best caliber for gopher/ground squirrel

My gopher gun cartridges are 22LR, 17HMR and 223...

Remember some farmers don't want the loud boom of the larger centerfire rounds and the 17HMR is awesome out too 200 yards even on windy days.

I walk the fields and use a tripod for most of my longer range shots.
 
I'll never forget the first gopher I shot with a .17-my son was looking through the Bino's and he said 'Holy Crap it exploded'. We took a look and there was a big dead gopher with unborn gopherlings scatterted around her. They didn't have a mark on them. We usually take a .17, a 10/22 and something bigger out when we go shooting. I refuse to poison gophers on our place-wayy more fun to shoot them lol.
 
22 Long Rifle of some sort, and a small 22 centerfire, of whatever flavor you like. Mines a .223, because that's what was on the shelf, on consignment, that fateful day :)

Best done in a small group. Wander a bit, whack a bunch with the 22, then find a good vantage point, and lay out a pad or blanket. Two or more spotters, or hecklers, as the case may be, and take turns... good times.

Witnesses are handy. When yer doing good. Kinda wish the guys would shut up..... mumblemumble....:D

Cheers
Trev
 
It's a long way from the east coast to the gopher patches in Alberta. Don't let the tightwad's here talk you out of enough equipment to really have some fun on your trip.

You might get a sore ass from kicking yourself until the next time you come.......;)
 
22 lr, 17 hmr, 22 hornet, 223. Minimum requirements for full steam gopher wave attacks. Yes, there are times when you can keep four rifles hot all afternoon. There are days you hardly have time to drink your beer.
 
loading cost

M12shooter said:
X2... I can load 222 rem ammo for less that 17 HMR...and crank the little buggers well pat 200 yards.
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I frequently see guys saying they can load ammo in 204 or 223 for less than 17HMR costs? Bullets are about 20 cents,primers 3 cents, powder 10-12 cents,plus brass and your time to load 500 rounds. I don't see how this is less expensive than HMR? FS
 
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=EZw5oAHUfPw
mackillan said:
A 17hmr is the ultimate gopher gun but I prefer a .204 as can do longer distances and can pop a coyote if one appears. Typically one finds and area of holes and pop them as they emerge and stand up looking around. The .204 is a blast. Im looking forward to using some of the Barnes varmint grenades. The ordinary .204 makes them do a dance. Im hoping that the grenades makes gopher pizza.
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Fassteel said:
I frequently see guys saying they can load ammo in 204 or 223 for less than 17HMR costs? Bullets are about 20 cents,primers 3 cents, powder 10-12 cents,plus brass and your time to load 500 rounds. I don't see how this is less expensive than HMR? FS
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All that talk is just for dramatic effect......;):D
 
Fassteel said:
I frequently see guys saying they can load ammo in 204 or 223 for less than 17HMR costs? Bullets are about 20 cents,primers 3 cents, powder 10-12 cents,plus brass and your time to load 500 rounds. I don't see how this is less expensive than HMR? FS
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FS, my comment wasn't about the cost but more in the cost vs the performance, yes I can reload my 204, 22H, and 223's for about $.30 a round and get way more terminal areobatics than spending $.30 a round for disapointing (for me) performance. As for the time I spend reloading I cannot put a price on that as it improves and maintains my serenity.;)
 
Has anyone ever tried the Barnes .204 varmint grenades?
Cummins4x4 said:
FS, my comment wasn't about the cost but more in the cost vs the performance, yes I can reload my 204, 22H, and 223's for about $.30 a round and get way more terminal areobatics than spending $.30 a round for disapointing (for me) performance. As for the time I spend reloading I cannot put a price on that as it improves and maintains my serenity.;)
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mackillan said:
Has anyone ever tried the Barnes .204 varmint grenades?
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mackillan, the search function is your friend, just kidding ya!! I have the BVG's going 4150fps and grouping under 1", was late in the season when I got them loaded so only shot a couple of gophers with them. Absolutley awesome, total devastation, some of them the only piece I found was the head.
 
.22 and .223, walking is fine. If the farmer allows it drive and shoot from your truck. {Here come the howls from the cringers), the gophers don't spook at the sight of a vehicle whereas in areas where they've been heavily shot at they'll spook at the sight of people.
 
They arent even spooked by my car driving over them.
savagefan said:
.22 and .223, walking is fine. If the farmer allows it drive and shoot from your truck. {Here come the howls from the cringers), the gophers don't spook at the sight of a vehicle whereas in areas where they've been heavily shot at they'll spook at the sight of people.
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I have a box in my possession but have yet to load them. Im looking forward to gopher carnage all summer. I will have to get some more.
Cummins4x4 said:
mackillan, the search function is your friend, just kidding ya!! I have the BVG's going 4150fps and grouping under 1", was late in the season when I got them loaded so only shot a couple of gophers with them. Absolutley awesome, total devastation, some of them the only piece I found was the head.
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