...Groundhogs at 600 yards+

[AP2020]

...got the new stock mounted on my 6.5x61Super...

..did a little g'hoggin' yesterday after work...

..the treeline on the lefts side of the pic is a lasered 657 yards...

..went 6 kills with 6 shots....

..longest shot = 622 yards.....

139 grain Lapua Scenar @3,060 fps

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

Nice work 6.5 ! I see that cartridge is belted! What is the parent case to the 6.5x61 Super if you don't mind me asking?

Mike

 

[284driver]

7x61 sharp and hart

 

[AP2020]

6.5x61Super

Parent Cartridge = 7x61 Sharpe & Hart revised by Norma to 7x61Super Belted Magnum
Water Capacity = 77.6 grains
Bullet = 6.5mm 139 grain Lapua Scenar
Accuracy Load = 57.6 grains H4831SC
Velocity = 3,060 fps
-24.3 MOA@ 1,000 yards
-75.6 MOA@ 1,760 yards

MAX Load = 69.1 grains Vihtavuori N570
Velocity = 3,318 fps
-18.8 MOA@ 1,000 yards
-55.1 MOA@ 1,760 yards

Philip Sharpe and Richard Hart developed the 7x61mm in the early 1950's. In 1953 Schultz & Larson of Denmark started chambering their bolt action hunting rifle for a commercial version of the 7x61 S&H based on a shortened, blown out version of the .300 H&H Magnum case. Factory loaded ammunition was supplied by Norma of Sweden. The belted version of the 7x61 is also sometimes referred to as the 7mm S&H Super.

The 7x61's commercial popularity was limited by competition from the 7mm Weatherby Magnum, a more powerful standard length 7mm Magnum that was already on the ground. The introduction of the 7mm Remington Magnum in 1962 was the beginning of the end for the 7x61 in the U.S. market.

The commercial version of the 7x61 uses a belted magnum case 2.394" in length. Rim diameter is the standard magnum .532". Case length is 2.394" and overall cartridge length is 3.27". Bullet diameter is .284", the same as other true 7mm cartridges.

Norma supplied factory loaded ammunition for the 7x61 S&H. Their first offering was a 160 grain bullet at a muzzle velocity (MV) of 3100 fps with muzzle energy (ME) of 3410 ft. lbs. Later Norma introduced a 154 grain bullet at a MV of 3060 fps with ME of 3200 ft. lbs.

Handloaders can essentially duplicate the Norma factory loads, and have access to bullets of lighter and heavier weight. The fifth edition of the Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading shows 7x61 S&H loads for their 139, 154, 162, and 175 grain bullets. As with other 7mm Magnum cartridges, slow burning rifle powders work best in the 7x61.

 

[AP2020]

...here are some pics of my FIRST 1,000+ yard Ohio groundhog...taken a couple of years ago..I think it was like 1,017 yards or thereabouts!! Took 2 shots...

..rifle originally had a Richard's Microfit TH Stock...

 

[Dogbone]

Nice looking rig! That's some barrel! How much does the gun weigh? Who did the barrel/compensator job? Looks just like one a friend has that also shoots in OH. What county in OH do you shoot? What scope do you use?

 

[AP2020]

....follow-up video from yesterday evening..


[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSi2pzwZfOg[/youtube]

 

[shooter63]

keep those videos coming since i cant hunt anymore its keeps me up thanks & regards shooter63

 

[AP2020]

keep those videos coming since i cant hunt anymore its keeps me up thanks & regards shooter63

YOU'RE VERY WELCOME....


..the video thing with groundhogs is definitely challenging....

used to be the scenario went like this:

1. See groundhog
2. Laser range groundhog
3. Enter range in Shooter App
4. Note number of MOA's correction both elevation & windage
5. Dial in MOA adjustments
3. Chamber a round
4. Zoom scope out to find groundhog
5. Find groundhog
6. Zoom scope in to center groundhog
7. Adjust parallax focus
8. Half a breath......squeeze....


Now, throw in a video camera into the mix

1a. Find groundhog in viewfinder
2b. Zoom finder
3b. Then start steps above!!!


