Those little buggers are reeking havok on the bank of my pond farthest away from my house 100-150 yrds away. Beyond that they disappear into the brush, and they won't come over to this side of the pond. My 10/22 just won't reach out that far accurately. I'm trying to decide between the 17hm2, 17hmr, 22mag, and possibly the 22hornet if I could find one. If I need more thump than that I'll just grab my 270. What are your experiences with big ol' fat groundhogs at that range?
Groundhogs and Muskrats
- Thread starter Hoopie
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sansone
Member
you mentioned 22hornet, sure.. how about .223? // 22mag maybe
TheCol.U.S.M.C.
Member
Well they dont move much after you shoot them with a .308 but that was a one time experience for me. But I'm sure I would have the same results if I tryed it again.
mine was a head shot if that helps about 40yrds away
mine was a head shot if that helps about 40yrds away
redbullitt
Member
I have killed several that were DRT at a bit under 100 yards with a 17 hmr. Havent gotten the opportunity to take any longer shots with it, but I do do know the clay pigeons dont like it at 200 yards lol.
The 22 mag might be worth a look because of the heavier bullets though. Depends on your conditions with the 17. Wind can play havoc at even 100 yards.
223 for sure if you would consider a centerfire. Much more useful IMHO. I can load rounds that are much better performers for the 223 that cost only marginally more than the 17 HMR. Even if you do not load your own, you would still have a more versatile rifle and it would be much much much more accurate and consistent at distance.
The 22 mag might be worth a look because of the heavier bullets though. Depends on your conditions with the 17. Wind can play havoc at even 100 yards.
223 for sure if you would consider a centerfire. Much more useful IMHO. I can load rounds that are much better performers for the 223 that cost only marginally more than the 17 HMR. Even if you do not load your own, you would still have a more versatile rifle and it would be much much much more accurate and consistent at distance.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
The .17HMR would be perfect. Nowhere else can you get 200-250yd capability and half MOA accuracy for $300-$350.
thanks,
I think the .223 would be a little much for what I'm doing...I'd also like to keep the noise down, otherwise i'd just use my 270. Before I posted I searched around to see which of the rounds mentioned in my first post were better "all around" and the wind drift argument came up almost every time. So i plugged the numbers for average 22mag and 17hmr rounds into a ballistic calculator with a 10mph wind at 90 degrees. The 22mag actually drifted 2-3" further off target at 150 yards.
I think the .223 would be a little much for what I'm doing...I'd also like to keep the noise down, otherwise i'd just use my 270. Before I posted I searched around to see which of the rounds mentioned in my first post were better "all around" and the wind drift argument came up almost every time. So i plugged the numbers for average 22mag and 17hmr rounds into a ballistic calculator with a 10mph wind at 90 degrees. The 22mag actually drifted 2-3" further off target at 150 yards.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Use the .17 or .22 mag for the groundhogs. Since you included muskrats,I suggest you let a trapper have them. Muskrats are classified as a furbearer most places(no mention of what state you are in) and that means different legal issues about shooting them(with provisions for property damage exemptions). A trapper will remove them for you (at this time trapping season should be open) simply for the fur.
jimmyraythomason
Member
100% effective IF you know how to use them.
CraigC
Sixgun Nut
Well that's no fun! 
Col. Plink
Member
- Joined
- Apr 21, 2009
- Messages
- 1,775
how bout .22 stingers
So anyway....back to my original question. I'm looking for opinions of people with first hand experience with 17hm2, 17hmr, 22mag, or 22hornet on groundhogs at 100-150yrds. Thanks but no thanks for all the suggestions on other calibers or traps or other solutions not mentioned already.
jimmyraythomason
Member
Sorry I thought the object was to rid your pond of pests that were always out of range.
deadeye1122
Member
I have a Savage .17hmr and it is a great/fun fifle to shoot 50/100 yards, paper, cans ect. No experiance on the critters you mention. In my opinion of your list the .17hmr would be the most cost effective to purchase, rifle and ammo. Some of the other calibers mention may be more logical. Just my 2 cents. deadeye
dugasgunner
Member
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2010
- Messages
- 52
Go Hornet first. If you don't find one either HMR or WMR will do the job. The HMR shoots flatter and energy is pretty close one to the other. The HMR owners will pull on their side and the same with WMR owners but when you have both you love them equal. For me anyway.
FMJMIKE
Member
.22wmr
I use the good old .22 WMR. Works good and less noise.
I use the good old .22 WMR. Works good and less noise.
DNS
Member
I concur, 22 magnum.
Love my 22 magnums and they'll work well at that distance with the least amount of noise.
Love my 22 magnums and they'll work well at that distance with the least amount of noise.
Vern Humphrey
Member
My .22 Mag is a Ruger M77/22M and with selected ammunition will shoot minute-of-angle. It will do the job, but for shots beyond 125 yards you have to learn to shoot it. By that I mean pick out (or put out) easily visible range markers and shoot at targets placed near them until you get the right hold for each. When you spot a chuck or muskrat between two range markers, you know the hold needed to hit it.
The .22 Hornet is ideal, but in my experience it is a handloading proposition. My M82 Kimber will shoot half minute of angle groups, but only with my tailored handloads. I shoot crows out to 200+ yards with it, so clearly it will handle muskrats and woodchucks at 100-150 yards.
longdayjake
Member
I do a lot of rockchuck hunting (basically the same as groundhog but hangs out in rocks). If groundhogs are anything like rockchucks, they can be very difficult to get rid of by shooting them. However, I have done a pretty good job of thinning the numbers in my general hunting area. I hunt them mostly with a .223 at 200ish yards but sometimes I can go out to 300. Having killed hundreds of them with the .223 I have my doubts as to how well the 17 hmr will give an instant kill at 150 yards. I have seen what a 17 is capable of and I have seen it fail pretty bad too. I would go with the 22 mag if I didn't want to use a full power cartridge like the .223. Not that I think the 22 mag is much better. Enjoy!
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