A Rockchuck is the West’s version of the East’s Woodchuck. The animal’s correct name is Yellow-Bellied Marmot. Fewer in number than the better-known Prairie Dog, but just as destructive and fun to shoot. A Hangun hunting friend initiated this trip with an invitation. Though we’d never met face to face, we did have many dealings by email and the Internet. He is also someone I have the utmost respect for in his knowledge and experience at handgun hunting, Dick Thompson.
Rockchuck Hunting Trip Planning
The trip would be a handgun-only affair. It would include my wife, Sherry, who has embraced handgun hunting in the last year. While she is not new to handgunning, having been a competitive shooter for many years. Our choice in guns would include some we intended on using later in the year for a Maine Black bear and a Texas exotic. Figuring we could only benefit from the familiarity gained with the guns and loads. We had all our bases covered from medium to long ranges.
The Guns
Sherry intended to use her two favorites, a S&W 657 and a Ruger 357 Maximum. She also had a newly acquired Freedom Arms model 83, which would use its 45LC cylinder. The three using hunting loads meant for normal game associated with the guns. There is no better way to become familiar with your gun and load than to use them. It is with this in mind that the decision to use big game guns and big game loads made sense.
I intended on doing the bulk of my shooting with a new to me Freedom Arms 83 in 454 Casull, as well as my own Ruger Maximum. I also wanted to check the trajectory and performance of my Ruger Redhawk 41mag. All three of my revolvers wear Burris optics, a 1.5-4x and 2-7x scope, plus a FastFire on the 41mag. My long-range gun will be the same as my wife’s, as we will share the XP. It runs a Burris 2-10x XTRII rifle scope.
What We Actually Used
Those were the intended guns. In the end, she relied on her 357Max for all of her shooting from 50 to 150 yards. Her 357Max wears a Burris 2-7x pistol scope, and it worked very well for the conditions and distances. When long-range shooting was required, a Remington XP100 in 223rem. was used. The XP is for shots beyond 150 yards, having proven itself previously on Prairie Dogs out to 300+ yards.
The Bullets
Her 657 used a 250gr. bullet intended for use on our Black bear hunt, that runs 1130fps. In the Ruger Maximum, she used her normal medium game load, consisting of a 180gr Hornady XTP, going 1485fps. The new-to-her Freedom Arms 83 used a 270gr powder-coated cast hollow point that makes 1250fps. The 270gr. and the 250gr. bullet made by our host for the hunt, the aforementioned Dick Thompson. Dick makes several of the cast bullets I use for hunting
The bullets shot from my guns were a 180gr powder-coated cast hollow point made by another friend for my 357 Maximum, running 1615fps. The Redhawk uses a cast 265gr powder-coated bullet that will be used for my black bear. It runs 1430fps, from the 7.5” barrel, and was zeroed 2.5” high at 50 yds. The XP223 sends a 40gr. Sierra HP from the 15.75” barrel at 3100fps, and delivers sub 1” accuracy at 100. The Freedom Arms 83 will run a load that is supposed to send a 250gr. Hornady XTP at 1450fps, a mild load. My FA showed up the day before leaving, so it was sighted in at 50 yds when we arrived, but chronoing was not able to take place.
The Gear
Before leaving, we checked the expected weather and saw lows in the 20s and highs in the 50s. So base layers, fleece and flannel were packed, along with wool socks, coats and gloves. We arrived to blue skies and mid-fifties, but 15-20mph winds on day one. Despite the mid-thirties in the morning, it was remarkably pleasant, even with the winds. The winds did affect the rockchucks, according to our host, it keeps them from being out more. I assume much the same way winds can cause deer to lie up more. The winds would slow a bit over the three days we were out, but never really got below 10-15mph.
Other gear would include various shooting bags for the different guns, blast pads to protect from the hot gases exiting cylinders. This can destroy a good pack or bag in only a few shots. Along with chairs for shooting from and staying comfortable while waiting for the rockchucks to appear. A shooting tripod to aid in shooting the XP at longer distances, and we did bring a spotting scope.
The Priorities
Dick had mentioned that we would be hunting some local farmers land, that would include livestock, farming equipment and older structures. The livestock was most important, the equipment equally important, and the structures needed to be given consideration. The rockchucks were burrowing under them, and their rock or concrete foundations were relatively bulletproof. We just needed to not shoot through wooden sides without knowing what was on the other side.
Rockchuck Habitat
The lava reefs adjacent to agricultural crops were our primary hunting grounds. The nooks, crannies, and cracks in the reefs were seemingly a perfect habitat for them. It provided spots for lying in the sun and protection from predators. Constant scanning of the rock would provide glimpses of fur or a tail, sometimes just a head. Other times, the whole rockchuck would suddenly be there when seconds earlier it was just rock. Initially, I thought a spotting scope would be useful. However, we relied on binoculars exclusively. Using a monopod or other steadying implement was most helpful. Our Burris LRF binoculars worked great in both clarity and ranging capabilities.
