.22lr for woodchucks?

A nice HVHP in 22LR should work nice just pu the bullet in the right spot the 22LR is all my brother used back when we were kids back around 1970 71 and all they had back then was HVHP no Stingers or Yellow Jackets back then most of the time he used solids. My dad had the 22 magnum but thought it was to much gun for us boys didnt let us take it out. Anyway the 22LR will work on chucks try the CCI SGB Ive got a buddy that just love them! ~marco
 
I took several with my CZ 452 over the summer using Remington subsonics. It shoots a dime sized group at 50 yards, so its very well capable of a head shot out past that. I only took head shots with it though. They were dead as soon as I pulled the trigger. Using the smaller rimfire gave me access to hunting grounds I wouldn't be able to get into with other equipment. It didn't spook the horses one bit as it was a horse farm I was hunting. Horse + groundhog hole = bad news.
 
I shot them for 40 years with at 22 its great fun you just need to get a little closer. If you have any questions about the ability of the mighty lil 22 shoot a groundhog in the head at 50 yards and look at the damage you wont question it again. Try the 40gr CCI velocitors man those are WICKED !!!! Like wrench said when I cant use a center fire on a property or I get bored with the 17HMR I bring out the 22
 
Within reason, the 22 long rifle works great. I've taken a few groundhogs over the years with a 22. Just keep the distance within reason, be a little more precise in where you put the bullet, and you'll be fine and have a great time. Nothing like getting them in close to practice some good stalking skills too.

Ruger 10-22
10-22.jpg
 
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Used it all the time as akid in the 60's, when you could actually ride your bicycle with a 22 rifle over your shoulder. Woodchucks were everywhere. I wish I had those silver 1/2 dollars I used to get for shooting them on one farm! The small dairy farms with all that alfalfa are mostly gone now, and we had no coyotes then, all the farmers kept a 22 in the barn, and as kids working w/haying, wood cutting, other chores, we always knew where they were, magazine loaded,chamber empty, what a differance 40 yrs makes. A 22LR is a lot more gun than some people think, a small steer or big hog drops like a lightning strike, hit right.
 
Masshunter,

I remember some of those days when freedom was really freedom. When I was in high school, I took a shotgun to school one time, to the shop teacher to do a little repair to it. No big deal back then.

A few years before I started school, boys would take 22 rifles on the bus to school to use for the shooting team. That was back in the days when kids were properly taught respect, safety and manners, and when we didn't have political correctness, lawsuits, and when liberalism didn't have a choking grip on the nation. People were more "real" then.

A 22 rifle was a farm boy's pride back then.

Amazing how all those gun control laws that we have been steadily fed over the years, have helped to make things better, hey?

Even in the late 80s, I took some nice rifles to school (as a teacher) to show some of the boys. They loved it and it was a way of reaching kids. They didn't view me as some stiff-collared teacher sitting behind a desk, but rather as a real person who hunted and loved guns just like them.

My dad and grandpa used to butcher their own hogs, and I too have seen big farm hogs drop instantly to a 22 long rifle. The 22 is more gun than many will admit.

While shooting at game within a reasonable range and of reasonable size, given the 22s capability, it works good in the hands of a good rifleman.
 
Sadly watch the news people die from the little 22 everyday, if they can kill a human why would you think they wouldnt kill a 12 pound whistlepig
 
.22 LR will work , but why not go with one of the .17's ?
faster, flatter, and will kill a woodchuck for sure.

17 HMR
17 Mach 2
 
yup they'll do it. i personally like the winchester power points (40 grainer's). my ol' winchester lever action loves them. i prefer my hornet with open sites or my .243 for the long shots. but, it is fun to stalk them down and take em out with the "little" .22
 
I used a .22lr for years starting in the '70's. I've been using Stingers the last few years, but have found Aguila Hyper Velocity lr's real good and around $28.00 per 500 make for great trigger time.
 
I believe the vote is in, just like what has already be said use the right load, and a good shootin rifle and the right placememt of Your shots, and let the fun begin. I have two rifles that I use a well tuned 77/22 Varmint/ Target in 22lr, it loves the Winchester Powerpoints, & a custom built 22 Mag. And most of the time I go for the 22lr, the funest part the stalk.

Daryl
 
Having grown up and still living in MA, I too remember the good ole days. Back in the early 70's I would go duck or pheasant hunting before school and leave my shotgun in my car. If I got anything, the teachers would let me put it in the refrigerator in the teachers lounge for the day. Can remember riding my bike with a .22 across the handlebars going to some distant hot spot. Today either event would end with a SWAT call out.

To stay on subject, yea a .22 will kill a chuck (head shots preffered)

Jeff
 
I like using the .22 LR hollow points in my Mossberg Carbine
and walking fence rows. Poorman's jump shooting. Started shooting dirtpigs at 10 years old and the .22's have made a pile over the following 52 years. Yes, .22 will kill groundhogs!
 
only 2 reason to go with 22lr . Its cheap to shoot and doesn't make alot of noise which stops from scareing critters off.

the others are great and maybe better but its expensive to shoot alot of rounds.
 


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