My business partner and friend Joel Russo (with Russo Stocks) came down to texas for some business and pleasure. picked him up at airport and headed to Hunters Creek ranch. After a couple hour ride, we pulled into the ranch for a few days of business and pleasure.

With business out of the way, our plan was to shoot some steel and chase coyotes until we were tired�

The following day we set up steel and played at various ranges out to 1,450 yards. The gusting winds made it somewhat difficult, but hey, who wants to shoot when it�s easy..

I shot my 6.5x47 lapua with good results at 1,450 yards, see attached steel plate picture. That particular rifle has always shot exceptionally well, but that thing flat out shoots. Joel and I also punished that steel plate steel with both of our .338-.408�s which proved to be a bit easier in the wind. Joel spanked a 3 shot 6" group... Joel has always done well with this caliber... same one he shot his famous mile group with.

This ranch is covered with coyotes�and we were intent to do our part in the full interest of wildlife management. We made a few daytime sets and they proved to be difficult at best due to the high winds. Time to re-group and figure out how to accomplish our mission...... With thermal imaging, suppression, and NV at hand, we decided on switching to nighttime operations� No worries on that end, it�s more desirable to run night ops..

Temps were hanging around 20* which made it quite comfortable. We decided to ditch the NV as it became problematic identifying targets at a distance. Weapon of choice was my 6.5x47 topped with SB 5x25 PMII because Joel made the lame excuse that he didn�t want to bang up his pretty stock on his .243 AI� FLIR thermal device, FoxPro remote call, and a SAS suppressor rounded out the equipment list.
After a few sets, it became quite apparent that we couldn�t engage all the coyotes we were calling in. Now that�s a good problem to have. We managed to shoot one double, but could have had triples and quads if we had another body behind a second rifle.

Talk about a sight to see.... two adrenaline junkies running night ops in a target rich environment�

For your viewing pleasure�

Russo and our Yotes...






Myself, Shanon , Joel



Joel working at 1450











We had never shot game with the 140 berger hybrid... well i can tell you it is DEVASTATING on yotes!

That's some weaponry!

a few more....

Sounds like u fellas had a great time.

I like that shootin bench setup in the bed of the fine lookin (just like mine) truck!

Gotta love an S&B 5-25x56�.I have that scope with the H2CMR reticle on my custom 300 win mag and it is awesome!

GOOD TIMES

Buddy that looks like all of the fun

A great day for memories!!!

Gun porn!

Looks like a hell of a good time. Always have liked russo's A-5 style stocks. And the 140 Berger hybrids are devastating on deer as well. At least out of my 6.5 Saum they were

Good to know on the bergers... I herd reports of them penciling through on deer... But from what I have seen so far.. I would not have a problem with them on deer. Thanks!

I really like that shooting bench set-up too! A little elevation and the solid floor of the truck bed help a lot.

That being said; you might want to take the truck bed shooting pics off the web.
We all do it or have done it. Just better not to advertise it.

And why is that? Just curious... No legality issues...

Had GW read me the riot act when I was getting set up to shoot prairie dogs outside of Lubbock.
Told me that if I had pulled the trigger, I'd of been ticketed.
Maybe he was just having a bad day.
Had to move the table out of the truck.
Also, If shooting from a trailer, it needs to be un-hitched.

Not trying to stir anything up. Just what I'd been told.

No problem!! All good, i was just curious. Maybe for pdogs it is... I dont know. But our GW has no problem EXCEPT birds/fowl... Out of truck.

Meanwhile, back on topic . .

What barrel length is your 6.5x47 and what MV do you get with the 140gr VLD?
Have you worked up a load for something lighter like a 123gr Sierra MK ?
(I have a hard time not falling into that "faster is better" trap)

Its a kreiger barrel and pushing the 140 at 2800fps. Its a 28" barrel

I was going to try some lighter bullets but havent in that gun... It shoots .3 at 300 yards.. I cant change it.. :-)

Im building a new sporter weight shorter barrel and i plan to shoot the 123 amax out of it.

Chase I'm shooting my 140's out of a 6.5 Saum at 3050fps and it put a decent sized exit hole in a 130lbs deer the internal damage was mush.

Thats awesome! Good info to know...