Posted: 5/14/2016 11:42:28 AM EDT
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Figured I'd start a thread for 2016. Got my first confirmed whistle pig for the 2016 season.
Anyone else been out varmint hunting yet? The weather has been crap here, very wet. Short shot on the farm that butts up to me, 69 yard shot with an ADI 55gr BlitzKing. Was using the new Faxon 18" GUNNER barrel I have in for review. This is how I found him.  Post'em if you've got'em! |
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Nice pdog! |
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I've been cleaning out the pasture next door. There's dogtown the neighbor has been trying to clear out for over 20 years. It makes an excellent test bed for my handloads. Here's an album of documented loads. If you click info you can see the projectile and rifle used. If caliber is not mentioned it is 223.
https://goo.gl/photos/PbtwmFRTV3ZetJgc6 Here's a 6'fer with Brown Bear 62gr SP. 
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Nice. Doesn't look like it ran too far. Blitzkings seem to work really well on something groundhog size. I've had less impressive results on prairie dogs.
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Got another one Friday night. Short shot again (65 yards), however there aren't too many places on this small horse ranch to strech a bullet's legs. Faxon 18" GUNNER with a 55gr BlitzKing. http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa46/muad_dib1982/47B52908-66E1-4D68-97D8-A59C1F66D504_zpshjp4xyvb.jpg |
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Quoted: Nice. Doesn't look like it ran too far. Blitzkings seem to work really well on something groundhog size. I've had less impressive results on prairie dogs. Quoted: Nice. Doesn't look like it ran too far. Blitzkings seem to work really well on something groundhog size. I've had less impressive results on prairie dogs. Quoted: Got another one Friday night. Short shot again (65 yards), however there aren't too many places on this small horse ranch to strech a bullet's legs. Faxon 18" GUNNER with a 55gr BlitzKing. http://i199.photobucket.com/albums/aa46/muad_dib1982/47B52908-66E1-4D68-97D8-A59C1F66D504_zpshjp4xyvb.jpg Here's a video of some of my shots using the ADI 55gr BlitzKing ammo (some ground squirrels at the beginning, prairie dogs are after that):  |
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Had a few of those myself
They just don't stop, stupid little pasture maggots I've got about 300 rounds out since leaving work Friday, conservatively I'll say I've got at least 250 kills. That's 500 lbs of grass a day I've saved so far this weekend. These little buggers will eat you out of house and home. And please, don't say I'm full of shit.... like this guy |
Got a call from a friend saying his field was being mauled by rock chucks. Took 26 this morning in under 3 hours. First spot was overlooking the field, I crept up on a small hill about 175yds out and holy smokes, it looked like the 'dances with wolves' scene when they see all the buffalo. They spotted me and hauled ass back to their junkyard in the ravine. Took 5 within a couple minutes as they came back out in the field almost immediately. As I was picking those up, i got 3 with my MKII .22lr from the road. I changed spots to be able to see the junkyard. They seemed more comfortable in their home, than in the field. Took up a post on some kind of old equipment and drilled 18 in a row over the next 2 hours, ALL of which died within 25 yards of each other. There were bodies everywhere, they were dying in piles.  Suppressor made a huge difference
Couple of these pics really show the damage ro the field. 
