snert
Silver $$ Contributor
In Spring 2017 I had to move. My last hunt was in NY for Woodchucks with Fredo (God rest his internet soul). I spent the last two years getting sorted out in a new state and living vicariously on AS as Mr Majestic and others posted all about shooting groundhogs.. I was due for steroid shots in my back in NY, Tuesday. Planned to go to NY Monday, shots Tuesday, back to PA weds. On Sunday my twin daughters work was cancelled due to rain. We quickly grabbed our kit, packed the 17FB, 222 and 22-250, bench and some gear (yes, i forgot some) and headed north. I hunted from 10Am to 2PM on Monday before my doctor check-up. I also got out (supervised by my wife since I was a bit "effected" by the meds) on Tuesday eve, after the shots.
I opened Monday with a 200 yard 17 FB kill, first blood on this set-up. No recoil, easy to see DRT "snert" shot. Interestingly, I noted no issues with the shot till I cracked open the TC Contender and the case stuck. A quick snap shut and open and out came the case. It was split from rim to shoulder! globs of melted brass outside the crack. The primer was fine. It appears that the case had a defect. It is 17FB formed from 5.56 LC. No other rounds have shown any issue. I didn't even get a puff of gas in the face from it. The breech face is ok. A bore scope check of chamber revealed some soot, minor pit but otherwise fine. A quick polish looks like it will remove any hint of the "incident" . Darn glad it sealed right at the very end before the rim or I would have been in the hospital for sure. I will try to post photos.
I followed with a "fail" 125 yards, clean miss with the FB, but redeemed with a 300 yard (a bit low) kill on a stander. No wind, but no drop chart either (i mentioned I forgot stuff), so I got it in low rib high gut area. The little 25 Vmax drops em, but not a lot of PLOOP or fanfare like a swift!
I flattened one with the 22-250 at 300. Nothing like 55 grain Vmax to the face at 3700 FPS muzzle velocity!!. Another at 375. Daughter missed a gimme at 125, then nailed it, with the 222. Turned out I had zeroed the 222 with a target load, but had not changed it to my varmint load. Once I figured that out, and re-set zero, we were good. I got one (snerted) at 194 with the 222. I missed one at 450 with the 22-250. All together we went 8 for 13, including a skunk that just would not go away...till he went away with a 25 grain vmax in the noggin at 75 yards. There were many more groundhogs standing, but I was limited in that I could not move my equipment due to the back pain. Many were shootable from other angles, but houses and lay of land precluded me from shooting from where I set up. It's ok, they are seed chucks anyhow! I did not get casualty photos because I couldn't climb the fences or walk to the dead chucks. The buzzards soon confirmed the carnage though.
I am so grateful for a chance to get out. i came home with a list of little projects. gotta buy some new Binos, make some drop charts, stick to one load per gun...no more fooling around with different stuff, and I need to remember to bring my extra tripod and chair!
