~~It's that time again! Austin's NM Varmint Trip - v.2.0~~

[RedRocket1647545505]

Well, Summer is here and I'm heading back to New Mexico to my father's to destroy some varmints. :bangbang:

 

I'm taking some new guns. Some new calibers. Some new tactics. And about 50lbs. (not kidding) of tissue shredding, home-rolled ammunition. I'm going to rock this shit this time around.

 

I'll be flying out on Tuesday, June 22 at 0630, and coming back the following Monday morning. Six full days of varmint demolition.

 

My prey will be the same as last year: Cottontails, Jackrabbit hares, Wild hogs (Texas), and my good friend, Wile E. Coyote:

 

http://i48.tinypic.com/8znvko.jpg

 

I've not taken any pictures yet, but will update this thread on Tuesday when I arrive in NM, and will also try to update it daily while I'm there. In the meantime, here's last year's thread for you guys to get caught up on:

 

http://www.columbusracing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68547

 

And as before:

THERE WILL BE GORE IN THIS THREAD!!! (more than last year....)

 

:bangbang::bangbang::bangbang:

[oh8sti]

dont drop your guns in sand this time.

[RedRocket1647545505]

dont drop your guns in sand this time.

 

This years pig gun loves the sand...

[unfunnyryan]

Can I come?

[RedRocket1647545505]

Can I come?

 

Sure

[Otis Nice]

Can't wait for pics. Rad through your whole thread from last year. Awesome.

[OGRE]

i need a varmint rifle sooo bad . . .

[RedRocket1647545505]

Tue

Jun 22

http://i.imwx.com/web/common/wxicons/45/32.gif?12122006

Sunny

103°

69°

 

 

Wed

Jun 23

http://i.imwx.com/web/common/wxicons/45/32.gif?12122006

Sunny

100°

68°

 

 

Thu

Jun 24

http://i.imwx.com/web/common/wxicons/45/32.gif?12122006

Sunny

97°

68°

 

 

Fri

Jun 25

http://i.imwx.com/web/common/wxicons/45/32.gif?12122006

Sunny

98°

69°

 

 

Sat

Jun 26

http://i.imwx.com/web/common/wxicons/45/34.gif?12122006

Mostly Sunny

99°

68°

 

 

Sun

Jun 27

http://i.imwx.com/web/common/wxicons/45/34.gif?12122006

Mostly Sunny

97°

68°

 

 

 

http://www.thomas-galvin.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/fuuuuuuu.png

[Primera]

It's crazy how consistent that weather forecast is. You'll never see something like that in Columbus.

[smokin5s]

so how are you transporting all of those firearms if you are flying? I could imaging that would be a huge PITA.

[lowridns1020]

so how are you transporting all of those firearms if you are flying? I could imaging that would be a huge PITA.

 

I would imagine he's using a SKB case equipped with TSA lock's. He will pay a fee for the extra bag, sign a paper stating the firearm's are unloaded, fly to New Mexico, go to baggage claim and hope none of the airport personnel has fucked with anything or stole anything.

[HotCarl]

What guns are you taking with you Austin? Or what do you plan on using?

[RedRocket1647545505]

I would imagine he's using a SKB case equipped with TSA lock's. He will pay a fee for the extra bag, sign a paper stating the firearm's are unloaded, fly to New Mexico, go to baggage claim and hope none of the airport personnel has fucked with anything or stole anything.

 

This. It's actually pretty easy.

 

What guns are you taking with you Austin? Or what do you plan on using?

 

AK-47 = Pig gun

AR-15 = varmint gun

G23 = trusty BUG

FN 5.7

S&W Trophy Match 1911

[Scotty2Hotty]

Can't wait to see! The forcast there sounds exactly like the weather here in Afghanistan. I'd personally love to see what .17 Reminton Fireball would do to a jackrabbit.

[Rob1647545496]

Good luck. let me know how everything works out. can't wait to hear how well those rounds shoot, what load did you end up going with what was the fps. if i had more vacation i would have joined you for sure.

[RedRocket1647545505]

Good luck. let me know how everything works out. can't wait to hear how well those rounds shoot, what load did you end up going with what was the fps. if i had more vacation i would have joined you for sure.

 

Will do.

 

My final loads were:

-40gr. Hornady V-Max w/ 25gr. of Alliant reloader 7 = ~3,600fps

-40gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips w/ 25gr. of Alliant reloader 7 = ~3,650fps (higher BC than V-Max)

-36gr. Barnes Varmint Grenades w/26gr. Alliant reloader 7 = ~3,900fps.

 

Out of a 16" barrel.......

 

Anything over 26gr. was showing signs of overpressure, and 27.5gr was pushing the 36gr. BVGs to a hair over 4,300fps, but was blowing the primers out. Whoops.

 

I wanted to load up some 36gr. BVGs into some .22-250, but ran outta time. Could have probably pushed them to 4,600+fps. :bangbang: I'll just have to try that load on some Ohio whistle pigs.

