Switching guns and getting the job done

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I went groundhog hunting yesterday with my 223. The farmland is slightly hilly, so some of the time, you can't get long range shots. But I set up on a tall point, sat in the chair with binocs and started searching. I didn't have to wait long as I knew there was (at least) one living in a pile of concrete timbers. (Imagine about 75 rail road ties loosely stacked up...but made of concrete.) The concrete pile is 10 feet off the crop field. I was set up about 150 yards from it. After about 15 minutes in the chair, I see two g-hogs just in the crop field in front of the concrete pile. I have my short bipod on the gun, but as I get into the prone position, I can't see them as there's a slight bump in the landscape. At that point, the best alternative I had was to use the back of the chair as a rest. But this was less than ideal, as I had to be on my tip toes and I was wavering too much. Two shots and I missed. I went back to the car (only about 100 yards in the other direction) and got a larger bipod. I came back, and in a few moments, I see the hogs back out. This is my first time using the larger bipod. I thought it would be good for the sitting position, raising me up over the soy beans when they are mature. But I realized I have to hunch over quite a bit. Not good, I'm still wavering. Another two shots and I miss. I only came out with 4 bullets in the first place. I can still see them in the field, and after I shot the second time, they are sunning themselves on the concrete pile. Frustrated, I said to myself "I could go home (10 min drive), get my shotgun, come back and sneak up on them."

So that's what I did. I quickly drove home, got the 870, drove back, and approached the concrete pile so I wouldn't be seen. I brought a folding chair with me, figuring I may have to sit a bit. As I got got closer, I gently put the chair down and moved closer (trees in the way) for a look. I get a decent look at the concrete pile and I don't see...wait...isn't that one sitting on a concrete slat just 30 feet from me? Is that a bunch of leaves, or is it a groundhog's head. (sounds too good to be true...to just walk up and there one is.) But after a few seconds I realize it IS a groundhog. I raise up the 12 gauge and fire. And as soon as I kill it, another groundhog came out of a hole in the concrete pile just two feet away from the first. Pumped the gun and fired again. Two dead within 3 seconds. I redeemed myself.

Mommy on the left was the second shot. She was HUGE!

 

[markT]

That's a great story.. but would suggest you delete it asap.. Reason being: If you can kill Ghogs with a simple shotgun.. our spouses / significant others could read this... then how do we explain all the $$$$ for a super accurate, long range rifle(s)?
Just joking.. great story!!!

 

[onelastshot]

That's a great story.. but would suggest you delete it asap.. Reason being: If you can kill Ghogs with a simple shotgun.. our spouses / significant others could read this... then how do we explain all the $$$$ for a super accurate, long range rifle(s)?
Just joking.. great story!!!

Just last week I ordered:

1) From a favorite gun shop, a custom 22-250AI Cooper Phoenix in model 54; $$$$$$
2) From Powder Valley, 8 pounds of Reloader 17, CCI primers and assorted other must have reloading items; $$$
3) From Mid South Shooters Supply, a Redding's 3 piece die set, 200 pieces of Lapua brass and, several other reloading components;$$$$
4) From Midway USA, 500 bullets, a shooting mat, a Tipton cleaning Vise and, several must have sale items; $$$$
5) From Optics Planet, a Vortex 6.5-25x50 PST FPP MRAD;$$$$

In my heart, I know that these purchases were and are essential and wise investments because everyone knows that in order to kill ground hogs you must have rifles and scopes that shoots .25 or better MOA with shots typically ranging from 200-600 yards and, the 17HMR, 223 and 6MMAI rifles I already have needed backup.

Please tell me that it's illegal and immoral to shoot these vermin with an 870 pump shotgun, especially when I already have two 870's in my gun safe! Lastly, if anyone needs a well armed and prepared associate to assist them with the eradication of ground hogs and/or prairie pups, I think I just might be, "good to go", by the end of next month.

 

[lpreddick]

My ghog rigs also cost BIG$$$ and you are killing them with a shotgun! Next we'll have a bow hunter, or heaven forbid a slingshot hunter. Is nothing sacred anymore?

 

[CatShooter]

My ghog rigs also cost BIG$$$ and you are killing them with a shotgun! Next we'll have a bow hunter, or heaven forbid a slingshot hunter. Is nothing sacred anymore?

 

[MrMajestic]

Great story! Glad I'm not the only one that misses! ;D

 

[K22]

Misses are a fact if life at my age.

Friday I'm out, nail the first ghog at 189 yards, next one at 161 yards. Everything is going great.