There are 3 in this pic. See if you can find the last one (zoom in) 
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Quoted: Got a call from a friend saying his field was being mauled by rock chucks. Took 26 this morning in under 3 hours. First spot was overlooking the field, I crept up on a small hill about 175yds out and holy smokes, it looked like the 'dances with wolves' scene when they see all the buffalo. They spotted me and hauled ass back to their junkyard in the ravine. Took 5 within a couple minutes as they came back out in the field almost immediately. As I was picking those up, i got 3 with my MKII .22lr from the road. I changed spots to be able to see the junkyard. They seemed more comfortable in their home, than in the field. Took up a post on some kind of old equipment and drilled 18 in a row over the next 2 hours, ALL of which died within 25 yards of each other. There were bodies everywhere, they were dying in piles. Suppressor made a huge differenceCouple of these pics really show the damage ro the field. http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_100635.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_100701.jpg There are 3 in this pic. See if you can find the last one (zoom in) http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_102504.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_102914.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_103651.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_105740.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_110016.jpg Nice shooting!! I am so jealous. I have yet to find a honey hole like that. Nice work! |
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Got a call from a friend saying his field was being mauled by rock chucks. Took 26 this morning in under 3 hours. First spot was overlooking the field, I crept up on a small hill about 175yds out and holy smokes, it looked like the 'dances with wolves' scene when they see all the buffalo. They spotted me and hauled ass back to their junkyard in the ravine. Took 5 within a couple minutes as they came back out in the field almost immediately. As I was picking those up, i got 3 with my MKII .22lr from the road. I changed spots to be able to see the junkyard. They seemed more comfortable in their home, than in the field. Took up a post on some kind of old equipment and drilled 18 in a row over the next 2 hours, ALL of which died within 25 yards of each other. There were bodies everywhere, they were dying in piles. Suppressor made a huge difference
Couple of these pics really show the damage ro the field. http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_100635.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_100701.jpg There are 3 in this pic. See if you can find the last one (zoom in) http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_102504.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_102914.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_103651.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_105740.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_110016.jpg Good shooting ! that looks like a awesome time ! |
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Got a call from a friend saying his field was being mauled by rock chucks. Took 26 this morning in under 3 hours. First spot was overlooking the field, I crept up on a small hill about 175yds out and holy smokes, it looked like the 'dances with wolves' scene when they see all the buffalo. They spotted me and hauled ass back to their junkyard in the ravine. Took 5 within a couple minutes as they came back out in the field almost immediately. As I was picking those up, i got 3 with my MKII .22lr from the road. I changed spots to be able to see the junkyard. They seemed more comfortable in their home, than in the field. Took up a post on some kind of old equipment and drilled 18 in a row over the next 2 hours, ALL of which died within 25 yards of each other. There were bodies everywhere, they were dying in piles. Suppressor made a huge difference
Couple of these pics really show the damage ro the field. http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_100635.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_100701.jpg There are 3 in this pic. See if you can find the last one (zoom in) http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_102504.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_102914.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_103651.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_105740.jpg http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s51/trob500/20160603_110016.jpg Outstanding!!! |
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I can't believe the old thread died, we're slacking.
Finally got out here on OH, the weather this spring sucked! The farmer called me and said his tenant was complaining about a bunch under his shed. I had been looking for a bullet that would explode groundhogs. I tried Vmax out of a 223 and 150 gr hunting bullets out of a 308. Both killed them dead, but no flying parts. I finally found one. Over the winter I loaded up 110 Nosler Varmint bullets, 3200+ fps out of my 308. This is all that is left of 3 groundhogs shot at 50 yards. The big one by itself was also about 50 yards. He didn't explode, just ended up with a volleyball size hole in him. 
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Nice shooting!