[jeffro]

i need a varmint rifle sooo bad . . .

 

i got a nice 22 LR with a nice scope that will hit a pop can from 100 yards

[RedRocket1647545505]

Flight left @ 0630 this morning. Made it in to Midland, TX @ 1015 their time (1215 here). Drove the ~100 to Hobbs and unpacked my crap. Plan for the day was to grab some BBQ (shit's awesome in this area), tinker with my guns a little bit to finish them up, and take some guns to the range to waste some ammo.

 

Anyways, here's some pics of what we're working with this year:

 

-This year's pig blaster. It's mostly sand-proof, which I learned last year is something I require in a pig gun. Bulgarian SSR-85C AK-47. As much as it pains me to say this, I ordered a Tapco forearm for it because I need a couple rails on it and that was the easiest way. The forearm should be here tomorrow. Then I'll strap a light and laser (another embarrassment for me). As much as I hate them, they really do come in handy for blasting pigs at night @ 40mph. Also has a worked over FCG by me.

http://i45.tinypic.com/348ncw9.jpg

 

This year's new varmint gun. Pieced it together myself.

-Mega U/L

-Oly Arms UltraMatch 16" 1:10 bbl. Carbine gas system.

-Ace ARFX stock

-MagPul FDE MOE grip, MOE trigger guard, 20rd. Mags

-DPMS LPK, LoPro gasblock, TiNi BCG,

-Badger Ord. CH latch (awesome)

-JP/Vtac Midlength free float forearm

-RRA cantilever scope mount

-Redfield 2-7x32 scope (made by Leupold) Great value/$

-FCG worked over by me

 

http://i46.tinypic.com/20sujc4.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/97mbyc.jpg

 

500rd. 7.62x39 HPs:

http://i49.tinypic.com/r8wns5.jpg

 

1,000rd. home-rolled .223

-250 NBTs

-250 V-Maxs

-500 BVGs

http://i50.tinypic.com/ea2t5c.jpg

[RedRocket1647545505]

Dad's stash where he's staying now. He's got more back in Ohio.

http://i45.tinypic.com/30cy81u.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/2ngd4c5.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/e0gbow.jpg

All these are full of assorted ammo, except for the blue and red totes on the right

http://i47.tinypic.com/10xri4z.jpg

Ammo can is full

http://i47.tinypic.com/j6og2r.jpg

[RedRocket1647545505]

One of his newer 1911s. This one probably won't ever get shot.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2wowpk1.jpg

http://i50.tinypic.com/14twmli.jpg

 

His new SA Trophy Match 1911 and FN 5.7. Bought in Ohio, and I brought them out to him. The FN will be his varmint sidearm. This thing feels like a complete piece of plastic shit, but it sure does shoot good. Trigger sucks, though.

http://i48.tinypic.com/2a4579.jpg

 

I think that's it for now. Heading out @ 0400 tomorrow to go call some coyotes. More pics to come.

[Skinner]

awesome.

[RedRocket1647545505]

Kill pics to come...

[RedRocket1647545505]

Got into the field @ 0500 for our first coyote stand of the day.

http://i46.tinypic.com/2mq9err.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/11tvkbc.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/25tx3cz.jpg

 

Made one stand here, and 2 more at other locations. My father did the calling, and I was to do the shooting. Unfortunately, though, we didn't see a single coyote all day. We did, however, see one about 30ft off the road last night as we were going to the range. I started to shoot it with the 5.7, but it was a little too close to civilization for my comfort, so I let him walk.

 

We spent the rest of the day driving around for other varmints. First jackrabbit of the day was seen about ~350yd off, down in a valley, as we were leaving our last coyote stand. The farthest I had shot the AR at that point was 200yd. I grabbed some shooting sticks and took up aim while standing. I figured the bullet would drop 6-12" at that distance, so I held a bit over his body. The wind was also blowing about 10mph from my right, so I held right about a foot. Lit one off, and it just skimmed over the top of his back, but my SWAG windage was spot on. At that point, he ran about 10 feet and stopped. What luck. I readjusted my hold over, kept the same windage hold, and lit off another.

 

He flew about 2ft in the air, and landed with a flop; dead. Not too bad, IMO, for a 16" bbl slinging a 36gr. BVG.

http://i50.tinypic.com/wtbn8h.jpg

[RedRocket1647545505]

Kill count for today is 9.

 

This one was resilient. Hit him the first time in the ribs ~100yd. He fell over, so I started to get back in the truck. I looked at him again, and he had somehow managed to get back up, and start running away. So I put another straight up his ass.

http://i50.tinypic.com/261yzh5.jpg

 

Spotted this little tender guy a little while later about 20ft off the road. North american antelope/speed goat.

http://i48.tinypic.com/sfxkl4.jpg

 

He ran away when I tried to pet him.

http://i45.tinypic.com/mrwns5.jpg

 

More to come.

[Drewhop]

I love these threads.