Big Dog Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Well after what seems like years of talking about getting a .222 on my FAC, it is not just here but in action. My first hunting trip was Friday night and I got me self a dog fox at one of my sheep farmer's shoots. He is happy too. As I said on a post above that he should have got away as it took me some time to get on him due to my lamp not fitting unto my scope correctly. I am going to have to make some changes to it. Anyway, there you have it guys, my new Steyr .222 Pro-hunter Mountian MK2 with T8AR and Lightforce 170 lamp which is only caught on abut 1/4" of the lamp to scope bracket slide. Shooting Winchester, I thing it is sofe points. The top picture shows the exit hole. Entry high on right shoulder and exit as you can see, about 2". I shot him at about 150-160 yards. I just stepped it out at night. It was just getting dark and I think he may have seen me move or something. He sat down at the shot range and wouldn't move in further no matter what; so I took the shot and his lights just went out. I used an amber filter when he was coming in and removed it for the shot. Is that what you guys do??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Well done BD cracking bit of kit and put to good use. No need to remove the filter if your lamp is set up correctly, you should be able to see the target well enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teal Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 A good lump of a fox, well done Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl h Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 same here mate you should be able to keep the filter on if the lamp is on spot and not flood them lamps are very powerfull so the longest shot I have taken with my 222 is 290yrds. and that was with a amber filter on a l/force 170 good shooting mate keep it up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkeye Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 DG well done mate great to get one first time out the trouble i have is its like looking into fog and all you see are the 2 eyes gleaming. out too 50 yds ok just after that with deben lamp on just ordered a lightforce 170 today to fit on scope got to try to sorce a lighter battery the 18 amp ones weigh a ton. .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dazza Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 well done Big Dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye ive Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Yep ,keep the filter on ,If you'd missed I can guarentee he would'nt sit still for more than a nano second afterwards when caught in a lamp beam so it was a first for him as well as yourself . what do you reckon to the thud of the round hitting home then First of many i hope BD ,well done Ps ,whats the scope on that nice rifle ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewyjack.22 Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Well done big dog Fox shooting should carry a warning thou "HIGHLY ADDICTIVE" You'll be out more than your in now All the best colin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Early days I know BD, but how do you find the Steyr? That would be on my short list if I was looking for new rifle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyCM Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Nice kit BD & good shooting. I usually go lamping with a mate and have a hand held 170 with red filter - we swap over holding the lamp & rifle. It usually works really well. but I am looking to get a 140 or 170 scope mounted lamp too for more flexibility. Have you played around with the beam focus ? (twisting the housing on my hand held version changes the lamp from spot / flood - I guess yours has the same feature) Good luck in getting the lamp set up how you want it. Cheers AndyCM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted October 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Ok I will try to answer. Deadeye ive - Scope Leopold 4.5x14x50 - I made one mistake. I bought the Leopold lens covers £35 each. I haven't received the eyebell one yet and the objective lens one won't screw off as not enough clearance from the barrle to clear the larger bit at the top that houses the wee spring to make it flip up. So I have stuck a wee cheepy on and will put the Leopold on the sun shade which work very well. Still waiting on the eyebell one though. Total wait of money. Stuartp - The Steyr so far is really nice. I am very pleased with my combination. The Mountain version is great. 20" barrel and the T8AR only add 2.5" so still compact. I love the single set trigger. The stock is still a littler flexible and could be pushed against the barrel with effort but this MK 2 version is supposed to be more ridget. Tonight I tested it for free flooting and it was but there is a wee rubber support just about 3/4" in under the barrel so when I put in 2 thicknesses of paper it touched it. So I took the action out and and lowered it. About 15mins work and now good alround clearance. I am using Winchester CXP1s which seem ok. Group not very tight yet but I am getting run in as is the gun about 25-30mm at 100metres. Home loading will help that once I start. I put a Talon original padded sling with QD on it and it is a real treat about £29 but I will buy one for any other rifles I get. AndyCm - Thanks for educating me. I didn't know the lamp was adjustable (flood/spot). I did look for an adjustment but didn't see one. I will check it out tomorrow evening to see. Someone else ask me about the thump of impact?? I didn't notice. I may have been to preoccupied or just deft. Thanks for you kind word on the kit. Look at my other post on my lamp problem and how I have resolved it for now. Comment welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadeye ive Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 Someone else ask me about the thump of impact?? I didn't notice. I may have been to preoccupied or just deft. I have a feeling it won't be long before you shoot your second .................With out any effort it'll be clear as owt to you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank Posted October 3, 2006 Report Share Posted October 3, 2006 What a GREAT start Big Dog, well done mate. Once you get the kit all sorted, you will soon tally up them foxes im sure. Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dead-Eyed Duck Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Excellent beginning If you get to be part of a 2-man lamping team can I suggest that you get a dimmer fitted to the battery pack? As some one else has said, the question on seeing a fox is whether to flick off the lamp (so that it doesn't get spooked) or to continue with the lamp on so that at least you will know where the fox is! I normally use an amber filter, and over the years we find that the best results on seeing a fox is to dim the lamp down straight away, so that the fox can still be seen - just. This gives the shooter time to get on the bipod, or to get ready for a freehand shot if the fox is running in. Another thing is the problem of where to put the beam once you have spotted a fox. Again, leaving the beam full on the fox may spook it, and so the lamper tends to put the beam at the ground in front of the fox, or to the RHS or LHS. This will still leave the foxs' eyes visible in the reduced beam. We now always put the beam at the ground in front of the fox, with the eyes just visible. So, all the shooter has to do is to find the beam in the scope, go upwards to find the fox, and then to take the shot. If you have decent scope you will see every hair on the fox which will enable accurate placement of the shot. I have been there with fine crosshairs on a scope, and forget it - get a scope with nice thick crosshairs without having to screw your eyes up to try and find the centre of the crosshairs! Finally, if the night is very dark use a red filter, as this will be sufficient. There are many foxes out there now that are being lamped every week, and at the first sign of a white million candlepower lamp they are away. Far too many people lamp off the back of a pick-up and whizz off a shot at silly ranges. By the law of averages they may be succesful now and again, but the skilled shooter with a good lamper and caller will beat them every time. I have heard these guys many times saying "Shot a fox last week at 350 yards. Easy peasy it was". Forget it - what happened to the foxes that they have made lamp shy or wounded them? Don Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted October 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 hawkeye - I went for a 14amp. It is heavy enough and as I said somewhere else I bought a shoulder carry kit not a belt carry kit. I am so glad I went for this combination. I is easy to carry and set down to shoot or cross fences or gates. But the best bit is that it will sit very compactly in a back pack which is what I did. I would hate it hanging on my waist, pulling down my trousers Dead-Eyed Duck - Thanks for the lesson on lamping, That I have found very helpful. You reminded me that years ago when we lamped we would tilt the lamp into the air to take the beam of foxy. But in modern shooting I can see well why you put the beam on the ground; easy for the shooter to get on track and safer too. Thanks guys Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted October 4, 2006 Report Share Posted October 4, 2006 Uh oh Frank has got competition now there wont be any foxes left over there soon. Nice to have another .222 user, maybe there should be seperate a posting place for the few .222 users Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted October 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 Hunter good idea to start talking about .222 loads as I not zit about loading but need to get into it as I shoot at a range too. Can get a bit ££££££s Maybe we need a Home loading fourm - Adminsitrators??:good: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted October 5, 2006 Report Share Posted October 5, 2006 maybe there should be seperate a posting place for the few .222 users We have a DIY section what more do you want Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennyblanco Posted October 9, 2006 Report Share Posted October 9, 2006 Stuartp - The Steyr so far is really nice. I am very pleased with my combination. The Mountain version is great. 20" barrel and the T8AR only add 2.5" so still compact. I love the single set trigger. The stock is still a littler flexible and could be pushed against the barrel with effort but this MK 2 version is supposed to be more ridget. Tonight I tested it for free flooting and it was but there is a wee rubber support just about 3/4" in under the barrel so when I put in 2 thicknesses of paper it touched it. So I took the action out and and lowered it. About 15mins work and now good alround clearance. I am using Winchester CXP1s which seem ok. Group not very tight yet but I am getting run in as is the gun about 25-30mm at 100metres. Home loading will help that once I start. I put a Talon original padded sling with QD on it and it is a real treat about £29 but I will buy one for any other rifles I get. hey mate, got the same gun in .223 and i have been really impressed. set trigger is amazing and i have learnt how to adjust the non set mode which makes it quite usable. i filled the forend with resin to stiffen it up which only added 150g or so http://marksgallery.photoblog.me.uk/p29816794.html let me know if you want any help with the trigger, only down side is it gets a bit heavy with the T8 so i have ditched mine and its now a lot nicer on night time forrays mk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Dog Posted October 10, 2006 Author Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 mark_hammond - look just like mine. Is you T8 and AR or standard Mine is an AR version and I don't notice the weight at all. Hope you enjoy it. Have you grouped your shots yet??? Mine at 100mtrs is 25-30mm. Most of that is down to my bad shooting but the gun is still getting run in. I use winchester cxs1 or something like that. Might try Remmintons next. Hope to start re-loading next year. Have fun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennyblanco Posted October 10, 2006 Report Share Posted October 10, 2006 mark_hammond - look just like mine. Is you T8 and AR or standard Mine is an AR version and I don't notice the weight at all. Hope you enjoy it. Have you grouped your shots yet??? Mine at 100mtrs is 25-30mm. Most of that is down to my bad shooting but the gun is still getting run in. I use winchester cxs1 or something like that. Might try Remmintons next. Hope to start re-loading next year. Have fun best group of four has been 11mm c-c and it seems to shoot 5/8ths" all day long with hornady 55gr vmax, i am getting reloading gear in the next week just to make reliable ammo always available (and cheap) the T8 is the short version made for the steyr scout, think the main problem is that i use a gen2+ xvd system which means all scanning is done with a mounted rifle. with a lamp you can scan from the hip which is a bit easier (or i might just be a wimp ) here is the trigger info if you want a lighter standard trigger for those winter nights "i have now worked out how to do all the trigger adjustments on the normal non-set trigger position. it is now very sweet http://marksgallery.photoblog.me.uk/p29866360.html if you remove the bolt and turn screw "B" (1.5mm allen key) anti clockwise you lower the trigger pull, dont go silly but you can get a very light release, consequently you get a bit of creep. screw "A" is covered with a rubber gromint which can be pulled with a big needle, it is a flat headed screw and if you turn it clockwise you lessen the sear contact. you can check how much overlap there is by putting in the bolt and cocking the gun as there is a window on the side to see the sear engagement. i now have a fairly light creep free trigger + the exceptional set trigger hope this helps all you steyr shooters" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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