.223 Squirrel Assassin gets upgrade!

[tacklebury]

Got a new optic for the .223 in my switchbarrel system today.  Went with a BSA 4-16x40mm Mildot Reticle Scope.  Very good optical clarity and a much finer reticle than the one I moved to the .357.  Since this one can reach out there about 700 yards anyway with my load, I figured the higher power would come in handy too.  I am considering shaving off the top of the hammer as it clears by about 1mm, but it's perfect height as the last pic shows it's barely off the barrel with Medium Height Simmons Rings. 

 

 

[tacklebury]

Well took her out and zero'd the scope.  Really happy with the optic and dialed in quickly.  I like the 1/8 MOA system as you can really dial things in tight.  Unfortunately, with the corn and Soybeans so tall at the farm, I couldn't get a full hundred yards and didn't have a table, so I was kneeling on a concrete block using my gun case on top of the burning barrel (not hot hehe) to shoot at about 90 yards, so I may be able to tighten these some more.  I shot 30 shots in 15 minutes and didn't have time to let things cool off again, the first 10 were good and then after 10, the heat made things open up slightly.  It took me 7 rounds to get exact zero with the scope and then I fired this 3 shot group.

 
After that group, my knee started hurting a lot and heat started being an issue.  All in all though, I like the load and consistently and the brass is perfectly clean, so no excess powder or staining. 
 
The last few shots I took was with the low power loads and the best group I got with those (had to go down 2.5 mils) was 1/2" and was 1/2" to the left, so was close enough I think I can use the low power ones with the same scope settings, or may play with click adjusts to permanently switch ammo.

[petemi]

I'm glad you can see the cross hairs in that reticle.  I had the same scope on my 223 and swapped it out because I'd loose them against a dark background.  They were just too fine for these old eyes    Other than that, I liked the scope.  For a fairly inexpensive scope, I thought the quality was excellent.  They're nice and clear., and you're right about the adjustments being great.  The parralax adjustment works well.

That was nice shooting.  I had a great morning with the "new" .22-250.  We just finished second cutting alfalfa, so the range was clear.  I bought the rifle used with a Tasco Euro Class 3-12 X 52 on it.  The rifle would not shoot.  Changed scopes....same thing.  I sent it up to Brian.  He re-barreled it and it's now a tack driver with the original scope.  I fine tuned it to 300 yards yesterday morning.  My last three shots were two touching and the third 3/4 inch right.  All center of the target.  I wish I could shoot like that away from the bench

I know you've told before about using the .223 for squirrels and posted the load, but I don't recall what it was.  I know you said you had less meat damage than with a .22.  Interesting.  I'm going to play with that this fall.  One of my dogs "Charlie", a Feist, needs some field work before season, so I think I'll take him out this coming week and knock off some reds.  I'll probably use a .32-20, either the Handi or the Marlin.  A lot of folks don't use a rifle for squirrels, but living in farm country, you instinctively line up the target with something solid behind it.  It doesn't matter if it's a deer, woodchuck or squirrel.  It's a lot more of a challenge to pop the head off a bushy tail rather than dust him with a shotgun.

If you get up this way, give me a jingle.  Perhaps we can get together and shoot.

Pete

[tacklebury]

I have 20-20 - 20-18 vision, so I've never needed glasses, praise be.  I do have a slight focusing issue from 22 years at computer desks as an engineer, however, so irons are starting to be harder for me to keep focused.  I got the leapers 4x32 for this originally and really liked the size and design, but the reticle was over 1 MOA thick.  I still managed a sub moa group with careful placement, but decided it works better on the little .357 for the wife.  This one is much finer, so I can see where it'd be a problem if you have eyesight issues.  You'll have to PM me your address some time so I can see where "up here" is hehe.  It's fairly rare for me to go north of the bridge, but for the right excuse, ie shooting, I might have to wander that way purposefully. 
 
Glad Brian was able to help you fix up your .22-250.  I'd dearly love to do a .45 ACP stub at some point and try some slow mover leads for close in work also.  With my blackhawk I did some 3 gr. Unique and a 185 gr. LSWC with pretty spectacular results.  Obviously, these won't cycle my auto, but they are still very accurate when hand cycled.  The blackhawk is even better though since it's single action anyway.    I've never had access to try a .32-20, but sounds like a nice round from your accounts.  Downloading that could get very interesting also.  The thing I like is with my .223 and 4.2 gr. Unique and the 45gr Hornet bullet, I can load em up for about 9 cents each.  They seem a lot more consistent than .22 LR of any brand I've tried also. 

[tacklebury]

Just caught wind of a new product offering from Winchester in the form of a tough hollowpoint in .223 designed for hog hunting.  I hope they will make the component bullets available at some point too.  Might be worth checking out for those wanting to kill hogs and larger deer with the .223. 
 
http://winchesterproductdemos.winchester.com/Razorback.html#/Home