New Groundhog Hunting Toy

6mm06

6mm06

Well-known member
I'm anxious to get started in the groundhog fields, but I generally wait until June. Hopefully we will have a good number of them down my way. I hope to do another video, maybe a rimfire-only one.

Just got my new toy out of layway two days ago. I plan to use it some this summer, along with several other rimfires including 22 long rifles and 17 HMR.

I had a Nikon Prostaff lying around, so mounted that one for now. The parallax is not set for rimfire, but it does pretty good. I have it sighted on the mark at 60 yards.

That Ruger feels like a rifle ought to feel. It's heavy enough to rest well on sandbags or bipod. I like the feel of it and the 24" barrel.

Ruger 77/22 BMVZ, .22 magnum, Nikon Prostaff 3x9. Just got it sighted in today.

Ruger1.jpg


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Ooops! I just posted a comment on another thread about your new gun. Looks like a nice shooting rifle. .22 magnum is an itch I want to scratch and is on my short list. I was kicking around the idea of a Henry lever action but I know it won't be as accurate as a bolt action. In the end, it's always about the accuracy.

Again, congratulations and good luck with the ground hogs. I hope to see a few posts!

Eric
 
Hot [beeep],David!!! Thats a nice lookin rifle!! I dont shoot chucks till June also,I would not have any for next year,if I shoot them now. Keep us posted on the first safari!!
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6mm06, nice snag!! You're gonna love the accuracy of this one.

My shootin buddy has one but is gray laminate and stainless.
It shoots more accurately than any other 22 mag I've ever shot in my lifetime. It shot so good, it got boring hitting golf balls @ 100 yds.
He shoots Hornady V-Max, but has tried other brands that didn't group as well.

Very nice gun, congrats.
 
I've only tried two brands of ammo so far - CCI Maxi Mag 40 gr. HPs, and my old standby, Remington 33 gr. V-Max. The Remingtons are shooting well so far. I have only shot it at 60 yards, but will try 100 and see what happens.

The Ruger is one fine built rifle.
 
You did good! Real good! Youll like the VMBZ I know it just let her get broke in and she will be a friend for life. I like the scope you picked the hogs are in trouble now.
 
I am a sucka for a good looking rifle, and that is one right there David. Scope and all, it just fits don't it.
 
Yep, it do.

I plan to contact Nikon and see if they can set the parallax to a more rimfire-friendly distance. I may then send it to T.K. Lee Co. and have a dot reticle installed. Love them there dots.

UPDATE: Nikon won't reset the parallax. I also phoned Bushnell pertaining to the Trophy model scopes. They too will not reset the parallax.

These companies will reset the parallax in their scopes, and all will do it for free except Leupold. They charge $15.

Leupold
Swift
Sightron
Burris
 
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I have one of those rifles. I plan on having it for a long time. I would bet that you will be quite satisfied with yours too.
 
Here are some results from yesterday's range session. My target was at 60 yards. The inside white circle is just under 3/4".

3 shots @ 60 yards = 5/16" (.31")

Impressive so far.

RugerTarget1.jpg
 
6mm06 looking good! You can't beat that group.The VMBZs shoot that good as good as Ive seen out of any 22 magnum. And those Remingtons are mean on the crows.
 
Nice looking rifle David. I'm a sucker for the laminates. My father-in-law has the 77/22 hornet and my best friends dad has the K77/22LR. Both are shooters. A lot of crows are going to fall to that rifle for sure. The CZ is going to get jealous, LOL.
 
Sweet Set-UP! It would be interesting to know what kind of velocity you can get out of that 24 incher.

The ballistic tip bullets sure have improved the accuracy of the .22 mags. Anyone know who has any Hornady V MAX .22 Mag for sale?

 
Originally Posted By: DoubleCKSweet Set-UP! It would be interesting to know what kind of velocity you can get out of that 24 incher.

The ballistic tip bullets sure have improved the accuracy of the .22 mags. Anyone know who has any Hornady V MAX .22 Mag for sale?



Wally world carries them, but having them in stock is another question. 22LR's are hard to come by there, maybe the V-Max are in stock.
 
I love laminates too. This is my first laminated one.

Those 33 gr. Remingtons are expensive little numbers, but they are worth the price due to great accuracy. I notice that the old ammo I used to get said 33 gr. V-Max, but the new rounds says 33 gr. Accutip-V. The V-Max (still have a few) are sharp-pointed, and the Accutips are more rounded.

I know that I probably can't shoot that kind of group all the time, but I did that day. I did give it a try at 94 yards (that's my furthest shot at my range) and while the results were ok, the 4-shot group was 1 1/2". Two shots went into one hole practically and the other two shots went together in another hole, 1 1/2" apart. That's still minute-of-groundhog accuracy, but the rifle will do better. I know it had to be me and not the rifle / load.

I've owned four 22 magnum rifles over the years, and this one with the 33 Remingtons is the most accurate yet. All others were Marlins. They were accurate, but not like this one.

I'm looking forward to some groundhog shooting this summer.
 
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