In Colorado

[urbanrifleman]

To me, if you're not shooting past 250 yds, there's no need for anything more than a good 223 with a 53gr vmax, and I'd even settle for a 40-50gr bullet. Of course a 20 cal will cover the same ground with even less recoil so there's that option as well Past 200, the 53vmax starts to shine more in the wind, but at 300, it would be nice to have a little more gas in the tank. I don't have one, but it seems like a 223ai would start being more useful if you're shooting a lot in the 300yd neighborhood.

On the flip side, being able to reach 300-350 yds effectively will drastically increase the shot opportunities later in the season.

I'm thinking the 62 ELD VT and the 53 VMAX pretty much cover all the ground that you need to cover and somewhere between a 223 and a 22br is about all you need honestly.

 

[65swede]

9tw 223 and 40gr vmax with book max load of 2230 is a Lazer out to 250 and results in a nice misty pop most of the time. 8tw 22br and 53gr vmax @3500 produces terrific aerials!

 

[Tommie]

My rangefinder must be broken

 

[urbanrifleman]

So, I didn't overspeak in my assertions, I was searching my memory and do remember spotting pdogs in Texas once. Looking across a valley to pdogs on the other side. Wind was about 2-3 mph and was using a $5000 Leica spotting binocular. I could clearly see pdogs at 800 yards.

So, under perfect conditions with the mounds elevated as stated, you can see them much further than I said.

 

[SongdogHunter]

I'm in Colorado shooting pdogs at my buddy's ranch. So many pdogs. 104 degrees and 25 mph winds.

Just awesome. More to come.

You must be out east, I refer to it as western Kansas.

 

[David Milisock]

Several years back I went exclusively to the 223 Rem bolt rifles for all my varmint and predator hunting. This proved to be a very successful move for me.

Of course, here in the east, we don't have nearly the shot opportunities that "pdog" hunters have so barrel heat is not an issue. Also, where I hunt, safe shot opportunities rarely exceed 300 yards, well within the capabilities of the 223 Rem. The reduce noise, economy, and performance of the 223 Rem works very well for me. While I am not obsessed with barrel life which I consider a consumable, I have spent a lot of time at the range (2 to 3 days a week) practicing off my cross sticks. Therefore, the mild effect of the 223 on barrel wear and low recoil is welcomed.

For me, the Nosler 50 and 55 gain BT's give me the best precision in my 12" twist 223 Rems. For my 8" twist rifles (Tikkas), the 60 Vmax gives me the best performance especially for predators.

For of course, wind is the challenge for a varmint hunter due to the small vital area. I never really mastered it, but I've managed to achieve modest success dealing with it by taking crawler shots in the wind and trying to time the shot between gusts.

While I am at the end of my hunting avocation, I've learned a lot over the years. That's the supreme irony, I've come to the point where over the 50+years of hunting I have worked out all the details, i.e. equipment, loads, techniques, and skills but my body has worn out. Such is life. Yet I am grateful because I had a tremendous run with many great hunts.

Enjoy your hunt - cherish the time spent in the field. In my humble opinion, hunting under field conditions is the ultimate test of a rifleman, combat notwithstanding. Best wishes.

Years ago when I bought my 223 Howa 1500 even with a 12 twist and 40 grain VMAX, my 6MM gets a great deal of rest. It cover 99% of the shooting available in my area.

 

[David Milisock]

With the ground squirrels, after the youngins are out and about, it's often like hitting a cigar at two or three hundred yards. How hard could that be?

A few years ago, on a different forum, I challenged folks to simply put a pop can out to an honest 200 yds, and then with their first shot of the day -- hit it. It's amazing how few guys answered back to brag about their success. jd

Not surprising! If I write the story of my perfect rifle it would be boring, carry, carry, carry, carry, carry, carry, stored in truck, stored in truck (you get the idea), then POW, hit, then clean game.

If you can hit a pop can cold bore at 200 with you varmint rig you need to get back to the drawing board and practice.

 

[K22]

With the ground squirrels, after the youngins are out and about, it's often like hitting a cigar at two or three hundred yards. How hard could that be?

A few years ago, on a different forum, I challenged folks to simply put a pop can out to an honest 200 yds, and then with their first shot of the day -- hit it. It's amazing how few guys answered back to brag about their success. jd

So true! I hear it at the range a lot, boasting of 400- and 500-yard shots on eastern groundhogs.

Here's my challenge to the boasters: Can you hit a 3 x 5 card in the field. A horizontally placed card will approximate the vital area of a mature hog in a crawler position. A vertically placed card will approximate a standing mature hog. For yearlings and pups, you need be well within the card with no edger shots.

