Shooting Beaver
#7019412
10/17/20 12:10 AM
10/17/20 12:10 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489 Moved to Fbks, Ak.
martentrapper
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
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Done a fair amount of beaver hunting over the years. Mostly spring, but some fall. As I near retirement, hoping to do some preseason (marten season) beaver hunting/trapping. Not wanting to use the old 22 lr. I don't have a 22 mag. And the wife's 17 hmr isn't my cup of tea. Debating loading down the 223. I have a 14.5 barrel AR. Bought some 69 gr. Sierras. Wondering if I can get them slow enough, 1900-2000 MV maybe, so there isn't too much damage to the front part of the animal. Also, it has to cycle the action. Any experience, ideas.
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: martentrapper]
#7019444
10/17/20 12:50 AM
10/17/20 12:50 AM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,264 james bay frontierOnt.
Boco
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,264
james bay frontierOnt.
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I shot quite a few beaver with high power rifles-7.62 fmj is my favorite-head shots. 30-06 does the job too but you lose a size at auction.
Last edited by Boco; 10/17/20 01:00 AM.
Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: martentrapper]
#7020138
10/18/20 02:45 AM
10/18/20 02:45 AM
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Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490 Fairbanks AK
Aknative
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490
Fairbanks AK
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Slowing them down that much I'd be worried about cycling the AR, but I don't know much about ARs.
I get that you said you don't have a 22 magnum, but I prefer my 22 magnum to my 22LR for beaver. The extra speed seems to gives it a bit more forgiveness for less than perfectshots. Maybe just the excuse you need to buy another gun?
Rumors of my assimilation have been greatly exaggerated.
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: SE.Current]
#7020702
10/18/20 06:28 PM
10/18/20 06:28 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489 Moved to Fbks, Ak.
martentrapper
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
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I prefer the 6.5 Grendel for hunting and .223 for plinking. You will not regret purchasing a Grendel hunter upper I've got a 6.8 spc upper, actually 2, both rigged for hunting medium to large critters. The 223 with an 18 in. barrel will serve for any fur shooting. Would like a little more punch than the 22 mag for the same reason Ak Native said, forgiveness! I loaded some 69 grainers but need to get to the range to shoot.
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: martentrapper]
#7021412
10/19/20 03:41 PM
10/19/20 03:41 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,735 SW Alaska
otterman
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,735
SW Alaska
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my experience with shooting beaver is the 22 mag is perfect. The bigger the exit hole the quicker they tend to sink IMO take a dip net along it will save you a lot of time and pain looking for ones that go under
Last edited by otterman; 10/19/20 03:42 PM.
We get out of life only as much as we really want and work hard enough to achieve
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: martentrapper]
#7022088
10/20/20 10:34 AM
10/20/20 10:34 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,583 The Panhandle of Alaska
mad_mike
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,583
The Panhandle of Alaska
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I am a big fan of the 22mag also. They tend to be tack driving accurate and pack a fair bit of a punch for their size. You should be able to do head shots all day with one.
Advice? Wise men don't need it. Fools won't heed it.
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: martentrapper]
#7023298
10/21/20 02:32 PM
10/21/20 02:32 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263 NWT
Ryan McLeod
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
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I wouldn’t exactly call a 22 mag a one use gun. They’re awesome for a lot of stuff.
If you take care of the land the land will take care of you
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: martentrapper]
#7023467
10/21/20 06:35 PM
10/21/20 06:35 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263 NWT
Ryan McLeod
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
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I buy 40 grain FMJs by the carton. 22 Mag is my go to gun for bunnies and beavers. Id say ive shot 100+ wolves and 50+ wolverines with 22 mag over the years. very fur friendly with the FMJs. Pin hole in the hide. Im not saying its great for caribou but when youre close enough and have a steady hand it does the job just fine. Plus its just so much fun to shoot the mighty mouse 22
If you take care of the land the land will take care of you
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: martentrapper]
#7023771
10/21/20 10:58 PM
10/21/20 10:58 PM
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263 NWT
Ryan McLeod
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
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Well that settles it martentrapper. We’ve all decided that you’re buying a 22 magnum. Congratulations. You’re going to love it.
If you take care of the land the land will take care of you
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Re: Shooting Beaver
[Re: martentrapper]
#7024155
10/22/20 01:44 PM
10/22/20 01:44 PM
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,832 MT (Big Sky Country)
Allan Minear
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,832
MT (Big Sky Country)
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I'll second what Ryan mentioned I love my .22 mag I've used it to butcher more beef than you can imagine one and done in most cases unless you have to butcher a old range bull . It's a favorite of many of my friend's for raccoons and or deer hunting on the reservation . Another friend uses his to butcher buffalo on there ranch. The 40 gr solid is a great round , the PMR30 a .22 mag pistol is super popular with the houndmen hunting mtn lions across the west. Allan
Last edited by Allan Minear; 10/26/20 05:20 AM.
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