killing groundhogs

[357Mag]

All -

IMHO -

I believe responses to Maddysdad OP would be formulated using certain initial assumptions, such as:
A capable shooter, a capable rifle/cartridge combo, suitable optics; and certainly... assuming a "good hit ".

As regards use of the term " enhanced lethality "....

I'm was not suggesting varying stages of " dead ", or anything like " mildly dead ", " more dead "; " dead again ".
What I was speaking to was " capability " or " ability " of the chosen energy delivery " system " ( rifle/cartridge )

For clarity, some definitions for " lethality " and " enhance " follow:

" Lethality " ( also deadliness ):

" ... the capacity to cause death "
Oxford dictionaries

" ... the ability of something to kill "
definitions.net

"..." Lethality is how capable something is of causing death.
The use of this term denotes the ability of these weapons
to kill ... "
wikipedia

" Enhance ":

"...intensify, increase, or further improve the quality "
Google.com

"... to improve, especially in effectiveness "
freedictionary.com


To " enhance lethality " as the 2 terms are defined above, would be to enhance the capability/ability to kill.

My offered opinion was that the ability to deliver a minimum threshold value of 450 ft lb into a groundhog would stand one in good stead.
A variety of ( especially )varmint calibres w/ varying combinations of case capacities and shooting suitable varmint bullets can be found,
that will provide the suggested minimum energy level @ distance; when those " good hits " are made.

YRMV.


With sincere regards,
357Mag

 

[K22]

Seeing gut shot crawlers, with any cartridge, really makes a man feel terrible. Stomping on their head to finish them makes you feel worse.

It hasn't happen a lot with me but I can recall a couple of really awful incidents where the shot didn't kill them but was enough to stop them from crawling into their hole. I had to finish them off (won't go into details) and it wasn't very pleasant but I had to do it keep the animal from suffering.

I try very hard to only take shots where I have high proability of making lethal shot but with hunting it's never 100% however I have cut my wounded ones down considerably.

 

[Webster]

given at distance of 300 to say 400 yards and the 6 mm bullets of 55 to 70 grain using varmint bullets I hear that you need 400 foot pounds of energy to be on the target or so.if you look at some of the posts I fell this may not be true. any thoughts on this?i shoot a 22 br and used 22 250s and a 6 mm ppc with sierra and custom bullets.the ranges were up to 350 yards.
gary b

My favorite caliber for long distance. 175 AI. At least 450 ft-lbs. 1st. Infantry Division Vietnam 1966. View attachment 995

 

[jghoghunter]

My favorite caliber for long distance. 175 AI. At least 450 ft-lbs. 1st. Infantry Division Vietnam 1966.View attachment 995761 View attachment 995761 View attachment 995761 View attachment 995761

View attachment 995761

How many pounds of powder per round is that 175AI. Since it's a AI how much did that reduce case trimming? What do you use to trim that case?

 

[Webster]

How many pounds of powder per round is that 175AI. Since it's a AI how much did that reduce case trimming? What do you use to trim that case?

Deleted the extra photos. Figured out how to do it. No case just big powder bags.

 

[snert]

I foresee only two issues...it might leave a divot in the field, and the groundhog may use it as his new residence if you miss....

 

[VaRandy]

I'm not much on "Enhanced lethality" (who speaks like that? "Lethality" is not even a word - it sent my spell checker into cardiac arrest ).

There was a gunsmith in Virginia, Richard Franklin, who promoted the 300 Winchester Short Mag, with 125gr Nos BTs for woodchucks. That gun would literally explode a 'chuck in a circle of "debris" of 20 feet or more.
I am not of the school of "Hit 'em with 3 M-80s" type of shooting.

I much prefer the "Heart attack" approach. They are hit, they fall down and die, their tail flags, and they are in one piece with one little hole (the entrance), and when you pick them up, they feel like a bag of warm jello.

I also love the double back flip with 1 full twist encircled in a beautiful pink mist.