After testing a good dozen different projectiles of 50gr and 55gr weights, I've still come back to the 55gr VMAX at least for 223. It seems to get the best accuracy as well as making the biggest mess upon impact. The Speer TNT bullets are a close second for effect on target, but won't hold the same groups as the VMAX in my rifle. The Blitzkings are about on par with the accuracy of the VMAX bullets, but don't get the same pink mist effect. The Nosler BTs are also close on accuracy and work better at distance than the VMAX, but again lack the splatter effect. Keep in mind this is all on prairie dogs. On a badger, the VMAX killed it DRT and didn't exit. |
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Quoted: I can't believe the old thread died, we're slacking. Finally got out here on OH, the weather this spring sucked! The farmer called me and said his tenant was complaining about a bunch under his shed. I had been looking for a bullet that would explode groundhogs. I tried Vmax out of a 223 and 150 gr hunting bullets out of a 308. Both killed them dead, but no flying parts. I finally found one. Over the winter I loaded up 110 Nosler Varmint bullets, 3200+ fps out of my 308. This is all that is left of 3 groundhogs shot at 50 yards. The big one by itself was also about 50 yards. He didn't explode, just ended up with a volleyball size hole in him. http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/Ironmaker/6.3.16%20Remains%20of%203_zpsjpvkvolp.jpg http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/Ironmaker/ED242401-E08B-40E8-A634-455CCF1F0185_zps15eywdtx.jpg http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/Ironmaker/05D272FA-3472-4858-A983-6523DF351F8A_zps6f2iycub.jpg That first pic, WOW!!! Nice shooting. Yeah, weather in NW Ohio was dismal this spring. However, now it's nice and dry, and the whistle pigs are making their way out more often. |
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I can't believe the old thread died, we're slacking. Finally got out here on OH, the weather this spring sucked! The farmer called me and said his tenant was complaining about a bunch under his shed. I had been looking for a bullet that would explode groundhogs. I tried Vmax out of a 223 and 150 gr hunting bullets out of a 308. Both killed them dead, but no flying parts. I finally found one. Over the winter I loaded up 110 Nosler Varmint bullets, 3200+ fps out of my 308. This is all that is left of 3 groundhogs shot at 50 yards. The big one by itself was also about 50 yards. He didn't explode, just ended up with a volleyball size hole in him. I shot Speer TNT 125s out of my 300 Win Mag for years (until I burned out the barrel) Good times! |
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Quoted: Busted a few prairie dogs yesterday on the Fort Pierre natl grassland. Forgot the damn camera!!! Might try to find some on Buffalo gap in the next couple of days, if I do I'll make sure I have the camera. However, that's about the only thing that is keeping me from ditching the dang thing. |
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Busted a few prairie dogs yesterday on the Fort Pierre natl grassland. Forgot the damn camera!!! Might try to find some on Buffalo gap in the next couple of days, if I do I'll make sure I have the camera. How was the shooting down there? I haven't had good luck in the past but I was going to drive down this year and give it another try now that I have silencers. |
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I was invited to go rock chuck hunting this past weekend. We were in SW Montana at about 8200 ft elevation. High sagebrush country with rock outcroppings scattered about. I think we worked about a dozen different colonies over the 2 days of hunting. It was a lot of fun - I learned a lot about getting good solid rests, using the mildot scope, wind, etc. We left camp about 8 am both days, rode a 4 wheeler 3-4 miles from where we were camped, and spent the day on foot from there, working our way from colony to colony. I'm not sure how many we tagged, I fired roughly 100 rounds in 2 days. I had a lot of misses the first day, a bit better the second day. Our ranges varied from 100 yds to 250 yds. I tried a couple 300 yd shots, close but no cigars. I was using a 20" barrel AR with a 3-9 MIL-MIL SWFA scope, 77 gr HBT handloads.
Looking forward to trying it again at some point. |
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Killed 5 groundhogs Friday evening, I think that is the most I have killed in one day and I know I killed one with my longest shot, lasered 346 yards. I missed one at 325 yards because I didn't take the time to laser it, I thought it was closer and needed to come up one or two more clicks, I hit right under it.
Took this one at about 75 yards, standing with a shooting stick. I whistled and he stood up, bad mistake. 
I walked around the field and came back and perched on this hill, what a great view. 
This one came out right by his dead buddy. I didn't move them, this is where they ended up. 
346 yards 
Here is the view back up the hill. I was at the top of the horizon. 
