Wilderness Trapping and Living


No Profanity *** No Flaming *** No Advertising *** No Anti Trappers *** No Politics
No Non-Target Catches *** No Links to Anti-trapping Sites *** No Avoiding Profanity Filter


Home~Trap Talk~ADC Forum~Trap Shed~Wilderness Trapping~International Trappers~Fur Handling

Auction Forum~Trapper Tips~Links~Gallery~Basic Sets~Convention Calendar~Chat~ Trap Collecting Forum

Trapper's Humor~Strictly Trapping~Fur Buyers Directory~Mugshots~Fur Sale Directory~Wildcrafting

Trapper's Tales~Words From The Past~Legends~Archives~Kids Forum~Lure Formulators Forum


~Dobbins' Catalog~

ATS
(Please support Ted's Fur Shed, our sponsor for the Wilderness Page)


Alaska Trappers Association

Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Shooting Beaver #7019412
10/17/20 12:10 AM
10/17/20 12:10 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
M
martentrapper Offline OP
trapper
martentrapper  Offline OP
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
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.

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7019444
10/17/20 12:50 AM
10/17/20 12:50 AM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,264
james bay frontierOnt.
B
Boco Offline
trapper
Boco  Offline
trapper
B

Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 45,264
james bay frontierOnt.
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.[Linked Image]

Last edited by Boco; 10/17/20 01:00 AM.

Forget that fear of gravity-get a little savagery in your life.
Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7019728
10/17/20 01:34 PM
10/17/20 01:34 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
M
martentrapper Offline OP
trapper
martentrapper  Offline OP
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
The one time I used an 06 I wasn't satisfied with the end result. Saw some youtubes using the 6.5 Grendel. Appeared to work without much damage.

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7020138
10/18/20 02:45 AM
10/18/20 02:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490
Fairbanks AK
Aknative Offline
trapper
Aknative  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 490
Fairbanks AK
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.
Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7020430
10/18/20 12:20 PM
10/18/20 12:20 PM
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 188
Southeast, Alaska
S
SE.Current Offline
trapper
SE.Current  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 188
Southeast, Alaska
I prefer the 6.5 Grendel for hunting and .223 for plinking. You will not regret purchasing a Grendel hunter upper

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: SE.Current] #7020702
10/18/20 06:28 PM
10/18/20 06:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
M
martentrapper Offline OP
trapper
martentrapper  Offline OP
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
Originally Posted by SE.Current
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.

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: Aknative] #7020774
10/18/20 07:33 PM
10/18/20 07:33 PM
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,776
Pennsylvania
P
patrapperbuster Offline
trapper
patrapperbuster  Offline
trapper
P

Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 1,776
Pennsylvania
I"m with Aknative. .22 mag is perfect gun. It's not what ya shoot 'em with, it's where ya shoot 'em. an accurate shot is what really matters. Beaver is some good eating!

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7021412
10/19/20 03:41 PM
10/19/20 03:41 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,735
SW Alaska
otterman Offline
trapper
otterman  Offline
trapper

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,735
SW Alaska
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
Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7021621
10/19/20 08:14 PM
10/19/20 08:14 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
Trapset Offline
trapper
Trapset  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
Not sure about the .223 but a .22mag is just the ticket imo. I had a cousin who used .243 with home cast solid lead bullets on beaver and they had close to zero expansion.
Like the dip net Otterman recommended, a handy tool is a long willow with a large hook wired to one end like a gaff hook, barb squeezed down.

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7021773
10/19/20 10:40 PM
10/19/20 10:40 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,128
McGrath, AK
W
white17 Online content

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
white17  Online Content

"General (Mr.Sunshine) Washington"
W

Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,128
McGrath, AK
I have to agree . The 22 mag is by far the best medicine for this activity.


Mean As Nails
Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7022088
10/20/20 10:34 AM
10/20/20 10:34 AM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,583
The Panhandle of Alaska
M
mad_mike Offline
trapper
mad_mike  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,583
The Panhandle of Alaska
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.
Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7022242
10/20/20 02:17 PM
10/20/20 02:17 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
M
martentrapper Offline OP
trapper
martentrapper  Offline OP
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,489
Moved to Fbks, Ak.
I don’t have a 22 mag and not excited to buy a mostly one use gun.

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7023298
10/21/20 02:32 PM
10/21/20 02:32 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
Ryan McLeod Offline
trapper
Ryan McLeod  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
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
Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7023417
10/21/20 05:10 PM
10/21/20 05:10 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
Trapset Offline
trapper
Trapset  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
They Make a sub sonic reduced noise load now also. Makes the mag even more versatile. I’m thinking about using my 5 round spare clip loaded with these for dispatch and my 10 round for the bigger jobs.

[Linked Image]

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7023467
10/21/20 06:35 PM
10/21/20 06:35 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
Ryan McLeod Offline
trapper
Ryan McLeod  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
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
Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7023577
10/21/20 08:24 PM
10/21/20 08:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
Trapset Offline
trapper
Trapset  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
Yup, the Winchester 40gr FMJ is my go to for Coon hunting as well. Had some hollow points punch through the hide but then just trace in the fat instead of penetrating. Haven’t had a FMJ do that.

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7023771
10/21/20 10:58 PM
10/21/20 10:58 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
Ryan McLeod Offline
trapper
Ryan McLeod  Offline
trapper

Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 3,263
NWT
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
Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7023943
10/22/20 08:01 AM
10/22/20 08:01 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
Trapset Offline
trapper
Trapset  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,517
Nebraska
grin

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7024035
10/22/20 10:52 AM
10/22/20 10:52 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
T
traprjohn Offline
trapper
traprjohn  Offline
trapper
T

Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,165
Central NC
i'd ask the experts here if it was me https://www.ar15.com/forums/ar-15/
i have down loaded a .218 Bee for that purpose so cannot help too much.
But the guys on any black rifle forum, and there's several, probably can give ya load recipes as well.
Don't forget www.handloadersbench.com too. Bout my second favorite site besides Greybeards.


www.sevenoakstrappingsupplies.com for trap mods and gear
The 10 Commandments are not suggestions.
Buy a soldiers meal EVERY chance you can.

Re: Shooting Beaver [Re: martentrapper] #7024155
10/22/20 01:44 PM
10/22/20 01:44 PM
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,832
MT (Big Sky Country)
A
Allan Minear Offline
trapper
Allan Minear  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 11,832
MT (Big Sky Country)
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.

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

Moderated by  akntrpr, Ol' Blister, otterman 

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.1