long range groudhog hunting

[maddysdad]

live in pa.up north and in other places they used magnums to hunt them out to 1000 yards and more.do they still use them or are they using other ones.
gary b

 

[Nomad47]

My 2 longest kills are 1062 and 1017 yards. The first was with a 6XC, the second was with a 6SLR. Both were 8 twist with 105 AMax bullets with muzzle velocities of approx 3100fps.
So, magnums are definitely not necessary.

I just checked JBM Ballistics to check energy of the 105 AMax at 1100 yards and based on that I would say any varmint bullet that retains 350 ft/lbs while staying sonic (at 1000 yards) would be a good choice. So that leaves many calibers and cartridges to choose from.

 

[mikeinct]

Gary B..The other guys may use some fancy fast twist magnums with heavy weight bullets..You need to walk before you can run...I still like the 243Win with a muzzle brake for hunting...Very Easy to see the shots hit the GH or the dirt near him at distance...My first [long range over 500M] rig was a 243W 24in barrel & brake.. one in ten twist...If I sorted the 87 gr Vmax bullets that rifle was something potent on furry varmints out to about 800 yds..Then I got into Steel VBRS up Ridgway Rifle Club Pa.850 to 1000yards...That Barrel did not last long.. next was a 9 twist using 105 Berger Hybrids More Better...Now I shoot a 6mmBRX w 115 Tubbs DTAC RBT bullet 1 in 8 twist....Effective on steel...For the GH's I'd stick with 243W more speed and power ..for Steel targets I want longer barrel life...Mike In Ct

 

[1K6BRA]

Take a good look at the 6.5 x 284. I have use this one out to 850+ yards and it takes no prisoners.

 

[1K6BRA]

I have been shooting the Ridgway VBR shoot myself for five years, in fact I do more of that now than I do groundhog hunting! It's getting hard to find areas with fields long enough to stretch out (safely) that 6.5x284 that's the only problem!

 

[stacy]

THE 6MM'S CLASS RIFLES HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE FOR GROUND GRIZZLYS SHOOTING GOT ALOT OF MEMORY'S OF TIME PASSED WITH GOOD SHOOTING FRIENDS IN THE FEILD WAITING ON A HEAD TO POP UP SOMEWHERE SOME OF THOSE GUYS HAS PASSED ON BUT THE MEMORY'S WILL LAST A LIFE TIME HERE IN FOOTHILLS OF NC !

 

[drags]

Years ago I was talking to Howard Wolfe and he told me he used a 7x300 wby for long range groundhogs and a 30x378 wby for deer. He told me when the 264 win. came out he necked the case to .243 and hunted groundhogs with it, on a hot day they where getting unexplained misses and they discovered that the bullets were blowing up before thy reached the groundhog the next day they put the bullets in a cooler and didn't have any more blow ups. I have hunted groundhogs for 58 consecutive years and hope to hunt next year, I hunt in a fifteen mile radius from my home and can get shots out to about 600 yards longest kill was 568 yards. I mostly use a 22x47 lapua, 22-250, 223 and a 222, but I have used a 7x300 wby, 7mm mag. 300 wby 7mm tcu 204 ruger 17 rem. 6.5 x 06, but the 22 calibers are my favorites. My longest kill is 605 yards with the 6.5 x 06. For a long range story we were up at Irishtown Pa. shooting rocks in a strip mine one rock about the size of a clothes dryer was at 1500 yards there was no wind that morning and we were taking turns shooting at that rock and hitting it, after hitting the rock many time we saw a groundhog at the bottom of the rock but we had only one round left and I took the shot but as luck would have it I missed by about 10 inches to the right the elevation was perfect.
drags

 

[K22]

A friend of mine is a "long range" specialist. He uses a custom build 22 250, 26" barrel and shoots off a portable bench. He has a 20x Leupold scope and dials up the distance. I've witnessed him take ghogs out to 500 yards. I don't know if that qualifies as "long range" but here in eastern PA that would cover about 99.99% of the available safe shots. I was extremely impressed even though he shot off a bench.

I hunt ghogs extensively but I'm a stalker and shoot off shooting sticks so my range in limited to under 300 yards. Most shot opportunties where I hunt rarely are over 250 yards. I like to move around a lot.

 

[GT Accuracy]

live in pa.up north and in other places they used magnums to hunt them out to 1000 yards and more.do they still use them or are they using other ones.
gary b

Gary

I have hunted woodhchucks all over the east coast and have used 300 WSM Varmitners, 284 Win, 6.5x284, 6 BR, 6mm Ackley Improved, 20 BR and several others. The Big Magnums are really only necessary if you want to get into the “mile club” or if you want maximum red mist. There are others that will be easier on the should, ears and pocket book though.

