60 replies to this topic

[Flaccid Barrel]

A relative newbie to this forum and hunting in general. Just wanted to join in and share some pics.Used a Ruger 204. I know pic shows a shotgun, but that was afterwards when we tried some still hunting without success. All but 2 were shot at about 150 to 200 yards in the Cleveland National Forest over the course of several hours in the morning. After about 8 AM, they all disappeared back into their cover, or so it seemed.We had a great time and see how everyone here enjoys hunting so much.

[Thumper Dunker]

Nice going.

[peeker seeker]

There is nothing wrong with using the old scatter gun . thats a nise one you have there too and nice shooting.

[Frank]

Excellent... the 204 really can slay varmints then... which is good news since I picked mine (204) up today. Uh, what happened to your head? Sorry, but had to ask :)Anyway, cool pic & hunt and thanks for sharingFrank

[Cranky Farmer]

Nice haul! How many of you guys were out?

[Flaccid Barrel]

2 of us went out at first light. 5 Jacks and 4 cottontail. 8 of 9 taken with the 204. One jack (not shown) taken later with a 22-250. With that many rabbits , we are hopeful to call in a yote or two later this fall.As for the pic... well... my hunting partner's aim is as good with the camera as it is with his rifle

[Cranky Farmer]

That 204 and 22-250 make a MESS of those jacks!

[BullsEye]

I can't see a picture. Good job on the hunt.

[ShooterJohn]

Looks like he's removed the picture. He may not know that you have to leave it in his photobucket album for it to stay on the forum.

[Cranky Farmer]

Bring the picture back !!!

[Flaccid Barrel]

I can't see a picture. Good job on the hunt.

Very Sorry!!! Here is the pic! I accidentally changed its location while organizing my album on photobucket. Still learning.

[Cranky Farmer]

No worries, we all had to learn some how! I fixed the link for the picture in your first post for ya.

[1leg]

Where in the Cleveland National Forest?

[SpotandStalk]

You took the rabbits at 150-200 yards! Are you using sticks or are you a trained sniper? What ammo are you pumping through the 204 to get those results?S&S

[Flaccid Barrel]

Definitely using "Steady Stix" and scope 4-12x . Ammo is 40gr Hornady Vmax, those polymer tips rock! Looking to get some for the 22-250 and emulate the results that SMALLBLOCKFUELIE got on his jacks.

[Cranky Farmer]

Thank ya. Those explosive pills of mine were 40 grain V-Max. I've seen Switch have some pretty messy jacks with his 204 and those 39 grain rounds of his. He swears by it.

[.204 Sniper]

The 32 grainers would have blowed' em up a bit more! I'll have to get some fresh pics this weekend! My record with my 12 GA was 27 jackrabbits in 7 hours of kicking sage in the same 1 square mile area.There is a creek bottom that is the only water source around for quite a ways. It is surrounded by sagebrush flats. Whatever rabbits I miss when they flush, I note what general direction they headed. I'll do a huge loop and come back on them and try to get them to flush up a hill or something. I've had as many as six rabbits holed up in the same patch of brush 20 minutes after sweeping it. They get smart and hold tight. Most of my flushes are within 15-20 feet, so it pays to have a buddy or three walk a line with you.Good work with the .204!

[SpotandStalk]

The 32 grainers would have blowed' em up a bit more! Good work with the .204!

.204 Sniper. Wouldn't the 40grain V-Max provide more splat than the 32grain? SDhunt commented he took the rabbits at 150-200 yards. At 200 yards the 40grain is only 30 feet per second slower than the 32g, but retains 150 more ft lbs of energy. This is all things being equal with the bullet. Obviously a JHP or FMJ is going to cut where the V-Max has a polymer tip so it fragments and explodes. Let me know what you think. I'd love to hear SBF or SJ's opinion on this as well.

[Magic Chicken]

For me personally, the 40gr V-Max is more devastating and more accurate than the 32gr'ers...

[Switch]

I started out using the 40 gr. Hornandy's out of my Ruger VT .204. I saw similar results as you have in your picture. Relatively large holes, but most of the pieces are there. The 40 gr. were not very accurate out of my gun, a common deal with the .204 and the 40 gr. I picked up a few boxes of the 32 gr. and gave them a try. Yeah, not much left of the rabbits. I took shots out to 200-yards and frequently only found ears and tails. The 32 gr. was a lot more accurate out of my gun, but the little 32 gr. pill was devastating on jacks. I finally grabbed some 39 gr. Blitzkings and gave them a try. My gun loves them. Super accurate, a little better than the 32 gr. and a lot easier on the game. Longest shot to date, laser verified by SBF is 284-yards on a unsuspecting jack.

[SpotandStalk]

Switch,I'm going to go out and try a few 32grain V-Max this weekend as I have a 204 in my arsenal. Nothing better than a taste test. If the results are more "splat" friendly than the 40g V-Max I'll post the pic's. S&S

[Augnmike]

Spotandstalk, I can almost gaurantee that the 32's will be more explosive on game than the 40 or for that matter the 39 grain. Switch and I have had some experience with both the 32 and 39 grain and out of my Savage VLP the 32's will shoot consistent 3/4" groups and the 39's stay just under an inch which is better than it has to be for field use. Look forward to seeing what results you get out of your rig.

[.204 Sniper]

I've only shot the 32 grain Hornady's out of my gun......................Ft Lbs wise, the 40 grainers SHOULD do better..............???????????????? Haven't tried 'em yet.Only 1 'yote at 400 yards and lots of exploded jacks.

[SpotandStalk]

Everyone, thanks for all the feedback. If it ever cools down a bit, I'll go and try some motionless tactics on Mr. Wiley E. If I get desperate I'll wear some flip flops and twinkle my toes.

[SpotandStalk]

SDiego hunt, Any new photographs? I was out scouting for Deer this weekend in the Cleveland NF and I saw two guys off in the distance shootin' some rabbits and glassing some Quail. One of the guys looked a lot like you in your original posting? Any luck? S&S

[Flaccid Barrel]

SNS,Didn't go out this weekend. Too hot for me right now! Going to let it cool down just a bit and besides, we have had several brush fires in the area.SDHunt

[SpotandStalk]

SDiegoHunt,What kind of scatter gun are you using in your photo?S&S

[Dan]

I was thinking of trying out me new rifle down in the Clevland National Forest, since I have to work down there the next couple of weekends.

[Flaccid Barrel]

SDiegoHunt,What kind of scatter gun are you using in your photo?kS&S

It is a Beretta Silver Pigeon II. I have yet to break it in on any hares or such lagomorphs.

I was thinking of trying out me new rifle down in the Clevland National Forest, since I have to work down there the next couple of weekends. Give me a call if you ever want to hunt together. I'd love to go with someone who knows their way around down there. 805-290-0407

What part of the Cleveland National Forest are you located at? We generally go in the Descanso district but the area that we had found success (original post) has since dried up. We are actively looking into finding some new areas for rabbits; perhaps surrounding BLM lands just south of CNF. Looks good. Just have not had the time to scout it out. I will not be going out until November, but if we do, we will give you a holler.EBrum

[Tundra]

I would love to be able to sit hunt rabbits without freezing my butt off. looks like a blast. congrats!