walking heavy varmint rig?

[mshelton]

In regard to your build, all i would suggest is that sometimes a HB fiberglass stocked rifle is a pain in the rear part to keep upright on the sling. i have a 222 that always wants to swap ends...annoying.

make sure it is balanced.

snert

Flip your sling and carry it barrel down, that's how I've started carrying everything.

OP, I just got a reamer in for the same type rifle, going with a 6x47L. Current walker is a 20" 6br in Rem Var taper and it's a great rifle but feeding has been a pain, not that I want to be able to dump a mag full on something but I'd like to be able to put a couple in the mag and walk, if I see something all I need to do is cycle the bolt in stead of pull out an ammo box and load the rifle. Doesn't sound like much but sometimes Mr Crow won't sit there while you take your time. The 6x47L takes care of the feeding issue. I plan on shooting the mid 80g variety bullets in a 1-10t, my reamer has .075 freebore and should work nicely with those, for example the base to ogive length of a 87g Berger is .442, the 87g Vmax is .458. I don't have my reamer print handy but the neck was around .325. This leaves a tad bit of the boat tail sticking below the neck shoulder junction which is fine by me since it leaves me the ability to use the 70ish grain bullets also.

 

[LawrenceHanson]

Going back over my original post I now realize I was a bit gruff in my response. I have made a resolution to be less grumpy this year. With that said I would like to provide a little better explanation of my original response. To put things in perspective, I hunt coyotes in relatively rough terrain and may cover several miles out and back to make a single hunting stand. For one season I carried an awful heavy and awkward rifle. It started out as a long range target rifle that I converted to a long range hunting rifle. My hunting partner and I figured we needed a big gun for those long shots on coyotes and to buck the breeze on those windy days. After one season of carrying it through the Montana winter landscape, we both went back to carrying our 22/250 sporter rifles. The big gun was simply rarely necessary and too much of a burden. If our hikes were shorter and easier we probably would have kept carrying it, but that was not the case. Our stands were often a mile or more off the road and the big gun went the way of the dinosaurs. If your hunting hikes are just a couple hundred yards off the road, it makes sense to carry a big gun…why not?

Hope you find just the right rig for g-pigs this year.


7mm Magnum Long Range Target Rifle

Same Gun Converted to Long Range Hunting Rifle

 

[357Mag]

Rmist -

Howdy !

Another view:
I used to shoot " Soybeanus Digestus " in the vast flat expanses of Eastern Allen County; in NE Indiana.
In Maumee River " valley " a scant 7mi East of Sinclair's former operation, a standing man could see to the horizon; baring the
incidental small plot of woods. This was/is ideal soil conditions for cash grain farming, and soybeans are a large component of that.

Indiana had no " season " for groundhog shooting, and no calibre restrictions. In Allen CO. alone, there were 7 places where a 1,000yd
shot could have been taken; within the confines of a single field. If you knew 5 of the big-time farmers, you pretty much had "permission"
wherever you stepped out of the truck.

In such an environment, the question became " why walk " ? When farmers expect positive results from your efforts, especially for fields
that have been over-run; " stalking " or otherwise attempting close(r) approaches to wary groundhogs was counter-productive.

Enter the " place gun ".... high-intensity varmint rifles w/ large magnifications scopes, shot from fixed position commanding a wide field of regard. With all the access " roads" and paths that farmers maintained for use in driving equipment to/from the fields.... access to prime shooting spots was seldom limited to a hike-in option; only. The "fixed" position was very often the hood or roof of a pickup truck, or car.

Under those types of circumstances, gun size/ gun wt were unconstrained.

For me, the " paradigm shift " came when I was scoping out a 700yd+ long fence line; and saw groundhogs out at multitple different yardages down that fence line. My 16.75 lb .224" cal wildcat varmint rifle was heavy, on walk that I started.
After the first 100yd or so out from the truck, I still was presented with potential shots to well past 500 yd. I thought to myself.... " What are you doing ?!? " With soybeans a couple weeks old, getting down in the dirt to take shots would only serve to obscure our view of
the targets. I briefly used a camera tripod and took some shots withb that, using a dedicated threaded insert Fred Sinclair had put in the rifle's fore-end.

