We recently outfitted a couple of DPMS LR-308s for some of our Texas friends. One of them, Sterling owns a ranch up hill country about 90 miles north east of Austin, offered D9 the opportunity to come down and assist with eliminating a regiment of belligerent insurgent Taliban feral hogs, and naturally we accepted. Sterling’s ranch sets on approximately 1700 acres of grazing and brush land with several tanks located throughout the property. The ranch has been in his family for almost 150 years, or since around the time of the Alamo (not really, but close), (and it’s very well defended today thanks to D9). They originally used it for cattle and sheep grazing and are currently not grazing it, which makes it optimal for some excellent hunting.
Sterlings DPMS LR-308 “Insurgenator” TAC20 w/Miculek. This insurgent was taken out by Sterling at about 150yd as it was plotting a drive by attack on one of his feeders.
Sterling has setup 11 areas with time initiated feeders (which the insurgents try to systematically destroy and steel food from the mouths of innocent baby fawns), located near tanks and open areas. At each feeding area he has either a ground or elevated blind (by Dillon Manufacturing) that provides an excellent view and field of fire without overlapping into other fields of fire or neighboring properties. Each area offers a different setup for view and shooting distance which is really nice. On average the shots can range from about 100yd out to 300yd.
Picture above of D9’s personal DPMS LR-308 w/IOR 10×42 looking over an expansive field spotting for insurgents.
There are two bunk houses with electricity, heating/cooling, running water, showers, sinks, and most important a flushable toilet (which if a hunter was so inclined could bring his wife). Each bunk house can sleep 4 people more than comfortably with room to hang out. However, there is an older outbuilding, which is going to be demo’d and replaced with a bunk house style building, where they cook, hang out, have some adult beverages, and the likes.
Upon arriving we met up with Sterling, Johnny, and Jason and proceeded to hit it off with busting out some adult beverages (which was already in progress), talking about the insurgents and our macho kick-ass DPMS rifles. Sterling gave us a run down of the property and where he would station us for potential maximum action. We then indulged in some more beverages and typical Texas/Kansas bantering and just hung out and had a good time.
The next morning we got rolling pretty early and Sterling dropped us off at our stands where we waited for the sun to come up and some insurgent action. As the morning kicked off we didn’t see any insurgents but a couple of does wandered into my firing range at about 225yd where I sighted in on them for about 10 minutes before deciding to smoke them. My first shot I believe was a flyer (I know, but I had taken my optic off when I transported it down). What was interesting was the two does just stood there looking around as to where the shot came from. My theory is the compensator dispersed the noise differently then a forward blast.
D9 getting his hand’s dirty. (I was thinking about keeping some of fur to cover that bright spot on the top of my head.)
Based on my experience with the IOR and Warne QD’s from my shooting the prior week the scope was about 2” low at a hundred so I used that data and re calibrated the MP-8 reticule on one of the doe’s and punched his lights out. The other just must have been dumber than a box of rocks because it didn’t take off like a banshee, so I thought, well if it’s that stupid Sterling doesn’t want it breeding, so I smoked it as well.
D9 really getting his hands dirty. This doe was taken out because of our care and concern for the hungry people of Texas.
Since these were my first two deer I’ve ever shot Sterling gave me a lesson in field dressing and took me about 30 minutes to gut both of them. We took them back to the bunk house where we hosed them down and aged them before taking them into the butcher shop. The deer are being donated to Hunters For the Hungry. (This doesn’t mean I’ll be watching Oprah, Dr. Phil, or some other emotional psycho babble feel good show.)
Above from R/L: Ray, Sterling, Johnny, & Jason along with an assortment of DPMS rifles.
Above: Sterling setting up to sight in his DPMS LR-308 “Insurgenator” TAC 20 eviscerating machine.
Above: Johnny sighting in his DPMS LR-308SASS w/IOR 3×18x42 35mm. This is a no bull $#%* rig and can shoot the balls off of an insurgent.
Later on in the afternoon we all went out for a little testing firing of our rifles and got the opportunity to test the DPMS LR-243H that I added a compensator to. This is a sweet shooting rifle and just about all the bounce and majority of recoil was eliminated. I mounted an IOR 3×25 and then handed off to Jason to try for our afternoon hunt. (I just set up a couple LR-260’s with the compensator as well and waiting for the feeback.)
Above Ray test firing the DPMS LR-243 with IOR 3×25 w/illuminated CQB reticule. This is a smoker. Observe the flying cartridge and Ray’s position on the rifle. Immediate shot recovery and his comment that he never lost sight of the target.
That evening Jason put the LR-243 to the test when a some talibanies came into his area. He drilled one of the insurgents right behind the ear with a clean, concise kill using D9’s hand loaded Hornaday 87grn Amax bullets. (I know, one shot one kill, but my excuse is we sighted that rifle in earlier in the afternoon.)
Above: Jason and a dead insurgent taken with the LR-243H.
While waiting on Sterling to pick me up at the blind I did a muzzle flash test at 7PM to see what kind of flash comes off a 308 with a Miculek compensator. I was stunned at what I didn’t see. There was very minimal flash ported through the break on both sides and basically non-existent out the bore of the Miculek. I plan to conduct some more test with different ammunition to see if it had anything to do with the load I was using. (We just ordered a case of Federal Match 168grn ammo and will see what it does.)
Above: D9 posing before going to his deer stand. Observe the shooting vest, pants, and shirts by Woolrich clothiers. (Yes a walking handsome advertisement, if only I could get paid.)
We tried our luck yet on Sunday but we only saw deer and no one was interested in cleaning so they were left for another day. The theory advanced as to why we didn’t see as many insurgents because after hearing a few gun shots and seeing their bearded brethren systematically assuming ambient temperature they’ve decided to come out only after dark, even though all of the ground signs indicated a couple of platoons were active on his property. Naturally the topic of night vision was discussed.
After taking off from the ranch I received a call from another client from Texas who purchased a LR-243H late last year. He had been hunting down in Del Rio and was raving about how he had decimated multiple insurgents, a doe, and a coyote with the DPMS LR-243. Since I was staying in Texas for business in Austin and San Antonio and we were going to drive right by each other on I-35 we met up near SA and swapped some stories. After showing him my LR-243 with the Miculek and letting him look through my IOR Valdada 10×42 it didn’t take long for him to start figuring out what he needed to do. (We’ll be shipping him a Miculek when we get home.)
I can say we had a great time down at Sterling’s ranch, we were definitely hoping for more insurgents but bagging a couple of deer was a good second prize. Sterling is in the process of grooming the ranch for deer hunting and varmint hunting. If you’re interested in doing some Texas hunting let us know and we will get you in touch with Sterling. If you’re interested in doing some Texas hunting or anything other kind of hunting or shooting contact us here at D9Firearms.com and we will configure a range ready rifle for you.
If you are interested in some Texas deer hunting on managed land please contact us and we will put you in touch with Sterling. If you a new rifle for some of this action contact us here at D9Firearms.
Thanks and great hunting.
