Author Topic: Beaver Hunting (Read 1736 times)

222 · « **on:** February 28, 2007, 12:00:59 PM »

I plan to float a couple of streams to shoot beaver and 22 rimfire is only pistol or riflle round that is legel. I am uncertian weather to use 22lr with Velocitors, Stingers or to buy a 22mag to use. What is your opinion on which is better.

Ray

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2007, 01:29:08 PM »

I've never done it, probably won't to be honest, but I know that beavers can get pretty big, 40-50lbs or more. I'd go with the .22 magnum. It really kills much bigger than it is. You can also get loads up to 50 grains in the magnum, with enough velocity to make them worthwhile. But any of the standard 40 grain loads from CCI or Winchester should work well on an animal that size.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2007, 07:11:18 PM »

Although I've only shot a few beavers(22 magnum revolver, and 357 magnum's), I have friends that do it quite a bit. I'd rather trap'em myself

. I can tell you what I know from my limited personal experience, and what I know from their exstensive experience.

First off, do NOT use a 22 LR for beavers. As kyelkhunter3006 said, beavers can get very big. It's not uncommon at all around here to trap a 60-70 lb beaver, and they get bigger than that. Even your average beavers around here will easily run 35-50 lbs. They're also extremely tough, and can soak up a good hit, and still get away.

All the fellows I know that shoot them use either a 22 magnum, or something slightly bigger like a 22 Hornet. Around here THE beaver round in a 22 magnum is the CCI TNT HP's, or the CCI Maxi-Mag +V. Most of these guys try for a head shot, but say a good chest shot with either of these loads will put'em down better than any other 22 magnum ammo. None of the 22 magnum guys I know like the heavier bullets because they just don't expand reliably in any animal. I can vouge for that as I've shot dozens of groundhogs, and a few foxes with the CCI, and Federal 50g loads, and they were a dismal failure in a revolver, and not much better from a rifle.

I've shot a couple beavers in the head with the CCI TNT's fired from my 5.5" Single Six at around 15-20 yards, and of course, both dropped on the spot with no exit. I've also shot a few more with my 357 Blackhawk, and 357 rifle using 125g Remington SP's at 1250 fps from the Blackhawk, and around 1400-1500 fps from the rifle at ranges from 20 yards to maybe 50 yards. they were all chest/shoulder shots best I can remember. most dropped right there, but I did have to fish a couple out of the water where they made a plunge before dying.

Hope this helps some?

PS:
DO NOT SHOOT THEM IN THE WATER!!

I'm sure you can figure why?

222 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2007, 09:44:51 PM »

Thanks guys you are conferming my thoughts. On 22 mag hope can find a god used one soon.

I have trapped these waters but land owner want them all gone. Over a mile of streams in two different locations. Ice and fluctating water levels under ice made trapping very difficult. Hope to get several more yet this spring for fur.
Ray

Rancher · « **Reply #4 on:** March 03, 2007, 04:46:03 AM »

We must be hunting different types because I find that beavers are attracted to smoky bars usually on Saturday nights. My weapons of choice are Jaegermeister or Tequila which will confuse their defenses long enough for me to move in for the kill, but to each his own.

oso45-70 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 03, 2007, 07:00:33 AM »

222

I think the 22mag. is all you need to do a good job on Beaver, And the Ammo for the rifle costs is a lot less than the type Rancher is speaking of...........Joe...........

222 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 03, 2007, 03:04:21 PM »

Rancher
As a Pastor your version would leave me homeless, jobless and worthless in very short order.

Right now I need to move a Marvel 1911 conversion kit or a EAA 1911 coversion kit, or a Austin and Haleck 420 inline muzzleloader so I can honestly buy a 22 mag.

Ray

MSP Ret · « **Reply #7 on:** March 03, 2007, 03:54:20 PM »

Why don't you look into a New Egland Firearms Sportster in .22 Mag? They can be purchased at WallMart or a BiMart for about $119 and sometimes a bit less on sale if your lucky. I have one and get sub MOA groups with Winchester Black or Siver box ammo and just a bit larger, but no bigger than 1" groups at 100 yards with the cheaper CCI Maxi Mags. I use it for Maine Coyotes out to 100 yards and it works great. I am sure with head shots it would be deadly on beavers. You might even consider the same gun in .17 HMR, I am sure that it would work great also, perhaps better, especially at the closer ranges you might expierence on a float trip/hunt, and it would have much less chance of a richocet off the water in case you missed, but I know you would not. Good Luck....<><....

backstrap · « **Reply #8 on:** March 05, 2007, 07:40:35 AM »

