Spring has arrived, and, of course, we’ve got a forecast calling for snow. It won’t last, and soon temps will climb back into the 60s and perhaps the low 70s. A lot of guys are getting worked up in anticipation of turkey season. I’ve killed three turkeys, and while turkey hunting is OK by me, I confess that I am not struck with the turkey bug. What trips my springtime trigger is shooting picket pins (ground squirrels) and prairie dogs.
On a ground squirrel/coyote hunt in eastern Oregon, I had the chance to test the MVP (Mossberg Varmint Predator) in both the Varmint and Predator versions. These guns are worthy of consideration for four basic reasons. First, they are extremely accurate. Second, they accept standard AR-15 magazines (we used both five- and 20-shot mags). Third, they can take all the field abuse you can give them and still deliver. And fourth, the price is right.
My first centerfire handgun was a Smith & Wesson Model 27 in .357 Mag. The versatility of the cartridge, along with its capability of handling less-expensive .38 Special ammo is what lured me to this revolver.
Hornady has announced that it's expanding its .17-caliber lineup in 2015, with the addition of the .17 WSM. Earlier this year, Web Managing Editor Shawn Skipper had the opportunity to put the new offering to work on some prairie dogs during a Wyoming varmint hunt. Get an inside look at that trip with the gallery provided here, and be sure to check out our video for even more information.
BSA Optics has a new riflescope designed specifically for the .17 Winchester Super Magnum that promises to help varmint hunters with holdover at long range.
A .25-caliber PCP rifle, Hatsan’s Galatian III is capable of sending a .25 grain pellet at speeds of up to 1,000 fps. For squirrels, rabbits, and even fox and coyote with the right shot placement, death is imminent.