But, at-length...... for me and my shootin' buddy; the answer became " shoot from a fixed position ". Even after a complete re-do of the rifle into a fiberglass stock and re-contoured barrel ( along w/ an associated wt redux ); we continued to shoot from a fixed position.

I myself have never owned a "slinged " ( varmint ) rifle. Never shot a groundhog using a rifle w/ a bi-pod.
But hey.... that's just me.


With sincere regards,
357Mag

 

[rmist]

Hello Lawrence... I didn't take it in a harsh but rather in reality that I know how far I have to walk. Sometimes I go a little further but not much. I've been toting rifles from the tiny little Hornet up to my heavy 6x47 L (now sold). That 7 mag would be too heavy...unless like above shoot from fixed bench. Coyotes generaly won't let you go that. Groundhogs would as they don't run much at mach speeds !! Here in PA we're not aloud to shoot from vehicle's. Or from the road. Gotta be 25 yards off the road. Most farmers around my area won't let you drive on the farms or farm roads. Been ruined long before my time. So almost all shooting is done with a bipod or off the top of hay bails. I'm usually carrying a 700 VLS in 22-250 or 6mmRem. I may use some of the advice and chamber a barrel in the Dasher. I already have a form barrel, wouldn't wear either out too much. Or a BR haven't decided yet. Most shots around my area are less than 800 yards with majority in the 400-500 range.
Thanks again

 

[queen_stick]

I'm thinking a g-pig is a groundhog...woodchuck, whistlepig, pasture grizzly...otherwise known as the easterners prairie dog substitute.

This made me lol!

Have never heard "pasture grizzly"

 

[antitactical]

I have a trued 700 in a HS varmint stock 24" sendero taper plain old 6br. With a brake it ends up close to 26". Mine is a 9 twist and I shoot the 95gr vlds @2850 fps. I have a leupold EFR 6.5-20 on it. It is my hands down favorite go to rifle for med distance hog work. I wouldn't go mountain hunting with it but groundhog hunting its perfect. Clay Spencer did the work and it doesn't disappoint. It doesnt have to be a dasher or brx to kill a hog and as a plus you get better barrel life and not alot of fire forming to deal with.

 

[CatShooter]

I'm thinking a g-pig is a groundhog...woodchuck, whistlepig, pasture grizzly...otherwise known as the easterners prairie dog substitute.

This made me lol!

Have never heard "pasture grizzly"

I've been whackin' Woodchucks for over 50 years, and I heard "Grass Grizzly" for the first time about 3 years ago from a friend in Maryland - maybe it is a regional thing... they are not called that up this way.

 

[snert]

I'm thinking a g-pig is a groundhog...woodchuck, whistlepig, pasture grizzly...otherwise known as the easterners prairie dog substitute.

This made me lol!

Have never heard "pasture grizzly"

I've been whackin' Woodchucks for over 50 years, and I heard "Grass Grizzly" for the first time about 3 years ago from a friend in Maryland - maybe it is a regional thing... they are not called that up this way.

Ever see one with the sun shining on the back hump? Looks grizzled. Then let your dog corner one and see just how many holes Fido gets in this face from those grass chompers. And besides, when all you have are groundhogs to shoot, it helps to think of them as a trophy big game animal...the fabled pasture grizzly. ;D

 

[snert]

My german descent neighbors giggled and translated it to "Grundschwein". Ground pig I think, literally.

Either way I am with the "placement" gun. that has been my approach for a long time. Fill the truck with chairs, bench, guns and drive right out behind the barn. Park. have kids unload your stuff. Sit, glass, shoot very far. Have kids go pick them up. Doesn't get much better than that!

snert

 

[CatShooter]

My german descent neighbors giggled and translated it to "Grundschwein". Ground pig I think, literally.