The 6AI with an 87 gr vmx or 105 gr berger vld Hunting bullet will get it done at 1,000 yrds. I have several kills on the family farm in PA in the 900-1000 yrd range with the 6AI.

IF you want a 300 magnum chuck killer - build one or buy one (I have one if you’re in the market) - you only live once....enjoy it.

 

[fyrewall]

I like my 6mm AI with 105 Hornady Amax or 87 VMax. I also use a .22-.250 (75 Amax), .243 W (87 VMax) and 6.5-06 (120 Amax). On occasion I have shot a few with a .308 W (125 Speer TNT) and .300 Win mag (208 Amax & H1000). Use whatever provides the most satisfaction at the moment, a perfect selection is not required.

The western yellow bellied marmot or rock chuck is the equivalent of the eastern ground hog or wood chuck and both species provide equal rifle sport.

 

[Drop Port]

At longer range, 500 on out I've used 6BR, 65x47, 6.5-284, 264 Win, 300 Win, 300 WSM and 338 Norma.

The last few years I don't hesitate to grab the 6br or the 6.5x47, these two have killed more in the 500- 1000 range than all the others put together. I will shoot them with whatever I have with me but would rather use the 6 and 6.5

 

[284winner]

With today's excellent bullets, I believe any 6, 6.5 or 7mm non magnum cartridge will perform to your expectations out to at least 1000 yards. You'll need to do your part of course but todays bullets are meant to work in next zip codes. Just find which one your barrel loves and go to work.

 

[VaRandy]

I like my 6mm AI with 105 Hornady Amax or 87 VMax. I also use a .22-.250 (75 Amax), .243 W (87 VMax) and 6.5-06 (120 Amax). On occasion I have shot a few with a .308 W (125 Speer TNT) and .300 Win mag (208 Amax & H1000). Use whatever provides the most satisfaction at the moment, a perfect selection is not required.

The western yellow bellied marmot or rock chuck is the equivalent of the eastern ground hog or wood chuck and both species provide equal rifle sport.

No doubt about it.

 

[VaRandy]

With today's excellent bullets, I believe any 6, 6.5 or 7mm non magnum cartridge will perform to your expectations out to at least 1000 yards. You'll need to do your part of course but todays bullets are meant to work in next zip codes. Just find which one your barrel loves and go to work.

I concur!

 

[Drop Port]

I guess its been a few years and a face lift, new scope, paint job etc. but still working.

 

[fyrewall]

Drop Port's 726 rodents look like they are napping

 

[ab_bentley]

Magnums are overrated for LR work. A 22 Dasher with 75/80gr bullets work equally well without the recoil and typically you get to see the shot. Plus, you really need to define long range...800 and in isn't really long range. I've killed a few 800yd hogs with the 20 Practical and 40gr bullets, 1 shot/1 kill deals. I've killed hogs over 800yd with the 223 and 75s, hogs at 900+ with 6br running 105s. A Magnum or even a 308 based case isn't really needed, just a good load and wind calling ability.

Adam

 

[Gary Wiant]

Gary, where in PA are you? I live in Clarion County.

My recommendation is a 6 dasher, I used to shoot a CZ 204 Ruger, 220 Swift & 22-250 and frequently had shot opportunities out past 700 yards but the wind never cooperated and I'm not great reading the wind. My longest kill was 519 yards. I wanted a caliber that would buck the wind a little better so I had Dustin at SO Custom Rifles build me a 6 Dasher... wow what a hammer, unfortunately my longest attempt was 348 yards and I cut him in half with the Hornady 105. Hopefully I get more time out next year & can catch one out further.

 

[284winner]

Magnums are overrated for LR work. A 22 Dasher with 75/80gr bullets work equally well without the recoil and typically you get to see the shot. Plus, you really need to define long range...800 and in isn't really long range. I've killed a few 800yd hogs with the 20 Practical and 40gr bullets, 1 shot/1 kill deals. I've killed hogs over 800yd with the 223 and 75s, hogs at 900+ with 6br running 105s. A Magnum or even a 308 based case isn't really needed, just a good load and wind calling ability.

Adam

Adam, I think they are also over rated for even a great percentage of big game as well. Since the OP is only on the subject of ground hogs out around 1000+, many of the above cartridges certainly qualify as ideal ones. Many of the .22 variants also make the 1000 yard mark with the 70-80 grain weight bullets but reading wind DOES tend to be a bit more important with these lighter bullets. Lots of options.

 

[VaRandy]

Drop Port's 726 rodents look like they are napping

Dirt Nap!