Next one pop up at 170 yards, easy shot, no wind. Send the 223 50 grain Nosler and I shoot too far to the right hitting the ghog in the butt. He scrambles into this hole. I really hate wounding them, no excuses, I'm shooting my 223 with a Douglas match barrel capable of sub 1/4 moa groups. Bad shooting - shame on me.

The field goes cold. I move to next field and one is sitting on its hole at 240 yards. I send the 50 Nosler and bingo, he falls over, dead as a door nail. Great shot, I'm happy but the 170 yard wound still lingers in my mind.

So go figure, I connect at 189, 161, and 240 but made a bad shot on one at 170 yards. Nothings automatic in hunting, at least for me. :-[

 

[CaptainMal]

High bipods are a bummer. So are most portable benches. Too shaky for accurate shooting. You found an alternative and that's creative thinking.

Last night there was a squirrel on my back porch. I forbid them from coming on the porch. Air gun at 50 yards. It was his/her unlucky day.

You don't always need an accurate rifle.

 

[K22]

High bipods are a bummer. So are most portable benches. Too shaky for accurate shooting. You found an alternative and that's creative thinking.

I use a home made cross stick constructed of 1/2" diameter aluminum solid rod - bound with a 1" velcro. I have 1/2" diameter x 12 inch length rubber heater hose on the end to protect the rifle stock.

I works unbelievably well out to about 250 yards on ghog size targets. It's light weight, adjust in height in seconds and is relatively stable when shot sitting on a sportsman chair with elbows resting on ones knees.

For longer shots a bipod in a prone position works very well.

 

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

I went to the same field last night. This time I was about 300 yards from the concrete pile. I sat on the edge of crop field. (crop field ends, trees begin) Again, the land is not completely flat, but rather some slight rolling hills. If you drove by, you'd say it's flat, but if you lay prone with a rifle, you'll say it's not. I chose this position as I know their is an active hole in the 'burn pile' (burnt stumps and tree trunks just off the crop field) and 20 yards past that is another hole on the edge of the crop land. Those two holes are about 150 yards away, and slightly downhill. Nice spot to shoot if they come feeding for soy beans.

After about 45 minutes of sitting, I see a hog, way back...300 yards away by the concrete pile. But that's 300 yards away and at the outer limits of my abilities. And after missing 4 shots @ 150 yards the other day, I was pretty spooked about shooting that distance. Also, I could tell if I got down to the prone position, I would not be able to see the hog because of the curve in the landscape. So I grabbed the rifle and slowly walked along the edge of the treeline. Of course, this day I chose not to change clothes, and I have a bright yellow shirt on. Three times I moved closer and got in the prone position...but each time I still can't see the hog because of the curve in the landscape. Each time, I get up, and quietly move closer, crouching over, hoping the hog will not see me. I'm making the 4th attempt to get closer, crouched down while moving...my head down. I'm probably less than 100 yards away. As I look up, I see the hog running for the woods. DAMN! He spotted me. I'll wait a few minutes and see if he comes back out to finish his dinner. After about 10 minutes...nothing. I know I'm near the concrete pile and I know the hogs like to lay on top of it and sun themselves. So instead of moving closer, I started moving out into the field. (to be able to view the concrete pile from a distance, instead of getting closer and being on top of it.) I move out into the field for about 40 yards. I misjudged how far away from the concrete pile was, and I'm a lot closer than I thought, perhaps less than 75 yards. I check the concrete pile with my binocs. And sure enough, there's a hog sunning itself on top. I can't take a shot right there, as a tree branch in front of the pile will block my view. So I determine which way I have to move, slowly make the move...hog doesn't move. I'm out in a field in clear view of the hog, hidden only by 4" tall soy beans. He can see me! Back to the prone position, lined up and shot. Hog falls off of concrete pile.

I go over and I can't find the hog. My first reaction was "Are you telling me I missed at less than 75 yards in the prone position??" (or just wounded it, and it dove under the pile) But the grass there is almost three feet tall, and after a few seconds of moving it aside, I see the hog. I sure as hell didn't miss. 50 grain Vmax @ about 3400 fps tore open it's abdomen starting at the top of the chest, all the way down to it's butt. digestive tract (surprisingly undamaged) hanging at a right angle from the body. Perhaps it's best if I didn't have my camera this time. There's bloody wounds...then there's this...utter devastation. Granted this was a pup...but this vmax just ripped it apart.

I should be heading back out today.