Groundhogs PA !!!!!!!!

[mikeinct]

I got to spend 4 days potting groundhogs with the little 6MMBR gun in southwestern pa last week...The new laser range finder really helped..I used the Lieca 1200..very nice..I need to really sit down at the range & coordinate the sight settings to various ranges & use a note book...The winging it method cost me a few important shots..I had the sights on a white GH at 425 & it should have been a chip shot on my last day down there..I fell just short of the target & really spooked him so no second chance...I got fifthteen In 4 days my hunting buddies LUKE & John did about half as well..The longest shot was 568 yds with the new 80 gr berger HP varmint bullet..Seems very stable & hits with real authority at extended ranges...Most shots with the BR gun were 295 to about 470 yds..& I was pleased with that kind of shooting.The 87 gr V-max bullet was used the first day & a half,then I switched to the berger bullet,It was a short learning curve to get it on target to about 400 yds but the trajectory values were different from the V-max ...The grass is growing fast so If u havent got out yet this year do it !!! Always great hunting in pa..u guys are so lucky..I had asked the farmers to keep the ears open for coyotes..They are down there for sure not infested like here in Ct but if they get going they will wipe out the groundhogs so give them no quarter..Keep a sharp eye out on every field & use a varmint call before leaving each spot..We had one pop out just as we were leaving one spot at dusk..he got lucky & a free meal there..Good shooting & good luck to you all..mike in ct

 

[chuckw2]

That sounds like one heck of a shoot. Post some pictures Mike!!!

Chuck

 

[SnakeEye]

Mike, if you want to make it easier to hit long range then you should invest in Richard Franklins DVD "Making Click Charts". I just reviewed it and I think any varmint killer should get it to improve their shooting. Here's the web site: Richard's Custom Rifles . Look under "Instructional Videos" .

Varmints For Fun

 

[EdAtts]

Shooting woodchucks this early in the spring before the young can survive on their own is just as hard on the woodchuck population as the cototes. I shoot a lot of chucks but not before Memorial Day. Kill one nursing female now and that one shot takes away 4 or 5 shots later in the season!

 

[chuckw2]

I shoot them whenever I can I do not have the luxury of waiting. The three places I hunt are over 2500 miles from me, so I go when I can get cheap airfares and the time off. Don't ever pass up an opportunity to shoot varmints...

 

[chino1969]

My pet load last summer consisted of an 80 gr. Berger Varmint Match being pushed by H4350 at 3550 ft/s. in a 1:10 Douglas .243 A.I.. Most of the shots were between 200 and 450 yds. and the Berger performed accurately with good terminal effect. This year's pet load is going to be the 87 gr. V-Max using H4831 SC. I started experimenting with this load and it has performed as well as the Berger bullet but the V-Max has a higher ballistic coefficient and weighs more; hence my new choice. I've been very impressed with Hornady V-Maxes in my 6BR as well.

 

[mikeinct]

Dave...I have heard that about ohio before...Are u sure ?? no license needed for Groundhogs??? & where is my invite after mothers day?? I'd make the drive tuesday / wens is my weekend..let me know what is up ...SW pa is a very long drive...from here in Central Ct...Anyway..I'm interested in hearing more about the new Berger 80 gr 6mm Varmint bullet..I only shot 6 or 7 chucks with it...& so far I prefer it to the 87 gr V-max from the little BR gun...I'm building a full size 243 winchester on a savage action with muzzle brake & recoil reducer...SAV-2 trigger, thumbhole stock & a good scope sight..That little gun will get to test both bullets.. I'm hoping the full power loading from that 243 case kicks up the whoop factor on that 87 gr Hornady bullet..it is [from my limited experience with the 6mmbr my opinion only,no flame wars please] not all I had hoped for in a varmint rifle cartridge...I've used the 22-250 for 30 years & I'm very pleased with that 55 gr. V-max 22 caliber bullet...The 6mmbr & the 87gr V-max has left me unimpressed...I never load TO THE MAX with any cartridge except the 6.5 X 284...& that is only because chuck gave me the load & it was safe & accurate..I usually get best accuracy before I get to full power with most of my guns/cartridges..I'm always looking to better my loads & my shooting so any pointers I'll listen..I really like the 6MMBR gun I built... The berger 80gr varmint HP bullet seems right there..only farther testing will tell the whole story..Thanks for this great forum & all your opinions...mike in ct

 

[ALO]

Hey you guys, before you think that you can hunt hogs in Ohio without a license, think again. I am from Ohio and you have always needed a license to hunt ground hogs in Ohio. If you get caught, even on private land, they will take your guns away, confiscate that gas-guzzling SUV, fine the crap outta you, take yor first born, make your wife into a sex slave, and probably slap you on your tally-wacker with a bamboo rod. Just get the license. The only place I know of where you dont need a license to hunt varmints in Montana.
AL O

 

[chino1969]

mikeinct,
If you are in the process of having a Savage put together in .243, consider the .243 A.I.. The performance of a .243 A.I. with either the 87 gr. Hornady V-Max or the 80 gr. Berger Varmint Match has served me well on groundhogs. My ranges are from 200 to 450 yds.