MSP u think a 17 HMR would take a beaver out i am not sure of that with there tuff hide i think the bullet would blow up on impact not penatrate deep enough for a kill ?? i know the 17hmr is a great accurate round but dont know if it would take out a 50 to 70lb critter in the water but thats just my thought . i think i would stick with the 22mag

backstrap · « **Reply #9 on:** March 05, 2007, 07:45:58 AM »

If u have a wally world around u that still sales guns u can get a marlin 22mag boltaction with a 7 round clip for 165.00 and they shoot great also ,they come with iron sights aslo on mine i put see threw so i can use the iron sights for close up work and scope for longer range work great comb

oso45-70 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 05, 2007, 08:52:03 AM »

Backstrap

The Marlin 22 cal. rifle is a good idea but, can't say much for the see through sights though. By raising your sight plane with the high see through mounts your scope is going hit in a different place than your open sights. When you sight in your rifle at what ever distance you choose. Any time you shoot at a different distance you shots will not be in the same spot. I think you might be better off using the open sights on your marlin. The rifle is a good one for accuracy. Good luck sir.......Joe........

backstrap · « **Reply #11 on:** March 05, 2007, 02:20:25 PM »

I have shot little rocks in my drive way useing the iron sight and scope at 20 yards they hit the same place and my scope is sighted in for a 100 yards so i dont know what your talking about

222 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 05, 2007, 07:19:12 PM »

I will have to check out walmart next week (it 130 mile to one that sells guns" I will check out a couple of local gun/pawn shops and see if I can find a used beater. Boats are in water and are very rough on any gun. I would like a Marlin bolt or and auto with mags instead of a tube, I have had tubes shoot out of gun when try to load with wet cold hands.

A single shot would be ok if it has ejector not an extractor. Does any one know if NEF/H&R are ejectors or not?

Ray

backstrap · « **Reply #13 on:** March 06, 2007, 06:33:53 AM »

i think the new ones are extractors i think all calibers in h&r and nef now days are extractors unless u find a older model thats a ejector

oso45-70 · « **Reply #14 on:** March 06, 2007, 07:10:24 AM »

backstrap

If you can hit little rocks in your drive way you have nothing to worry about. After you go to the range and shoot give my post a little more thought and let me know what you think, Good luck Sir....Joe.....

backstrap · « **Reply #15 on:** March 06, 2007, 03:36:37 PM »

OSO45-70 i guess i dont know what u are talking about because i got my scope set at 100 and its on there i am not seeing where u say the scope wont shoot in the same spot every time?? and for the iron sight they shoot well from point blank to 40 to 45 yards so if i have to shoot futher than 45 yards i will use the scope and use the scope out past 100 yards or use they scope at 20 yards to a 100 so i dont C WHAT your saying

oso45-70 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 06, 2007, 04:52:35 PM »

backstrap

That's a lot better explanation of the situation or maybe i am so dumb or hard headed, That's what i was trying to get across to you in all the jibberish that followed, Sorry it just didn't make any sense to me the way i understood what you were saying. No one hurt in that bout, Please accept my apology. I may not be the swiftest in my communication skills but you would be hard pressed to find any one more caring when it comes to Hunting in general. Take care and good luck......Joe.......

MSP Ret · « **Reply #17 on:** March 07, 2007, 01:37:20 PM »

H&R/NEF rimfires and shotguns still all have ejectors any most centerfire H&R's made before 2006 have ejectors. An H&R/NEF Sportster in .22 Mag or .17HMR with a synthetic stock would seem to me to make a perfect beaver gun for you. As much at I lke the .17's I think if I was going out to shoot BIG beavers I agree with backstrap and would bring my .22 Mag H&R Sportster....<><....

plannerman · « **Reply #18 on:** March 10, 2007, 04:11:37 AM »

shoot 8-10 per year damaging landscape on area lakes.
A scoped Remington 597 .22 with CCI ammo takes them out easy upto 50 yards. Of course you have to be steady enough to head shoot.

Sourdough · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2007, 10:07:11 AM »

Does your state specify ".22RF" or just "RF"? If it is just "RF" I'd try the .17HMR. Head shots should be easy out to 100 yards. And I think it would do the job.

222 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:06:06 AM »

Yes, our State says "22 rimfire". Ice went out last week and I am tied up in mtgs until this week end I hope I can get a few on Sat. or next Mon. As a Minister Sunday is too busy hunt on. I am going to try 22lr with Velocitors as I have been to busy to get a mag rifle bought.

One night after mtgs in a bigger city I stopped in to see if they had a 22mag they did a NEF youth for $159.00 and I offer them $110. They said the price you see is the price you pay. I just walked out.
Ray

backstrap · « **Reply #21 on:** March 15, 2007, 06:13:04 AM »

yes that is to much i would think when u can get a brand new bolt gun for that in a 22mag