What centre fire cal for gofers? - Page 2

6.5 shooter · #31 03-05-2013, 10:01 PM

.204 first choice .222 second .22-250 and up a distant 3rd choice I like to be able to see where my bullets hit or miss and the faster, harder hitting rounds are tough unless you have a spotter then all bets are off...lol

Been seeing the odd gopher here and there for the last couple weeks, the fun is about to begin...can't wait.

Chargerguy · #32 03-05-2013, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShawnM

I don't know what's more sick? This comment or the fact that I totally agree?

(But not about the .204

)

Lol, I had to reword my reply after I proof read it and realized how sick it (I) was. I replaced the words "gopher pop" with "bullet impact".

32-40win · #33 03-06-2013, 12:04 AM

Used a 22-250 for a long time, then a 223 cuz I wanted to use less powder, and now a .218Bee for a bit less powder yet. And the Bee splats 'em real good.
I wouldn't knock a Hornet either.

rhuntley12 · #34 03-06-2013, 09:38 AM

uh anything works really. I use a high powered airgun and it drops them dead.

u_cant_rope_the_wind · #35 03-06-2013, 01:00 PM

17 hornet, at cabella's
Savage Model 25 Lightweight Varminter Bolt Action Rifle w/ AccuTrigger

Article # 27526

$659.99

Ronji · #36 03-06-2013, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shawnm

i don't know what's more sick? This comment or the fact that i totally agree?

(but not about the .204

)

22-250!

Pathfinder76 · #37 03-06-2013, 06:21 PM

The 223 is a no brainer.

Zeroed at 200yds a gopher is a pretty easy target at that distance.

gitrdun · #38 03-06-2013, 07:04 PM

I'm very partial to the .223 Rem for many reasons.
1. Brass availability
2. Many choices of barrel twists.
3. Many platforms to pick from
4. Nice recoil making it easy to see your hits
5. Not too noisy
6. Incredible factory ammo selections at reasonable pricing
7. Very versatile for the reloader, I can load it down to 22 Hornet even 22LR
8. Can be used for F/TR class with the .308 win

And last but not least, it just works so darned well.

Bypass · #39 03-07-2013, 07:13 PM

A friend and myself shot over 800 gophers one day last year. Can't imagine reloading 800 rounds of center fire ammo when you can buy a brick of 500 .17 HMR for $135 bucks.

Will be trying out the 17 WSM when they are on the shelves.

elkhunter11 · #40 03-07-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

A friend and myself shot over 800 gophers one day last year. Can't imagine reloading 800 rounds of center fire ammo when you can buy a brick of 500 .17 HMR for $135 bucks.

I prefer to pay around $70 per brick for 17mach2, which works great to around 125 yards, and then use my 22Hornet for the longer shots. Overall, the cost is less, and the 22Hornet is superior to the 17HMR at longer distances, or in the wind. I did own a 17HMR, but sold it for that reason.

Bull's-Eye · #41 03-07-2013, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bypass

A friend and myself shot over 800 gophers one day last year.

Dear lord! Where was this?

Bypass · #42 03-07-2013, 08:06 PM

Lots of guys are doing the two gun thing, that's great but toting two guns can be a nuisance when the shooting is hot. Was thinking of using a centre fire myself but most farmers smile when you tell them your using a 17. No ricochets like with .22's and center fire ammo. Noisy firearms scare farm animals is another issue especially when there are horses in the pasture.

elkhunter11 · #43 03-07-2013, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Dear lord! Where was this?

It was not at all uncommon where I grew up in Saskatchewan. We would take a brick of 22lr, and come home when we had none left.

Quote:

Lots of guys are doing the two gun thing, that's great but toting two guns can be a nuisance when the shooting is hot. Was thinking of using a centre fire myself but most farmers smile when you tell them your using a 17. No ricochets like with .22's and center fire ammo. Noisy firearms scare farm animals is another issue especially when there are horses in the pasture.

