fisherprice1

I am looking for the perfect groundhog gun. Something light, fast quiet and flat shooting at long range. I shoot them now with a 280 Rem but it is overkill. Any suggestions?

amosgreg

Question, Do you want this to double for anything else?
Me, My long range gun is a bull barrel .243. I can also use this for ANY centerfire deer states and also Antelopes and meat Mule Deer.

If only for whistle pigs then what do you consider long range?
Over 300 yards I'd look at at least someting in the .24 if not a little larger, under 300 then .22-250 or .223 or any of the other .22's
My other rifle(and it's new so I can't say how it will do on the pigs yet) inside 150 is the new .17 HMR. Neat rifle!


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

fisherprice1

300 yards is about right. I use my 280 for deer size so it would be just for hogs ans fox's etc. Are the 22's quieter than the 280's?

amosgreg

I don't know what your definition of quite is in this regards. The 22's are smaller cases so less powder .......
you might just want to handload the 280 down to varmit/light bullets and work for a reduced powder load if noise is a problem. Otherwise if you can cut the distance in half, to 150 go with the .17HMR as this is designed to be a varmit gun out to 200 yards and very flat shooting and reasonably quiet. I shot at the range without any noticable problems as it is only slightly louder than a 22LR with a slightly sharper crack.

They say coyotes are a bit on the big side but based on what I have seen at the range I won't hesitate at 100 - 150 yards if given the opportunity.

Your 280 is a great caliber. Good Luck


Greg

"Getting close to the game is the joy of Bowhunting for me, the harvest is a bonus."

Live 15 ft Python after eating a small Antelope!

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Ploopy

I am looking to buy the winchester coyote {22-250} does any one have one.

ultrakill

I have a Howa in .223. I shoot 52-grain hollow points(Black Hills). Some people say a .223 is small, but those light bullets explode upon impact. Ive blown the heads off groundhogs with it <img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>

I LOVE ANIMALS........THEY TASTE GOOD!

IrishLad32

I guess most of you'ns live in areas where rifles are legal for deer hunting. If not, why not consider a shot gun? If you can't hit a 'chuck from 20 yards with a 12 gauge what do you think you're going to do with a .22? I've stalked under 20 yards a number of times on woodchucks milling around, so I don't quite get the long range aspect.

God bless,
Brandan

3ToedSloth

I find my winchester model 12 to be quite effective against the fat little guy. For one thing it holds 7 and another I'm a good shot. Groundhogs are like mosquitoes to me, major pests, so good ridance.

Ploopy

I looked at the coyote and the stealth and went with the stealth{22-250}.I ordered it monday.My friend has three stealths and all shoot under a inch at 100.when i get mine and start shooting i will let you know