Got my second groundhog of the year today.

[Catfish]

Got my first pig of the year at about 8:30 am. on March 5th. and my second today. Shot the first out of a tree at about 50 ft. and head shot the one today at about 150 yrds. His head was all he would stick up and after about 20 min. I got tired of waiting so I put it in his ear. I`m loveing the little .17 AH more the more I shoot it. Put one little furry critter down at between 280 and 285 yrds. ( I ranged him but he was moveing around) After shooting over him several times and not knowing where I was hitting I put the cross hairs right on him and he dropped like a wet rag. I couldn`t believe that little 19 grn. bullet would fly flat to that range. So I still don`t know max. point blank range on it yet. AND only 10.4 grns. of powder. :D :D :D

[Buckrun]

While at work today I took a walk around the lot. It was so warm I was kind of putting me in the mood to go groundhog hunting myself.
Buckrun

[Ðe§perado™]

Good Job!! I got one last week with my bow. But he was living in a barn. Stuck him to the side of the barn. LOL

[Smallie34]

Went out today myself and got 2...one was at about 110 yds the other at about 175 yds, they fell to my 700VS in 223, I have really became partial to this gun and caliber the last couple of years, the little 40gr V-Max sure is deadly and the recoil is nill, also seen 4 deer today as well as a couple of fox squirrels, overall a great day and a dandy way to get rid of this cabin fever.

[lureboy98]

I found a dead one this weekend and my dog chased another one.

[Caribou Dreamer2]

Been seeing alot of hogs lately,Might have to go stick a few of those pigs too .Man not enough time in a day or weekend

Saw at least a half dozen on the way to wally world today.

[Ðe§perado™]

I have seen about 30 today just driving around. Need to start getting permission and bringing them down.

[Smallie34]

I wanted to go out tomorrow but they say we will be having 25MPH winds, probably to much wind for that 40gr V-Max.

[Ðe§perado™]

true...just aim about 3 feet up wind and go for it...LOL just kidding. ;)

[Catfish]

Originally posted by Smallie34
I wanted to go out tomorrow but they say we will be having 25MPH winds, probably to much wind for that 40gr V-Max.
Don`t worry about it if your shooting under 200 yrds., shouldn`t be enough to bother you. If you do miss, just move your scope till the place where the bullet hit is on the groundhog.

[Smallie34]

Or use my 257 Roberts with a 85gr ballistic and dont worry about a little wind:D

[Ðe§perado™]

Nice gun. Very fast and instant results.;)

[Smallie34]

I like the caliber....its not as popular as the 243 but it sure does the job especially with handloads, the make is a Ruger 77 not a high dollar rifle but it has served me well the last several years, and the good thing is that groundhog hunting is great fun and it keeps me occupied while the rivers and streams are still on the high side:)

[Rick]

Good Morning Catfish !

Saturday when we was going to the hilliard gun show I told you I have got 8 hog so far well I has out yesterday and got two more so thats 10 for me.

Rick

[Ðe§perado™]

I got one this morning with my .22 mag. He dropped like a rock, perfect head shot.:D ;)

[Rick]

Ðe§perado
Nice shooting !

How many have you got so far this year ?

I have nailed 23 hogs so far.

[vvarmitr]

Way to go Rick! Are you leaving any for seed?:D

[Rick]

vvarmitr
No !
The farmers I shoot for pay me to shoot all I can.

The one farm I shoot on they keep coming back on it all year long so it a never ending job there.
I was out yesterday and it was a bit cool but I did get one more to add to my list.
That makes it 24 now.

[vvarmitr]

:eek: PAID? My Dad use to give me 50cents a g'hog, but that was to help pay for my reloading supplies. I get a lot of perks from my farmers, but I've never gotten money. I'm not sure I would feel right about it. Not that I think it's immoral or unethical, it's just to me more like a ministry.
If you don't mind telling, how much bounty do you get ?:D

[george tinkham]

some varmint companies offer this service and they charge a nice fee,where are the varmint hunters,i'm wondering why a farmer should pay...why not shoot em himself

[Rick]

vvarmitr
No I don't get payed big bucks to shoot groundhogs and I don't ask to be but some of the farms I shoot on they just give me some thing at the end of the year for the ammo I shoot.

