I saw your picture in the photo albums pretty cool little sucker. Is this their normal color, or is this an albino? I also wanted to know what you shot him with. Lets talk Prarie dogs.
The dogs are starting to come out in full force here in AZ so hopefully I can get out this weekend and pic some off with my trusty old .270.

Knifeboy

Knifeboy,
It may be hard to tell from the photo but that's one of our southern woodchucks (groundhog). Yes, she was a true blonde. I took several more in the same area but most were a dark brown. The rifle in the photo is my main coyote calling rig, a Rem 700 ADL carbine in 222 Rem. About a week before I got that groundhog my calling partner and I called in a blonde coyote. He nailed it with his 12 gauge and 3"/#4 shot at 25 yards.




BTW, Good luck with the pasture poodles!

Congrats on the critters keep them pictures coming. Its a lot of fun to see the animals that people have taken.

By the way Happy St. Patricks Day!


Knifeboy

Hello coyotehunter_1,

I like your varmint rifle. Is that a heavy barrel you have on it or a sporter. I can't tell? What kind of groups does it shoot? I don't think most shooters are aware of how accurate the 700ADL can be. I was sorry to see Remington drop the ADL line this year. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

calsibley,
I like your varmint rifle.
Thank you, I have developed a close affection for it also. Some rifles just feel right and this one fits me like a glove. Since that photo was taken the old ADL has accounted for several dozen groundhogs, crows and a batch of coyotes. To help offset glare, the 3x9 scope, mounts and wood stock now wear camo.


Is that a heavy barrel you have on it or a sporter? This rifle was produced in Feb. 1962, sporting a 20” factory sporter carbine barrel. The short action and barrel makes for a handy, lightweight and fast handling rig.
What kind of groups does it shoot?
This is about average:
Five shots (55 gr. SXSP/IMR 4198 @ 100 yds.)

I don't think most shooters are aware of how accurate the 700ADL can be. I was sorry to see Remington drop the ADL line this year.
Me too!

Good shooting to ya'
Chet

Coyotehunter
I too shoot a 222 Rem, but in a Winchester mdl 770.
Do you have a special load for coyotes, and do you have a load for Prairie Dogs? I am trying to work up a load for my rifle and the best load I can find as of now is a 50 gr Hornady V Max, using alliant reloader 7 powder.
Any hints?

WildHorse,
We don’t have Prairie Dogs here but I do shoot a few groundhogs and coyotes. When I first got my 222, a few years ago, I researched what powder was being used in benchrest competition when the 222 was in it’s prime. From what info I could find BLC-2 and IMR 4198 were preferred powders. I tried both BLC-2 and IMR 4198 using 50 & 55 Gr. bullets in three different brands. As far as groups, BLC -2 shot very tight but also left a lot of carbon residue in the barrel. I found the same powder weight of IMR 4198 preformed equally well with both 50 and 55 grain bullets irregardless of brand. There are a bunch of good bullets and powder on the market today for the 222 but I chose the Hornady SXSP and IMR 4198 based on their performance in the field.

Check your personal messages, I've sent you something.

i totally agree!! find a load and if it works , stick with it!!


if it aint broke..............dont fix it!!

Quote::

if it aint broke..............dont fix it!!

deermanager, you got that right!

Around here, when shooting groundhogs, it’s usually within 250 yards, much less (50 yards +/-) for coyotes called in. A 55 grain/.224 SXSP bullet traveling at 3000 f.p.s. muzzle velocity can really mess up a groundhog’s day. Three others were killed the same day but were not shown, just too much splatter factor to post. On larger animals like coyotes, unless a big bone is hit, there is usually little or no exit. IMHO, a great bullet/powder combo for the 222. Yes, there are 222 loads out there that will work as well or maybe even better but as you said “if it ain’t broke…”

Good hunting,
C<

I found a load I really like and it shoots extremely well in my 222.
I am using 24 gr of Hodgdon Bench Mark and a 52gr Calhoon double hollow point bullet. I chonographed this load and the average speed was 3134fps. I zeroed this load at 250 yds. It's maximum height is at 150 yds and that is 3.09". It really works good for me in my 222.