

Got to the paddock this evening, saw one bunny as I arrived and it promptly legged it down a nearby hole. Looked over to the left and at one of my favourite sniping spots was about 15 bunnies all frolicking and munching.

 

Leave them alone I thought to myself, check Zero and then get some work done in the cemy.

So I put up my zero at 30 yards and made my way back to my baby. Got myself settled and let a slug fly at the paper was that me or the gun? whatever it was NOT an acceptable shot

 

Reloaded, relaxed, went through my breathing cycle and let another fly. looks like it was me!

 

Another two pellets in the same spot and I figured, I'd clipped the turrets when taking her out of the slip, so quick adjustments made and it was 5 shots all grouped together well inside the 1 inch circle

 

Rather than go directly to the cemetery I laid and watched a Thrush feeding her two young about 15 yards behind my zero.

It was nice to see one of the young ones was pecking at the grubs on the floor and nettles, while the other was eagerly awaiting the next supply from its mom.

She seemed to be sticking her entire head inside this little ones beak!

I watched them until they had finished and were gone, then I walked over and recovered my target and backstop.

 

As it was fairly warm, I remained laid prone watching other birds including Robins, Redwings, Tits and Finches.

 

Strangely I felt quite at peace, something I have not experianced for a while now and I sure was liking it

 

There were some bunnies out up near the Horse Water trough and the little sub station next to the dual carriage way, but I couldn't be bothered to make my way over there, I was just relaxing.

Then a kit pops out at about 31 yards, I take aim and think to myself, do I have to?

No not on here you don't my little voice in my noggin told me.

Of course its quite right, if however this had been in the cemetery, the kitten would now have no brains left. So I watched it feed itself and watched it bound about for about 10 minutes when out pops another, then another! They chased each other frolicking about, then they all vanished through the fence into the old ladies garden.

 

I had my gun loaded, but I keep the bolt back until ready to take aim, as the 200 does not have a safety. If the bolt is back and the trigger is pressed, there is a clink and the bolt drives forward, but the air is not released. Just then a BIG bunny appears from the warren entrance about 17 yards in front of me.

Feck he looks Red/Ginger

I push the bolt forward as I line up the crosshairs and place the end of the thick upper post just right of his eye giving me perfect hold under.

Steady my breathing and squeeze the last bit from the second stage and BANG! F k, a puff of air into my right eye, and the pellet hits dirt just under bugs chin.

Bollox I'd not locked the bolt down

Needless to say bug's was airborn and as he landed on his feet it was a quick bolt back to where he had just come from.

I decided enough was enough and it was time to go to the cemetery and do some damage to the pesky pest population.

So I got my snap ambush made up, laid up and waited, and waited and waited.

Looks like Speedy aint going to show after I knobled his best mate the other night, but wait, whats that over there, at my two o'clock?

YES, a big old bunny

I don't know whatever posessed me, but I rushed the shot and bunny ducked as the 16 grains of death whizzed over his head comming to rest in the dirt behind him. Well there was no time for another shot as he had vanished just as quickly as he had appeared.

 

So back to waiting.....................

Nothing showed itself, wait.................

Still nothing, I'm getting bored now.............

 

A deep sigh and a look to my left and I see a patch of light brown about 30 yards away just in front of the tree. Slowly I laid on my back and brought my baby round.

I could see two kits against the greenery with another sat next to a warren entrance.

I know that the tree is exactly 30 yards from where I am and I push the bolt forward and lock it down.

There is a name for this shooting position and its taught by elite military snipers, but the name escapes me at the moment.

I am laid on my back in a "Crunch" position, the rifle is in my arms, my left hand is holding the left leg of the bipod and my head and not my cheek is up against the stock.

 

Looking through the scope I can see the three kits all together looking towards the concker tree.

I'm now in pest control mode and I'm looking at one kit, thinking If I go through his head, then I may just take out the one sat behind it.

 

Do I? Don't I? Can I? Can't I?

I have dreamed about taking a shot like this.