Rockchuck Behavior
One of the tactics that Dick mentioned used by the Rockchuck was their tendency to stick an eyeball up over an obstacle to check its surroundings but not expose itself too much. In doing so, it presents about half an inch of head, and that’s it. Being patient and not moving would typically bring a better presentation. This behavior seemed much more prevalent in and around manmade structures where straight lines abound. I never experienced this on the lava fields. It did happen numerous times around the old barns. When it did, getting behind the gun and preparing for the inevitable head-only presentation was prudent. The rockchuck’s behavior and its habitat made hunting for it much more like hunting for big game. It feels like perfect practice for hunters, both new and experienced.
Our Behavior
You need to be quiet, you need to rely on good glass, keep movements to a minimum, and know your trajectories. You also need to be precise with your shooting, especially when using traditional straight-walled handgun calibers. We took the vast majority of our chucks between 70 yards and 100 yards. That’s the perfect distance to test out your equipment, your load, and your ability. About 10-15 rockchuk were taken beyond 100 yards using the XP in 223rem., the longest successful shot was 255 yards. The light and fast 40gr. bullet proving itself useful when taking shots around livestock by eliminating the risk of ricocheting.
The Tally
Total chucks taken in the three days were about 100-130, I say about because they tend to drop down in the rocky crevices. While indications can look positive for a hit, no sign or carcass can create doubt. As well as it being impractical to walk over and check every “hit”. Rockchuck “hunting” is not like prairie dog “shooting”. The numbers are typically lower, and the action is a bit slower paced. The enjoyment is no less, and the practices needed to be successful relate directly to big game hunting. Doing it with a traditional handgun instead of a specialty handgun or rifle adds more technical difficulty.
Rockchuck Shooting Considerations
Even with the relatively short distances of 70-100 yards, and the 180gr bullets from the Maximums. Occasionally, a wind hold off of 5-6” had to be applied to compensate for the drift provided by the 15-20mph winds. The windage needed for the XP and its 40gr. bullet was at times as much as 10-12”. Luckily, we never had to deal with full value wind drift. The wind is another aspect of shooting and hunting that is good to practice in.
Ultimately
Sherry did all of her shooting with her 357max. Both Maximums are proving almost perfect for the distances and precision needed for the target size. I relied on mine almost exclusively, having used my Redhawk 41mag for three and then switched to my FA83 in 454Casull for a single rockchuck. The rest falling to the XP and 357max. The first Rockchuck taken was by Sherry. The host was showing us the ground we could hunt on, when one sat up looking at us from 40 yards. Our host handed her his Kimber 9mm carry gun, and she planted a cast HP through its shoulders using the iron sights.
When I come back for another trip, I will likely focus on one revolver. Especially since the shooting is slower paced and heating a gun up is less of a concern. Provided it can produce 3-4 inch accuracy at 100 yards. The 357 Maximum or FA83 are both capable of this level of performance. Choosing a bullet that is more fragile or capable of more rapid expansion would help solidify opinions of an adequate hit.
Memorable Rockchuck Shots
The longest shot taken was at the previously mentioned 255yds. The sequence of events before and after the shot is worth sharing here. When we drove into the area, there was a pair of red foxes working the pasture. As we shot chucks, they moved off but remained in the area. As we shot, the closer chucks became fewer and fewer. It got to a point where the XP would need to be used. Then a big fat Rockchuck presented itself in front of a large flat-topped rock.
My Shot
I ranged it at 255yds. and directed Sherry to spot for me. The wind was blowing in our face, so no wind call was needed. I held a bit high as my drop was about 5” at that distance. At the shot, Sherry chuckled and said he flopped up onto the rock he was in front of. Thinking I’d missed, I reloaded and reacquired him in the scope. He was on his back, with all four feet up in the air. About 10 minutes later, one of the foxes strolls by and helps himself to a free dinner.
Sherry’s Shot
Sherry’s most memorable shot was one on a closer Rockchuck. However, the shot had the added difficulty of a narrow gap and a swinging rope in the gap. As we drove up to a gate in the pasture, I spotted a Rockchuck standing on a concrete culvert header. I eased the Polaris RZR to a stop and shut the motor off. She took a rest on the door edge and tried timing the rope swing as it moved in pendulum fashion. I looked on through binoculars as she aimed. At the shot, the Rockchuck flopped and slipped over the edge of the culvert header, dead!!
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First, not Last
This was our first Rockchuck excursion, and we liked it so much more than Prairie dogging. The numbers are lower, but the experience and practice that it provides are so much more than just shooting. The glassing duplicates what we do when hunting mule deer or elk. Being quiet and minimizing movement duplicates whitetail hunting from a stand. The distances for shots replicate good distances for building solid handgun shooting confidence, and the precision needed is always good to strive for. Squirrel hunting may be good hunting practice where the Fox and Gray squirrels live. In the Rockies, there is no substitute for the Rockchuck.
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