Deadshot MAGNUM

I just had a brief opportunity to test out the Caldwell magnum dead shot. I emphasized the magnum in this post as to not confuse it with the regular dead shot pod. I had a late morning opportunity to test it out and I thought the ground squirrels would be few at this hour, and I was right. However, I was able to locate three with the span of under two hours. The first incident had two ground squirrels next to one another. This is when the Steyr hunting 5 automatic came into its own, but more on that later. Anyway I was amazed at how sturdy the scope picture was. I was able to line up a clear head shot for the first squirrel and dropped him dead in his tracks. I was able to swivel slightly to the squirrel next to him and take another headshot with the exact same result. I removed my rifle from the stand and walked to another shooting position but had no luck there. I returned to my previous spot. I waited for about a half hour. It was getting to the end of my allotted time. I glassed over my field of fire, and the silhouette of a ground squirrel filled my scope. Just what I had been praying for, one last shot before I go. I was able to zoom in and take the shot for a third instant kill. Aside from the joy of the hunt, I thought I might add my review of this stand. A few things separate this from the less expensive regular dead shot. It is heavier but more sturdy and it is longer. I like it because it lets me set up to shoot over fence lines while I am standing. My friend has the dead shot chair pod. While I do like it, it’s drawbacks are that it is not as steady as the tripod, and you can’t shoot over things. Where we hunt, sometimes we Move to different fields of fire where we might have better luck. We have done a number on the local squirrel population and opportunities are getting more spaced out. With my set up I can grab the rifle in one hand, the tripod in the other and move to a new location very easily. The chair pod must be folded up travel any kind of distance. What surprised me most was the two things; 1) How smoothly the gun rotates in its cradle. It was easy to scan the area with just the scope, however I still like to use the binoculars for that. But once I locate in the binoculars it is easy to swivel the gun to what I just spotted. 2) How steady it is from standing. As I’ve said, my area often doesn’t afford me a nice clear lane down low. The ability to get high and over obstructions on to the target, while being completely still on target put a grin on my face that is still here as I write. I picked a shady spot to oversee my shooting lanes that would not be possible had I been sitting or prone. I was quite comfortable scanning and shooting. So in essence it is much more versatile. Although those were the two biggest qualities I found, there are a few more that are worth mentioning. Some have mentioned the bubble level that is attached to the stand. While I understand that a quick set up for a shot would not allow one to use it, if you’re setting up for a time in a particular spot, the level is a nice touch. I mentioned that it is not light. I like that. I can set my gun in the cradle and scan with binoculars with it being secure and at the ready without me having to hold it up. While I only had a short hour to an hour and a half to hunt today, I felt a lot less fatigued than I would have if I did not use the stand. Partly because it shouldered the weapon for me and because I could pick a shady spot where I was standing, could shoot over obstacles to hit my target. Lastly, it was assuring to score head shots and quick kills. When I would shoot unsupported or with sticks I would have to aim center of mass and score chest hits that would kill only after the squirrels would scamper back to their holes. The authority of head shots is reassuring to the hunter. No one wants to wound an animal and cause it unnecessary pain. As you have probably guessed by now I am an early fan of this rig. Tomorrow I am hunting with my friend who has the chair pod and I am looking forward to a few hours of great shooting.