>>>>>>>The NEW --SNIPER -- Ground Hog Game<<<<<

[daniel brothers]

Welcome to the New Groundhog Game... brought to you by a bored hunter with a itchy trigger finger.

My idea is to place several(8-15) targets randomly around a field or meadow, at unknown yardages, from 100-1000 yds... depending on the pasture's availability.

Have shooters range each target from one prone position, then try to hit each target with one shot. Each target will be numbered and shooters may have to spread out if multiple shooters are shooting at the same time... but that's not the important part.

The IMPORTANT PART is LEARNING. Learning how to get into a shooting position... range a target... learn weather conditions... dope your scope... understand your breathing and trigger pull... and make that one shot kill.

If you fail to hit Mr. Orange on the first shot, then a second shot is allowed, but for only half the points.

Spotters will be necessary for watching hits or misses, and are allowed to help the shooter.

The target is bigger than Mr. Orange for the purpose of showing bullet impacts so needed adjustments can be made.

The WHOLE PURPOSE is NOT really to see who can hit the most 10's, by pulling out their 50 calibers... but to help and train everyone into a better understanding of Ballistics...with THEIR RIFLE AND LOAD.

The Scoring Game, could ONLY be played after most shooters where ready to go for a score.

These targets are crude, but something like this could be a start.

Groundhog Gongs could be placed in front of white backdrops. I think it would help if the backdrops had 2" wide lines, for the purpose of helping a shooter adjust the proper amount of MOA.

You can shoot any caliber, because once again, the purpose is to give you a place to learn stuff not possible at known paper target ranges, with proper weather conditions.

But of course...targets set up a known ranges will also be necessary for learning the basics of what your rifle, load, and scope are capable of... while learning and setting your turrets.

This could possibly turn into a serious competition in the future with some kind of rules and guidelines, but for now... I'm looking for shooters here on the East Coast that would enjoy getting together somewhere on a pretty hillside learning the ART of One Shot Ground Hogging.

Thanks....Dan

AKA... Have Guns will Travel.

 

[varmintshooter]

I like the idea as it is more realistic than most so called varmint shoots. I would go as far as to not allow rear bags etc. and limit the front rest to a bipod ( not an adjustable rest ) let the shooter use only what he or she can carry to the line in one trip. NO flags either.

 

[jotrot]

I like it

 

[CatShooter]

I used to shoot with a group that held woodchuck matches, similar to what you are talking about - but they were brown, full sized woodchuck targets - head shots didn't count - only the rings on the tummy counted.

Bullet holes that touched a line gave the LOWER of the two counts. Opposite of normal scoring

All rifles were to have round bottomed stocks - no flatter than a Rangemaster or a Marksman, and shot from Harris or Parker Hale style bipods, "X" sticks, or off a back pack on the ground, with a squishable rear bean bag. No shooting tables, all shots were prone or sitting. Calibres were 243 bore or smaller. Maximum scope was 24X.

No flags, no "range crap"... no nothing that you wouldn't find in a field on a farm, (cuz the match was held in a field on a farm)

Three classes:

Factory (Rem VS's and Win HBV's, Sako L46's and L146's, etc. type rifles) - must be factory stock, trigger work or replacement was OK, (any trigger) and glass bedding was allowed. Must be the original factory calibre, no barrel setbacks, Ackleys, or rechambers. Max weight was 12.5 pounds, with scope and bipod. US commonly available factory cartridges only.

Semi-custom (40XBs, Coopers, Sako PPCs, etc) same rules as above. Must be factory stock, trigger change and glass bedding was allowed. Max weight was 15 pounds, with scope and bipod.

Full custom - field stocks, anything-any cartridge - max weight with bipod and scope was 15 pounds.

... no benchrest rifles, and no benchrest rifles with a round piece taped to the fore end - all gamers were stopped at registration. It had to be a REAL woodchuck rifle.

You could enter alone, or team (ranger/spotter), using hand held bins only... or as a single shooter.

No "Spotting" shots, you were "on record" for the first shot.

There were two shots per target. The second shot had to be fired within 10 seconds of the first, or it didn't count - if only one shot hit the target, it was worth 1/2 of the ring score.

The LOWEST shot counted (ouch!!)

The rules were designed to keep out the gamers.

Targets were numbered and positions were numbered - you drew tags for two numbers for position and targets - if you got 3 and a 12, you shot from position 3, and shot all targets numbered 12... yup, it was not fair.

Targets might be partially hidden cuz they were set up in a dip (peekie woodchucks) with only their head showing behind a rise... and often weeds in the way (made lasers hard to use)... but you still had to hit them in the tummy.

After the third match, a lot of Wild, Barr & Stroud, and Swedish Periscopes showed up, cuz people found out just how unreliable lasers are against woodchucks. The lasers were NOT reliable.

It was the most fun I have ever had at any match... no one got away being the group "Big shot" cuz next time he would get his clock cleaned by some kid.

There was a lot of teasing, and you brought your own lunch - it was an all day affair.

