.22 WMR for crows? Best scope for crows?
Question:
> Anyone use a 22 Mag for crows? I have a Marlin bolt action on a bipod and shoot > 4" groups at 150 yards. I think I can tighten up my groups significantly with a > better scope. Currently there is a Tasco 4x perched on top of the gun. At 150 > yards the cross hairs obscure the bulls eye. Thinking about a 3x – 9x variable, > any suggestions on the scope? Want to spend less than $100 on the scope. Can I > expect more than 150 yards from a 22 Mag? Currently I am shooting CCI Maxi Mag > solids. > Thanks in advance for all replies. > Kerry
Kerry – A good scope is going to cost more than that, but for cheap scopes the Simmons ".22 mag" line is pretty good; I had one of the 4X version on a Ruger bolt action .22 mag … together they’d give me half inch 50 yard groups. I have not tried their 3-9X version but I’m definitely curious about it. With the 4X, I was able to hit a soda can at 200 yards about 7 out of 10 times … lotta drop, and wind just kills ya with a rimfire at that range. I’ve since traded that rifle & scope for a Winchester 9422M; it’s wearing a Weaver K2.5 right now. (Can you say "jackrabbit gun?") Accuracy is about the same as the Ruger at 50 and 100 yards; I haven’t tried it any further than that. What I’d suggest, in addition to a different scope if you’re so inclined, is to try several different loads. My rifles have preferred the CCI Maxi Mag +V above all others with the WW HP in second place. Federal’s 30 grain HP load has done pretty well, to. In handguns, I’ve had best luck with CCI’s maxi mag HP first, their FMJ second. Tom Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>Actually I had planned on shooting them on the ground. I would be very >uncomfortable taking "air shots" at crows in flight. I have a crow call and >have been practicing on the drive to and from work. I often see them in fields >snacking on carrion or what not. I have heard and read that crows are not >friendly towards owls. Anyone have any advice on the use of owl decoys?
Crows just do not get along with owls, hawks, and other raptors. Put an owl decoy on the top of a fence post, stump, or up on a tree branch where it can be seen. Start calling and get ready. One tip I found that sounds real good is to put a piece of black cloth at the base of the owl. Makes it look like the owl got one of the crows and the others seem to go crazy in revenge. Try to find a copy of Varmint Masters Magazine, the April issue, which is the crow hunting issue. Alex * Spinner of the WWWeb Page at: * http://www.well.com/user/amv/amv.htm Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
IMO a 22 mag is deadly on crows as far out as you can hit one with it. I mean come on guys were talkin’ about overstuffed blackbirds here, it does’nt take a 22-250 wih a 45 gr moly-coated, super-explosive poly-corbonate tipped bullet to kill a sack of feathers. 
BTW…I like a 3-9X scope in the Tasco or Simmons persuation. Mike Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> I often see them in fields >snacking on carrion or what not. I have heard and read that crows are not >friendly towards owls. Anyone have any advice on the use of owl decoys?
I can’t say if crows have smarted up any in the last decade or two, but up near Ft. Gibson, Ok crow hunting was a seasonal "big thing". Hunters would put an owl decoy up on a rather open to view tree limb. The hunters would "hide out’ and wait until the owl had been spotted and the crows started to gather. It seems that crows hate owls and can work up a real frenzy trying to drive one away. It made for some fast and furious shotgun work for a short time. IIRC some hunters used a live owl decoy also. Bill Van Houten (USA Ret) "No matter how hard you try, you can’t throw a potato chip very far." "Linus" Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Actually I had planned on shooting them on the ground. I would be very uncomfortable taking "air shots" at crows in flight. I have a crow call and have been practicing on the drive to and from work. I often see them in fields snacking on carrion or what not. I have heard and read that crows are not friendly towards owls. Anyone have any advice on the use of owl decoys? Kerry Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
>Sorry but for birds of any type i would say shotgun.
