None of the pics or links transfered. But I think this guy is a sniper wannabe. That said, if you are SERIOUS about squirrel hunting then this is a read for you
The Squirrel Sniper SubSonic Rifle or The SSSSR
By Eric Kiesler
My SSSSR project started when we began carrying the Volquartsen SSS Bbl (#930-000-036) for the Ruger 10/22. The 1 in 9 fast twist stainless steel 18 ½” Bbl is specifically designed to accurately shoot the heavy Aguila SSS ammunition. For those who are unfamiliar with the SSS ammo (Sniper SubSonic) it’s a specialized .22 LR load with a short case (approximately ½ the size of a standard LR case). The short case length is made up for by a long heavy 60 grain bullet the factory claims a muzzle velocity of 950 FPS and 289 FPS at 100 yards. In my semi-automatic Ruger 10/22, on a brisk 24-degree day, the ammunition averaged 862 FPS for 10 shots.
The SSS ammunition was apparently developed for specialized military applications; I will be using it primarily for squirrel hunting. I have always liked subsonic ammunition for squirrel hunting as it doesn’t “scare everyone out of the neighborhood”. The 60 grains of lead that the Aguila ammo packs will provide substantially more down range energy than the standard subsonic loads. And, who doesn’t love lots of down range energy!
The Aguila SSS ammo is recommended for use in bolt or break open rifles, the light powder charge will not cycle every semi automatic rifle out there. Also, on a semi-auto you will get some additional noise out of the breech. The bbl was a tight fit into the receiver, to the point that I had to tap it in with a mallet. This is preferable to a loose or factory fit as far as accuracy is concerned. Typically, the SSS Bbl works great on a 10/22 and cycling problems are not an issue. Breech noise in fact it leaves my right ear ringing a bit if I shoot it with no hearing protection (not recommended). It’s certainly not loud, but the sound of gunfire is like radiation; there is NO safe minimum exposure. In an attempt to keep the breech closed a bit longer, I installed the Power Custom extra power hammer and recoil springs out of their kit (#713-124-110) and the rifle still managed to cycle completely, though the hammer spring upped my trigger pull weight a ½ Lb. While it is not as quiet as a suppressed .22, it’s darn close, and it sure beats filling out all that NFA paperwork.
As I was doing a lot of playing with recoil springs, I installed a Powers Extended Bolt Handle (#713-301-103), it allows easy changing of recoil springs unlike the factory part. The rife also sports an Extended Magazine Release (#930-122-013) that allows me to make quick mag changes when the squirrels start to overrun me. In the past I preferred massaging the factory fire control parts to replacing them with expensive aftermarket parts in order to obtain a better trigger feel. However, Power Custom recently came out with a “take up adjustable” Hammer and Sear Kit (#713-000-071) that enables you to completely eliminate take up! Having a trigger with zero take up is quite nice, so I had to install those parts. The installation was simple; other than the requisite assembly/disassembly all I had to do was adjust a setscrew in the sear to eliminate the take up, lock-tight it, than fit the sear to the safety.
The Volquartsen Bbl is constructed of stainless steel and my aluminum receiver was clear anodized. Since I am building a hunting rifle, I decided to Gun-Kote™ the barreled action. I chose Gun-Kote Matte Dark Earth (#083-051-005), a sort of gray olive drab color. The Power Custom Scope Base (#713-122-100) and Millett Rings (#601-000-034) were coated with Gun-Kote OD Green (#083-051-008). The cheap 3-9 power scope I have mounted on the piece was originally a glossy black but since a scope won’t survive a bake on coating I used Aluma-Hyde® II OD Green (#083-002-312).
The rifle stock I chose was FA Enterprise’s Contoured Target Stocks (#246-000-004) with a left hand configuration (which I had to special order). The target stock has an incredible amount of adjustability for length of pull, comb height, and drop. Additional Spacers (#246-000-005) can be ordered if you need more the stock also free floats the Bbl. It does however lack sling studs. That is fine for a target rifle; a hunting rifle needs a sling. I used the Uncle Mikes Swivel Drills (#593-255-202) to install Studs (#593-100-125) in the stock (the front stud did require a bit of additional inletting). To match the Gun-Kote Matte Dark Earth I would need to refinish the stock. During my initial test firing it occurred to me that the rifle was a little slippery, especially for toting in the woods. In order to enhance the “gripibility” I first coated the stock with Clear Spray Grit (#083-044-001) paying special attention to the forearm and grip areas, for obvious reasons I didn’t spray the cheek piece. Prior to applying the spray grit, I lightly sanded the original finish off of the stock with 220 Grit Sandpaper (#657-250-220) and masked off the receiver/Bbl inletting (the stock fit the barreled action quite tightly and I need it to go back in after refinishing). Spray Grit is thin stuff, so you have to stand back and spray light coats or you will get runs in the paint job. Rather than wait for the Spray Grit to fully cure, I top-coated it with Aluma-Hyde after about 20 minute of drying. If you wait more than thirty minutes and the spray grit has not fully cured (typically takes 72 hours) you risk having the top coat peel off or bubble. The Aluma-Hyde top coat was the same O.D. Green color (#083-002-312) used on the scope, and was a near perfect match to the Gun-Kote Matte Dark Earth on the barreled action. Spray grit is a relatively glossy coating; as you can see the Aluma-Hyde subdued the reflectivity totally.
Recipe:
Dress the squirrel and remove glands under the arm pits. Submerge carcass in salt brine made of water and sea salt. Place container in refrigerator for five days and change brine daily. After this the squirrel ready to be prepared according to your favorite recipe. Quarter the squirrel and place pieces in a Tupperware container and cover everything with your favorite Bar-B-Q sauce. Refrigerate for another 24 hours then grill!
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks