Here in the far west canyon lands of western Colorado we have what is called a “Dynamite Shoot.” Well, we used to anyway. I attended the last one several years ago, pre-COVID and this year they brought it back, kind of. Due to the surmounting regulations being imposed on the users of public lands and the restrictions on the same here in the west this year’s come back was small and consisted of Tannerite explosives versus dynamite which is less restricted at least for the time being.
I participate in the Handgun arena. Nothing competitive really, just an opportunity to donate to a good cause and send some fodder down range. I’m always a little nervous at first but once I get a feel for the atmosphere the edge subsides and I can get some good shooting in for the environment.
What got me this time was watching a volunteer firefighter for the community and a Sheriff’s deputy bang away at an Elk silhouette said to be ~400 yards away. Looking on Google Maps now, I suppose that’s pretty close. They were using what looked to be standard issue or very similar type semi-auto pistols with red dot sights and more than likely chambered in 9mm. We observed for a few minutes and I leaned into to Shannon and said, “I bet I could whack that elk with my 41.”
“Did you bring it?”
“It’s in the console.”
“Go get it,” she said.
I initially took my 45 ACP because it shoots straight and the last batch of ammo I loaded is very reliable. Cast 230 grain Round Nose bullets loaded over 4.5 grains of Winchester 231, if you have reliable ammo, nothing beats a 1911 style handgun in my book.
I ran it on the Lone Star Spinner target but couldn’t get that last plate to fall in 7. The front sight is very thin, which isn’t necessarily a problem, however it is leather polished from running holstered drills in the backyard and the glare from the sun on the right side of it was something terrible.
I was hoping to get some lookers for the Elk attempt but several people showed up with long guns and tried their hand at the Tannerite targets. I used my leather holster as a heal support for the grip. I held a full blade up in the notch (the full height of the front sight above the rear sight notch) and squeezed one off and waited for the dust. Nothing!
Granted I wasn’t thoroughly convinced of the accuracy of this style of bullet to begin with. There are more than a few articles in “Gun Rags” proposing instability of this style of bullet past a certain range. The load I developed was specifically tailored for plinking and mid-range hunting, maybe up to 100 yards. My testing had indicated some promise.
I drop the blade down to my half-way mark and fired again. This time I saw some dust kick up about 6′ feet below the Elk’s feet. A little more blade for the 3rd shot and “yep, that’s it.” I was attempting to wait for the lull in between boom sticks to hear an impact, no luck.
I didn’t see any dust the 4th shot but noticed light reflecting differently from the kill zone of the silhouette. The 5th shot was a duster just below the chest, behind the front leg. The 6th shot I observed more distinct light fluttering in the kill zone. It was then I realized the kill zone was a swinging target on the back side of the target.
I hit it 2 out of 6 shots, in the kill zone no less. That was enough to prove to me my ability with a big bore revolver at long range. The end of last year and the beginning of this year’s bullet casting, handloading, and shooting sessions paid off. I probably went through several hundred pounds of lead here in the backyard. My original intent was to handgun elk hunt this year. However the grilling bug hit me and I’ll be taking my vacation during hunting season to head to the Front Range to do some end of the year Garage Sale and Good Will shopping, or as I affectionately call it, A Kettle Rescue Mission Trip.
What ever bug you have or have been bitten with don’t forget to get out and scratch that itch. A new passion doesn’t have to consume an old one. As long as you have breath in you there is time to pursue them, and by all means find new ones and pursue them as well.