I killed two more, one with a suppressed 22 pistol along the road and one in the same field as the others. He was at the edge of his hole. When I walked down to his hole, there was a pile of guts and a stream of blood heading down into the hole. |
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Quoted: Killed 5 groundhogs Friday evening, I think that is the most I have killed in one day and I know I killed one with my longest shot, lasered 346 yards. I missed one at 325 yards because I didn't take the time to laser it, I thought it was closer and needed to come up one or two more clicks, I hit right under it. Took this one at about 75 yards, standing with a shooting stick. I whistled and he stood up, bad mistake. http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/Ironmaker/D838EA56-BC14-42D2-B506-D0ACC6FDB4F9_zpsq4mrdoik.jpg I walked around the field and came back and perched on this hill, what a great view. http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/Ironmaker/B36DA9D7-1282-4585-B106-48FE1B255B99_zpskxgezjr7.jpg This one came out right by his dead buddy. I didn't move them, this is where they ended up. http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/Ironmaker/1C44146F-6AA9-4A21-9A0A-2FEFDD7CF5D6_zps9ju9x1kn.jpg 346 yards http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/Ironmaker/72761237-1F42-48DF-B473-E67567887BBC_zps68gmhvhl.jpg Here is the view back up the hill. I was at the top of the horizon. http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m78/Ironmaker/8C0E0966-DF37-4FD8-95BF-7BD660540D69_zpsu7lfrflu.jpg I killed two more, one with a suppressed 22 pistol along the road and one in the same field as the others. He was at the edge of his hole. When I walked down to his hole, there was a pile of guts and a stream of blood heading down into the hole. Awesome! Nice shooting. |
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How was the shooting down there? I haven't had good luck in the past but I was going to drive down this year and give it another try now that I have silencers. Quoted:
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Busted a few prairie dogs yesterday on the Fort Pierre natl grassland. Forgot the damn camera!!! Might try to find some on Buffalo gap in the next couple of days, if I do I'll make sure I have the camera. How was the shooting down there? I haven't had good luck in the past but I was going to drive down this year and give it another try now that I have silencers. They had been shot at before. Out and about until they see a vehicle or till the first shot goes off, after that one will peek its head out of a hole every five minutes or so. |
Went back to South Dakota on Thursday to pick up my truck that broke down out there on my first trip on the 18th. Got some more shooting in on Friday. I had two towns all to myself for the entire day. Took a few pics this time.
This last pic was my favorite shot of the day. It did the fly in the air and do some flips thing as you can tell I hit her low. 
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<a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/IMG_4446_zps6kzkj9dn.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/IMG_4446_zps6kzkj9dn.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/IMG_4450_zpsalysxrc4.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/IMG_4450_zpsalysxrc4.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/IMG_4448_zpsvvuaxcxd.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/IMG_4448_zpsvvuaxcxd.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/NCM_0129_zps6sfiy0qv.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/NCM_0129_zps6sfiy0qv.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/NCM_0120_zpsdg3l2uby.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/NCM_0120_zpsdg3l2uby.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/NCM_0119_zpspugrwznr.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/NCM_0119_zpspugrwznr.jpg</a> <a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/NCM_0088_zpsbgywhjws.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/NCM_0088_zpsbgywhjws.jpg</a> love this! Straight to the face!!! <a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/NCM_0087_zpskjnwntly.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/NCM_0087_zpskjnwntly.jpg</a> 20" 1 in 9 twist 5.56 shooting 50 gr VMax , Nikon m223 4 -12 with a AAC M42000. <a href="http://s1258.photobucket.com/user/Dbl00buck/media/NCM_0096_zpsz54efbvf.jpg.html" target="_blank">http://i1258.photobucket.com/albums/ii524/Dbl00buck/NCM_0096_zpsz54efbvf.jpg</a> Up to 36 so far. Beans are getting high. went from 5 to 7 a day, to 2 to 3 a day. That's some prolific killin' there. Impressive. |
Shot this guy trotting across the cow pasture at about 100 yards using my suppressed Aero M5 build in .308 Win. with a Trijicon TA11E, almost missed, I tried to get him to stop by whistling but barking would have been better. When he stopped spinning from the front leg hit I put one behind the shoulder. The 110gr Hornady TAP round did NOT exit.
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Quoted: Shot this guy trotting across the cow pasture at about 100 yards using my suppressed Aero M5 build in .308 Win. with a Trijicon TA11E, almost missed, I tried to get him to stop by whistling but barking would have been better. When he stopped spinning from the front leg hit I put one behind the shoulder. The 110gr Hornady TAP round did NOT exit. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v422/Bowhntr6pt/yote_zpshyszi4tu.jpg Nice! |