AND a big IF....that groundhog doesn't move, or worse yet = goes back into their hole!

...the problem I was having yesterday was the setting sun.......I wanted to hunt that side of the ridge, but next time I will go back to the other side!

 

[cockrobin]

I hate to throw any water on the fire, but are you not afraid someone may step out of the woods, directly behind the woodchuck you are shooting, at the precise moment you are pulling the trigger? At the range you are shooting and the limited field of view of your scope, it seems you would not be aware of someone approaching the woodchuck from the rear.

 

[CanusLatransSnpr]

I'm confident that 6.5 has a "FIRM" understanding of who has permission to hunt where he's hunting and who else is potentially out there at the same time! That's where communication between the property owner and others that have permission to hunt said property is paramount. I've hunted deer in areas where there were several other gentlemen hunting at the same time as I and I knew in "general" where those men were and knew where to shoot and where not to! Granted, I wasn't taking as long of shots as 6.5 but, I still wanted to know!

Thanks,
Mike

 

[AP2020]

I hate to throw any water on the fire, but are you not afraid someone may step out of the woods, directly behind the woodchuck you are shooting, at the precise moment you are pulling the trigger? At the range you are shooting and the limited field of view of your scope, it seems you would not be aware of someone approaching the woodchuck from the rear.

.....that is a valid question, the +600 yard shot was below the top of the ridge. The landowner [as with the other 6 farms I hunt on] and myself all have the following agreements:

1. I call the landowner everytime I hunt and CONFIRM with them my intended whereabouts on their farm, and more importantly THEIR intended whereabouts.

2. Some of you may or may not know, but Ohio has become one of the PREMIERE Whitetail deer areas to hunt in the U.S. Consequently, hunting on private property is closely watched by landowners, hunters with permission to hunt, and those "wanting" to hunt [read potential trespassers].

 

[gotcha]

All said and done. Great video, very nice equipment, excellent shooting. I'm drooling for the Leica R/F & satellite app. Do you have more info on acquiring the app? Maybe Santa will leave me something other than a sock full of coal this year

 

[BOBC]

Good looking cartridge and rifle. Also, darn good shooten. 6.5 is a nice caliber.
Wonder how a lighter bullet would work with your rig? The only advantage, provided accuracy with the lighter bullets is the same or better than you have right now, would be lighter recoil and quicker barrel time. But heck, if its not broke don't fix it.
Good Shooting.

 

[40X Guy]

What are your click up's to 600 yards based on a 100 yard zero? And one heck of a nice looking rifle! I'm shooting 140 Berger Hybrids @ 2800 fps out of a 6.5X47L and was curious as to a comparison. I am moving up exactly 12 MOA @ 600 yards.

Frank

 

[AP2020]

What are your click up's to 600 yards based on a 100 yard zero? And one heck of a nice looking rifle! I'm shooting 140 Berger Hybrids @ 2800 fps out of a 6.5X47L and was curious as to a comparison. I am moving up exactly 12 MOA @ 600 yards.

Frank

600 -10.0
700 -12.8
800 -15.9
900 -19.3
1000 -23.1

 

[AP2020]

Good looking cartridge and rifle. Also, darn good shooten. 6.5 is a nice caliber.
Wonder how a lighter bullet would work with your rig? The only advantage, provided accuracy with the lighter bullets is the same or better than you have right now, would be lighter recoil and quicker barrel time. But heck, if its not broke don't fix it.
Good Shooting.

....I was tempting to try some 95 gr. VMAX, however the 139 gr. Lapua's shoot so doggone good, especially when the wind picks up!

..btw.,,,the Harrel's brake makes this #24 rifle into a pussycat

I've got a bunch of videos from today's match, gonna post them in the next few days....

 

[AP2020]

All said and done. Great video, very nice equipment, excellent shooting. I'm drooling for the Leica R/F & satellite app. Do you have more info on acquiring the app? Maybe Santa will leave me something other than a sock full of coal this year

....if you have an iphone or an Android phone...go to the marketplace..look for an app called

Shooter.....

 

[WyleWD]

That freshly mowed hay field REALLY looks familiar. WD

 

[Nomad47]

No doubt - he shoots in Knox County.