A small portable field target stand is quite easy to construct. Use a large binder clip, with a hole drilled in the top. I insert some 1/4" diameter all thread about 12 inches long and secure with washers and nuts. Insert a 5 x 8 piece of cardboard to serve as a backer. It's easy to transport in the field. Staple a 3 x 5 card to it. No dots or other bullseye markers, just a plain card. See if you can hit it with bugs biting you, sun beating down, wind and mirage.

When I was really into it, I would do this all the time. It makes a great way to past time on slow times in the field. Warning - it's sobering.

 

[K22]

Years ago when I bought my 223 Howa 1500 even with a 12 twist and 40 grain VMAX, my 6MM gets a great deal of rest. It cover 99% of the shooting available in my area.

Since 1999, I have taken 2, 016 eastern hog with various 223 Rem bolt rifles from 100 yards to 300 yards. I don't shoot any under 100 yards unless the hog is a problem hog and the farmer wants it eliminated.

 

[jds holler]

My latest, favoritest way of setting up for squirrel shooting is this:

Pull up to the most target rich field and park my rig. Take a target board with a couple of targets and hike it out to 200 yards, right in the middle of where the squirrels are. (yes it puts the squirrels down)
Then, when I get back to the rig, I take the time to set up my bench, spotting scope, chronograph, etc. -- by this time squirrels are starting to pop up again.

Now I use the targets to tune up my zero on whatever loads I'm using, and the secondary rifle I've got. By the time I've done this, there are often several squirrels running around my target -- and their odds for survival aren't good.

When I do this method, every squirrel from zero to 200 is pretty much in the "chip shot" zone. I also get a higher percentage out to 300, but they're never a chip shot out there. jd

 

[urbanrifleman]

My latest, favoritest way of setting up for squirrel shooting is this:

Pull up to the most target rich field and park my rig. Take a target board with a couple of targets and hike it out to 200 yards, right in the middle of where the squirrels are. (yes it puts the squirrels down)
Then, when I get back to the rig, I take the time to set up my bench, spotting scope, chronograph, etc. -- by this time squirrels are starting to pop up again.

Now I use the targets to tune up my zero on whatever loads I'm using, and the secondary rifle I've got. By the time I've done this, there are often several squirrels running around my target -- and their odds for survival aren't good.

When I do this method, every squirrel from zero to 200 is pretty much in the "chip shot" zone. I also get a higher percentage out to 300, but they're never a chip shot out there. jd

And when gets blowing the bench gets moving. My bench design is really quite great. I would put it right next to an actual shooting bench like at a club. When the wind was blowing 30 plus, it was moving. I was moving too.

 

[jds holler]

So, I'm not out on the prairie, but I did have a little safari in the squirrel fields yesterday. The hay has been cut, bailed, and hauled, and for a week or so, I'll be able to drive around and shoot at will based upon where the pivots are situated.

My bench is pretty low tec, but rock solid. Simply a saw-horse design, built heavier and higher to accommodate me when sitting on a basic steel folding chair. I am gonna upgrade to the three legged pipe design for better portability. I've already got the brackets, just haven't put the project on the list yet.



The first place I stopped, I wasn't t able to put my target out at 200 yds, because it put me over a hump, but I got 165 yards and shot a group. As usual this rifle was "on" and ready for duty.

That first set-up was a horrific slaughter since everything was within 165 yds, and misses were rare.

After an hour or so, the bald eagles showed up to pull clean-up duty. Would you believe FIFTEEN OF THEM!! So many that it took me awhile to get an accurate count. Also two buzzards and a half dozen magpies. I tried to get some pics of the congregation, but they pretty much look like a bunch of black dots outs in a field.

The next few days will be about the last of it for me, and I'm gonna have to load more shells if I want to do it.. I will say that my little .20 Plain Jane has got to be the best tool I ever could have built for this job.-- cheap and easy to load for, mild to shoot, and scoped good enough for the range I'm working with. jd

 

[Rick in Oregon]

Looks like you had a great day of it there, jd.

It confirms what we know to be true...."it's the most fun you can have with a rifle!"

In a freshly cut field, the squirrels stand out like a turd in a punch bowl. Sort of like squirrel nervana to guys like us. I'm sure the rats have a much different opinion though.

 

[JSH]

Agree 100% on some distances I have heard. But too, different parts of the country have different types of weather.
Where I and some buddies pdog hunt,mirage will be bad enough by 9AM to see that magical 1000 yard dog. We chased it around quit abit, as mentioned you needs to be in the field and set up real early and have 3-4 spotters looking for a likely volunteer does t hurt.
Several friends have to me to switch up and go north, seems there may be less mirage to a point.