2006HighSierra

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.

Mr. Longbeard

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...

G2 Shooter

Thanks Longbeard. Good feedback.

Howler

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.

Zrabfan26

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?

ReDoT

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

tyleryeags

that would be a great gun for killing groundhogs

huntnthefield

it depends if its windy

standsleeper

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.

Zrabfan26

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?