Number 1 of the season. I don't usually hunt them this early but make an exception for ones that are digging under foundations and around buildings. 1st time at this particular farm. This place may provide some good hunting this year.
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Groundhogs 2017
bluedog
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that's cookin for 223rem. the lighter the bullet the more velocity.
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328 Posts
It depends.
If the bullet hits bone, I would think you need a follow up shot. But if it doesn't (flesh only), it will be a pretty devastating/decisive shot. Distance also comes into play, as the 17 grain bullets looses power/velocity/energy fast. Anything under 100 yards should be fine, but past that, things drop off FAST. I would always prefer a head shot with groundhogs and a HMR.
But a few years ago, I did shoot a ground hog in the chest at only about 30 yards. (obstruction kept me from shooting in the head) I went over to it on sort of a gravel driveway. There was blood EVERYWHERE. Pin hole for the bullet going in...but coming out was about the size of a tennis ball. And it blew part of the heart/lung outside the body! (hence the 'blood everywhere') It seemed pretty clear that I didn't hit any bone...or at least didn't hit any ribs before the heart...maybe on the way out. But either way, I gained a new level of respect for the killing power of the 17HMR that day.
Under 125 yards, the 17hmr seems to be so incredibly accurate (for a factory rimfire) that I will always go for head shots.
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I have one and hunted p-dogs in Colorado with it . I took it's long range shooting to it's limits . I seen the mess it made of the at shorter ranges Like 100 -130 yards . But groundhogs are much bigger and tougher . I haven't seen a groundhog around here in a long time . Thanks for the reply OVS .
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The other day, I shot one at 80 yards with the .17 hmr. He had literally just come out of his hole, in the middle of a bean field. As soon as I shot, he disappeared into his hole. The shot was broadside and I was aiming just behind the shoulder. As I approached the hole there was no blood, or hair. This was a big groundhog and a big hole. I filled the hole back up with the soil around it. The hole is still filled. I drive by it everyday.
Was it a hit, or a miss? What would y'all say?
Was it a hit, or a miss? What would y'all say?
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If I'm questioning the hit I cave the hole in as well if it's uncleared after a day or two I count it as a kill.
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You guys need better guns! 300win mag! after it hits him it will dig another hole for him to go in! Lol
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So it means your really good when you sneak up on them so well you get between them and the hole and it brushed my leg as it went by? Thats been a few years ago but probably my best groundhog kill. Hardly do any field work anymore, catch a bunch in traps in town.
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My dad had one of those cannons!
I like my retina and shoulder joint just the way it is thank you!
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I want something leftover if I'm going to eat them. 
The problem I've had with chest shots and the 17hmr is that a lot of my groundhog hunting is close up barnyard hunting. Often chest shots end up with a groundhog going back down its hole along with a large swath of blood. Either myself or the turkey vultures are deprived of a meal.
The problem I've had with chest shots and the 17hmr is that a lot of my groundhog hunting is close up barnyard hunting. Often chest shots end up with a groundhog going back down its hole along with a large swath of blood. Either myself or the turkey vultures are deprived of a meal.
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i will be down for a week or so as my scope glass had something inside it so its sent back to the manufacture for repair or replacement and then sight in again and ill be back at it. I have another 223 bolt gun but its only wearing a 4-12-44 scope and i don't have loads for that rifle yet.
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Only a 4x12x44 !!! I couldn't count the wood chucks I have shot with a 4x12x40 Simmons Deerfield on a old Savage bolt action .223 rifle . Yeap , did it without a Leupold .!!! Ya don't have to be able to see there eyeball clearly to kill them .LOL What good is a back up rifle if it's not ready to back you up ? Get that thing cooking !!! Use your .22 and practice your stalking skills in the mean time ,DANG !!
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My farthest was like 250-270yards so now I must go further! Need the 6-18-44 for that! lol. backup rifle was my old one and when savage came out with the axis heavy barrel I picked one up and the 6-18 to go with it.
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If it was your old one , why is there no loads for it ? Snipers Must hone all there skills not just the shooting . Many very good shooters fail sniper school because they are not good at cover and concealment . Go farter on the stalking part and impress us with a 25 yard and under shots .
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Didn't reload when I had the old one just shot factory out of it. I don't think that rifles ever had reloads through it
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I would like to use a shotgun in those situations. Of course, I do understand, a shotgun can't be used in all those situations.
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5,409 Posts
shotgun will definitely put them down but the shot will sometimes ricochet and hit buildings. I tried shooting one in the back yard last year with the 20ga and peppered the old shed.
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Number 8 for the season last night (4th on my farm).
Missed a huge g'hog in the yard Saturday evening. I rushed the shot because he was trying to leave and of course that kind of shooting rarely connects. I know better. First miss of the season though.
Yesterday I worked outside most of the day doing weed whacking and mowing. By the time chores were done it was after 7pm but I thought I would take a short walkabout the farm. mr bluedog was planting some late sweet corn in our main field so I headed over to our side field. I eased over until I could just see along the closest edge. About 6 deer were already feeding in the beans. Maybe 10 minutes went by and I was just thinking about finding a place to sit when a groundhog came out along the close edge. He was about 150 yards or more out. Game on. I love to spot and stalk groundhogs. I backed up and started up a path through the woods along the field. When I had closed the distance, I eased over to the field edge. I set up the tripod and my little ground chair. I sat down and started scooting over so I could see the field edge and there was no groundhog. OK then. I just sat and waited and in about 10 minutes the groundhog came back out. One shot. 50-60 yards.
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Missed a huge g'hog in the yard Saturday evening. I rushed the shot because he was trying to leave and of course that kind of shooting rarely connects. I know better. First miss of the season though.
Yesterday I worked outside most of the day doing weed whacking and mowing. By the time chores were done it was after 7pm but I thought I would take a short walkabout the farm. mr bluedog was planting some late sweet corn in our main field so I headed over to our side field. I eased over until I could just see along the closest edge. About 6 deer were already feeding in the beans. Maybe 10 minutes went by and I was just thinking about finding a place to sit when a groundhog came out along the close edge. He was about 150 yards or more out. Game on. I love to spot and stalk groundhogs. I backed up and started up a path through the woods along the field. When I had closed the distance, I eased over to the field edge. I set up the tripod and my little ground chair. I sat down and started scooting over so I could see the field edge and there was no groundhog. OK then. I just sat and waited and in about 10 minutes the groundhog came back out. One shot. 50-60 yards.
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5,409 Posts
at least you guys have good taste in trucks! #heavychevyNumber 8 for the season last night (4th on my farm).
Missed a huge g'hog in the yard Saturday evening. I rushed the shot because he was trying to leave and of course that kind of shooting rarely connects. I know better. First miss of the season though.
Yesterday I worked outside most of the day doing weed whacking and mowing. By the time chores were done it was after 7pm but I thought I would take a short walkabout the farm. mr bluedog was planting some late sweet corn in our main field so I headed over to our side field. I eased over until I could just see along the closest edge. About 6 deer were already feeding in the beans. Maybe 10 minutes went by and I was just thinking about finding a place to sit when a groundhog came out along the close edge. He was about 150 yards or more out. Game on. I love to spot and stalk groundhogs. I backed up and started up a path through the woods along the field. When I had closed the distance, I eased over to the field edge. I set up the tripod and my little ground chair. I sat down and started scooting over so I could see the field edge and there was no groundhog. OK then. I just sat and waited and in about 10 minutes the groundhog came back out. One shot. 50-60 yards.
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