I retired from work to have fun just varmint hunting. I also take trips out to South Dakota just to shoot prairie dogs for free.

[vvarmitr]

George: Time & money is the biggest reason. I don't think they can deduct hunting stuff for varminting, but they can on pesticides & herbicides which takes up that time.:(

Rick:I use to have guys pay me to take them G'hog hunting. We had a lot of good times. Never had a bad experience. Blessed I guess?
Sound to me like you're getting perks not pay.;)

[Rick]

vvarmitr
I retired from work just to have fun long range shoot and varmint hunting here in Ohio and also in other states like PD shooting in South Dakota.
I don't ask anyone to pay me to do it but if they feel like they do I don't turn it down.
Well the sun is out and I am getting ready to go out hogging so I will talk to you guys later.

[Rick]

Catfish
I just like to let you know I have nailed 26 hogs so far and one coyote lastnight setting at a groundhog whole in a field about 6:30pm then a hour later I nailed the groundhog he was waiting on.

How are you doing?

[vvarmitr]

Rick: Just to let you know I got a whopping total of 4. Just got 2 of them tonight.
Congrad's on the coyote. :D
I gotta get me some new farms. G'hogs on my other farms are getting scarious. I wonder why? :rolleyes:

[Rick]

vvarmitr
I know what you are talking about I have two farms just about shot out.
The one farm I may have to start working on the hogs that are in the barns, I do have one new farm to start on plus I am getting ready for my trip prairie dog shooting in South Dakota in June.

Last year I had a total of 176 hogs and 13 coyotes.

Keep plugging away at them.

[vvarmitr]

Good luck in SD. Take plenty of guns & ammo in case of a stampede. ;) I've talked about a PD hunt, but I'm afraid it might spoil me. :eek:
Do you have a 17HMR for use around the barns? That otta shine in that application. I just found out that Savage chambers the 17HMR in their Steven's crackshot, & it's drilled & taped, no open sights. How cool is that. Hoowee baby! :cool:
What's the most g'hogs you've gotten in a day?
My top is 11 in a day. On two consecutive Saturdays, two years ago, I got 7 & 9 g'hogs in a hour & a half. Of couse I took pictures. :rolleyes: They just didn't turn out. This happen on the same farm. The creek banks along the fields looked like swiss cheese. Now when that farmer knows I'm coming, he has a ticker tape parade for me. I hate it. :mad: Not because I'm modist, but because it scares the g'hogs in.:D

[Rick]

vvarmitr

I don't own a 17HMR but I have a firend that was one or two.
I look at one one time at a gun show but what I really wanted was a 17cal in center fire. I think that would work best for me do to I reload all my ammo.

My main rifle for groundhogs is a AR15 Varminter and for long range shot I use a 22-250.

The most groundhog I have ever shot in one day was 7 and that was 2 to 3 years ago. I was out the weekend with a buddy from columbus and we did't get a shot off, I think it may have ben the weather keep them down in there wholes.

I have got 31 groundhogs so far this year.

So how many have you got vvarmitr ?

[vvarmitr]

Well Rick, I'm still at 4. The hay is so high on my farms I took my new dog out to see if she could do any good. She's a Kemmer Stock Mountain Cur, & what a breed!:cool: She got gamey a few times but didn't come up w/ any thing. :(
It's May 5th & I have famers maken hay already! :eek:
When I had my varmint hunting guide service we'd average 14 g'hogs a day, but that was an all day thing. :cool:
I used to have an AR15, but I got rid of it because of trying to keep track of the brass. Some day I'll have a 17HMR auto because I won't have find the brass to reload. I know I want a Savage Crackshot too. It'll be my grackle cracker. :D I have a 22-250 too & it's my LD gun also.
Those 17 centerfires are something else! :cool: :D I have a 17 Ackly Hornet barrel to put on Coyote Kates rifle. I had a 17 Rem. that I traded to my buddy for some gun I could not live w/o, & he just loves it. We're blessed in the fact that Todd Kindler's place is just a short drive away. Todd owns the Woodchuck Den & is editor for Small Caliber News magazine.
If you do happen to get a 17 your 223 brass will look like 308 brass.:D

[Rick]

vvarmitr
I use a bag style brass catcher on my AR so I don't have to look for brass.