Either way I am with the "placement" gun. that has been my approach for a long time. Fill the truck with chairs, bench, guns and drive right out behind the barn. Park. have kids unload your stuff. Sit, glass, shoot very far. Have kids go pick them up. Doesn't get much better than that!

snert

Isn't that why we have kids

 

[CSM19Z5M]

Wow! I'm getting a lesson here on what constitutes "walking". Seems to be everything from one hundred yards to infinity. A walking gun is one that you are willing to carry for the distance that you need to go. For one person it may weigh eight pounds or so. For another it may be fifteen pounds or so. I never liked the walking varmint gun label much but I do think the weight is directly proportional to your age and physical condition.

 

[Dan Hall]

This IS a lesson on what we all consider a walking varmint rifle. In this area my rifle of choice is a Dakota Predator in 6BR. The idea of rebarreling a 700 into a 6BR is a great idea. The barrel contour you’ve chosen is a good one also. I would change it a little bit but not much. I believe in straight taper barrels. They are easier to tune and usually shoot better so a light target is my choice Like a #6 Shilen, or a #7 Krieger. They are very similar in weight to the Remington Varmint contour but in a straight taper. A 24” is probably all you need in the 6BR but to each his own so go with a 26” if you want. It’s only a 2” difference. The 87 grain Vmax or 87 Grain Berger VLD is a perfect weight. I use the Berger for 600 yard competitions. 32 grains of Varget behind an 87 gr. V-Max is a smoking hot varmint load. I use a 10 twist as the 87 -90 grain is the heaviest I’m going to shoot but an 8 twist will also work. So you’ve got a great idea and I think you should go for it. This is the rifle I shoot. It’s got a Sightron 6.5-20x50 scope on it now

 

[FatBoy]

This IS a lesson on what we all consider a walking varmint rifle. In this area my rifle of choice is a Dakota Predator in 6BR. The idea of rebarreling a 700 into a 6BR is a great idea. The barrel contour you’ve chosen is a good one also. I would change it a little bit but not much. I believe in straight taper barrels. They are easier to tune and usually shoot better so a light target is my choice Like a #6 Shilen, or a #7 Krieger. They are very similar in weight to the Remington Varmint contour but in a straight taper. A 24” is probably all you need in the 6BR but to each his own so go with a 26” if you want. It’s only a 2” difference. The 87 grain Vmax or 87 Grain Berger VLD is a perfect weight. I use the Berger for 600 yard competitions. 32 grains of Varget behind an 87 gr. V-Max is a smoking hot varmint load. I use a 10 twist as the 87 -90 grain is the heaviest I’m going to shoot but an 8 twist will also work. So you’ve got a great idea and I think you should go for it. This is the rifle I shoot. It’s got a Sightron 6.5-20x50 scope on it now

That's a nice piece of walnut.

 

[varmintshooter]

Clearly everyone has an opinion on what a walking varminter should be. I am on the east coast and I do walk when shooting groundhogs, sometimes 6-8 miles a day so I require a sling. I am 65 and like to the total weight of my rig to be no more than 10-11 lbs. but I am only shooting to about 650 yds. I can't imagine carrying a 18 lb rig and table.

 

[searcher]

No kidding!!! I know I can shoot further than I could carry my shooting bench and heavy bench gun, toggle rest, rear gator bag, calling gear, etc. A man has to know his limitations - as said by "Clint".

 

[Oso]

Shave some weight...there is no reason to go over 24".... maybe even as short as 20"

 

[CT10ring]

Thinking of rebarreling a worn out Rem VLS to a 6BR and put a 27" Krieger barrel rem varmnt contour. This will be a bi-pod rifle for g-pigs. So, I'm thinking an 8 twist barrel to shoot 87 gr and heavier bullets. These rifles are a little heavy to carry around but I really like them. With a NXS12X42 the weight increases, then add a sling and bi-pod. Where I shoot g-pigs I don't have to walk all that far.
Anyone have such a rifle? What would youbdo differently?
Thanks again

I have a 6BR 1/14 twist 26" Krieger HV bbl w 12-42 NF scope/ Accurate Innovations stock. Bet it weights 15 lbs. easy I walk few miles in a day shooting PDs. sling, mat, bipod & backpack. For me, I like the exercise... I'm fit. Although I am glad to switch the 6 BR for a Kimber .223 SSV on alternating days. If I had to do over, I'd do a 24" bbl in a slightly smaller fluted contour 1/8 bbl, fwiw. Have fun w the build!

