Author Topic: Doing Any Varmit Shooting????? (Read 1252 times)

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **on:** July 19, 2009, 01:15:21 PM »

Hey summer is slipping by. Before we know it Sept. will be here and bird seasons. Any one shooting any varmits?

For the last couple mornings I have been taking a ride for a couple hours before it gets too warm. Shot about 20-25 prairie dogs each morning with my little Browning .22 Hornet. Had the 22-250 AI for coyotes but none were spotted. Did drop one big jack with my .357 Smith and hot 38 spl. 140 grain loads.

What are you guys up to as summer starts down hill.

??

skb2706 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2009, 10:27:12 AM »

I'll go out and shoot some pds but I like to catch 'em early then again late in the day. As far as sitting out in the sun when its 105 degrees and shootin dogs...not so much. I have til Oct til antelope season starts so between now and then there are plenty of days to shoot pds. I usually don't actively chase coyotes in the summer but I'd shoot if given the chance.

84Jim · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2009, 05:05:34 PM »

The first cutting of hay is done here in the east, so its time to hunt some ground hogs. Went out in the big field behind the house this AM for a couple of hours. First one I saw was at 360 yds., which I thought was a little too much for my .223. I tried to get closer, and snuck over to the nearest round bale. He saw me, and got real nervous. It was about 275, and while I was figuring how much to hold over he went in his hole.

I finally saw one at 145 and nailed him resting the gun on a round bale. Not real challanging but it felt good to shoot something. Got another one back behind the house at about 50 yds. I like to pop them whenever I can around the house to keep them out of the garden. He was in a little dip so my only shot was standing. Way tougher than resting on a round bale

coonbait · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2009, 11:13:40 PM »

Been shooting alot of groung hog here in maryland but cant wait for sept 15 that is our bow opener.

jamaldog87 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 21, 2009, 11:13:18 AM »

it's keeps rainning and the bugs have been to bad to go out. There should be a lot of rats and starlings when i do get out there.

ironglow · « **Reply #5 on:** July 21, 2009, 11:30:40 AM »

Woodchucks are the game now days..I usually "sneak & peek" using .22LR..

Swift One · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2009, 03:39:57 PM »

I was at the G-Hogs for a while, but the beans are getting high and I have two new rifles that Im getting on line for the upcoming coyote and coon seasons. I can hardly wait for the first bean fields to get cut down...........

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #7 on:** July 21, 2009, 03:45:22 PM »

I finally got out on Saturday for woodchucks. 7 shots, 6 hits, 5 confirmed kills, all with Contender carbine with .22 Hornet barrel, shooting 40 gr. V-Max with 13.0 gr. of Lil' Gun. Ranges from embarrasingly close (beyond bayonet range) to about 135 yards. I really should have passed up the close one.

Swift One · « **Reply #8 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:52:56 AM »

Quote

(beyond bayonet range)

Good One!!! How do you like the Hornet for the wood chucks?

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #9 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:02:22 AM »

Swiftone, what rifles did you buy??? You ask about the Hornet. I used my for prairie dogs this summer, looks like I will not get back east to shoot chucks with it. As for my Hornet, it is a Browning, and I love it. I just wish it had a magazine box that loaded from the top. When I hunt chucks in the east, it is always in my truck. Often I take it and a .22-250 or Swift. Some farms the Hornet is simply out gunned, but often at the end of the season it has accounted for a great many chucks.

Mine has seen use on tree squirrel, ground sq., p. dogs, grouse, turkey, coyotes, and cottontails. To me for the woodsloafer, small game hunter, and close range varmit hunter it is a gem.
This morning while out for my hunt, I stopped by and old ranch house. It was loaded with rockchucks. I seldom shoot them in the mt.s but here they were destroying a lot of valuable stuff, I wish I would have had my Hornet, but shot 4 with my S & W 357 and 38 spls. loads of 140 grain hollow pts. The Hornet would have been perfect. But I just took it out of the truck yesterday.

woodchukhntr · « **Reply #10 on:** July 22, 2009, 07:28:35 AM »

Quote from: Swift One on July 22, 2009, 06:52:56 AM

Quote
(beyond bayonet range)

Good One!!! How do you like the Hornet for the wood chucks?

It and my .17 HRM are my favorites. Land useage has changed considerably over the last 30 years in the area that I hunt. I used to primarally use a .22-250, but the places that I could use it have dwindled considerably. There are now houses in many of the places that I hunted and the big fields are no longer huntable because of the close proximity of the houses or posting. Also, a lot of farms have gone under and the fields are grown over. A whole lot of land has been bought by downstate and out-of-state hunters who post and will not let anyone else on. The .22-250 just makes too much noise and I don't need the range. The .17 and the Hornet are much more land owner friendly and most of the shots offered are under 200 yd. I still have a .223, .243 and a .17 Remington, but they don't get much use. In fact, I rearely take them out. Coyotes have dwindled the supply of chucks considerably.

