multiple squirrel kills / one shot

[searcher]

Some buddies and I have been making a trip to the California/Oregon border the last few years to blast "sage rats" in the spring. Both here (southern California) and up there, getting two squirrels with one shot is done with somewhat regularity. This past trip, I encountered something I had not had happen before (or ever seen for that matter). Five young squirrels were huddled together, all standing in a tight cluster. Figuring an easy shot for at least one, I aimed for the center with my .20 Practical. All five flew into the air about two feet. I was stunned when I only saw one moving, crawling away into the brush. Upon inspection, it looked like only two took a direct hit, but those on each side of those hit also were killed either by exploding body parts or possibly metal fragments from the V-Max bullet. It is a bit hard for me to believe the bullet fragements could go 90 degrees that sharply, moving at that velocity. If I had not done this or seen it done, I would not have believed it. Recounting the story with the manager of the lodge where I was staying, he said someone had confirmed five dead last year with the single shot. Last weekend, I shot an additional squirrel and another, standing a good 10" to the right of it, and back about 18", also bit the dust with that same shot (this time with a 50-grain Varmint Grenade). What have you other prarie dog, g-hog, etc. hunters encountered in the way of this type of "bullet bomb" effect - and how far off to the side is the greatest distance you have killed (or seen killed) a second (or more)? What have been the best bullets for this type of performance that you used?

 

[bloc]

Wow! A five-fer! I myself have a couple of 2-fers, my shooting buddy got five 2-fers a couple of weeks ago and I've heard of one 3-fer. But a 5-fer?

I got my first 2-fer just the way you got your 5-fer: there was a clump of 4 eating one of their dead buddies at about 100 yards. I shot into the cluster with the idea I'd get one for sure, and ended up with 2 (I believe I was using my .223).

Congratulations! And thank you! I have a story to tell!

 

[NorCalMikie]

Years back, I got two with one shot. Maybe 75 yard distance. Shot one and when I got up close to check, there was another dead one behind the first one.

 

[Richard Jones]

B-I-L killed 3 groundhogs with one shot many years ago. I had loaded up some 90 gr. Sierra HP's for his .270. Sow killed with the bullet and pups with bone/bullet/meat shrapnel. A pig hit with a 90 gr. HP is something to behold......

I have many 2-fer crows, none by accident......

Good story, thanks!

Rich

 

[vlcakc]

Many years ago I was still using the 6mm Rem for PD shooting. My buddy and I were on a late spring shoot in the Oklahoma panhandle when he said, "I've got a 6mm shot for you". There were 11 PD pups standing in a tight circle on a mound about 250 yds out. Aiming for the center mass the first shot with a 85 gr Sierra BTHP took out 5 pups. As surprising as that carnage was to me the pups next move was even more amazing. The survivors bounced up and immediately ran back up on the mound and stood again! The next shot took out 3 more. It was like bowling for PD's with a rifle! Needless to say those opportunities don't present themselves too often. Vic

 

[219DW]

In my 25+ years of PD shooting there has been numerous doubles, several triples, and one quadruple. About a dozen years ago in S.D we were on a ranch that was walk in only. After a half mile hike the very first shot at a cluster of pups at about 125 yards resulted in four bodies. The bullet was a 40gr Ballistic Tip at 3800 fps out of a .225 WW Ruger no.1. I always thought the solid base of the Noslers was responsible for a lot of the doubles. I imagine that a lot of the multiple kills, especially the quad were due to bone fragments.
Dave

 

[spencerhenry]

i have done many doubles, usually when the male mounts the female. i shoot her and he goes flying too! always good for a giggle. i have done a triple or two, but only successful when they are lined up just perfect.

my indian name is "shoots f'ing dogs". killed a pair of coyotes a few years ago. shot the female and the male was stuck to her, shot him too.

 

[roadkill61]

My record is 7 P-D pups. Yes I believe it is bone pieces as well as bullet pieces that take out the others.

 

[searcher]

spencerhenry; That gives "unsafe sex" a new meaning!

 

[SS427]

I've had one 5 for 1 shot last year...55 grain Nosler ballistic tip out of a .223. Pups at about 75 yards.

Two weekends ago I had a 4 for 1 shot with a 32 grain Z-Max bullet out of a 20 VT, at about 100 yards.

I had lots of 2 for 1 shots. The pups were clustered around their holes, so it was pretty easy. Oregon had a mild winter (80 degree spring day yesterday which usually doesn't happen until mid May) so there are more sage rats this year then I have ever seen.

I'm pretty sure the females were giving birth to babies faster than I was killing them.

I took 800 rounds of ammo for three days of shooting. I was out of ammo the second day, and both days I quit hunting around 1:00 in the afternoon. You can never take too much ammo or beer on these trips. (Beer is a post hunting activity.)

 

[ryguy00]

The record in our group is 7 prairie dogs with one shot. Unfortunately, it wasn't me so I can't take credit. Two mamas standing one in front of the other with 5 babies crawling all over. The two mamas were an obvious double, but the bone/bullet fragments took out all of the babies. It happened once and not again since. If the population where we go ever gets back to what it used to be, another could be possible. But it hasn't been the same since the water truck and the poison.

 

[searcher]

Otter; I have never seen as many as I did on this trip up to the Calif/Oreg border. I took 1600 rounds of centerfire and 300 HMR. I shot everything I took except about 75 rounds the first four days. I'm taking much more next time.

 

[rwk]

About 40yrs ago i got a doe and her fawn in one shot, during archery season I shot from about 30 yrdsi hit the doe, she runs down hill i watched till i lost sight of her, now i hear trashing were i shot her there lies her fawn shot thru the neck. Two for one.