 

[ALO]

Dear Gunamonth: Oh, don't get me wrong. There are still plenty of good places to go hog hunting in Ohio, all you gotta do is get in good with some of the farmers in the area. Harrison County in South eastern Ohio around Cadiz still has some real good hunting around Tappan Lake area. Thats the home of Gen George Custer and Clark Gable.

As far sa the Pittsburgh Squeelers winning the Souper Bowl, well that is one piece of meat that still gets stuck in our craw! But at least some of the Pittsburgh team played for the Browns.

As far as grouse hunting goes in Southern Ohio, I have only seen a couple of them going down there for years. I see more hogs and black snakes that grouse.

Al O

 

[mikeinct]

Chino ??? using the 87gr bullet do you need the extra powder in the 243 case offered by the Ackley Imp. design?? I just switched to the 80 gr Berger HP in the little 6mmbr ...I was not pleased with the terminal effect of the 87 gr V-max at extended ranges starting at the 6mmbr velocities..,ALSO, diff. problem) ..I'm starting another project...A 22-250 26 inch tube with a one in twelve twist to shoot the 60 gr. V-Max 22 caliber bullet..On that cartridge I'm considering the A.I. chambering if I can't get the velocities I'm looking for to really SPLAT Groundhogs with the heavier bullet...It seems to me the 55gr bullet kinda tops out at about 300 yds or so..We have used it side by side VS. the little 6MMBR gun/cartridge..out to 500 yds..The 22 cal has a tough time keeping up past 400 yds...The stability & energy seems to fall off rather quickly when shooting beyond 300 yds..this last trip I left the 22-250 set to 200yds & used it only to a max. of 258 yds..{laser sighted ranges} I kept the BR gun sighted to 300yds & adjusted up from there to 568 yds..That has been a happy compromise to this situation...I just want the 22-250 to be able to reach longer targets & still hit with the kind of punch I like to see..Feel free to jump in on this subject with any & all opinions...mike in ct

 

[chino1969]

mikeinct,
I just happen to be a fan of Ackley's. I'm not saying that you need the extra velocity from an A.I. to make the 87 grn. V-Maxes perform versus the .243 parent cartridge. The point I was trying to drive home is that it's nice to have the extra horsepower of an Ackley. I've had several kills on groundhogs this spring using the 87 gr. V-Max and have been happy with the performance. I haven't chron'oed them yet but would estimate them to be approx. 3500 ft/s. My load last year was the 80 gr. Berger Varmint Matches which performed o.k. but not enough to warrant the extra cost. The 87 gr. V-Max performs better than the Berger and it's cheaper. My personal opinion is that the 6BR cartridge, while accurate, doesn't have enough downrange power to let the 87 gr. V-Max perform as it was intended. I have a 6BR with a 1:14 twist that does quite well with 65, 68, and 70 gr. bullets on paper, but have yet to use it in the field on live targets. I can tell you with confidence that I've taken alot of groundhogs with my .243 A.I. and generally leave my .22-250 A.I. in the safe. I use my .243 A.I. almost exclusively for groundhogs and have even been rotating a .25-06 into the stable with 100 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips. Even though groundhogs are classified as varmints, I strive for humane one shot kills. Over the years, I've had too many wounded animals with any of the smaller cartidges even with solid hits. The 87 gr. V-Max whacks them hard and puts them down quickly.

 

[chino1969]

mike in ct,
Confirmed chuck count as of 6/17/06 is 22. We are into the season here in southeastern PA., with best shooting starting at 6:30 p.m. onward.
Regards,
Chino69

 

[mikeinct]

i got the .243 barrel setting in a fiberglass thumbhole stock.Savage Varmint tapers are just huge !!!..pics to come soon...I started breakin in that bargain 82 dollar A & B varmint weight barrel...Fred at SSS was kind enough to thread the end for me to match the 1 in 12 twist 22 250 barrel he made for me...So the muzzle brake fits both barrels..anyway I tested the rig with the 87 gr V-max bullet I could plainly see the hits on a small steel target at 200yds..2 out of 5 times...Not all I had hoped for so I added a homemade 8.6 oz. recoil reducer to that funny looking stock.best group first day was 7/8" nice & round at 100yds..Now I'm motivated..I'm thinking a removable cheek piece would be a good thing..The next scope is going to be the 8 X 32 burris with 50 mmao front lens & side focus...pretty tall heavy scope..By then it will be really hot in Pa..maybe I can sneak down for a couple of days of hunting...you guys are getting me all fired up & I have no time off till fall....mike in ct

