Best Rifle/Calibur for groundhogs

[Htrailblazer]

Looking at getting a rifle to shoot some groundhogs on my in laws place. I am looking for something that you can put a scope on. other considerations are cost, ammo cost/availability, and multi purpose. I will also be using this a coyote rifle.

 

[jeremy]

Ruger 10/22...

 

[kevman65]

BMG .50, might as well have fun too

 

[jeremy]

BMG .50, might as well have fun too

At least until you have to explain to the Wife why you re-mortgaged the house...

 

[kevman65]

At least until you have to explain to the Wife why you re-mortgaged the house...

"What's that Honey?"

"Oh, its my new groundhog gun, guaranteed to stop them in one hit"

"How much did it cost Honey?"

"Oh, about a second mortgage and the ammo is a car payment or two"



"CLANG"

"Honey, I need a new iron skillet now"

 

[OneBadV8]

the .17 HMR is good little round, and a .223 would be a good centerfire round that is readily available and have a ton of options

 

[jeremy]

"What's that Honey?"

"Oh, its my new groundhog gun, guaranteed to stop them in one hit"

"How much did it cost Honey?"

"Oh, about a second mortgage and the ammo is a car payment or two"



"CLANG"

"Honey, I need a new iron skillet now"

Huh...

That sounds like it would go over easier at your house than mine...

 

[kevman65]

Huh...

That sounds like it would go over easier at your house than mine...

Much easier, as long as the dog has kibble I have no one else to answer to

 

[jeremy]

Much easier, as long as the dog has kibble I have no one else to answer to

Sigh....

I remember the Good Ol' Days still...

I think I am going to go cry now...

 

[Fordtough25]

I would also vote .223, ammo everywhere, not much kick, and multiple options as to which rifle to get.

 

[kboom524]

My vote goes to the .223. I have a Remington 700 in .223 that is great for groundhogs. My son is hooked on his .204 Ruger. Also a great cartridge for groundhogs, very flat shooting.

 

[kludge]

.22LR within 50 yards
.22 WMR, .17 HMR out to, oh, 125yds+
.22 Hornet out to ~200+
.223 Rem, .17 Rem fireball, .204 Ruger ~300+
.22-250 beyond that out to 400yds+
Anything in .243" to .308" as far out as you can hit them

Anything on the list will work for coyotes too, but maybe a tad less range for a few of them.

If you already have a hunting rifle, you don't need a special rifle for groundhogs or coyotes - especially if you just want dead critters.

 

[fireball168]

Looking at getting a rifle to shoot some groundhogs on my in laws place.

How far are your typical shots going to be?

Is noise a consideration?

What are your accuracy requirements?

 

[BBSparkle]

I would choose...

EX-CALIBUR!

 

[geno2k]

I would suggest a NEF Handi-rifle with a good scope in .223. I had the opp. to shoot one the other day and was shooting 3 shot groups you could cover with a dime at a hundred yards. Ammo is cheap and easy to come by.

 

[dross]

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv87T1CQF8E&feature=related[/ame]

 

[fennsta_78]

22-250 or .222 swift would be the ultimate but Id say a .17 or .223 for cost reasons.

 

[ChalupaCabras]

I would use a 17 HMR as a first choice.

204 Ruger if I had to reach out far.

 

[slipnotz]

I'd go with the .223 too many guns and ammo options to list.

 

[IndianaGTI]

Main question is how far away will you be. I have a buddy that goes to Ohio and shoots groundhogs out to 1000+ yards. North Central Ohio Varmint Express or something like that. 1000+ yards is a little far for a .22lr.