I would have a 17 centerfire now but the only thing holding me back is I haven't found one in stainless steel that I like plus I just order a new AR-50 for this years trip to South Dakota.
I am hopping to make a prairie dog kill at 2000yds with it.
I made the down range club out there last year with the 22-250 killing a prairie dog at 1248yds.

[vvarmitr]

I thought about a brass catcher, but it would be something else I'd leave in the field or forget at the truck.
AR 50? I glad it's your shoulder & not mind. I'm thinking about a 6.5/300 WSM & maybe even turning it into a SMc type cartridge. I believe it otta do the 2000 yd thing.;)
Did you send your pic' to the TVHM to put into members pages. :cool: If you did, what issue?
IMO I'd look into getting a ss barrel & putting it on a Savage rifle that is in another varmint cartridge but with the same bolt head. You could switch between the 2 barrels butta-boom butta-bang if you don't have to change the bolt head. Check w/ Sharpshooters Supply in Delphos. They are the Savage sweeteners!:cool:
Rampro is another company. They've done work for Todd Kindler. Their stuff is gorgeous. :D

[Rick]

vvarmitr

Can I ask what is the TVHM members pages?

I did get my name in the VHA mag plus my shot I made two years ago.

The AR-50 has a brake on it so it don't shoot know harder than a shotgun or mybe 243 cal.
The cost on that rifle is $8000 to $9000 and then you still have to put a good scope on it so you are looking at when it done around $12,000 in it.

The brass catcher I use I just leave it on the gun less I take a trip with it then I take it off to put the gun in the hard case.

[vvarmitr]

Rick: The TVHM is The Varminter Hunter Magazine. I guess that's the offical name for the VHA magazine. Now do you know the issues # that you where in? I'll dig though my rubble & see if I can find your smiling face. :D
Let me guess, you're getting the Leupold Long Range Scope & having it goosed by Premier Reticle? Then possibly mounting it w/ Tally scope mounts? I don't know how to get any better(that's hard for me to say, I'm a Burris fan).
I'm glad you can spend that much on a rifle. I wouldn't know how.
Now if it was a side-by-side shotgun that $12,000 would make a nice deposit. :D Would I take it out hunting? Dern tooten I would! :eek: ;)

[Rick]

vvarmitr

ITs in the April 2003 issue #46
I am on page 195 and the photo that is in there is of my shot I made two year ago and it was a 557yd shot killing two PD's with one shot.
My 1248 yd shot I hope is in the next one that comes out.

The scope I use for long range shooting are Leupolds 8.5x25x50mm and I also have two NightForce 12x42x56mm.
The AR-50 will also have a NightForce 12x42x56mm on it when I get it.

I look at it this way if you want to shoot with the big boys out west you have to put big bucks in your rifles to be able to shoot 1000yds plus.
I am just hopping to do 1500yds then maybe 2000yds this year.

[vvarmitr]

Just happen to have that issue right beside me. A double at 500 yds is way to cool! :cool:
I seriously doubt I'll go out west. I'm lucky if I get to go to the restroom. :( :D If it weren't for my buddy it would be years before I would spend more than a hour in a car traveling.
So the "big boys out west" are only big in my imagination for me.
For me, I can't see spending more than $4000 if I push it. Savage rifles are'nt that expensive. :D
I'm not saying anything negative about what you're spending though I was a bit surprised. How about spending us a pic' when it's done. :cool:

[Rick]

vvarmitr

I am having alot done to it so I just not sure when I will get it but I will be happy to post a photo of it.

The ride out to South Dakota is about a 18 hours and we do it in one day and part of the night.
Iam pushing to go in the 2000yds club why I am getting the AR50.

IF you look in that VHA mag you will see my name in the 1000yd list to.

Well I got to go I am reloading tonight.
Talk to you later,

[vvarmitr]

Yep, there U are under the 1000 yard super slayers. :cool: :D
I'm not sure but I think U might be baiting me to ask this next cause U know I'm dieing to know?:D Okay, what all are U having done to the rifle? In a hundred words or less. :eek: No, just kidding. :D
2000 yds......... man what a challenge! How many trys do U think it will take? What kind of bench will U be shooting off of? Heavy, I hope.
Your turn.