 

[mikeinct]

Oh I can tell you about an after a thunderstrom shoot out!!!!My first trip down to SW pa. It was hot humid really mean weather mid-august...We were doing OK getting 5 a day..& I start late ..like lunch time...About two O'clock last day of four down there...It starts pouring..we drove down to near west virginia while it was raining..heading back we stopped at the last good looking place we noted..An older somewhat grown over farm ...haying had taken place not too long ago..Farmer sets us up in his spot..From one hill shooting over to another 4 fields..It was the best groundhog shooting I ever had...we only killed 3 but the closest shot was 300 yds away..I found out pretty quick a 22-250 has limitations that day..we shot better than a box of shells..& they kept coming out ...the rain had been hard enough & the grass was just tall enough we could not mark the shots..[no dirt puffs]..Thinking about that spot when I got home motivated me to find a better bullet for my 22-250..I learned about BC & trajectories..Found this site & built a 6MMBR gun from a junky rem adl...Now what I learned to do as a teenager in eastern pa many years ago is a part time obsession..splating the groundhogs is cool ...but the science of long range shooting is a much more involved endeavor..I can't count the hours I spend working on the little details to make my rifles ammo & myself the best they can possibly be for that next hunting trip to PA. it is the best place in the world...mike in ct

 

[chino1969]

mikeinct,
Do you ever hunt coyotes in your home state? It's my understanding that they are prevalent in the New England states. I've hunted them in southwestern Vermont, north of Manchester, and they are pretty cagey animals. Many of the packs will travel the mountain ridgelines and will move from area to area, depending on the food. I just started hunting them in Vermont several years ago and am still learning their habits. Any feedback or tips would be appreciated.
Chino69

 

[mikeinct]

There are many packs in northern new hampshire & I 'd have to guess northern vermont also...I hunt birds up in the pittsburg area of new hampshire..Here in Ct you could do well just about anywhere you can get permission to hunt...trouble is this is a very crowded state...Houses have sprouted up everywhere I used to hunt here..there are still some nice fields...trouble is again the houses...all around them...my favorite call is just a squeakin sound I can make on the back of my hand..I think they think it is a squirrel...I used to see them near dusk on the edges of the fields I'd hunt groundhogs on..last one I shot had the mange[BADLY]...the buggers have adjusted too well to suburban life here...partridge are gone...no chucks..coyotes have taken to eating pets..dogs & cats...good shooting...do more looking than calling...Don't let them know you are hunting them..mike in ct

 

[chino1969]

mikeinct,
I've heard the same thing around Vermont about the abundance of coyotes and the depletion of small game as a result. The few times I hunted them was during the winter with a caller and a moving decoy. My hide was set up approx. 250 yds. from a forest treeline with the decoy and caller on the edge of the treeline. My game plan was to entice a coyote out into the open where I could get a shot. A shadow slipped along the treeline without breaking from the cover of the trees. Had I not been glassing intently with my binoculars, I would have missed the movement. That shadow, I believe, was a cagey coyote that had, no doubt, been shot at before. It immediately gave me a healthy respect for the wariness of this animal and also gave me the desire to learn more about it's habits and how to hunt it.
Chino69

 

[steveyrock]

I live 20 minutes east of Harrisburg PA and in the last ten years I lost 60 percent of my hog hunting spots to urban sprawl.

I am also noticing an increased intolerance to gunfire in the summer months as I have been approached several times as to what I was shooting at by local police who were called by nervous homeowners half a mile away.I find myself driving longer distances to get to an area where I can get an angle on a hog without a house or building being in the scope.

Yes we have coyote's also and an over abundance of foxes but we are infested with groundhogs and many areas can't be hunted because of housing developments.

 

[chino1969]

steveyrock,
Unfortunately, urban sprawl has curtailed many of our former hunting spots. Many of the premier hunting places that I used to hunt, in my county, have become rimfire only. I travel to a different county to be able to use a centerfire rifle. The shooting club that I belong to had to raise the yearly dues several years ago by $35 to cover the range insurance that went from $2000/yr. to over $20,000/yr. The political climate, with regards to gun bans, is always looming on the horizon. Today's hunter/shooter is participating in a sport that is legal but not 'politically correct' in this homogenized and liberal culture. This is why it is so important to belong to the NRA and vote for candidates that support our rights to keep and bear arms.
Chino69