So tonite I was leaving my driveway for my regular Thursday nite softball league game and I looked out across the fields (like us hunters always do) and saw a groundhog out in the beanfield. I decided that if I hurried I'd have time to get my gun and give it a shot. I grabbed my new 6MM AI and my shooting bag etc. I ranged the hog at 370 yards, dialed 3 minutes in my scope and set up my rest. I set my shooting bag across my truck door windowsill and propped myself up for the shot. I allowed about 3 inches for the wind drift and touched one off. The impact rocked the hog and my ears were met with a resounding THUD! I then went to my softball game and after the game I retrieved my hog.
This was a decent sized hog, but what impressed me was the large head of this groundhog. You cant really see it because of how the photo was taken, but it appeared to be an older female. Based upon how I hit the hog I probably would try 2 and 3/4 min next time instead of 3 min for 370 yards. The exit hole was fairly large. ( I turned the exit side away from camera).
I love this gun--it's sooo accurate. I was shooting a 75 grain vmax pushed by 53 grains of VV N160 at just over 3800 fps. With a BC of .330 this is a super flat shooting load. I also have a load worked up with 80 grain Bergers and it looks promising as I have shot groups in the 1s and 2s with them. I'll have to see how they do on groundhogs. This gun was built by Tommy Shurley and has a Bat Action and a 27" Krieger barrel 1:13 twist. Walnut stock with a center lamination of curly fiddleback maple. I was a little surprised when I got the gun as to how heavy it was. It's got a super heavy barrel on her......with scope weighs 16.2 pounds with no accessories. I make my brass from 7X57 brass then turn the necks. I have some good groups at 600 yards, and just waiting for a calm day so I can move out to 1000 yards. Ok so here's the pics.
It's hard to detect good luck, It looks so much like something you've worked hard for and earned.
Stay humble, Stay teacheable
Kinda surprised that nice rig doesn't weigh more; that NF scope alone is relatively heavy. She sure is "purty".
I once hunted a farm that had a lot of big-headed 'hogs, some with large paws. The bodies weren't especially big and I figured it was genetic - possibly from inbreeding - or from disease that was basically shrinking the torsos. At any rate, I made sure not to handle the bodies.
Ryutzy thats a good sized hog wish we had more targets in our area like that.
As for the rifle that thing looks great the stock really adds class to it.
Man that thing does have a huge head! Either the hogs from my neck of the woods have peanut heads or shoulders like linebackers because they definitely look a lot different than that. good shootin man.
Nice gun, nice shot and nice 'hog. I don't think I'd have a prayer shooting at one that far away out the window of the truck. I tell people that I'm not a very good shot I just know how to take a good rest. (And, I don't bother shooting if I don't!) Congrats on a fine shot!
Tim Titus
No Off Season www.no-off-season.com
"No crowds, no limits, no seasons...no bad days."
Sure God's a hunter, he clothed Adam and Eve with skins and told Peter to "kill and eat", didn't He?
