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Old 04-09-2017, 09:54 PM
Homes Outside Homes Outside is offline
 
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Default Caliber opinion

What would you consider the minimum caliber for beaver hunting? Jokes aside looking for actual opinion on what would be required for energy/foot pounds.
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Old 04-09-2017, 09:59 PM
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I never worried about the minimum , I used to shoot them in the ear and ear only , usually from a boat or canoe - a 22 short , to a 22 mag
Even shot them with a 30/30 handloads
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Old 04-09-2017, 10:05 PM
HunterDave HunterDave is offline
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.22 magnum. A .22lr won't penetrate the skull. It'll knock them out but you'll have to follow up to make sure.
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Old 04-09-2017, 10:24 PM
sourdough doug sourdough doug is offline
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C'mon Dave, we had an old girl over here down a grizz with 22 SHORTS. I've seen the skull, all head shots albeit quite a few..
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Old 04-09-2017, 10:45 PM
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Originally Posted by sourdough doug View Post
C'mon Dave, we had an old girl over here down a grizz with 22 SHORTS. I've seen the skull, all head shots albeit quite a few..
Yeah, so I've heard.....lol. It would NOT be my caliber of choice.

I used to shoot them with my 10/22 but I'd find bullets between the hide and skull so I went out and bought a .22 mag. It's much more effective. Bang = dead.

I wonder how a 17 hmr would work on a beaver skull.
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Old 04-09-2017, 11:26 PM
Yotesnare Yotesnare is offline
 
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Dave, 17hmr works well on beaver.
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Old 04-10-2017, 06:24 AM
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Dave, 17hmr works well on beaver.
Yes it does
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Old 04-10-2017, 06:51 AM
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Use the 20gr bullets in the HMR, they work well.

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Old 04-10-2017, 09:50 AM
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I have shot hundreds of Beaver, with a .22.

I own a 218 and two .22 magnums, all bought for Beaver hunting. I never use them. IMO they do too much damage and make too much noise, spooking other beaver in the area.

I bought the .22, I inherited the other rifles.

All the trappers I know use .22 and LR ammo for Beaver.

My preferance is hyper solids. I did use LR ammo for many years but I get better penetration with the hyper solids.
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Old 04-10-2017, 10:49 AM
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22 hornet or 17 hornet. If you reload its cheaper than a rim fire
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Old 04-10-2017, 08:04 PM
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For 22 LR I would presume a high velocity hollow point would be best out to approx 30 yards?
It's a small pond they have but they're making a hell of a mess and father in law wants em gone. If that don't work I'll just go straight to the 243
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Old 04-10-2017, 08:21 PM
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40Grain solid are better than HP for penetration.
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Old 04-10-2017, 09:21 PM
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I've shot lots with a 22 LR but I prefer the 22 Magnum. I have a new 17 Hornet that I really want to try this spring.
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Old 04-10-2017, 09:38 PM
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Depends do you plan to sell the hide. If not then 12 guagebwith bird shot is the best. Lol
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Old 04-10-2017, 09:42 PM
BeaverJim BeaverJim is offline
 
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I am a big fan of the 22 mag.lots of ammo choices now as well
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Old 04-10-2017, 10:00 PM
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I have shot many beavers as a kid with the 22lr. Also sunk lots. I have tried the 17hmr and the 22 mag. I prefer the 22 mag, shooting them in the ear or back of the head as they swim away.
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Old 04-10-2017, 11:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Homes Outside View Post
For 22 LR I would presume a high velocity hollow point would be best out to approx 30 yards?
It's a small pond they have but they're making a hell of a mess and father in law wants em gone. If that don't work I'll just go straight to the 243
Hollow points do not penetrate well enough for a clean kill, unless you go to one of the more powerful cartridges.
With enough velocity they do all right if you have no interest in the hide, but a .22 mag hollow point can take off half a beavers head.
Great if you just want to get rid of it, not so good if you are hunting for hides.
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Old 04-10-2017, 11:58 PM
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Just wack'em with a 22LR solid upside the head, dead, not too much damage, cheap ammo too.
The little cartridge is so underrated yet such a great cartridge.
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Old 04-11-2017, 06:32 AM
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Ive shot truckloads with my .22 mag now i favor my CZ .22 hornet.
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Old 04-11-2017, 07:30 AM
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I've shot beaver and badger with my 10/22 using CCI hp segmented (used to be called quick shock). We don't shoot many beaver but the challenge is getting close enough.
Doug
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Old 04-11-2017, 08:31 PM
Homes Outside Homes Outside is offline
 
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What would be considered "close enough" using a 22 LR
Point blank, 5 yard, 10 yard 25 yard?
Presuming high velocity either HP or Solid
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Old 04-11-2017, 08:57 PM
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About twenty yards is my farthest. I use solid point.
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Old 04-11-2017, 10:43 PM
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While the 17 hmr has plenty energy and the 22lr with a solid is effective I still give the nod to my buddies 22mag. Not sure the bullet type. Good distance if needed, good power not too explosive.
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Old 04-11-2017, 11:00 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Flight01 View Post
While the 17 hmr has plenty energy and the 22lr with a solid is effective I still give the nod to my buddies 22mag. Not sure the bullet type. Good distance if needed, good power not too explosive.
I just confirmed the scope on my .22 mag today and I have hollow points. It must be special alligator ammo though, Troy Landry from Swamp People has his picture on the box. Choot em! Choot em!
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Old 04-12-2017, 08:27 AM
calgarychef calgarychef is offline
 
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No one has mentioned FMJ bullets in the .22 mag, they don't do much damage to the hide but they do skip around a bit if that's a concern in the area you're shooting.
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Old 04-12-2017, 10:15 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
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Biggest problem is not so much the caliber of bullet, with my older age and the little suckers usually like to wait until last light to come out, I cannot see my sights well enough. I think they must read Alberta regulations that we cannot shot 30 minutes after sunset.
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Old 04-12-2017, 12:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf View Post
Biggest problem is not so much the caliber of bullet, with my older age and the little suckers usually like to wait until last light to come out, I cannot see my sights well enough. I think they must read Alberta regulations that we cannot shot 30 minutes after sunset.
I have the same problem. A good large objective scope helps but even then I have to call it quits while there is still legal light.

I've often thought a laser pointer might solve that problem but I never pursued the idea and never looked into whether they are legal or not.
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Old 04-12-2017, 01:15 PM
HunterDave HunterDave is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Big Grey Wolf View Post
Biggest problem is not so much the caliber of bullet, with my older age and the little suckers usually like to wait until last light to come out, I cannot see my sights well enough. I think they must read Alberta regulations that we cannot shot 30 minutes after sunset.
I had the same problem with the cheap scope that came on the rifle that I bought (rifle package). I bought a half decent .22lr Nikon scope at Cabela's and that helped tremendously.
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  #29  
Old 04-13-2017, 10:13 AM
Big Grey Wolf Big Grey Wolf is offline
 
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Dave high quality scope may be answer, but I like Kegs idea of laser pointer, does not seem like it would be illegal. Probably nothing in game laws anyway and most F & W boys like to see problem beavers removed.
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