 

[MQ1]

Catshooter,

I never heard of a Swedish Periscope, so I googled it...are you sure that is the correct name for the device you are describing...nothing related to shooting sports show up under a search...

MQ1

 

[CatShooter]

Catshooter,

I never heard of a Swedish Periscope, so I googled it...are you sure that is the correct name for the device you are describing...nothing related to shooting sports show up under a search...

MQ1

Swedish Periscopes are the nickname for them cuz you could use then straight up or sideways.

Go here...

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/SCP-003

They are gone, but show up on eBay from time to time. Optical rangefinders are an "insider cult" kind of thing.

Once you use one on Woodchucks or Prairie Dogs, you never go back to lasers.

 

[daniel brothers]

WOW... Cat.... that sounds like some interesting guidelines on a tournament.... and FUN as well.

A guess a tournament could be made as easy, or as hard, as a group wanted it to be. But for starters... let's make it easy...LOL.

Mr. Groundhog was painted orange for the purpose of seeing impacts. Since he is not alive and will not flop around very much like a real groundhog... at least we can see where we hit him for points or for adjustments.

This whole purpose of this thing is to Train Hunters. Every type of hunter can learn something here about shooting in hunting conditions.

If you were being trained to become a military sniper, then a training ground would be necessary. One Shot One Kill is the goal of every type of shooter-hunter... no matter what the target is.

Here is a training game to be played against yourself and your weapon.
Mr. Orange is not your enemy... but the guy between your ears might be...LOL.

If I had a pretty pasture or place to host a range setup of simple targets... I'd do it tomorrow.... but all I have are some flat land plowed over fields. Yes... they can work... and they will have to for awhile, but I'd love to see something in the near future where a bunch of guys could get together at some Beautiful location for a few days of shooting, camping out, telling stories, and learning the Art of Sniper Hunting with THEIR SETUP.

To me.... it doesn't matter if you hunt PDogs, Groundhogs, Coyotes, Deer, Elk, etc etc... you still have to train yourself and your new weapon of choice ... and...with it's new favorite load.... and... with it's new BC numbers... and with your NEW Scope drop adjustments.

Applying your shooting skills... along with skillful equipment... in a user friendly environment... in a training-learning mentality will help us all become the HUNTERS that we never thought we could become.

 

[dedogs]

CatShooter would be a great addition to your teaching staff if you could get him to come down there. He has a lot of experience in the OSOK game.

 

[dieselmudder]

1000 yards maybe have a beginners class with a 400 yard limit....
maybe keep projectiles to varmint/hunting classification.

 

[daniel brothers]

1000 yards maybe have a beginners class with a 400 yard limit....
maybe keep projectiles to varmint/hunting classification.

LOL... Absolutely.... LOL

 

[CatShooter]

1000 yards maybe have a beginners class with a 400 yard limit....
maybe keep projectiles to varmint/hunting classification.

Never turn down a chance to shoot at 1,000 yards - you will learn even if you miss every shot.

 

[daniel brothers]

Somewhere in Virginia would be a good reasonable driving distance for most shooters.

That simple target I made is 22" wide x 27 long... and Mr. OrangeHog is 5 1/2" wide x 11 1/2" tall. I'm not sure if he is an actual groundhog size or not... but it's my simple start. Those orange spots mean nothing... just put there for shooting at.

We may not get a field or valley that is 1000 yds long... but beggars can't be choosy.

 

[daniel brothers]

I'll have to confess up... I have to do something like this for myself, even if I can't get anyone else interested... because of the pill I had to swallow this last fall.

I've been going out West the last few falls for 4-6 weeks of coyote hunting. This last year, I took out my two newly built rifles... 20-250AI.. and 22-243 AI... for the ONLY purpose of shooting long range coyotes. I tried not to call them all the way in to the call, but rather than that, I'd turn it off once I saw them, for the very purpose of getting long range shots. But... stupid me... I wasn't set up and ready for one shot kills past 400 yds. Totally all my fault for not doing proper practice here at home before I left on the trip. I thought... Oh heck... I'll work on it when I get out there...NOT... that didn't happen...LOL. My furthest shot was only 409 yds with my 20 cal, by holding on it's back line and letting it drop down a few inches.

I swore to myself that I'd never make another trip while being so unprepared.

When I first started going out there, I was ecstatic about shooting coyotes from 50-300 yds with my 223 and 204... and that was GREAT for awhile, but the challenge of longer range kill shots got into my blood from being out there in that wide open country.

So.... after sitting myself down in the corner and having a strong talk with myself... I decided that I needed practice... not just target practice... but the kind of practice I've mentioned above.

Woodchucks...AKA... Groundhogs... could be my best training ground.
BUT... not just slinging lead at poor old furry bottoms at unknown distances.

Since I don't have them here in my area of Santee SC, I'd have to drive Northward for live targets... BUT... then again.... I don't want to even shoot at one past 300-400 yds until I get myself and my stuff together for accurate one shot kills.

Heck... I could survive on shooting Mr. Orange targets all summer long... that's the training ground... it don't have to bleed to become a successful shot.

