.17HMR for Groundhogs
 

Forgive me if this is a dead issue but the search engine isn't working for me. Will a .17HMR cleanly kill a groundhog out to 100 yards?

Thanks

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

Yup and even farther.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

Yes, but for nearly the price of 17HMR ammo you could reload a .223 and stretch it out a little farther.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I want to shoot groundhogs in PA. I have a Marlin .17HMR and a RR AR15. I can't use a semi-auto in PA so I wanted to know if the .17HMR would be adequate. I don't want to have to buy a new rifle right now but would if needed.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I think if you make good shots you will have no problem with the .17HMR on groundhog sized critters.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

Another question. I will use whichever brand ammo shoots the best out of my rifle, which has been the 17 grain Hornady's, but has anyone used the 20 grain JHPs? Do you feel they are needed for groundhogs?

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I think you are on the right track, shoot what ever ammo is the most accurate out of your rifle. Realistically there is not much difference in terminal performance between the two...not that I have seen anyways. After you dump the first chuck you will have more confidence in the setup. Keep us informed.

Varmint Al has some GREAT .17 HMR bullet testing info.

http://www.varmintal.com/17hmr.htm

Look about half to 3/4 way down the page and there are quite a bit of bullet performance comparisons.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

Here are a few good pics from Varmint Al's Page.







It seems the CCI with the Speer TNT would be a better choice if penitration was a concern. The V-Max is more fragmentable.

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

ACLakey, thanks for the website. Has some great info!

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

Any time.

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?

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

i shot a ground hog from 147 yards with a savage HMR 17 caliber and it droped in its tracks

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I use a Marlin 17HMR for hunting ground hogs and have taken several dozen ground hogs over the last few years from 10 - 150 yds. Good shot placement drops them where they are!

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I think this is already been pretty well covered. Just to add aobvious but stillimportantfact is make sure you aim for the vitals, no matter if 20 yards or under 200 yards.

No reason to take shot if you can't hit the target in those spots, imo :)

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

My buddy recently got a Ruger .17HMR, and it is the sweetest shooting little rifle I have ever shot. With a good rest, we were shooting bottle caps at 100-120 yards ... The ammunition is kind of expensive, but its worth it. Its a fun gun. Can't give you testimony on what it would do to a groundhog, but Im guessing it would do a number on a groundhog...

RE: .17HMR for Groundhogs
 

I've never shot ground hogs, or pds , but the 17 does a good job on gofers. Use to kill'em with .22s. The yellow jackets would do a number on them,,,, when you hittem, with the 17 it's almost a given you'll hittem.Then the crows can eat to.

Easily out to 250 yards and can stretch to 300
 

I live in PA and use a Henry Golden Boy with a caliber specific cabelas 3x9 scope. It is dead on accurate out to 250 yards and just leaves the helicopter tail. It is wicked on groundhogs. Most of my shots are between 20 and 235 yards. 17 grain hornaday v-max is perfect for my gun.

When I play with long range, I use my browning A-Bolt varmint .22-250 from 100 to my longest successful shot ever of 536 yards. In that is use a hot load, 40 grain hollow point. Big fan of bull barrels.

I doubt you will get a response from the OP, no one has posted on this thread for 7 years.

Welcome to the site whistle pig. Where abouts in PA are you from? I'm from Indiana County. Lots of good information and good folks on the forum so stick around!
-Jake

I've killed a few with a 17hmr... Seen more than half crawl back to hole after 100 yards with body shots