Earlier this spring during a lull in activity, I was cleaning up the shop and organizing for the impending rush of projects coming in. As usual, I got the vault straightened up first just to see what I might have available in stock. Low and behold, I found a .22 caliber barrel with what I thought was stamped as a 7" twist. Not my usual purchase so I ran a rod through it to measure that twist and yes, it was a 1:7".
Interestingly enough, I already had the Alpha brass and of all things, Hornady 90 grain A-Tip bullets! I checked the reamer drawer and found that I had the .22 Creedmoor reamer and gauge ready to go. Well, there went the 'free time'!
The load I worked up was the result of wanting a cooler burning powder since I had a longer barrel (26") and I was going to use a suppressor. A full case of VVN-160 under those 90 grain A-Tips yielded a slightly lax 3200+fps for an accuracy load.
Fast forward to a bit ago and a text I got from one of the farmers I help when needed. Evidently, two coyotes had discovered his rather large chicken coop and made a mess while feasting on his layers. They even got a couple of the roosters!
I arrived during a rather cool day loaded down with my practical shotgun and what else? My brand new .22 Creedmoor. The farm was a little spread out so a longer shot was to be expected. We followed some of the tracks and feathers across the field and down into a shallow gully leading towards the woods. From the coop to the woods, probably 950 yards. On the walk back, we passed another small woods on his property with a wooden tree stand, maybe 10 ft. high just in from the edge of those woods. Thankfully, there was a manufactured ladder bolted onto the tree.
I napped for a short while, had a bite of supper then grabbed the rifle and rangefinder to make my way to the tree stand in the lingering daylight. I wanted a couple of references for distance from the tree stand to the woods. I settled in to wait.
There was a very nice moon providing some illumination, behind my back fortunately, just enough for the shot.
In they came, drooling I'm sure with thoughts of another meal of fresh chicken. They paid no attention to me, so I shot the trailing coyote full in the chest, rapid reload and shot the leading dog full in the face as he looked up. The carnage was significant.
Checking the rangefinder the next day indicated both shots were about 310 yards close as i could tell.
I need to try this out on spring prairie dogs!
. I had the same questions.
