Gopher Hunt 2024

K

KLS

Regular
Rating - 0%
0   0   0
Location
SK
What’s your go to gun/scope/ammo to harvest “gophers” (Richardson Ground Squirrel)?

I’m using CZ 457 22LR with Vortex 2-7x32 Crossfire II. I have some cheap Federal 36 gr hp ammo that I have to eat through. Tally as of today is ~100 of the buggers.

Tried my WK180 but failed 4 times so far.
 
My gopher getter is a Tikka T1X 20" bbl, Element Helix 6-24 in MDT rings. My usual fodder is CCI MiniMag HP's but have used the Fed 36 gr HP's as well.
 
Last edited:
Well, let's see here.... I have a whole bunch of .22's, four .17 hmr's, shotguns. I also have two SMLE conversions, one still the original "blown out .303 British", and one rechambered to proper .410. I have loaded some of each type cartridge, some with two .395 balls, some with flattened then sized to .410 balls, and some with a .410 cast bullet which I think is intended for .41 magnum. I hope to try them out on gophers, if I get into a good shoot. Both of these units have .410 bore from one end to the other.

I have also loaded some 32 Winchester Special with 170 gr. from my new mold. I hope to try that out as well. And I have a .22 cal LEE mold on the way, so maybe I'll get some .223 loaded and shoot a few rounds of that too.

Serious shooting, I use .22 lr hp of some sort and .17 hmr, with a few .22 mag thrown in.
 
We shoot a lot of ammo. I like mini mags, yellow jackets, my partner shoots cheep bulk ammo. We also shoot a few hundred rounds of 22 hornet. Most hp ammo works well. All fun! Guns are 2 CZ a Rem 541, 2 Ruger #3s (1 in hornet 1 khornet), and a #1 in hornet.
 
My son is buying Tikka T1X 17HMR with 4-16x42 Diamondback HP on it. No gopher should be safe.
 
I use a Ruger 10/22 Hardwood Carbine with the BX-22 trigger and wearing a Redfield Battlezone? 2-7x32 BDC scope. It shoots those 36gr Federal Blue Box hp's very well and it shoots the older Winchester Dyna-Point 40gr round nose ammo with pretty amazing accuracy. I haven't been out for gophers much the past 5 years. At the rate I am going through my 22 ammo stash I should be good until I'm 100 years old. Lol
 
.22 Mossberg 151M-B with a vintage weaver fixed 4 power
.22 CZ 457 MTR with a 6-24 Vortex Viper
Savage 93R17 .17HMR 6-24 Bushnell 4500

'Might give the Derya TM22 a whirl this year. It's wearing a Leupold VX-6HD
 
Last edited:
CZ 455 with IBI barrel and Vortex Viper PST 5-25 x50
Tikka T1X with Burris Fullfield E1 4.5-14x42 and 15 round NDR magazines
Grey Birch LDR 10-22 with Zeiss 1-6x24
and if a badger shows up a Tikka T3X with IBI 1:12 barrel in 222 rem with a Leupold VX6 4-25x52
 
Slayed a couple hundred today. For fun shot one with 223 and one with the 12 ga. The last week I’ve tried to get at least 50 or so per day. More keep coming up each day. It seems fruitless.
 
Last time I did it used a Winchester Wildcat 22LR with whatever ammo was on sale. Can't beat the 22 for sustainable high volume work. Sold that one and don't even own a 22 right now which is ridiculous but I am developing a 220 swift load... which would be fun if I could make it down to gopher country again
 
I was down at the range on Monday taking advantage of the gorgeous weather and getting ready to shoot a few gophers this spring. My all-time favorite gopher rig is this Sako Vixen .222 with a Burris scope.

718x9uH.jpg


I've had my 10/22 since the early 80s, and I usually use CCI Stingers for gophers. I've got a plain Weaver 4X on it, but it's a nice little gopher rig.

rcGn41a.jpg
 
Last edited:
I have a number of gopher getters, a browning BL2, a Christensen arms ranger but my favorite go to in my CZ455 varmint 17HMR it's a tack driver and it simply shreds gophers
 
Had to upgrade to a 17 HMR. Tried all the 17gr Vmax ammo CCI, Hornady, Federal, Browning it all seems to shoot the same. Try to get a few minutes in each day to keep on top of things.
 
Often it was more of gopher shooting as there were so many. Now it’s hunting, the crop and grass are much taller now thanks to some favorable weather thanks PMJT Carbon Tax! Hopefully very few left to make mounds and holes while devouring my crop. Have had a 2 fer, 3 fer, shot one on the run and one at 70yards with 2 ft of hold over for wind with 17 HMR. Several thousands of rounds.

Funny thing is the gophers keep moving into the areas I’ve shot out. They must migrate. The best bait is another fallen comrade. So many have been shot while dining on their brethren.
 
'Not a gopher, but... If only I had my .22 with me ;)

'Would only be a 60 yard shot off the back deck

CNQQKG5.jpg
 
Got too Cz 455 evolution & eley hollow points.
Fields of red hats...lol
17 HH CZ 527 varmint. 25gr bergers when the smart ones start 2 hide at distance..
Remington 579 with the bannana ..& golden bucks or fed.525 bulk packs.. no crawler making home today. Lol
Late season , tall grass 22-250 or 220sw , strech the legs out a bit
 
Rock River Arms Ar15, 20 inch heavy barrel, Nightforce NXS 8-32 scope.
Okay so that was quite a few years ago, prairie dogs and in South Dakota. I'm going to open the safe, hug my neglected AR and cry now....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom