A Firearms Odyssey: Hunting for Boomers, Gunning for Prairie Rats, My Introduction to .22 BR, Tube Guns, Shooting ‘The Great White Buffalo’ and the Sporting Rifle Match (Where I Met My Match) – Part 5

 

Shooting The Great White Buffalo

 

When I departed Michigan on my annual Boomershoot pilgrimage to Idaho in late April of 2011, the initial plan was to end up in Dallas, Texas on Saturday May 7, the weekend following Boomershoot, for the wedding of one of my wife’s relatives. Since I would be making a large loop around a good section of the country, I set up my itinerary such that once I left Idaho, I could swing by Colorado for a quick visit with a cousin, then head south to Raton, New Mexico, the site of the NRA Whittington Center, and then proceed on to Dallas.

The plan mutated in mid-trip and I was let off the hook on attending the wedding. This allowed me to add an additional day in Colorado and spend more time in Raton. Though unknown to me at the time, this opened the door to my totally unplanned adventure coming later in part 6.

The Whittington Center is a 33,300 acre shooting complex/ranch with individual shooting ranges for just about any and all shooting disciplines one can think of. I had never been there before and had wanted to see it for some time. Many of my fellow BPCRS (Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette) shooters here in Michigan have gone to the Nationals in Raton and have described it as quite a challenge. The winds are substantially stronger and ever present compared to those we encounter at our home club’s range.  Since I had never been there before, I didn’t know what to expect and just headed south on I-25 until I went over Raton Pass and dropped down into the town of Raton. Turns out the Santa Fe Trail also passed through here.

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

I drove out of town, following the directions to the Center and got there in the late morning on Friday.

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

You can view the different ranges and facility layout on an interactive map by clicking here:   Range Map:

I parked the truck and went inside the gatehouse to find out what was what. It turns out that the center is open to the public as a non-profit and one doesn’t have to belong to the NRA. For $20 anyone can obtain a one-day membership in the Whittington Center Gun Club and shoot on the ranges (as long as they’re open). For an additional $10, or $30 total, you can get an annual membership that’s good for a year. Not a bad deal at all.

I purchased the annual and asked about the High Power Silhouette range and whether it was open. Turns out it was one of only two ranges open that day. I was pumped because I had seen something on TV that I wanted to try very much. Armed with a map of the facility and directions to the correct range, I drove the truck slowly along the dirt access roads taking in all the scenery like a little kid seeing neat stuff for the first time. Actually, I was at that. The first thing I encountered before I got to the HP Silhouette range was this display and statue of Charlton Heston as “The Scout”.

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

After passing the shotgun section and several other ranges, I finally made it to the High Power Silhouette range. I parked and started walking around making observations about the firing line, buildings, rest rooms or port a johns. I was the only person on the range. This was going to be fun and relaxed, as I wouldn’t have to concern myself with any fellow shooters. There’s just something calming about having the firing line all to yourself and able to perform everything at your own leisurely pace.

I proceeded to unload my shooting bench and equipment from the truck and set up in the middle of the range firing line. Since it is a high power silhouette range and the shooters fire in the off-hand or standing position, there are trays on stations at each firing position to hold shooters’ stuff. The range is quite large with many shooting positions. I set up in the middle of the firing line  .  .  .  .

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

Looking out at the target sections of the range, this is what one sees  .  .  .  .

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

The range and targets for High Power Silhouette are the same as what I shoot in the Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette matches. The four target berms have iron rails on which the iron plate animals are placed for shooters to knock off during competition. The closest rail is for chickens at 200 meters, then comes pigs at 300 meters, followed by turkeys at 385 meters and ending in the distance at 500 meters are the rams.

You’ll notice if you follow along the axis of the gun and barrel and draw your eyes into the trees on the mountainside beyond the target berms, a clearing in the trees. This is where my quarry resides. This is the reason I have come to this place. This is the culmination of my shooting adventures on this 2011 Boomershoot expedition (or so I thought at the time).

I give you The Great White Buffalo! Even at 1123 yds, it’s only a matter of time before he is mine.

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

I set my scope elevation setting where I thought it ought to be for the Black Hills 175 g .308 Match cartridges and fired a shot holding the crosshairs on the center of the animal. The distance to the target allowed me to re-acquire the target through the scope after the recoil of the shot subsided and I was able to see the bullet kick up some dirt low and right of the buffalo. I added some more elevation to the scope, then held off to the left to compensate for the wind drift.

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

I let a second shot rip. Saw no dirt splash, and then heard the faint gong of the bullet hitting buffalo. Couldn’t see where on the animal the hit occurred, but I didn’t care. Maybe I wounded it and maybe I killed it. I don’t know. But I was satisfied to have hit the beast. I took some follow-up shots for more gongs, but the mission had been accomplished and I packed up my stuff and drove back to the gatehouse to inquire about lodging for the night. I didn’t know if I wanted to come back the following day and try the buffalo again or not. I was going to play it by ear and decide in the morning.

At the gatehouse I was in luck as there was a room available in one of the on-site cabins. The rate was unbelievably low compared to the motels I had been staying in on this trip. Only $35 for the night. Man, I was liking this place better and better. The cabin was very nice and was laid out with a common living/kitchen area with 4 bedrooms off on each corner.

 

photo by Dave RNS Photographer ©

 

The rooms were very clean and the only difference between these and a motel was that you had to supply your own towels and toiletries. Also, you were to strip the bed sheets and pillowcases and bring them to the gatehouse when you left. Each bedroom had its own bathroom with shower. I had all the toiletries I needed and was only lacking a bath towel to dry off after a shower. Between the shooting ranges and the accommodations I cannot speak highly enough of the Whittington facility and what a fantastic place it is. If you’ve not been there, I recommend that you include it in your travels plans if you’re in the area.

It was getting to be supper time so after bringing my suitcase and other stuff into the bedroom, I drove into Raton and grabbed some dinner at a local restaurant. After eating I stopped at a Kmart and bought a bath towel, then returned to the cabin for the evening.

I was just hanging out, relaxing and prepared to do some reading before going to sleep when in walked a couple of younger fellows that would take my trip in a completely new and unplanned direction and leave me totally wrung out like an old dish towel. . .

 

Next:          Part     6                   The Sporting Rifle Match (or I’ve Met My Match and I Suck)

 

Previous Chapters:

Part   1 Hunting for Boomers
Part 2 Gunning for Prairie Rats
Part 3 My Introduction to .22 BR
Part 4 Tube Guns