.22 ammo for Groundhogs

[mrmeyer]

Grandparents recently built a home in PA. Their new property is rectanglar in shape, mostly level-open ground, and is adjacent to several farm fields and rolling hills. There are groundhogs everywhere and they are leaving holes in all the wrong places.

I am currently using a scoped all weather 10/22 with Remington Thunderbolts, what I use for plinking. I would use a .223, but do not out of courtesy for the neighbors.

I am quickly learning that unless I get a head/eye shot, I have to take several followups. These things are big, real big. The largest I put down was the size of a small beagle, no joke.

Is there a hollow-point I could use that would be more efficient? :blink:

[Metaldoc]

You could try some of the "hyper velocity" .22's on the market, ie. Yellow Jackets, Viper, Mini Mag, but I found these to shoot higher than regular High Velocity .22LR ammo. I've had pretty good luck with the Federal 36 gr. HP available in a 550 round value pack from Wally World for about $8.00 and change. They are copper plated which I like better than straight lead and they shoot to the same POI as I'm already sighted in for.

Specs on the box are Muzzle Vel. - 1280 FPS, Vel. at 100 yards - 1020 fps. Muzzle energy is muzzle- 130ft/lbs. 100 yards - 85 ft/lbs. Drop is 3.4" at 100 yards .

Give em a try...... I think they will do the job but you will still need reasonable shot placement.

Metaldoc :usa:

[mrmeyer]

Will give the federals a try, thanks. :sniper:

[woodchuckssuck]

CCI Velocitor, i used to use them in my stock 10/22 and they dropped woodchucks (groundhogs) like a bad habit. Of course now i got 45 velocitors i dunno what to do with cuz i got a .17HMR now hehe

Try the velocitors, more accurate and consistant than cheap ammo too, although they are almost 4 dollars for 50...worth the money too.

[surbat6]

Understand that semi-auto rifles are illegal for PA hunting. That includes shooting at game, varmints or any animals. I hope you've got a hunting license and are wearing orange (a valid hunting license and orange hat are required for groundhog hunting, including hunting on your own property). Fines for game law violations can add up fast. Just a heads-up.
I've never had any problems with the .22 Thunderbolts in my Remington bolt action or Marlin 39 for Pennsy groundhogs. Whistle loud, chuck stands up to see what's going on, one shot to center chest or head, down he goes.

[YourLocalNerd]

Best ammo I have used for smaller varmints on my property is Quick-Shok. It's dropped everything from a rabid coon, ground hogs, muskrats, squirrels, crows etc... Always one shot one kill, well unless I miss :D. The ammo is amazing to me, 1 entry hole and 3 exits (if they exit). Pretty cheap too at about 2.50 to 3 bucks for 50.

http://www.outdoor-gear-supply.com/product-321.html <--(I wouldnt buy from there, but I just posted that so you can see a picture. They are too high in price imo...)

[SOT_II]

Method of taking, illegal.
Consideration for being a sportsman, none. (multiple follow up shots, come on)
Maybe consider not doing something that is illegal, maybe consider practicing field craft and becoming a sportsman, not a poacher/animal plinker.

As for firearm and ammo. CCI Gamegetter up close or maybe rebarrel a bolt action rifle for M2 or get a new rifle (read BOLT ACTION or SINGLE SHOT), in .17 HMR.

[dakota kid]

I forgot to add Quick shock by CCI is the absolute best. if you can find it. My friend always says to me "one shot of quick shok = i dead cat"

[SOT_II]

Originally posted by dakota kid@Feb 2 2005, 09:25 PM
true that using a semi rifle is illegal in PA, i still do it when i go there to visit relatives, hell i shoot out of my childhood bedroom window at woodchucks in the woodpile I will be damned if someone tells me i cannot shoot a varmit in the back yard with my 10/22 when i go out there everyother day and rip of 100 rounds with it at paper targets,

my personal belief is if you are on your own (or grandparents property in your case) go for it. the chances of getting caught are slim to none and if a warden stops you tell him your plinking and that he can go to hell. it's not like your poaching game to eat, you are shooting a varmit that digs holes all over fields and under buildings.
That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard. SO if it's on your own property and it's illegal, and your chances of getting caught are small...do it? I mean WTF?
Would you use that as a justification for any illegal firearms use on your or your "grandparents property"?

The answer is if it is ILLEGAL to do with a gun, you DO NOT do it, doesn't matter where you are. As a gun owner you have responsibilities to yourself and others (as in other gun owners) because when you get caught with even a .22 semi auto rifle, doing something illegal you can sure bet it's going to reflect POORLY on all of us.

Remember the last 10 years? No high capcity magazines consider that next time you suggest to someone to do something that is illegal.
There is no qualification for the WHY in poaching, you either are or are not.

[dakota kid]

your a cop aren't you sot_II

[loco]

From what he has said, I don't believe him to be a cop. Sounds like a responsible sportsman and firearm owner to me.

[kravman4]

From what he has said, I don't believe him to be a cop. Sounds like a responsible sportsman and firearm owner to me.

Loco's right. Just because you have a sense of responsibility as a sportsman doesn't make you a cop (which isn't necessarily a bad thing).

Let's try to show some responsibility on this board dakota... Condoning illegal activities is not responsible.

[SOT_II]

Originally posted by dakota kid@Feb 3 2005, 11:44 AM
your a cop aren't you sot_II
Not at all, I'm a firearms dealer/mfg and a SOT (special occupation tax "payer") - meaning I buy and sell and build machine guns, suppressors, and all kinds of firearms and destructive devices. I have four FFL's 01/07/10 and a personal 03, I pay over $4K a year in SOT's and FFL fees to do what I do. I strongly believe that there is NO ROOM for people that are going to condone illegal activity, in my industry or the shooting sports.

I am also an NRA certified firearms instructor, a state certified instructor in about 4 states, a volunteer Hunter Safety Education instructor, a life member of the NRA, a PhD, and generally not dumb enough ever to condone, participate in, or suggest an illegal activity with a firearm, EVER.

If you don't understand how this "rant" is about being a responsible gun owner and sportsman do us all a favor and don't own firearms and don't go hunting.

It's hard enough to own a firearm and hunt without those in our own ranks making it harder by advocating illegal activity.