More accurately, "if one is to shoot croes with a 22 cal it should only be done when the crows are on the ground and the ‘beyond the target’ rule is followed". Rod C The means is greater than the end, and every good hunter knows this. * remove .nospam from reply address to email. * Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Sorry but for birds of any type i would say shotgun. Most all bird shots are as they are taking off or in the air except turkey and maybe some geese and pheaseant. Plus when you shoot a rifle you have to hit the crow exactly square on which is nigh on impossible in the air. Get A Shotgun if you want to get crow and other birds > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
I have a 22 mag. that I put a 3x-9x scope on, that was purchased at wal-mart. the price was very inexpensive. The only problem is the qualityof view at the higher power settings. You get what you pay for. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
> > Anyone use a 22 Mag for crows? I have a Marlin bolt action on a bipod and > shoot > 4" groups at 150 yards. I think I can tighten up my groups significantly > with a > better scope.
I got rid of my .22 mag because I was never all that happy with its accuracy – about 2 inches at 100 yards at best. I used a 6x Weaver scope. Later I transferred that scope onto my .223 and with that I have shot lots of rabbits and magpies (similar, perhaps a little smaller, than a US crow). I rate the 4x and 6x Weaver scopes very highly as excellent value for money. Regards, David. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
KRasmus572 asks: Anyone use a 22 Mag for crows? I have a Marlin bolt action on a bipod and shoot 4" groups at 150 yards. I think I can tighten up my groups significantly with a better scope. Currently there is a Tasco 4x perched on top of the gun. At 150 yards the cross hairs obscure the bulls eye. Thinking about a 3x – 9x variable, any suggestions on the scope? Want to spend less than $100 on the scope. Can I expect more than 150 yards from a 22 Mag? Currently I am shooting CCI Maxi Mag solids. I have taken many crows with my .22 WMR. I will, however, only take downhill shots at them. I have been using a Bushnell Sportview 3-9x and it does very well. It was (and I think still is) is under $100. You should be able to find a Bushnell, Tasco, & maybe even a Simmons variable within your price range. I personally believe that ranges beyond 150 yds. are stretching it for the .22 WMR. Don’t get me wrong, I love the .22 Mag. It is one of my favorite cartridges of all time but I believe there are better, more effective cartridges for use at those longer ranges. Dave LeGrande YOU’RE PAYING TOO MUCH FOR THE INTERNET! Juno now offers FREE Internet Access! Try it today – there’s no risk! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj. Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
try a simmons 3×9 diamond reticle http://community.webtv.net/SilverBack_68/Watchoutforthe Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
In addition to the scope, have a trigger job done, if you have not yet done so, that will cut your groups almost in half. Joel
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anyone use a 22 Mag for crows? I have a Marlin bolt action on a bipod and shoot > 4" groups at 150 yards. I think I can tighten up my groups significantly with a > better scope. Currently there is a Tasco 4x perched on top of the gun. At 150 > yards the cross hairs obscure the bulls eye. Thinking about a 3x – 9x variable, > any suggestions on the scope? Want to spend less than $100 on the scope. Can I > expect more than 150 yards from a 22 Mag? Currently I am shooting CCI Maxi Mag > solids. > Thanks in advance for all replies. > Kerry > Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: > http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Anyone use a 22 Mag for crows? I have a Marlin bolt action on a bipod and shoot > 4" groups at 150 yards. I think I can tighten up my groups significantly with a > better scope. Currently there is a Tasco 4x perched on top of the gun. At 150 > yards the cross hairs obscure the bulls eye. Thinking about a 3x – 9x variable, > any suggestions on the scope? Want to spend less than $100 on the scope. Can I > expect more than 150 yards from a 22 Mag? Currently I am shooting CCI Maxi Mag > solids. > Thanks in advance for all replies. > Kerry
Check the local shops for used scopes. Sometimes you can pick up a pretty good one under $100, much better than a cheap used one. Dick F Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
Response:
Anyone use a 22 Mag for crows? I have a Marlin bolt action on a bipod and shoot 4" groups at 150 yards. I think I can tighten up my groups significantly with a better scope. Currently there is a Tasco 4x perched on top of the gun. At 150 yards the cross hairs obscure the bulls eye. Thinking about a 3x – 9x variable, any suggestions on the scope? Want to spend less than $100 on the scope. Can I expect more than 150 yards from a 22 Mag? Currently I am shooting CCI Maxi Mag solids. Thanks in advance for all replies. Kerry Visit the rec.hunting and rec.hunting.dogs FAQ Home Page at: http://sportsmansweb.com/hunting/