[Rick]

vvarmitr

I am having bolt work done along with a nicer trigger plus a better barrel put on with a muzzle brake to cut back on reoil.
The scope and rings will run just about $2000 .

Then I have to get a new press plus dies that may run just about $1000 .

The bad thing about this rifle is there is not alot of places to shoot it here in Ohio with out hitting a house of some thing like that, plus I not to sure the gun club I am a memeber of will let us shoot somethng like that there. Do to the big whole it will leave in the ground.

With a 700gr bullet it will leave a whole in the ground just about like a groundhog whole.

I called them yesterday asking if they have started it and they had not so I am looking at late August or September. I called my buddy over in Columbus, OH and told him we may have to make two trips again this year to SD .

Well the grand daughter just got up so I have to go.
Talk to you later.

[vvarmitr]

Two trips! :eek: That's terrible.:rolleyes: :rolleyes: (you make me sick. :p :D )
Our rifle club is putting a 1000 yd range in sometime soon.(soon :rolleyes: ) We can shoot 50BMGs there.
You'll have to sight it in & do load testing out there if thats the case, right? Or do you sight it in here an inch high at 100 yds & work from there. :D
Who do you have doing the 'smithing?

[Rick]

vvarmitr

I am having it put together at ArmaLite then they will send it to Bear for more work.

[vvarmitr]

Rick: how many g'hogs have you gotten now. I'm still at 4. I have to work straight tough til Memorial Day weekend & then I bummed up my shoulder at work. All the time something. :( :mad:
My model 722 Remington in 222 Rem. hasn't been shooting to good lately. I almost hope the barrel has gone bad so I can get a new barrel put on it. Maybe 222 Mag. Ackly Improved or that same cartridge necked up to 6mm or just maybe a 17 MachIV or even one of the 19 or 20 calibers. Ya know, I'm very much a one woman man, but when it comes to varmint guns & calibers I'm a slut. :eek: LOL :D
I really do think that 6mm/222 mag. Ackly Improved has merit if you don't want to rework the bolt face for a 6mm BR.
What do you think?:cool:

[Rick]

vvarmitr
I have got 32 groundhogs so far !
31 with the AR15 and one with the 22-250 he was a long range shoot plus after shooting 31 of them out there he was why's to when I pulled in so like I said I had to pull the 22-250 out.

I have a friend that has a 222 mag. Ackly Improved and he loves it when we are out west shooting prairie dogs.

[vvarmitr]

Good shot buddy. I always get a real charge when I get one that has been given me the slip, don't you?:D
Your buddy's 222 mag AI, what does he have it built on?
Sako made some 222 mags in their Vixen model & I would love to get one of them! :D That would be the fantastic. They are such sweet guns!:cool:

[Rick]

I have never really ask him what the 222 mag AI was built on.
I may have to ask him this year when we get together out west.

Hey I love it when I get a groundhog that gives me the slip it makes me try that mucj harder to nail his butt, thats also why I love long long range shooting when I go prairie dog shooting.

I didn't get so lucky lastnight when I took off groundhog hunting, I didn't see a one so thats two night now I can say I haven't got any groundhogs but I would say today going to be a good day for them to be out eatting plus I seen on the farm I hunt on that the beans are just coming out of the ground and groundhog love new beans.

Well I got to run talk to you later vvarmitr !

[vvarmitr]

Beans & g'hogs the yin & yang of varminting. The g'hog is in the beans while the beans are in the g'hog. Nothing can make you a hero to a farmer quicker than shooting g'hogs out of the beans. :D

[Rick]

I have one farmer that give me a buck for every groundhog I shoot off of his place. I keeep telling him I retired from work to have fun shooting long range and varmint hunt and that he don't need to do that but if I don't take it two days later there is a check in the mail.
I also have shot some and tried to tell him when I left I didn't get any and his dogs some how find them and bring them up to the house and he can see that they have ben shot.
My wife tells me it makes him feel good !!!

I didn't get to go out lastnight looking for hog's do to my wife honey do list that I trying to get done before I leave for my shooting trip to South Dakota but maybe today less right now its looking good.

Have fun today sounds like rain again tomorrow for us I am going to be getting around to head out to the shooting range to make sure my long range rifle is ready for SD then after lunch I am hopping to be setting out at the farm with a AR15 in hand.

