2014 ground hog season

[bigben]

Who's tired of seeing snow and ready to smack some hogs? 

I got a new to me savage 116 25-06 late last summer for a project gun.  Just got dies and bullets for it.  Once it warms up a little bit gonna try to work a load up for it.  Still need to load about 100 rds of .223 and 50 rounds of 6.5x284 yet for the upcoming season.

The .223 usually gets the nod for close work 0-300.  This 25-06 is going to be my windy day gun.  At 300 a stiff breeze pushes that 50gr vmax around a bit.  Im loading 100 gr sierras for the 25-06 hoping to hit 3200fps.  The 6.5 shoots a 140gr amax for distance. 

Can't wait to spend some warmer times in the field.  Looking to stretch my longest shot past 500 this year.  I'm right at 472 I believe now. 

[Deadeye]

I think i'll try some hog hunting this year. Do you sit along a tree line at a hay field and wait for them to show or do you call to them? Any info will be helpful..........Thanks

[bigben]

I used to carry sticks and walk field edges waiting a half hour at each spot. Now i sit at locations that give me safe shots and bs with a friend till one shows or turn on the radio on my phone and enjoy the afternoon.  Here is sum of last years kills.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj45/bigben8011/final1_zps7d3da016.mp4


197 yd pistol kill.

[coon hunter]

Thanks for sharing makes me want to go today.

[Bowman66]

It can't thaw fast enough for me. It should be a fun spring and summer helping the farmers get rid of these vermin!
It's also a great selling point on a new farm to come back and predator hunt in the fall. The old back scratching saying.

[TrappinJohn]

I'm ready!  Nice video Ben and good shoootin

Picked up a Winchester model 70 Stealth II in 243 WSSM last year, have a lot of loads I want to try this summer.  And of course the contender is always fun

[bigben]

That .243wssm sounds like a barrel burner. Any reason why ya got that over a normal .243 win?  Almost picked up a 7tcu a little bit back for the contender.

[TrappinJohn]

I'm a big 243 fan, Already have a couple of them.  Kinda always wanted a wssm ever since they came out with it.  Probably not something you would want to take to a prairie dog town, but they have a chrome lined barrel.  Keep it clean and cool, should last plenty long enough.

7tcu would be a fun caliber too.  Working on some 110gr loads for my 309JDJ for groundhogs this summer.  2900 or so out of a 14" barrel should work pretty good

[longhair]

Nice video Ben........

TJ, you'll like the wssm. I know I like mine.

After a few years of VERY limited hunt'n, I'm hope'n to carve out more time this year. Got a couple new lead spitters to try out.

BTW~ the grass rats have been out for a few days although the "polar vortex" just might send back in fer a while.

[bigben]

I thought yo liked the .243. I personally dont see the point behind the wssm series. Seems like a waste of powder too me. But some like vanilla compared to chocolate.

I havent seen any hogs out yet but have heard of sightings. I have hunted in march before for fields that get too grown up. Unless this cold weather gets replaced by 50 deg days i doubt you'll see many for a while.

[shadowchaser]

I like the WSSM series.  With anything though the better you take care of it the longer it will last.  Personally I think alot of "burned" out barrels are just extremely copper fouled.  I'm not saying it doesn't happen.  I just think its a false diagnosis alot of times. 

[longhair]

I've found that it is more "lubalox" or "molycoat" on factory ammo that's the problem. As long as you keep it clean or shoot it daily, no problems. If when cleaning and you don't get it REALLY clean, then shoot a few shots, it's like concrete and VERY difficult to get it clean.

[Leglifter]

do you need some company someday in the grass rat field george?

[longhair]

do you need some company someday in the grass rat field george?

If I get overwhelmed, I'll keep you in mind.

[bigben]

what do you two use to clean your rifles?  I have been using sweets with a nylon bore brush till patch comes out clean then a shot or two of hopes no9 then dry patch.