Limiting out with my Maverick .30

GeronimoKY · Sep 26, 2022

Went squirrel hunting for the third time with my new Maverick .30 sniper. I loaded up my crossbow for deer and maverick for squirrels and headed to the woods Sunday. I switched ammo halfway through last weekends hunt due to having to take two follow up shots. I started out with hybrids but quickly discovered I wasn’t getting the performance I like so I switched to hades. The .30 hades are impressive on squirrels and shot placement decides how much meat you take home. Took seven shots to bring home the 6 squirrel limit. That makes 16 squirrels total in three outings so far. I had one miss this weekend. I didn’t notice a thick limb six feet in front of my rifle while looking through the scope. Luckily the squirrel didn’t spook and gave me a second chance. No deer but a few pounds for the freezer anyway. Not sure if I like the Maverick more than my power tuned cricket 2 .25 but I’m giving it a fair chance for this season. Time will tell I guess.

jdh2550 · Sep 26, 2022

Great hunt DetailKY! This may be just the inspiration I need to get out there myself.

Ranchibi · Sep 26, 2022

Congratulations! Great shooting with your Maverick.

N2 Shooter · Sep 26, 2022

Sounds like an Ohio hunter to me! Great shooting there!

Hopefully I can get out this weekend or next. I'm just not a morning person to be honest with you; so the few times I did go out the tree rats had already bunkered down.

Hopefully I can get out while there is still some leaves on the trees. I'm considering putting my Thermal Scope on the Maverick and giving that a try.

TheCarFather · Sep 26, 2022

What was the problem with the Hybrids, accuracy issues I assume? I'm lucky that both the Hybrids and Hades group really well out of my 600mm Maverick in 25 caliber. I assume it was accuracy since I know the Hybrids seriously deliver in the terminal performance department. With that being said, I typically use the Hades on squirrels as well since they don't need the extra knock down power of the Hybrids.

Nice shooting BTW!

N2 Shooter · Sep 26, 2022

TheCarFather said:
What was the problem with the Hybrids, accuracy issues I assume? I'm lucky that both the Hybrids and Hades group really well out of my 600mm Maverick in 25 caliber. I assume it was accuracy since I know the Hybrids seriously deliver in the terminal performance department. With that being said, I typically use the Hades on squirrels as well since they don't need the extra knock down power of the Hybrids.

Nice shooting BTW!

I'm sub MOA with the Hybrids on my Maverick VP .30cal. And I drop them in their tracks on bodyshots from 70 yards away. The terminal performance is so good, I sold all of my tins of Hades!

GeronimoKY · Sep 26, 2022

Nope accuracy was why I used them on my first two hunts this season but I had two squirrels that required a follow up shot so I switched to hades mid hunt last weekend. One was a head shot and the squirrel managed to get twenty yards before I threw another one at him. In my experience they are breaking up far worse than the smaller caliber hybrids. Or maybe I just had a little bad luck but the hades definitely anchored all six this last hunt even when I made a less than perfect shot. I’ve only had the rifle a couple months so I’m still learning it. Hybrids will be my go to for long range shooting. Still my favorite hunting rounds in my BSA sportsmen hv .22 and cricket 2 .25. More work on my end is needed to learn this new rifle and caliber. Good luck in the woods everyone!

The above were killed with hybrids.
Below with hades. All look dead to me.

N2 Shooter · Sep 26, 2022

GeronimoKY said:
Nope accuracy was why I used them on my first two hunts this season but I had two squirrels that required a follow up shot so I switched to hades mid hunt last weekend. One was a head shot and the squirrel managed to get twenty yards before I threw another one at him. In my experience they are breaking up far worse than the smaller caliber hybrids. Or maybe I just had a little bad luck but the hades definitely anchored all six this last hunt even when I made a less than perfect shot. I’ve only had the rifle a couple months so I’m still learning it. Hybrids will be my go to for long range shooting. Still my favorite hunting rounds in my BSA sportsmen hv .22 and cricket 2 .25. More work on my end is needed to learn this new rifle and caliber. Good luck in the woods everyone!View attachment 292905 View attachment 292906 View attachment 292907
The above were killed with hybrids.
Below with hades. All look dead to me. View attachment 292908 View attachment 292909 View attachment 292910 View attachment 292911

Nice crow you got there! What do you do with the crows after harvest?

reviveoutdoors · Sep 28, 2022

Heck yeah! Congrats. Making me jealous. I've got to get back out there!

GeronimoKY · Sep 28, 2022

The permission I was at wants the crows and starlings dealt with when I have opportunities so I gladly do what I need to in hopes of many years of being allowed to hunt there. The crows and groundhogs normally go to his barn cats. They’ve also been known to steal a squirrel out of the bed of my truck if I take a midday break.