Groundhog hunting

BSSS · Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 25

Knifeboy
I use a Leica 1200 rangefinder w/scan, the scope is a Sightron 6x24 w/target knobs, on a 220 Swift. I have the clicks figured out for the distance I'm shooting. The groundhogs I shoot are larger than p. dogs out west, bigger targets are not as diffcult as the smaller ones. My long range rifle is a 257 Weatherby with a 6x24 Sightron w/target knobs also.

BSSS

JohnnyG · Guest

Knifeboy wrote:

Hey BSSS,
Are you using a rangefinder to help with those long shots. I cant imagin even being able to see a dog at that distance, much less hit one. Im not saying you didnt do it. Im actually saying congrats. Thats amazing. Who elese shoots these kinds of distances with a lot of success.

Knifeboy

I did about the same with my 220 swift and the 22-250, but you need to stay practiced up. Never had the benefit of a rangefinder back then.

I must disagree with hunting groundhogs this time of year. An old timer once told me that if you like to hunt, wait until the young ones are out on their own, after the spring litter. This would make the ideal time in late May or early June before the first hunt. You can kill too many pregnant hogs this time of year, at least in Western PA.

BSSS · Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 25

JG
I understand some want to hold off on shooting groundhogs until the young are on there own Cool

. The farms I hunt, if they found out thats what I was doing, Evil or Very Mad

I would lose my "Happy Hunting Grounds" Crying or Very sad

... I hunt 8 farm that amount to appox. 2000 acres, no shortage of pigs. Very Happy

"Groundhogs, the Other White Meat"

BSSS

Al V · Guest

How are you doing Gil? I have hunted groundhogs all my life here in Central New Jersey as a matter of fact I like it more than dear hunting. I use a 6MM Remington and I just had a 22-250 AI put together which I am currently working up a load for. How far are you from Easton, Pa? Good chucking!!

BSSS · Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 25

Al V
I agree with you about Groundhog hunting Smile

, I'll take it anytime over Deer hunting Razz

. How does the 6mm do at the longer ranges ? What bullet weight do you use and style ? If I was to get another caliber I was thinking of the 6.

"Groundhogs, the Other White Meat"

BSSS

BillPa · Member Joined: Mar 17, 2005 Posts: 89

With all the calibers for vermon hunting, a 6 bore ( perferably a 6BR) is most likely the most best from an all around standpoint, ,taking range,recoil and bullet choice into consideration. Where a 224 gives up a 6 will still be going strong. Yes, I know (from experience) you can wack'm at 500 with a 222, but not consistantly. Well maybe some can, I can't. With bullets up to 105s' the 6 offers a wide range of loadings and can be tailored to fit almost any situtaion from pesky little critters to whitetails.
Although I don't have one at the moment, I think a 6BR is a great choice because it will closely duplicate it bigger brothers in velocity and be light years ahead in accuracy. I currently use a 17HMR,204,223,22-250AI,243 and 308 for pasture poodles. On occasion when I walk for'm I'll carry the 22-250AI 'cause its light, but when setup and watching a field, the 243 generally gets the nod. Loaded with 75 grain Vmax's at 3600+ it will reliablely make shots at 300+ ranges. With my exceptional shooting skills past that, I usually just scare the h*ll otta them plus I'm just too old and lazy to walk out to 1000 yards to pick them up anymore.

I'm sure some(most???) will disagree with my thoughts, but like everything else "Pays your money and takes your choice" I'll stick with a 6 bore for an all around "hog gun".
And I promise, really, to put a another 6BR together and semi-retire the 243...Honest, cross my fingers... Humm, now whered I put that 600 action, its here somewhere......Hon, you see that action I had on the dinning roon table next to that pound of powder under those targets........

Bill

Gil Martin · Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 3:47 pm Post subject: Re: Groundhog hunting

Al V,
Welcome to the Forum! Sign up and don't be a stranger. I live about 20 west of Easton and 10 miles north of Allentown. The local farmers are very friendly to 'chuck hunters. I use a .223 Win. Model 70, 6mm Ruger 77 or a .270 FN Mauser. All the best...
Gil

delboy · Posted: Fri May 06, 2005 3:35 pm Post subject: Re: Groundhog hunting

Hey guys, how do these things compare in size to a rabbit - and do they taste as good? Rabbits are about all we get to shoot - unless we're UNlucky!! Smile

texassniper · Rookie Member Joined: May 24, 2005 Posts: 4

I shot prarie dogs 3 or 4 times a month sometimes mroe in the summer months when i dont have to be at school. o i dont see y u would want to shoot prairie dogs with nething bigger than a .223, i believe that a .243 or bigger is to much gun for a prairie dog and u would save alot of money shooting a smaller calibor.

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

Hello BSSS,

Wow, that's quite the distance, as an average. My .22-250 will reach out that far, but we can usually get closer to them than that. Most shots are around 200yds. I don't think there's anythig better than a day in the fields after pasture poodles. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

BSSS · Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 25

Hi Cal
I have good days, seems like I have to work at missing. Then come the days that I cannot hit the inside of a barn, even if I'm standing inside it. I have a 22250 that I started to play with, figuring out the clicks at this time. I prefer my Swift, but still have to play, tried the Barnes 40 gr. Hollow Point last time out. It was only 186 yds., bullet did not exit, chuck was dead.

BSSS

BSSS · Member Joined: Feb 14, 2005 Posts: 25

Got 6 more on Saturday, ave. was 263 yds.. Holiday coming up, figure to hunt Friday and Saturday.

#44

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

Hello Gil,

I agree with your post except the part about using a .270Win. That's a lot of cartridge for a little critter like a woodchuck. It'll make enough noise to wake the dead and then some. Even my 6mms are too loud for most areas today. In my area livestock are in the same places as the woodchuck. Farmers would hear the report from that .270Win. and defiitely remember you the next time you came around. Just one mans
opinin. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Guest · Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2005 9:47 pm Post subject: Re: Groundhog hunting

Well guys things are slowing down with the "Groundhogs". I did have a good Sat., shot 4 times and got 2, ave. was 599.5 yds. Guess I should quit on a high note. Back on Memorial day I made the 1000 yd. club, it took 2 shots, 1oo5 yds.. Even a blind seagull finds a french fri. Anybody else still hunting Groundhogs?
#77 BSSS

Crackshot · Posted: Fri Oct 28, 2005 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: Groundhog hunting

I have a "Bushmaster Varminter" 223rem with a Weaver T-36 Scope and we shoot the ^&* out of them in Mich.