The big Question is: Can I pull it off?

 

Last year I was in a similar situation and was wondering if I could possibly get two kills with one shot and I am talking two distinct kills here, not a pregnant Doe and her unborn.

 

At first doubt filled my mind, then my little voice told me this was deffinately do-able.

So breathing in check a click of my tongue and three bunnies raised themselves.

Quick as I could I placed the crosshair directly between the 1st bunnies eye and ear and let the shot go.

A fraction of a second later the 1st kit is flying skywards; spinning as it goes.

The second kit behind has jumped forward and the third kit has magically vanished.

The skyward bunny landed on its back and I rushed over to the spot I had seen it land. There was no twitching from the headshot kit, the second kit had raised itself a little as the 1st kit took the full force of the 16 grain slug.

I saw the second kit about a foot and a half away, it was no longer breathing and was laid on its side with blood from its chest cavity and what looked like brain matter on the side the pellet had entered.

 

Both Kits were dead and I felt a tremendous sense of achivement and I must admit relief

 

Here is my reward

 

 

Entrance wound; note there is not much left of the skull!

 

Exit wound on the 1st kit.

 

This is where the pellet came to rest in the second kit.

You can see the pellet just under the muscle.

The shot had penetrated one lung and the heart, bringing a nice swift kill.

 

This sort of emphasises the importance of checking behind your quarry to make sure there is a clear background especially when shooting kits as their skulls are not yet stong enough to take the energy out of a pellet at 30 yards.

 

 

Phantom

[Wolly 4]

Well in Matey

[tepper82 0]

Nice shooting and a good read.

[plinkplinkplop 0]

Nice shot

[johnboy19 38]

Great shot Phantom

[venomviper 129]

hi ya tony

nice shooting there buddy

and good write up as ever too and great pictures as well tony me old matey buddy pal

 

shay

[LOGUNSOLO177 0]

Great post mate and nice shooting

[jackinbox99 41]

What a shot!!!!!!! Nice one!

[pest hunter 151 15]

Brill shot mate

[runforyourlife 361]

my god. Phantom, why do you have to right an essay every time, just to kill the odd rabbit....

[Phantom 631]

my god Phantom, why do you have to right an essay every time, just to kill the odd rabbit....

 

Because (Brief synopsis just for you )

 

It gives me something to do and keeps my brain functioning.

Especially when I cant sleep. I posted the OP at 03:50 ish. If you don't wish to read them, you really don't need to no one will force you I promiss and if anyone tries to do so, you let me know and I'll put em straight for yah

 

I put in as much detail as I can; because thats how I learned my hunting skils, reading other 'Essays'.

Even the small details can click with some people and they learn something new

 

Some people like to read my Essays as it gives them a feeling of 'being there' or looking through my eyes.

Most people appreciate reading my essays as well as finding most of them informative; and as long as they do, I'll continue to do them.

 

Oh and RFYL there really is no need to call me GOD; but I do respect your right to do so and you may carry on if you desire :laugh: :laugh:

 

 

Phantom

[Phantom 631]

Thank you gentlemen for the compliments

 

I would have never have even considdered that shot if it hadn't been for all the helpful advice I have received from many of the more experianced hunters both here and elswhere.

I have learned so much from you all and by watching people such as John Darling, Steve Price and James Duglass on DVD

They and you all have helped me turn my paper punching Marksmanship skills into Good Hunting Skills.

 

Thanks again all

[stealthy1 3,964]

Another two flower robbers bite the dust

[Sweeney-Todd 208]

Hi Tony.

 

Well I for one enjoy your post's mate They are alway's informative and humourous.

Some of the photography is outstanding, and the detail you explain it in, is always interesting, I have learnt a lot from your post's.

 

Apart from that.......YOU SMART ARSE what a brilliant shot me dear, bet your chuffed with that. :thumbs:Excellent shot mate.......very well done.

 

ATB.

 

 

 

Bill.

[ferretville 69]

2 in 1 ain`nt bad