He may go Boone & Crockett

[Gary in MD]

This was a big old male that seemed to be content with living off by himself well away from other holes in the area. I have killed some that were larger but this was a good sized ole boy.
I try to keep the noise down on this farm so I was using my 223ai and a 52 grain Berger hp varmint. I still don't have the load right for this rifle yet as I'm getting good accuracy but the velocity is only in the regular 223 range.
Gary

 

[Cold Bore]

Do you have any pictures of him *beside* the rifle for size comparison, instead of the "trophy fish, stuck out at arms length" pics?

 

[Gary in MD]

No....LOL
No pictures of him laying next to a tape measure, skull measurements, etc.
He was just another dead groundhog, worthy of one picture at most. Just thought he was worthy of mention.
Wasn't trying to say "my fish was bigger than your fish" 8)
Gary

 

[snert]

Fine old boy you shot there. it takes a few years to get that girth and shape...for some of us longer than others....

 

[dedogs]

Anyone who has shot a lot of woodchucks will recognize that is a pretty good sized one there. As a matter of fact I would be willing to bet that nose to tip of tail he is as long as that rifle stock. Possibly 10#s or more. 12#s is not uncommon in older 'chucks.

 

[MrMajestic]

Nice Chuck Gary! I got a 10.74 lb. Boar today with the "old school".17 Ackley Bee in a low noise area. 2 years ago I got a 14 1/2 lb. Monster but it was in September when they really concentrate on getting ready for the long nap.

 

[40X Guy]

He's a big one! Good shooting Gary!

Frank

 

[fredo]

Looks like a toad from where I'm sitting!
Only ever weighed one 'chuck, and it happened to be the toad from last weekend. Was 11lbs 8oz. on a digital fish scale. Either way, can tell its a potential Booner when their bodies "pancake out" like that...

Congrats!

 

[Gary in MD]

I am always a little surprised at the hit a big chuck will take and not show much damage on the outside. I have hit them with some varmint bullets packing some punch and not had them show much "outside damage". Oh yea, it kills them when the bullet blows up inside, but no carnage. I've had them take good hits from the 22-250; Swift; and even 6mm's and still "keep it together".
Is it wrong to be disappointed when there is no carnage? ;D

Good shooting,
Gary

 

[MrMajestic]

In populated areas it is great when they don't exit, as you know Gary. It was the reason for choosing the 17 Ackley Bee with the 20 grain V-Max for me last Saturday. Not a single exit out of 4 from 64 to 116 yards. I must admit though that turning them inside out or decapitation is amazing when conditions permit! ;D

 

[snert]

I am always a little surprised at the hit a big chuck will take and not show much damage on the outside. I have hit them with some varmint bullets packing some punch and not had them show much "outside damage". Oh yea, it kills them when the bullet blows up inside, but no carnage. I've had them take good hits from the 22-250; Swift; and even 6mm's and still "keep it together".
Is it wrong to be disappointed when there is no carnage? ;D

Good shooting,
Gary

Agreed...but isn't it odd that one will have a tiny hole and hardly look "dead" and the next one, same place hit makes the head look like a bloody inside-out sock? Seen both. Matters not to me, the goal is a humane kill, first try.

Snert

 

[CaptainMal]

Nice "hog".

For anyone wanting a big one, there's one in the field outside the Visitor's Center at Smokey Mountain Park off Rt. 441 in North Carolina. Saw it for a few years now. Last week was there and so was that hog. I mean - yes.

Only problem is you can't shoot legally there. Might hit an elk.

 

[waterfwlr]

[quote author=Gary in MD
Is it wrong to be disappointed when there is no carnage? ;D
[/quote]

I don't think so. If there isn't pieces flying through the air I'm disappointed. I found that in 6mm, the 70-75 gr varmint bullets will sometimes not exit. I switched to 85-87 grainers and it is guaranteed destruction with a better BC.

 

[grovey]

He looks mature.

 

[alintx]

Did you tooth him for age ?? (lol)