Talk to you later !!

[vvarmitr]

I don't know how familiar you are w/ farming, but that farmer is getting off cheap per say. If you knew how much they spend on herbicides, pesticides, & the equipment to apply them to protect their crops you'ld see in comparison what I'm saying. Then we show up w/ our own application equipment & varminticide (guns & ammo) for free. What that farmer is saying is that he wants you there in the worst way. He is wanting to make sure you come there before you go anywhere! He is serious!
Lets not forget the damage to farm equipment. You think it's expensive to fix your car? HA! See what he has to pay for parts. It'll blow your mind! Then in the hill country, like where I live, there's a good chance of getting killed by hitting a 'chuck hole & flipping the tractor on you. :( :mad:
Maybe another way to put is; he's not so much paying you for the g'hog as he is paying you to be there to kill the g'hogs.
I wanted to tell you this last night, but I fell asleep while writing what I did write. :o I saw 2 little chucks w/ their mother yesterday on the way to work. If I had had a camera w/ me the picture would have made the cover of the TVHM. :D
Good night.

[Rick]

I know what groundhog wholes cost farmer for equipment damage. I have inlaws that farm and I here from them about it,plus I shoot on there farms for them.

Talking about a front cover my buddy I go out west with is putting together a store about are shooting out west last year to have put in the VHA mag. I seen it last week and he still has some work to do to it before sending it in to them but it coming along. He is hopping to put some of my long long range shot in it also before it go's in.
I will have to keep you posted on it.

Well back out to my little building to the reloading bench so I will talk to you later.

[vvarmitr]

An article in the TVHM? :cool: How cool is that?
Man, I gotta get my reloading room set up. I got married 4 1/2 months ago & moved into my wife's place that she bought a year & a half ago. Needless to say we have alot of setting up to do.
The garage has a gambrel roof so I'm able to stand up in the middle 4 feet. :cool: I'm needing to insulate it, wire it, a/c & heat it. It has plumbing already. I want to get it sorta nice in case I end up in the doghouse. :eek: ;) Until then we call it the garrit.
I gotta go too. I'll talk to you tonite after work.

[Rick]

Sounds like you will be set !

Years ago when I started big time in to reloading my wife told me she didn't like for me to do that in the house so I put up a small building out back away from the house.
I do have heat out there but no way to cool it less I put in a window A/C in and why I haven't was I do most of my reloading at night when my wife is home to look after are grand daughter.
My plan is to some day build a building under ground here by are pool and then put a new building on top of it for yard tools.

Talk to you later.

[vvarmitr]

I want to extend the garage on back to almost the property line. Leaving enough room to park on a pad off the back alley. This back portion of the garage will be where I park my huntin' rig & my work wheels. Between the front & back garage will be my woodshop. Then we'll have a guest room above for family & friends w/ a full bath.
And speaken of underground, I would love to have an underground range at least 100yds long w/ my reloading stuff right there for load testing.
Probably after I get this place all fixed up then we'll move to a place I can have the range & start all over again. :rolleyes:
Good night

[Rick]

I have two good friends here that made them self gun safe underground with 22" concrete walls and a big old bank doors on them, if you could get your cars down there you could park 3 to 4 cars in them.
I really like to have one myself and sell the gun safe I have now to make some room in the home.
I keep telling my wife I going to some day put one in and we could also use it for when bad storm come in that we would have a good place to go to get out of its way, and with all the storm we have ben having here she is really starting to think more and more about it.

Why the one buddy built one was they have a fire and it go to all of his gun then the other buddy after seeing it after he was done he just had to have on.

Well the grand daughter wanting to play so I better go talk to you later.

[vvarmitr]

WOW! What a concept!:cool: A range, reloading laboratory, gunsafe, & doghouse ...err....I mean den. :eek: :D If g'hogs have anything like this I can understand why they hibernate. If I had that I may end up doing some hibernating myself. :D Man, You got me thinking now! :cool:
later buddy :)

[Rick]

I am thinking ahead plus it not a bed thing to do if you don't have any where to go for bad storm.

I look at it this way the bad storms may blow the house away but you would still be safe.

[vvarmitr]

Yep, they build new houses everyday.