Help Choosing Groundhog/small game rifle and caliber


Originally Posted By: whyIn the last two years I have killed over 200 groundhogs with my 17 HMR alone........ Over 15 of those 200 were @ 200yds or more. I shoot 17 gr vmax from a cz 452 varmint with a 3x9 bushnell. I learned early on that head shots are a must when the distance gets 100 yds. or more.

Why, that's a lot of groundhogs with the HMR, a lot more than I have done. Wish I was there with you to get some video of that. Would be interesting no doubt. We take head shots exclusively except for those two body-shot ones I mentioned earlier. We never missed a shot to the head in all the times we squeezed the trigger under 100 yards. The accuracy of the HMR made that possible.

It seems this thread is taking a turn away from the OP's original requirement of one rifle for small game AND groundhogs, and perhaps fox. We can all discuss fine varmint / groundhog cartridges all day and have a good time with it, but what about small game ( sqiurrels, rabbits etc.)? Does anyone really want to hunt gray squirrels with. 223, 204 etc? Not that there is anything wrong with that if that's what floats your boat. But in most hunting circles, small game means squirrels and rabbits, and most hunters will say rimfire for that.

Truth be, a guy would probably be better off with a good, accurate 22 long rifle for the small game, and then look for a cartridge suitable for groundhogs and fox.


 
The main property i hunt groundhogs is limited to a rimfire, i have taken several hogs over 100yds with the 17HMR, longest being 127yds confirmed, shot right below the ear with 20gr GamePoint...i agree headshots are a must over 100yds, becomes very difficult on moving targets, and once wind is factored in results arent great.

I do also agree the 17WSM seems to lack in consistent accuracy and the 17hmr is the winner in that dept.

I think the best choice is 2 rifles, a CZ 455 and another 17Hornet just for groundhogs and fox. I greatly appreciate all the opinions, advice and insight.
 

greengt88,

I think you have a good solution for rifles.

Thank you for the post. It got some good discussion going.

Good luck, and keep us posted about results.
 
I love my 22 magnum so I assume the 17 wsm would be even more fun. 22 is a bit cheaper on ammo but it is always out of stock... like LR ammo... Can't really go wrong with either. I would go with what I can find ammo for + how much I am going to spend shooting it.

I have had some explosive results on squirrels with my 22 mag so if you want to eat/save fur with these guns you need to really be careful where you shoot them.
 
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Will do, i was alittle surprised at the amount of discussion...i think i already knew the answer to my caliber dilemma, but hearing all the replies just confirmed my personal experiences. I will keep this updated after i make my purchases.
 
I grew up hunting ground hogs in western pa mercer county killed lots of them with the LR. But I felt at about 60 yard or so I ran out of rifle. I went to a .223 that was way too much. So I sttled on a 22 hornet . I could not be happier. So a second the 22 hornet rnd
 


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