Here 'chucky 'chucky!!!

[efw]

I took my 8 yo to a client's place last evening to cruise the soybean fields for 'chucks. I've shot a couple there but FINALLY remembered the camera. I also brought along a new load running 60 gr Sierra HPs charged w/ IMR4895 doing "only" about 3450, but which prints tiny little groups at 100 through my HW Creighton 03-A3 chambered to 6mm-250.

It was my intention to set Samuel up on the rifle, but as we came around to get set up we were surprised by a little guy who ran up onto his mound and was about to go into his hole. I shot him in the right shoulder offhand at a paced-off 62 yds:

He even had the customary "last bite" in his mouth!!

Hopefully soon I'll be able to post one up of my photographer with the gun and kill!!

 

[DrMike]

Now, that's what I'm talkin' 'bout, Eric! Good show. The last bite is very important for a chuck. Your boy will get his chance shortly, I have no doubt.

 

[JD338]

Nicely done buddy!
Looking forward to your son's success and trophy picture.

JD338

 

[257 Ackley]

Nice shooting Eric...I have a friend that lives around Kalamazoo that does quite a bit of chuck shooting! You guys must have a better population of them than we have in Minnesota.

 

[efw]

Thanks AI!

That is the THIRD 'chuck I've knocked off w/ that rifle from those mounds!!!

We have GREAT populations of these buggers. The damage they do is truly astounding. Right there by that colony was a bare spot about the size of my front yard where those fat pigs had been feeding.

Just as we were beginning our lap around the field through the horseyard, two little bucks came running right at us. I've got permission to hunt this gentleman's property anytime, and for any game. Pretty cool; he is quite a generous guy and has some gorgeous property!

 

[257 Ackley]

Maybe when I am in the area next time bringing Jim his 300 grain partitions you can show me what it is like! My only problem when traveling through is that I am usually on a business trip to large metro areas, and don't really want to pack rifles that will sit in hotel parking lots for several days. I would love to test this little Marlin 243 with the 70 grain BT's on a whistle pig!

 

[efw]

Yeah that'd be REALLY great! We could knock off a 'chuck or two, grab a burger at a local dive, and have a great time!

I've got a couple varmint rifles so we'd be well armed whether you're able to bring a rifle or not...
one of them happens to have your name on it... 257 AI, that is !

 

[6mm Remington]

Very nice job! That sure is a nice looking 03-A3!

 

[SJB358]

Nice shooting Eric! Those woodchucks are some fun to shoot! Scotty

 

[efw]

Thanks 6mmRem; I've fallen in love with this thing. I put up a description of it w/ better pics on this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=16263

Yeah Scott those 'chucks are an awful lotta fun to chase for sure! This client of mine gets a kick out of my idea of "full service banking" as I swing by his place and protect his other green crops!

I've got a commercial mauser action and beautiful XX grade french walnut JRS classic stock, and am strongly considering building another 'chuck rifle in 22-250, 243 Win, or 308 Win due to a deal on SS barrels I found on MidwayUSA.

I'm flat broke, and I have had fantastic results from the cheapo A&B on my 257 AI, so I'm considering one of these three, all SS and <$150:

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=385651
This one looks good, but I don't care a lick for the ROT; 1-in-14"!?!?!!?!

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=657661
This one looks great, but since I have this 6-250 it'd be redundant in a 1-in-10" twist? I suppose I could go 6mm Rem or 6mm Rem AI to make it different??

http://www.midwayusa.com/viewProduct/?p ... ber=753330
This one looks fantastic, way more rifle than needed for 'chucks, but thats what 125 NBTs & Speer TNTs are for, right? Besides, everybody HAS TO have a .308 and I don't right now! Talk about a steel-clangin' dude; I'd blast away on this thing hoping to burn through the barrel just in practice!!! I love it! Of course they're not in stock right now...

What do you guys think?

 

[SJB358]

6mm Rem AI would be very cool Eric! I know it is in the middle of my wish list. Scotty

 

[efw]

6mm Rem AI would be very cool Eric! I know it is in the middle of my wish list. Scotty

Right on. My only objection to using one of these barrels for that is the fact that the .243 barrel has a 1 in 10" twist, which is too slow for the 105 Amax that'd REALLY scream to be fired through ANY 6mm AI!!!!

The other cartridge (wouldn't go there w/ these barrels) that I've thought would be sweet would be a .22-6mm Rem w/ a 1 in 8" twist varmint-contour barrel.

So many cartridges, so little time (AND $$$$$$!!!) !!!

 

[efw]

We had just crossed the horseyard on our first lap around the field when we had two little bucks run right up toward us. I was scrambling to get my camera without spooking them, and got one pic:

There is an 85 gr HPBT with that little dude's name all over it... that and a bottle of Dale's Marinade!!!!!!!!

 

[DrMike]

Curious little critter, ain't he? I wouldn't imagine that he will prove quite so incautious in a couple of months.

 

[efw]

No doubt. I was woodchuck hunting, after all. If I'd have been deer hunting we'd have seen loads of big, plump turkeys, squirrels, and 'chucks but any bucks?

You know how that goes... :wink:

 

[257 Ackley]

So many cartridges, so little time (AND $$$$$$!!!) !!![/quote]

The lament of most of us. I would hate to think of some of the goofy calibers I would try if money wasn't the deciding factor :roll:

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Ditto 257 Ackley...all the same, that 03-A3 is a nice looking rifle. I like the classic look of it and according to the other posts it shoots well too! Can't beat that.

 

[efw]

Thanks, fj6e. I have a soft spot for Springfields, Mausers, and CRF Winchesters though I'm sad to admit that I've never scratched that last itch.

This rifle was taken in as payment to a 'smith who'd done work for a guy who lost his job before he paid the bill. It was really, really rough with a fair bit of pitting on the bolt knob, bottom metal/trigger guard, and barrel and the stock finish was so thin that when my FFL pulled the scotch-taped invoice off the cheek peice it tore the finish off w/ it!

I had the seller recrown the barrel and had reloads worked up before I even had a hold of the rifle. I have to admit having fallen in love with this little wildcat! The 22-250 has a cult following as does its parent, but with the popularity of the .243 Win the 6-250 just never caught on I guess. It's a shame cuz it is everything the .243 is and then some with less blast and VERY near equal performance velocity-wise.

When I saw my first three shots on paper I decided to put a Timney trigger in it, have it parkerized, refinish the stock, and find a period-correct scope to put on top of it. That K6 has really opened my eyes to just how 'over scoped' many of rifles really are, as I've "killed" gallon milk jugs out to 400 yards w/ it and not had any problems.

This is one of those rifles that I hold in the evening and fondle and dry fire just for that warm fuzzy feeling you get from hangin' with an old friend... drives my wife nuts :twisted: !

 

[filmjunkie4ever]

Yeah I know what you mean man! Thats the way it is for me and a few of mine! Scratch that Winchester itch when you get a chance EFW, you wont be sorry. You have a great taste in guns, Win 70 CRF, Mausers and Springfields happen to be my favs as well. With the Savage 99 and an occasional Rem 700 (old style) and Ruger 77 thrown in there... :wink:

That does sound like a great cartridge. I have been looking hard at that 6.5 Creedmore which is a 22-250 necked up and blown out to a sharper shoulder.