P Dog Hunting

[mikeinct]

Where is Chucks report ??? Can he still be out there ?? There will be none left by the time I drive back out west...I got down to Pa a couple weeks ago...& I'm going back in june...12 Gh's bit the bullet in two days..longest shot was 412 yds. it was pretty windy & cool..we drove out in a decent rain wind storm..Considering the conditions it was a nice enough trip..My shooting Buddy in Ct Bob has only been to north central Pa once before..So he was in GH heaven..He got 3 at 291 yds...I'll let you guys know how my SW Pa varmint safari goes in a few weeks...& I have got all my guns & loads switched over to Tungston Disulfide WS2 impact plated bullets..The 20 caliber really likes that stuff..It shoots the same or better with plated bullets..The 6MMBR gun is & has been acting up..I'm thinking it is me or another elcheapo Leopold base mount screw..When I get down to the 600 yard range in SW Pa I'm going to remount that scope & double check everything...more later, mike in ct

 

[jb77]

Mike thats what I was thinking. Maybe got lost out in the big sky country.

Let us have pics!!!!

 

[patchhound]

May really isnt a good time to plan a trip to WY. The weather can really turn quick. Nice one day, snow the next...Early June`s better. Ive been spotting lots of them pd`s here and there during the good weather we`ve have here the last few day`s, a big storms rolling in tonight and I wouldnt want to be stuck out in BFE in the midle of it.

Here in cental WY, if you dont know where to go, you wont find much shootin. How`d you do Chuck???

 

[chuckw2]

Guys,

I am so sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you...I got back the end of last week and have been swamped at work.


The trip was great, we had one day of bad weather, snow and rain so we did not hunt that day. The roads on my friends ranch were horrible,I put the rental truck in a ditch and ran along a barbed wire fence for about 20 yards, hence no taillight assembly and the rear left quarter panel was really messed up. Thank God I purchased walk away insurance from Hertz when I rented the truck.

The extra cost of walk away insurance on trucks rented for hunting trips sure gives you piece of mind. This is the second truck that we have torn up on snow covered or very slick muddy roads.

We shot an array of calibers on this hunt, 6XC,.223,22-250,.204 and 22 mags.

The majority of the shots were from 200 to 400 yards. Our longest shot was 880 yards. The wind was fierce everyday. We were all very wind burned at the end of each day.

Two of the evenings I called in 4 coyotes with mouth calls but my friends hesitated and did not get a shot. They are all new to hunting at night and it looked like a Chinese fire drill. I was using a spotlight on a short cord to the lighter in the rental car. I did not take my LightForce light and battery pack with me due to weight restrictions.,Delta still charged me $108 for checking three bags, what a ripoff) We should have shot 3 of the 4 coyotes. I am just happy we did not shoot each other both nights. Most of the ranchers use M-44's to solve their song dog problem in that area of the country.

Next month I am going to shoot ring tails and fox in TX. I will only hunt at night, it will still be 85 at night in Odessa but that sure beats 105 in the daytime.

I am thinking of getting a DPMS in a .243 as kind of a all around predator rig. I have had a little trouble with the .204 shooting at night my last two trips, Too many walkers.....Went back to the Swift with 52 SMK and all animals were DRT. My Swift and 22-250 are bolt guns and I want an auto at night...

Do you have any opinions of the DPMS in a .243???



Chuck

 

[PoachersPet]

M-48..... 44's

 

[billmo]

CHuck it would probably be fine but I would consider the 6mmAR or 6mmAR Turbo from Robert Whitley in the AR-15 platform, or the 6.5 Grendel. Robert's products are first class and I have a connection to get you a 6.5 Grendel built if you are interested. As for the 6mmAR, I have experience with it and and have taken out 20 oz. pop bottles filled with water at 500 and 600 yds. with mine and shot several mighty fine groups too. Just my opinion. Bill

 

[chuckw2]

PochersPet,
Your right 44's



Billmo, Thanks for the info, PM me with the info on getting a Grendel built. What is the parent case on the 6mmAR Robert builds.


I do too much reloading as it is, I am still thinking of building an AR that I can buy factory ammo for.


Chuck

 

[constructor]

IMO the 243s a better shooter, not as finicky and every one makes brass for it. $96/100 for Lapua brass to shoot dogs is a little pricy. The 243 bolts are 10 times as strong as the AA bolts and the mags for a AR10 or DPMS are made for the 308,260,243 the Grendel mags don't always work.
95gr Sierra MKs at 3100 will smoke p dogs and yotes past 600 in 20mph winds easy.

 

[chuckw2]

Thanks Constructor...

 

[BigJim]

Chuck - While I am a big 243 fan my AR is in 223. I can not see spending the extra cost for an AR in 243,about 50% more than a Varminter in 223. I would suggest that you go with a 223,Remington or Bushmaster it's the same gun) you will love the Varminter, great trigger. At a latter time you could get a second upper in 243 or 6.5 or 6.8. As long as you can live with a 55gr bullet the AR in 223 will do better than you expect. If you have to have a heavier bullet than 55gr than go with the 243 right off the beginning. The Varminter is not a walk around gun, too heavy. I have not decided which second upper I will be getting for my AR, I think the jury is still out on what the army will be using when they replace the 223 ARs they are currently using. When they decide so will I. It is still cheaper to buy and reload for 223 than any other caliber. But that's only my opinion.

Good luck
Jim

 

[billmo]

PochersPet,
Your right 44's



Billmo, Thanks for the info, PM me with the info on getting a Grendel built. What is the parent case on the 6mmAR Robert builds.


I do too much reloading as it is, I am still thinking of building an AR that I can buy factory ammo for.


Chuck

Sorry Chuck that I missed your request. I will send you a PM with the info. Bill