Groundhog Hunt!

[Black92LX]

well our goodfriend here on the boards standingbear has invited me to come up for some groundhoggin when the weather warms up around here. and i am definatly going to take him up on that offer

the weather has been decent around here so i am getting excited. i have finished my at home hunter's education course and take the test on on thursday.

so now it's on to what gun to get. since i don't really have a firearm for the job i have been doing some looking around.

So onto my question. Is a.17HMR a good round for these guys?
i have always wanted one of these rifles and thought that this could be a good excuse to get one. i found that Dick's sells a Savage 93R17-F for $150.

add another 60 bucks for a decent scope and i think i would have a nice little setup. but would this be a good setup for groundhogs?

or does anyone have a better suggestion that will run me around $200?

 

[OH25shooter]

Well it depends on lots of things. What distances will you be shooting? Are you an accurate shooter at long distances. Can you hit a groundhog in the head at 200 yards? Where I hunt groundhogs the farm field is small rolling hills. So, my shooting distances have been from under 25 yards to 200 +. I use a Marlin 17VS on the none windy days for @100 or so yards (for me) and a Remington 243 for the windy long reach shooting days. Regarding the 17 round I have found it to be very-very accurate at my 100 yard sight-in distance. And it can reach out a lot farther. However, most body shots cause the hog to wiggle and crawl away. It will die, but not on the spot. My experience has been that the "dead on the spot" rounds have been the 223 and 243. I'm sure others will confirm other strong(er) calibers. I hope you will practice before you go hunting. Otherwise, those little guys will disappoint you and you'll walk away frustrated. Enjoy your hunt. I'm waiting myself.

 

[twoblink]

I think the problem you are going to face is:

1) How good of a long range shooter are you?
2) How much wind do you have around where you are going to shoot?

If you are going to shoot within 100 yards, it's fine. But 200 yards or so, it's a very flat shooter, but probably doesn't buck wind all that well. You might have to move to a heavier round... (like a 300Win Mag... I'm just kidding!!)

It's a nice round and perfect for varmints.

 

[Coltdriver]

I would say to take a look at the NEF single shot rifles in .223 or .243. These are excellent rifles for a very low cost. Shooting ground hogs is best done from a distance.

I have a .17HMR and unless you head shot a ground hog it is not going to be dispatched on the spot. Out past 100 yards and the round really drops off. Others shoot larger animals but I restrict my .17hmr to squirrels, crows and rabbits. Anything larger gets a more capable round.

A .223 is an excellent round that will take out mr ground hog from 200 to 300 yards with no problem. A .243 is even better.

 

[Sunray]

It'd do, but how available is the ammo where you are? A .22 LR will do you as well. Ammo for it is everywhere.

 

[Black92LX]

Dick's and Bass Pro are not too far away from me and they both always have lots of it. Dick's has it on special alot.

 

[standingbear]

the distances will vary.in the open fields..you have a range of 5-800+yards with hills everywhere.its in a low area so usually,the wind isnt any big problem.these..I specifically use a ruger 223 with a 6-24x scope and ballistic tips.the other areas(along the river bank and along the edge of the treeline)i use whatever caliber i have ammo for.12 gauge,22 long rifle and occasionally a handgun in 44 or 357 mag.(for those multiple shots.)the groundhogs in the open areas are sneaky and run easily but rather dumb in that they run to their den entrance and stand there for about 5 minutes before dissappearing.the ones along the treeline and river are just plain annoying.they pop out of nowhere and whistle.scares you the first time.I have to wait till it gets warm out and the ground hard before I can drive my car back there and walk to the fields and the river area.I think youll enjoy groundhog hunting.The police do it off duty all the time.they know the good places too.