Swift One · « **Reply #11 on:** July 22, 2009, 09:31:35 AM »

I am having the same issues with some of my properties. Which is the reason that i am putting together a 22 mag for those areas.

ironglow · « **Reply #12 on:** July 23, 2009, 03:43:13 AM »

I've got an 882L Marlin in .22 mag that I plan on setting up for coyotes. I'm not pleased with it's groups yet, so I just floated it am am about to take it to my range in the woods.
BTW: What cartridges do you guys use for coyotes? I know, some will say "no .22 mag", but I am determined and convinced that it is good medicine for close range work...just want to know what ammo is preferred by most "maggots"

..for coyotes.

jamaldog87 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 23, 2009, 05:36:25 AM »

i used to use a .22LR with Segmented Hollow Point on coyotes. work pretty well.

Swift One · « **Reply #14 on:** July 23, 2009, 09:20:01 AM »

Quote

BTW: What cartridges do you guys use for coyotes? I know, some will say "no .22 mag", but I am determined and convinced that it is good medicine for close range work...just want to know what ammo is preferred by most "maggots" ..for coyotes.

I also think that it would be a good close range weapon for areas that allow ONLY rimfire for certain hunting situations. I believe it would be a great fox, bobcat and feral cat cartridge.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter,

I just got a marlin 925M 22 mag for short range varminting and I finally got my Stevens 200 7mm-08 customized and set up for long range shooting. You can see a pic of that in the savage rifle forum under "customized Stevens 200".

lucky guy · « **Reply #15 on:** July 23, 2009, 02:11:32 PM »

I got to spend one afternoon and the next morning shooting pd's in North Dakota a couple weeks ago when I was on a road trip with my family. Never been in that area before but it's just like everybody sayso! The Chamber of Commerce and the BLM/FS office both had lists of properties and maps of towns they wanted shot out.

I had a 223 and a 22. Longest shot was 285 with my 223. Shot the same town on public land both days, never ran out of targets.

I'll be back!!!

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #16 on:** July 23, 2009, 03:32:40 PM »

Swiftone, I will look that Stevens up. I shot a pals in .270 with blue bx. Fed. ammo. It was a tack driver. My pals son has shot lots of coyotes with the .22 mag. but I think he has probably crippled some too. Of course, close range is another thing. Here the shots get long pretty quick.

ironglow · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2009, 12:51:40 PM »

Should be a good one..my Savage 111G in .223 is an accurate one, even though I don't use it really often.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #18 on:** July 27, 2009, 03:50:22 PM »

This morning on the way to Lander to look at pickups, I spotted a coyote who's eye was on some antelope does and fawns. He was occupied enough that I got to the snow fence, and got the crosshairs of the scope on the .22-250 Ackley on his ribs. One 55 grain hollowpoint boattail dropped him on the spot.

For all his devilment, the old coyote is one of my favorite animals.

$:-\$

He provides me with consistant hunting enjoyment year around.

I have little animosity toward him that I feel for golden eagles, skunks, and the feral cat.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** August 08, 2009, 03:45:28 PM »

Usually, I take a cruise around the country most mornings. Kind of looking things over. This am, I caught a big old dog coyote slipping around a small herd of antelope.

When I got stopped and ready, he was running away, not fast, but covering some ground. I called a couple times and finally he stopped broad side. I guess the range, put the Burris 3-9 on him and squeezed the .22-250 AI off. He disappeared. It didn't look like he ran, he was just gone!! I figured I hit him with the 55 grain Serria HPBT over a load of Reloader 15. When I hiked down to the area, my goldens ran ahead, the little female ran to the area I figured he had been in last. Suddenly she stopped and sniffed up and down, then walked off. The old boy, he is 15, walked over to the same spot, and sniffed, then turned and lifted his leg!!!!!

A sure sign. When I got to the spot, the old coyote was stretched out with a bullet though the top of his shoulders. I stepped it of just over 400 yards. Great start for my weekend.

skb2706 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 10, 2009, 10:44:36 AM »

As a matter of fact the Dogs Days of Summer.

Well the DD of Summer was a huge success with unusual cool daytime temps and plenty of sun.
There are several hundred pds currently laying in the bottom of "Death Valley" after the "Dog Days of Summer" that didn't care too much for the 32 gr. Vmaxs. Late Saturday afternoon after a slow start we sat there on a hill side and watched what could only be described as a "coming out party". For the next three hours the shooting was non stop and we had four rifles pretty hot between the two of us. Dogs all just came out from everywhere....brutal day to be there if you are a pd.

Even shot a pd with my 10/22 at 75 yds. he died but with not nearly the fanfare that goes with the .204.

About the only downside was the black flies and the fact we have to leave early yesterday. Black flies tried to eat me alive with some success.

Rifles of choice were two .204 ruger Contender carbines and a Remington VSSF II in 22-250.

ironglow · « **Reply #21 on:** August 10, 2009, 02:17:19 PM »

here's one I got recently with my 880SQ. Range 80 yards, 3-9X40 Simmons, Winchester Xpert Hollow point bulk. No, the Xperts don't shoot like Eleys or Lapuas, but they do quite well in the 880SQ...And that big, gaping hollowpoint smacks 'em.

BTW: just one round...and yes, I did do the Pentel spring thing on the trigger..