Thanks for all the posts/input guys-been allot of fun reading the responses! 
Not too many surprises mind you-fast/hollow points on gophers=pretty much all that's required, though I've been fortunate to have had a go at them with .223, 45/70, .308, 17HMR, 12ga etc. However, 99% of the shots I've taken have been with 22LR, shooting CCI Blazer that has been run through a Waltz die. I've run CCI Blazer/solids to see the difference, it's like night and day. Solids dispatch gophers of course, but not in the way a good HP does. I could expand on what I mean, but I think we all know.
^well, hit a gopher (not much bigger than a chipmunk) with about 1,000 ft./lbs of energy and the results are remarkable. I won't deny that. lol If money were no object, centerfire would definitely play a bigger role in my vacation plans but carting guns/ammo across the country is a bit pricey. I'm inclined to stick to what works/is most economical and as a result, I stick to the .22. Speaking with one of the ranchers recently, he mentioned he had a rifle he wanted me to try out next time I'm out there. And it's not a .22. lol
As a visiting gophernator, my perspective is limited of course...but in saying that, most of the landowners/ranchers I've met use .22s. I won't say they "expect" us to use them as well, but I think it's important to communicate what you ARE using as a guest. We often find ourselves near buildings, livestock etc. and I know that blasting away with a .223 on some of those smaller properties would not be welcome. The "crack-ssss-POP" of 17HMR isn't much louder than HV 22 when we're in these spots.
"Small" being a relative term. lol
Not too many surprises mind you-fast/hollow points on gophers=pretty much all that's required, though I've been fortunate to have had a go at them with .223, 45/70, .308, 17HMR, 12ga etc. However, 99% of the shots I've taken have been with 22LR, shooting CCI Blazer that has been run through a Waltz die. I've run CCI Blazer/solids to see the difference, it's like night and day. Solids dispatch gophers of course, but not in the way a good HP does. I could expand on what I mean, but I think we all know. ^well, hit a gopher (not much bigger than a chipmunk) with about 1,000 ft./lbs of energy and the results are remarkable. I won't deny that. lol If money were no object, centerfire would definitely play a bigger role in my vacation plans but carting guns/ammo across the country is a bit pricey. I'm inclined to stick to what works/is most economical and as a result, I stick to the .22. Speaking with one of the ranchers recently, he mentioned he had a rifle he wanted me to try out next time I'm out there. And it's not a .22. lol
As a visiting gophernator, my perspective is limited of course...but in saying that, most of the landowners/ranchers I've met use .22s. I won't say they "expect" us to use them as well, but I think it's important to communicate what you ARE using as a guest. We often find ourselves near buildings, livestock etc. and I know that blasting away with a .223 on some of those smaller properties would not be welcome. The "crack-ssss-POP" of 17HMR isn't much louder than HV 22 when we're in these spots.
"Small" being a relative term. lol
