RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I busted one last weekend at 60 yards with a .17gr V-Max, put it right under his chubby little chin and it looked like you took a half mountain dew bottle of blood and just slung it as hard as you can out onto the dirt. I didn't have my camera with me but it was pretty devastating.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I've killed ground hogs out to 175 yards... The only way i could get a confirmed kill was to aim for the head... 100 yards and under I would drop them in there tracks with body shots... After 100 yards they would get back in there holes with body shots...

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

Thanks Longbeard. Good feedback.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I think the cci hollow points would be your best bet for groundhog medicine. The little Hornady express bullets work real well on little prairie dogs, but the groundhogs are about 3 times the size of a prairie dog, and out to the 100 yard mark, I'd want more penetration than the 17 gr. express bullets will give you.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

You may have answered my question, but what bullets did you use when they got away? I love eliminating groundhogs, and currently use my .243 to hunt. But it can get expensive using bullets that cost $18 for a box of 20. So I was considering a .17 for its accuracy, less recoil, less expensive ammo, and positive feedbacks. I usually aim for the body on longer shots and the .243 takes care of them unless I hit them low and back. I would like to continue to take body shots on longer shots cause unable to stay steady enough for a head shot say over 100 yrds. So would this be a good decision or would I need a different gun?

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

i shoot the 17 grain V-max's as well as the TNT's (speer bullets i beleive) the V-max's tend to be more explosive where as the TNT's penetrate more. both are deadly on smaller critters. but last weekend i was out shooting some tree rats and i nailed a huge red. never steped it off but i know it was under 50 yards, anyways there was NO EXIT....are you kidding me its a SQUIRREL! but i think i drilled him thru both front shoulders ......as they felt like mush

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

that would be a great gun for killing groundhogs:D

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

it depends if its windy

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

First of all,Varmint Al is awesome. Secondly; I owned a .17 hmr for a while. It is a fun little gun to shoot. I am sure you know the thing is useless in the wind though. I would try the CCI base on what I just saw. If it doesn't work as well you are only out a few bucks.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I keep hearing about the wind and its effect on the bullet. What kind of winds are we talking? Is there a rough wind speed thats a cut-off for going hunting because it will be useless to hit them?