 

[joed49]

I live in Ohio and have hunted groundhogs for over 50 years now. For this type of hunting I have always preferred a heavy barreled rifle over sporter weight.

My first rifle was a Rem 700 VS in .25-06 with 24" barrel topped with a Leupold 24x fixed power scope and it is still my favorite. I also have another 700 VS in .22-250 26" barrel with a Leupold 6x18 that I use for the smaller farms.

I prefer a 24" barrel but will tolerate a 26". The weight of these rifles doesn't bother me as I don't do a lot of walking. On many of the larger farms I'm allowed to drive my vehicle in the fields as long as I don't drive through the crops. I generally pick out a spot where I can get a good view of the area and shoot from there.

As for bullets I only use the lighter varmint frangible bullets as I don't like ricochets.

Depending on where you live and how far you walk your needs will vary. But for what I do here the above works well for me.

 

[K22]

I'm an old man (72) with a very bad back but when it comes to groundhog hunting I have a lot of pain tolerance.

I have two classes of varmint rifles - one is a light weight stalker with a sporter weight barrel. The Rem Model 7 and Browning X bolt stalkers are examples. If I anticipate a lot of walking around or on a recon mission scouting for new holes at the start of the season or on a new farm I'll select one of my light weight stalkers. Generally, for me, with these light weigh rifles and their light weight scopes are good out to about 225 yards or so when shooting off my shooting cross sticks.

The other class of varmint rifles is my long range precision heavy barrel rifles. I use these when I have tree lines I want to sit on without much moving around and the distances are long. The Rem 700 Varmint and Weatherby Supervarmint master are examples. These have heavy, no. 5 contour, 26" barrels with large scopes. I chose these for my long range work general over 200 yards. Because of their weight, these are easier to shoot more precisely at longer ranges than my light weight rifles on my shooting cross sticks. Once I set up with this rig I don't move around a lot but sometimes when a field goes cold I'll move to the next field to set up.

I use those elastic type slings slung across my back which distributes the load more evenly. I also use my shooting sticks as a walking stick which helps in a walking and ascending rolling terrain. Good sturdy boots help too.

When I make a great shot the pain of carry the heavy rifle in the field goes unnoticed.

I had 38 ghog safaris last summer which shows I wasn't joking about the level of pain tolerance I have.

 

[Webster]

Thinking of rebarreling a worn out Rem VLS to a 6BR and put a 27" Krieger barrel rem varmnt contour. This will be a bi-pod rifle for g-pigs. So, I'm thinking an 8 twist barrel to shoot 87 gr and heavier bullets. These rifles are a little heavy to carry around but I really like them. With a NXS12X42 the weight increases, then add a sling and bi-pod. Where I shoot g-pigs I don't have to walk all that far.
Anyone have such a rifle? What would youbdo differently?
Thanks again

I have a Rem 700 with a varmint weight barrel 6BR and a heavy scope. About 13.5 lbs. with a bipod. I was always lucky I could shoot near where I parked the car. Didn't mind carrying it if I had to. A lot older now. I recently bought a Rem 700 ADL Keiger varmint weight 6BRX barrel. Probably about 10 lbs.? I still like my heavy rifle I spent 40 years of my life hunting with it. Just keep buying new barrels. If I got another rifle it would still have a varmint weight barrel. You don't need a heavy NF scope. Love the 6BRX easy to ff and any load shoots under .350". The big decision is how far you want to shoot which will tell you what wt. bullets you want and the proper twist. Best freebore is sometimes a tough decision. Sometimes the gunsmith may not have much selecton in reamers. Many GS only have reamers for the heavy bullet freebore. I have .030" FB and I am shooting 58-65 gr bullets. 0.00" FB would be better. 0.010" jump the bullets are half way down the neck. It's OK. Groups under .350" all the time.