I had to share this on AR. My dad is a 71 year old Vietnam Vet -- Marine Corps, Phu Bai/Hue Tet Offensive. He had a heart attack in January and has been rehabbing since. He got a clean bill of health a few weeks ago. Before his heart attack, he had a custom varmint rifle built in 6x47 Lapua. He picked up the finished rifle after his heart attack and worked on load development etc. until he could get out hunting. He shot a groundhog today at 700 yards. He was with two other members of Varmint Hunter magazine who confirmed the shot and he should be in the magazine next month or the month after. Dad is a quiet man but you could tell he was really happy with the shot he made on the groundhog today. He has the bug now and wants to get one at 1000yds next. Great day, I wanted to share.

Good for him. Shooting will be the best re-hab ever!

+1

Sweet !! Maybe there's some hope for me. Keep shooing and enjoy life.

PM sent.

PM sent. Thanks.

Congrats on a great shot!

505, that is good stuff! Congrats to you both.

My Dad is gone now and I miss him on hunts and so forth. Cherish the time you have with yours; one day it won't be like it is now...

Doubless,
I understand what you are saying. I'm blessed to have the time with him now, it could have been a different story when he had his heart attack in January. We are enjoying the time we have -- family is going on vacation together in a week. It should be a great time with great memories. Sorry that your Dad has passed but it sounds like you have great memories of him.

That's great to hear. My longest kill was only half that distance.

I miss hunting groundhogs but, miss my father more. I totally agree with Doubless. There's not a day that goes by where I don't think of him and have just recently started to fish again. I've fish with lots of family members and friends but, he was my fishing partner.

congrats

Not as old as your dad (66), but had the same experience with my .22-250 a few years ago. I know the effort that he put into that shot. Congrats and a hearty handshake from one Viet vet (67-68) to another.

Great shot. now some questions:
1. What scope was he using that he could see a groundhog at 700 yards!?
2. How many shots?
3. Did he have a spotter or did he spot his own shots?
Thanks, Peter.

prof242 -- Thanks for your service! Vietnam vets have a right to be upset with the reception they got coming home. Most of them never complained and never talked about their service -- like my dad. God bless all you guys!

Peter --
He used a VX3 8.5-25x50 Leupold. He fired two shots. First shot was about an inch left but good for elevation. Second shot was centered between the shoulders. He had a spotter but he could see his bullet impact too. He has a muzzle brake on his gun just for that purpose.