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Taking a trip to Angel Fire soon (mountain biking and primitive camping) and have contemplated a stop at the Whittington center in nearby Raton NEw Mexico
Is this an active range - or only open to select events at specified times?
I would love to christen my Ruger #1 45/70 at a range like this if possible --- and the new 8" Dan Wesson also seems like it would be entertaining on distant targets if possible
Even when events are going on many of the ranges are open. You can always call and verify ahead of time. For those that have never visited I suggest it would be worth your while, even if you have your own range.
The High Power Rifle Silhouette Range is where the Buffalo Target is at more than 1120 yards ... it's always a challenge.
Streetstar, it's a nice range all right, but if you are up that way, take a detour to Philmont Scout Ranch just south of Cimarron and see the Ernest Thompson Seton museum at the HQ. You will never forget it.
JimT wrote:
The High Power Rifle Silhouette Range is where the Buffalo Target is at more than 1120 yards ... it's always a challenge!
JimT have you ever fired at the buffalo at Whittington? Wondering if the soil is loose and dusty enough to give off enough dust to determine how close you hit, if you miss? Some of the places I shoot are either too grassy, damp, or rocky, to determine where the bullet strike is when you have a miss. I've never shot at the WC, so wondering?
JimT wrote:
The High Power Rifle Silhouette Range is where the Buffalo Target is at more than 1120 yards ... it's always a challenge!
JimT have you ever fired at the buffalo at Whittington? Wondering if the soil is loose and dusty enough to give off enough dust to determine how close you hit, if you miss? Some of the places I shoot are either too grassy, damp, or rocky, to determine where the bullet strike is when you have a miss. I've never shot at the WC, so wondering?
Yes I have. The ground is usually dry and rocky and if you have a good spotting scope you can see the hits. Without a spotting scope .. nope .. not usually. I have shot it with 30-30 and cast bullets ... took me several times of shooting and coming back to work everything out. Shot it with 45 -70 Rolling Block with cast bullets. And have spotted for a number of other calibers. Here's an old article about us trying it out http://www.leverguns.com/articles/taylo ... grange.htm
JimT wrote:
The High Power Rifle Silhouette Range is where the Buffalo Target is at more than 1120 yards ... it's always a challenge!
JimT have you ever fired at the buffalo at Whittington? Wondering if the soil is loose and dusty enough to give off enough dust to determine how close you hit, if you miss? Some of the places I shoot are either too grassy, damp, or rocky, to determine where the bullet strike is when you have a miss. I've never shot at the WC, so wondering?
Last summer I was there the first part of June. It was NOT dry and dusty as it had been a particularly wet spring. I tried my 38 out on the chickens on the silhouette range, but that was as far as I could go as the ground was too wet to show where those low power loads were hitting. However, the other times I've been there it was dusty enough to pick up misses in a spotting scope. Mic McPherson helped me get on the buffalo with my Swedish '96 Mauser. Those little 6.5 mm 140 gr slugs don't kick up as much dust as a 45-70, but they kicked up enough to allow him to coach me onto the buffalo. That is a real hoot.
There are some kind of gongs hanging further up the mountain that I just heard about recently. That's all the info I know for sure, other than they're way out past yonder, for those who like a LONG range challenge.
Paul - in Pereira
"He is the best friend of American liberty who is most sincere and active in promoting true and undefiled religion." -- John Witherspoon
Good write up Jim! First time I shot over 450yds. I found my sights woefully lacking! I was shooting my Ballard in .38-55 with a 255 gr. bullet loaded to 1250 fps. My midrange vernier got me to 450 yds. OK, but moving on to 600 yds. required aiming at the lowest branches of a fir tree behind, holding left windage to compensate for a breeze. Moving on to 800 took about 10 shots to figure out how far up and left to hold, as I was so low the bullet strikes were in the sagebrush!
I never did try the 990 at my friend's place, but did use some guesstimating with my S&W 745 in .45 ACP to make a couple hits on the 450 yd. dinger. Took 12 shots to get the hold over, which ended up to be even with the top of the same fir tree, but on the next tree over to the left for windage! Sure was fun, and got me interested in doing it with proper sights! My friend's place has enough powdery dust on a dry day to see strikes easily with my 20x Kowa spotting scope.
Thanks all ! - Sounds like a "must visit" since I will be so close
I don't have room for a truck load of guns, with all the mountain bike and camp gear ---- but I think I can fit the aforementioned Ruger #1, my Guide Gun, - M1A, and the Dan pistol pack I recently posted in another thread--- heck -- my dad's old 30/30 wouldn't take up much room and would likely be entertaining there too
Duty calls and I am en route to hot, muggy Baton Rouge in my capacity as a catastrophe insurance adjuster
This always happens to me when I have a vacation planned (in the grand scheme, it has nothing to do with me whatsoever, but you guys' know what I mean )
I told my wife when we got season tickets to Oklahoma State football a few years ago that that would be the impetus for the US having a hurricane every year of substance -- to ensure I don't get to enjoy football season -- as well. A bit like blaming the rain on washing your car earlier in the day
I will get there some day soon I hope
The front range area of New MExico, - with 75 degree temps and 20% humidity sure did sound good--- oh well
