1st Varmint With My New B30 (graphic)

Hey All,

Last year I pulled 30 of these buggers from my backyard using my Savage model 64 .22 rimfire.  Neighbors got a little b*tchy about the rimfire, even though I'm legal here.  So this year, I thought I'd get a B30 and be a "good neighbor", but still try and keep these things under control.  Woke up this morning, looked outside and sure enough, this one is hanging off of the bird feeder.  Opened the door to come outside with the B30, and like a flash he's gone.  Now this is not the first time this season for this guy, as he has the mark of a near hit from about a month ago (didn't have my Savage zeroed, but took the shot anyway because he was doing the bird feeder thing and didn't run...too close for the scope on the rimfire...grazed his right rear thigh...I know it's not "good" hunting to do take an uncertain shot...but man he was just too gutsy).  Well, I decided to hang out for a while (and be late for work..hehe), sure enough, about 30 minutes later, he shows up right next to my 40yd marker that I had used to site-in both the B30 and the Savage (I zeroed the rimfire at 50yd...yes, I have another marker there too...and zeroed the B30 at 20yd - another marker - and then fine-tuned the B30 for the 40 yd shot...50 was just a little too far out for the B30 with Predators, although I think with FTS's I could do it).  Got hom with a lung shot, knocked him over, he started to comando crawl, gone in less than 5 seconds.  Needless to say, bad day for him...good day for me.

Cheers,
-Doug

[shadow]

Very nice shootin guy, that baby of your's sure look's great laying there next to a fresh nutter. Again , great shot and pic. Ed

[longislandhunter]

Nice shot, great pic.  congrats......    :)

Jeff

[Big_Bill]

Good Shootin Doug,

Real pretty rifle you have there too !

You beat my best record so far, one year I took out 22 treerats, I still don't know were they all came from that year.

Real nice photo too.

Hey All,

Thanks for the compliments.  Yeah Bill, 30 squirrels seems like a lot, but take a look at my hunting range that nicely doubles as my backyard :)  Many folks didn't think we had a squirrel problem, even with the damage, but when they found out I pulled 30 last year...they finally agreed.  All except for one b*tchy neighbor (on our right), who has the most annoying dogs you'll ever want to hear.  Don't get me wrong, we love dogs.  I just think that they should be cared for and trained...that's all.  The guy actually called the sheriff on me (last year), and I had to spend about 15 minutes educating the constable on the local gun laws...whereby he agreed that I am actually legal to use my rimfire and hunt varmints on my property.  No ticket or citation was issued...just one educated lawman and no more hassles.  However, afterward I thought that if I moved to using and adult air rifle (the B30)...I'd keep in good graces with all the neighbors...even the freak next door.

Take a look at the pics below...they show the range (white markers planted on the ground) at varying zoom levels.  I have it marked-off at 15, 20, 30,40 and 50yds.  I shoot from my deck, so zeroing and sighting was a little different than from ground-level.  Once all sorted out, I put a small piece of paper on the inside of my rear scope cap (so that when you open the cap, you can see it), that shows my holdovers and windage offsets at each yardage.  Works pretty good.  I got today's kill at the 40yd, which is second from the fartherest out marker (the 50yd) and with about a 20mph cross-wind!

Cheers,
-Doug

[dw33]

Wow, can hunt while drinking a cup of coffee on the porch -- sweet.

[longislandhunter]

That really is a nice location you have there Doug.  Absolutely beautiful.  Can life get any better? I think not.  

Jeff

[Silo]

Great shooting, nice pic also, have to love the 40 yard marker hehe!

Yeah Silo, I could hardly believe that he was hanging just where I needed him to for a perfect zero shot.  The real trick will be to get them at the 50yd marker (the last one shown in the trees).  I think I'll need Charlie's tune before I can make that a reality, since there is just a bit of torque recoil that messes with my really long shots...blowing my groups up to about 2" out there.

Cheers,
-Doug

[patton123]

Your neighbors/ family must think your nuts w/ your markers....I LOVE IT.

Thanks for sharing and great shot.

[patton123]

Still laughing after 5 mins had to post again. Pull your yard markers and purchase a range finder and your neighbors will think you stopped hunting.


Eric

[nyairman]

Nice shot Doug. Nice place too. Thanks for sharing.

Greg