Uber-Long Range Woodchuckin'

Originally Posted By: MACK133
Again, the ultimate goal is for a rifle capable of dropping woodchucks out to 1000yds and possibly further. Caliber is what I am really stumped on.

I'm still stumped on the range finder that'll range a groundhog at 1000 yards.
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Just read an article on range finders, you can range as far as you want but it will cost $$$$$. Personally I am more into small cals. but for 1000 yard PLUS ranges I still say you will do better with something like a 300 SAUM shooting a heavy, high BC bullet at high velocity. Compare the drop charts for some of the cals. mentioned in this thread and you will see what I mean. Richard Franklin ( I think ) had a good article on accurate shooter about 1000 yd groundhogs. I don't enjoy shooting big cal. guns so I shoot my 20 vt, 204, and 223 ack imp at the longest range that they are capable of.
 
Originally Posted By: fw707Originally Posted By: MACK133
Again, the ultimate goal is for a rifle capable of dropping woodchucks out to 1000yds and possibly further. Caliber is what I am really stumped on.

I'm still stumped on the range finder that'll range a groundhog at 1000 yards.
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The Leica 1600 should up to snuff for 1,000yd groundhog ranging
 
I have used a terrapin before, and can tell you that at 1,000 yds even the best of the best isn't going to be as easy as a point and click the button for distance. It can be done but id bet your going to be ranging something larger near it. 300 SUAM for ground hogs...? I will tell you one thing you boys must grow them bigger out there than ive ever seen before.
 
Clearly you don't need a 30 cal. to kill a groundhog, but if you are shooting @ 1000 plus yards a big fast ( high bc ) bullet will have a lot less drop and will not be pushed by the wind like a slower lighter bullet. The 300 um will drop about 100" less than a 6.5 creedmoor and will be pushed about 20" less by a 10 mph wind @ 1000 yds. In order to kill one you must first hit it. I agree that if shooting targets at a known distance the 6mm and 6.5's do very well. Think about it, what are snipers using at 1000 plus yds.
 
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good point Why...... 1000 yds is a LONG WAYS... especially at a ground hog size target... I can't imagine hitting one that far in hunting conditions....WOW ... Bench rest...maybe...but in the field... WOW again...
 
Yes Dan it is a long way. Did you look at the piece on accurate shooter.com ( it is under varmint pages ) they are shooting 300WSM with 125 grain bullets at almost 4000 fps. A man has to have deep pockets for that game.
 
I have shot a lot at 1K and 1K plus. Ground hog at 1k heck yeah go for it. My buddy lives near me has a range to 2K. I have shot there a lot. 18in round steel plate at 1K we ring it really regularly if the winds aren't to bad. With winds sometimes it takes a shot to get drift down exactly. Learning to read wind is a bear there are rules of thumb but gusting wind is the devil at distances like that.

I have built several long range guns. I started with a 300RUM then built a 338 Lapua and finally last summer I finished my 375 chey tec and it is a long range beast... I have accrued so much stuff range finders wind meters numerous ballistic programs till I found one I liked.

My opinion if I was going to build a 1K ground hog gun I would build a 7mag. I like 30 cals but I also like the ballistics of the big seven mags so I would go that way. Is it overkill? Not really dead is dead. If you want a AR15 length I would go with the Grendel I am not certain about it at 1k but the possibility is there. Again I have no first had knowledge of it

Let us know what you decide on
 
Agreed on the fast twist rate 6 or 6.5 mms. Im in the same boat and am torn between a 243 win, 243ai, or a 6.5 creedmoor. I like the idea of the 243 win for availibilty and versatility but the creed seems like it would be a better fit for me. Decisions, decisions. Let me know what you decide on and how you like it.
 
A 6-06 AI is on my bucket list. I have a 7mm rem magnum and it's no slouch. Right there with the 300 win mag but a little less recoil. I would consider a brake on any of these, but for sure on a 7mm rem magnum or 300 win.
 
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