.223 Bull Barrel is Game On

[Land_Owner]

I purchased components (through GBO Members and Classified), put it together, and have shot it at targets a time or two without tweaking it much.  Just got a 6X fixed scope on it and sighted in fairly close with progressive press loads, certainly not as accurate as hand loading each and every powder charge, but "good enough" for the moment.  Took it turkey hunting to "backup" my guest, who was shooting his 12 gauge shotgun.  He got his at 25-yards.  Five minutes later I got mine at 35-yards.  The little Handi-rifle is a Game Getter.  Later in the afternoon it took a raccoon at 70 yards, which the turkeys found most favorable... ;-)

[Spanky]

I've had a few different 223 Handi's and they've all been good shooters. I've got a bull barrel 22-250 Handi now and it's a great shooter too.
 
 
 
Spanky

[bikerbeans]

LO,
 
Congrats!  I bet the fellow who sold you that barrel wishes he had kept it.    
 
Don't sell your progressive press short on loading accurate rounds.  With a good flowing powder like TAC or Xterminator my Dillon 550 will throw 223 loads that are pretty much dead on.  I load 68 grain 223 HPBTs for my kid's 24" AR15 and he and his buddies shoot the ends of 12 ga hulls out to close to 200 yards.
 
BB

[Land_Owner]

BB - You Can't Have It Back!!!  It took another Tom tonight.  My youngest son and I doubled this evening.  His first ever turkey and with his own Benelli Nova shotgun.  Mine was with the little Handi and it is no slouch putting the pill where it does the least amount of damage.  What a night to remember.  Having Fun here in Paradise...

[ratdog]

you gotta love those 223's i got a shorty i have been having fun with. how big of hole are you putting in those turkey's.

[Land_Owner]

Yes, the size of hole IS a consideration.  Bang flops - that I can tell you.  So far, correct shot placement and there has been no meat damage.  All neck and one top of back!  I really take it just in case some wiley pigs come to call, are out of range of the son's shotgun (he was with me at the time), or I need to "reach out" and touch something.

[Deerhunter#1]

Here in pa they only let us use shotgun in the spring and centerfire for fall. Wish i could use a 223 in the spring.

[Land_Owner]

Apparently, and absolutely, "my" birds are not hunted and are not skiddish.  They are practically walking into the blind with us.  Your shotgun is all that is needed.  I bring the .223 as backup for the usually recurring pigs, but the pigs have failed to participate.  So, with whatever is in hand, is legal, and when the iron is hot, I use it.  Also, my plastic decoys are covered in removable feathers from long ago taken birds off of this land.  The decoys look "real" and the new birds flock to them.  Set up and take down is 1 minute tops per decoy.

[OldSchoolRanger]

Apparently, and absolutely, "my" birds are not hunted and are not skiddish.  They are practically walking into the blind with us.  Your shotgun is all that is needed.  I bring the .223 as backup for the usually recurring pigs, but the pigs have failed to participate.  So, with whatever is in hand, is legal, and when the iron is hot, I use it.  Also, my plastic decoys are covered in removable feathers from long ago taken birds off of this land.  The decoys look "real" and the new birds flock to them.  Set up and take down is 1 minute tops per decoy.

Great idea!

[ratdog]

the turkey's i have seen are a little out off range .for the 223 a piece of cake. my son in law likes scatter guns he didn't think much of the idea me i really don't care.

[Land_Owner]

Some turkey hunting enthusiasts appreciate the "chase", others - calling, others - the bird's amorous display.  I love deer hunting.  Period.  I would rather deer hunt than eat.  Hogs are OK to kill and eat.  Hogs strengthen my shooting prowess when they participate, but they get in the way of my deer hunting.  Predator hunting has its usefulness (coyotes, raccoons, opossum, bobcat, etc.) and I participate in that when they participate because it relates to increased fawn and ground nesting bird survivability, etc.  I duck hunt because my duck hunting partner (and close family friend) loves it the way I love deer hunting.  I don't get any adrenaline rush wing shooting ducks.  I turkey hunt, or shall I say I guide turkey hunters, because there are those hunters that truly love it the way I love deer hunting - and I seem to have them on my land in abundance from time to time.  I don't get any, repeat, any adrenaline rush from hunting turkeys.  To say that I remain "cool" under the duress of a 20-yard close aboard strutting Tom would be an understatement.  I just do not get excited - for me.  Deer/hog/predator hunting, I let turkey walk away for someone else's opportunity on another day.  Put another way, I don't go turkey hunting for or by myself.  However, if you (for example) are a turkey hunting enthusiast and love it the way I love deer hunting, then guiding you on my place with your choice of firearms is a sincere pleasure for me.  Watching my guests and sons take a displaying bird is tremendously satisfying and the stuff of excellent memory making.  I would mostly rather watch than participate.  But shooting one, from time to time following my guest, does put meat in the freezer and on the table.  So, my choice of firearm to kill one is no measure of anything to me except how to put it down immediately with no meat damage.  Also, if Mr. Pig happens to participate at our turkey hunt, I can reach out and touch him as long and as far away as I can see him.