A Great Chisler Rifle: Smith & Wesson M&P 15-22

by
posted on April 10, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
lessons_ah2015_fs.jpg (4)

undefinedOne of my favorite things to do this time of year is shoot chislers. Whether you call them ground squirrels, gophers, picket pins or chislers, it’s a great way to sharpen your shooting and range-finding skills. I’ve shot them with everything from .17 HMR to .30-06, but I now have a new favorite.

While there are those who favor the AR platform as a deer or big game gun, my preference for it is as a varmint rifle. In its original civilian chambering—.223 Remington—the AR is my idea of a perfect varminter. Recoil is mild; the semi-auto feature takes the work out of getting the rifle ready for the next shot; magazine capacity is a boon to those of us who would rather shoot than load; and the rifles can be just about as accurate as a bolt gun.

But a couple of years ago I found an AR I like even better than the centerfire—Smith & Wesson’s M&P 15-22. I shot one that came from the S&W Performance Center extensively on a Smith & Wesson shoot near Encampment, Wyo. By the time we were done I told Matt Rice of Blue Heron Communications—S&W’s PR firm—that I simply had to have one. A couple of months later it arrived, along with four extra 25-round magazines. I mounted a Trijicon 3-9x40 scope on it and started going to town on the local chisler population—which, unfortunately, isn’t too large.

Last year I made a trip to Emmett, Idaho, where an old hunting buddy, Alan Roberts, lives. The chisler situation is better there. We spent three days wearing them down, and my Performance Center M&P 15-22 never missed a beat. It’s accurate, dependable and has a great trigger. Now that we seem to finally be getting some spring weather, I am chomping at the bit to check its zero and head back out to wear them down some more. At an MSRP of $789, it isn’t cheap, but the good stuff never is. This is one of those if you don’t buy it, you’ll regret it guns.

Latest

Ledegrasssland
Ledegrasssland

Grassland Conservation Funds Available in Ohio

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has $9 million in funding available for landowners who want to create grassland habitat that can support native wildlife, like northern bobwhite quail and other grassland-nesting birds.

New for 2025: Texas Hunter Products Trophy Quail Feeder

Texas Hunter Products has launched its the Trophy Quail Feeder, engineered to meet the diverse needs of landowners, hunters, and conservationists nationwide.

Hardware Review: Leupold VX-6HD Gen 2

This year Leupold introduced the VX-6HD Gen 2 series of scopes. Read our Hardware review of it here.

First Look: MDT Timbr Core Rifle Stock and Core Bottom Metal

MDT has announced that the Timbr Core Rifle Stock and Core Bottom Metal are now available.

#SundayGunday: Burris Signature HD 15x56mm Binocular

This week on #SundayGunday, we’re taking a break from things that go bang and setting our sights on a key piece of gear for spotting your quarry, the Burris Signature HD 15x56mm Binocular.

First U.S. Citizen Contracts New World Screwworm

On Aug. 24 HHS confirmed a Maryland resident—who recently traveled to El Salvador—is the first documented human case of New World Screwworm (NWS) in the United States. Presence of the parasitic larvae (maggots) was confirmed on Aug. 4 after studies conducted by the CDC and the Maryland Department of Health.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.