2023 Groundhogs

[ancjr]

Somewhere outside of city limits LOL

Most farmers would deeply appreciate the elimination of any and all groundhogs from their proper as they very destructive critters. I've killed them with various caliber rifles from .22LR to .300 WinMag. The .300 WinMag was in my hands when I saw it so that it what I shot it with.

I am out in the county, and they are in my yard.

 

[duanewade]

I am out in the county, and they are in my yard.

Even a good pellet rifle will kill them. I've killed around 15 this year with most of them being shot in my yard around my pole barn and an old barn foundation. I've taken several along a creek that runs through our property.

 

[ancjr]

Even a good pellet rifle will kill them. I've killed around 15 this year with most of them being shot in my yard around my pole barn and an old barn foundation. I've taken several along a creek that runs through our property.

I watched for two days straight and never see him. I get on the phone or leave the house and he's in the middle of the yard. By the time I get my rifle, he's long gone.

 

[duanewade]

I watched for two days straight and never see him. I get on the phone or leave the house and he's in the middle of the yard. By the time I get my rifle, he's long gone.

Been in that situation many times. The wife will yell there's one in the yard and when I get the rifle it's gone. Now when I get home I have the rifle with me as I keep it in the truck when I drive it so I can hunt them on the way home. I've been keeping a rifle on the back porch until I go to bed. The last couple have been killed because of keeping the rifle handy. I've killed several with my 360 AirWeight and Shield 9mm

 

[Hookeye]

In general: use varmint bullets for added safety.

Having said that, in a wooded setting w big backstop, I shot one w a .35 Whelen

Field hunting I run varmint bullets in .223, .22-250 and .243 win.

 

[ancjr]

I am a simple man with .22LR, 9mm, 5.56, .308 and 12ga.

 

[duanewade]

I am a simple man with .22LR, 9mm, 5.56, .308 and 12ga.

That .22LR will work just fine for getting rid of your pest

 

[Hookeye]

I shoot chucks off farm fields.
While I could rimfire them, prefer the wider shot selection afforded by centerfire varmint cartridges.

No ricochet, can take chest shots, out to couple hundred yards.

I see em, I kill em.

 

[ancjr]

~60 yards is all the reach I need.

 

[tcecil88]

Having said that, in a wooded setting w big backstop, I shot one w a .35 Whelen

A buddy of mine used to shoot them back in the day with an 8mm Mauser. Talk about overkill.

 

[Hookeye]

New chuck popper. Dont have any 11mm rings around, so had to use an old BKL mount that was used on an Anschutz Exemplar.

A litte too high but at least I can go to the range and see how it likes Winchester .22 mag

Will put my Freedom 3-9x AO on when I score lower rings.

 

[Michigan Slim]

Next year...... Ruger No. 1 in .243. It's a laser with 58 grain V max.

 

[Hookeye]

I had a '78 Ruger #1 B .243 win
Killed a lot of chucks w 75 gr Speer HP on 4895.

Only #1 I have now is my dad's old beater .22-250.
Need to shoot it at 200 and see how it does. So far no shots taken past that this yr.
150 yards and in........man that's a lot of horsepower.

BTW, ordered Burris signature .22 rings for the CZ 457.

 

[ancjr]

Still haven't decided on a scope for my 457.

 

[duanewade]

Next year...... Ruger No. 1 in .243. It's a laser with 58 grain V max.View attachment 285168

The lightest bullet I've ever shot out of my .243 is 85 grains. When I use my .243 for hogs I stick with the 95 gr rounds I use for whitetail so I am well practiced for deer season and don't have do any pre-season rifle checks.

 

[Michigan Slim]

The lightest bullet I've ever shot out of my .243 is 85 grains. When I use my .243 for hogs I stick with the 95 gr rounds I use for whitetail so I am well practiced for deer season and don't have do any pre-season rifle checks.

I have never hunted deer with a .243. My daughter is deadly with hers. 100 grain Interbonds.

 

[Hookeye]

Varmints get varmint bullets for safety.
Used to shoot Speer and Hornady 75gr HP in .243 win. Switched to Nosler BT 70 grainers decades ago.

That is my fave chuck bullet

 

[Winamac]

Took out 4 ground hogs back behind the little country church we attend last week in Cass county. Used my Ruger 77/17 at about 55 yards. Think there may be more though? Going back one evening this week. Man its fun...well not for the groundhogs I guess?

 

[duanewade]

After being on vacation for 11 days I get home and see that I have another one in the barn foundation. Hopefully I'll get the time to get this one quickly before he digs a cavern under the concrete

 

[duanewade]

Got this one this evening walking the trail back along the creek. Kind of overkill ad he was no more than 20 feet away. And no, I don't like reaching into holes to them out LOL