I definitely agree, the 17mach2 is noticeably quieter than the 17HMR, and the 22Hornet isn't much louder than the 17HMR. I may even try the 17Hornet, as it could be the ultimate longer range choice. If noise is really a concern, I sometimes even resort to a 22lr with subsonic loads.

Bull's-Eye · #44 03-07-2013, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

It was not at all uncommon where I grew up in Saskatchewan. We would take a brick of 22lr, and come home when we had none left.

Wow, its a good day for me if I get 20-30 around here in a day.

Hotwheels81 · #45 03-07-2013, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bull's-Eye

Wow, its a good day for me if I get 20-30 around here in a day.

Yikes... I won't tell you what the doggin is like down by carsland or south of cochrane then

gitrdun · #46 03-08-2013, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bypass

A friend and myself shot over 800 gophers one day last year. Can't imagine reloading 800 rounds of center fire ammo when you can buy a brick of 500 .17 HMR for $135 bucks.

Will be trying out the 17 WSM when they are on the shelves.

Awesome for you. But try and grasp the content of the OP. He specifically wants opinions on centerfires, already has a rimfire and said nothing of 800 gophers, and he reloads. He's not inteested in your daily life, he wants opinions on centerfires.

Pathfinder76 · #47 03-08-2013, 06:59 AM

Last time I hunted gophers we ran out of space in the back of the SUV with the seats folded down. We had a lot of passengers in soft gun cases along.

wolf308 · #48 03-08-2013, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duceman

go classic and accurate, the 222 of course, lee

boom,thats what im going with.x2

roadkill · #49 03-08-2013, 07:06 AM

Crap, I need new glasses. I read the title as 'what centre fire cal for golfers...'

terry b · #50 03-08-2013, 11:21 AM

Picked up a 223 in tikka for 649 yesterday thought that was a not bad price! Now for a scope what power do you think I shood go with and this is for a loony range gopher gun 100-350 ish I hope and yes I have a 22 for close shots and a bow for more fun!

Metalmike123 · #51 03-08-2013, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by terry b

Picked up a 223 in tikka for 649 yesterday thought that was a not bad price! Now for a scope what power do you think I shood go with and this is for a loony range gopher gun 100-350 ish I hope and yes I have a 22 for close shots and a bow for more fun!

Awesome set-up, you'l be plugging those buggers in no time. On a gopher gun like that, I think you would appreciate high magnification and fine crosshairs. Might want to take a look at the Vortex Viper 6.5 - 20 x 44, I think it was about 500 bucks at wholesale, or something similar.

normanrd · #52 03-08-2013, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gitrdun

Awesome for you. But try and grasp the content of the OP. He specifically wants opinions on centerfires, already has a rimfire and said nothing of 800 gophers, and he reloads. He's not inteested in your daily life, he wants opinions on centerfires.

Now this post gets the quote of the day award!!

It sums up at least half of the posts in this entire forum. Read the OP and answer its content. Awesome post Gitrdun!

mr.pike · #53 03-08-2013, 02:08 PM

Love, love, love the 223!!! I've got a 788, 700 tactical and a zkk601. Don't get out like I used to, but the 223 is IMHO the best all round critter calibre around, even if you reload or not, it's hard to beat.

Even just reading these posts are giving me the itch, lots of snow here, usually get a gopher the last week in march. Probably not going to happen this year. I'm going to wholesale Sports right now for some 52gr hp's and a few pounds of benchrest.

Dean2 · #54 03-09-2013, 05:20 AM

Since you reload you have many more interesting options. 17 Fireball, 17 HH, 221 Fireball, 22 Hornet, along with all the other ones mentioned. The 17 FB and the 22 Hornet are my longtime favourite centre fire gopher rounds. Both can be loaded for right around $15/50, so about the same price as shooting 17 HMR, no ricochets, fairly quiet and both are good well past 300 yards.