 

[queen_stick]

daniel brothers,

I like the way you think! If I were closer, I'd be in on this.


CatShooter - the match setup you described sounds awesome!

 

[Drop Port]

Daniel Brothers, it's a great idea and it is currently being done. I used to shoot Ground hog matched, especially factory class. When permitted I shot prone. Most of them have since become bench rest matched from cement benches, wind flags and full BR rifles. At my range we have 600 yards and the BR crowd bitched about the wind so much they are now 100, 200 and 300 yard with most shooting 6ppc and 30 BR. I spend my summers out in the bean fields shooting groundhogs, at any reasonable range.

What you are proposing is my favorite type of shooting, various distance under field condition. There is currently such a match held two times a year that is one of the most challenging matched you can shoot in the US and it isn't that far from you. Its held in the Mountains of WV, the town of Seneca Rocks. only it adds in high angle shooting also. It is probably the most fun time shooting I've ever had. Great people, hunters and professionals from all over including shooting instructors, varmint hunters, big game and military. It is the ultimate challenge of skill and equipment from 100 to over 1200.

If you put one together I would love to shoot it on my way to HHI You can never practice enough for GH hunting. I scored a new farm for this summer that is infested, the farmer thought everyone stopped G-hog hunting and only wants to hunt deer.

 

[Sniper338]

I wish i could do a prairie dog shoot. Never done it.... we dont have em way down south here... feral hogs are the prairie dog of the south haha! It be fun though!

 

[dieselmudder]

1000 yards maybe have a beginners class with a 400 yard limit....
maybe keep projectiles to varmint/hunting classification.

Never turn down a chance to shoot at 1,000 yards - you will learn even if you miss every shot.

No doubt. but i had a hard time last weekend hitting at 360 yards. Only managed one out of 5. and that was an 11x11 square steel. I was trying to see if i would be able to hit a coyote if the shot presented itself at that range. For now i'm only comfortable to about 250

 

[daniel brothers]

Drop... you need to send me their information, because I'd LOVE to be there.

I need to do ALOT of practicing first, but practicing is exactly what I'm hoping for. I really want to do this for the hunting skills, and that can be obtained as priority... but going to a serious tournament would be the icing on the cake.

Come on Queen... get involved... we'll take up a collection for your gas...LOL.

Sniper... we can go to Ks for Pdogs... but let's train for one shot kills FIRST... because I hate being forced to walk in a bullet.

Diesel.... we'll make the targets big enough to see the impacts for learning wind dope with our particular varmint setups. If we can learn something like Cat said....then that wasn't a wasted bullet.

 

[fredo]

Gents, if you want to polish up on shooting 'chucks, take a trip to your local bowling alley. Ask the manager if you could have any old bowling pins laying around. If ya get lucky and score some, you'll plenty of reactive 'chuck sized targets to shoot at!

A bowling pin just about mirrors the size of a standing 'chuck's body structure. When set out in the field, those old pins become a very challenging target to engage! Rolling terrain & vegetation will obscure the pin, just as it would a live chuck. And nailing a bowling pin is alot more fun than punching a hole in paper, that's for sure! And those pins get really skinny when the fans are on...

My buddy & I used to take turns setting out a few dozen "wooden-chucks" in the big field behind the farmhouse. We'd strap a milk crate full of pins to the ATV, and set our pseudo-standing targets out all over the whole dang field, LOL.
We'd take turns engaging, using rimfires out to 150 or so, and .223s and deer rifles out to about 600yds. Never kept formal score, and didn't even own a rangefinder back then, we were just goofin' around and using holdovers to make hits. Had a $25 Tasco spotting scope we took turns behind, it was just about useless, LOL

All those fun afternoons shooting at bowling pins is what really whetted the insatiable appetite to solve the puzzle & learn about how a bullet drops and blows with increased distance. Also learned a bit about how hard certain cartridges impact on target. A .22 would barely 'tink' against a pin @ 100yds, while a .25-06 would literally shatter one inside of 400yds. Spotting a live chuck was cause for lots of excitement, but we always had our bowling pins to blast. And blast them, we did!!! Good times, and GREAT practice, courtesy of the local bowling alley...

Fast forward 20yrs, and we're rockin' laser rangefinders, referencing ballistics via iPhone apps, spinnin' turrets & holdin' wind. But one thing will never change, and that's the same excitement felt when seeing a sod poodle peek up over the alfalfa!

 

[daniel brothers]

Fredo.... I'd love to get my hands on a bunch of pins... I guess I need to look into that... Thanks...

The more I think about this, the more I realize that training the hunter is one thing, but every weapon also needs to be properly trained with it's favorite load and setup... etc etc... which is more important than winning a contest.

I have a friend that works at a steel fabricator that cuts metal with lasers, and he can get me all the scraps that I want. I'm going to see if he can laser out a bunch of groundhog gongs. The white steel backgrounds can be okay for watching for missed impacts, but I do love to see things swinging around... we'll see what happens.

The sound of a Clang... can be as good as a Wop... "Almost"