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Woodchuck Hunting??

akfanatikakfanatik Member Posts: 580 ✭✭✭
edited May 2007 in Ask the Experts
One of my friends has a big farm FULL of groundhogs, i was thinking of using a .22 Hornet, i want to make shots out to 200yrds at least?, how does the .22 preform and this distance?? Also i need a new scope on it, what would be my best choice for under $150-200, will a .22 hornet be good for this app. ?? help appreciated
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Comments

  • perry shooterperry shooter Member Posts: 17,105 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello the Hornet is a fine cartridge but IMHO a straight hornet should be limited to maybe 150 yards a 22KHORNET maybe 200 yards . YOUR mileage may vary
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  • Mk 19Mk 19 Member Posts: 8,170
    edited November -1
    I would agree with perry shooter on keeping your shots down to the 150 yard range, there is not enough power in the little Hornet to keep it lethal past that range. I would say that the Hornet is a wonderful cartridge and it was know as the world's most accurate cartridge for many years.
    As far as scopes go, you can find many decent scopes in your price range from Simmons, Tasco or BSA. Here are a few examples:

    BSA Mil-Dot 6-24X40MM Illuminated Reticle
    http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=71287678

    Tasco 6-24X42MM Target/Varmint Rifle Scope
    http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=71454121

    Simmons 44mag 6.5-20x44 Rifle Scope Wide Angle AO
    http://gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=71359453

    These scopes are decent; they will not have the clarity the higher end scopes. But they do work well and they fit in your price range.
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  • dfletcherdfletcher Member Posts: 8,179 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Lucky guy - woodchuck is my favorite hunting sport. The heck with duck hunting in the rain & wind. Sunny day & clear skies equals great shooting.

    The straight Hornet is best out to 150 yds, 200 is just a bit too much of a stretch to be certain you're going to get a clean kill.

    There are lots of good scopes out there in the $150.00 range to include Bushnell & Swift.
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  • CubsloverCubslover Member Posts: 18,601 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I a Barska 6.5-20x50 scope on a 243, fantastic scope for the money.
    It's a very bright scope and allows me to shoot sub MOA groups from 100-225(Max avail distance). It's my second Barska scope. The other, a 3-12x50 IR, is on my 17HMR. Obviously they don't have to deal with much recoil, they are multicoated, 1/8" MOA Adj on the high power, 1/4 on the other. Shock/fog/waterproof. They've treated me really well thus far.

    Since your Hornet will be limited after 200yds, you really don't need such a high power scope.

    I have a 3-9x40 Nikon Prostaff that cost me $150 and is extremely clear and bright.
    http://www.sportsmansguide.com/cb/cb.asp?a=278098

    You shouldn't need any magnification much beyond that. A 3-12 would be my next choice.

    IMO, you don't need those high powered scopes.
    Half of the lives they tell about me aren't true.
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  • PA ShootistPA Shootist Member Posts: 694 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In some contrast to previous posts, I routinely use one of my two .22 Hornets out to 200 yards for groundhogs. I hunt on a couple noise-sensitive farms, that are just on the edge of town. Trajectory is reasonable to 200 yards; I don't think I have ever lost a 'chuck that I hit with the Hornet. I do reload with 40 grain bullets and "Lil Gun" powder, which has given me fine accuracy and excellent velocity at very moderate pressures. I have a Weaver K-8 on one rifle, a High-Wall Winchester 1885, and a Bushnell 3200 3-9 variable on the other, a CZ. The very modest report seems not to alarm livestock or neighbors, and that is the main reason for the choice of caliber. Dead chucks aren't vaporized, but show heavy bullet and hydrostatic damage to tissues. Just plain dead, and I couldn't ask for more. And back in the day, 8 or 9X magnification was considered just fine, though I realize today the trend is to higher magnification.
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  • Mr. GunzMr. Gunz Member Posts: 1,621 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What friend is this??!?!
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  • 32 Magnum32 Magnum Member Posts: 820 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I find that the Hornady 'V-MAX' polymer tipped bullets work just fine on PA groundhogs. They are 35 grains with a muzzle velocity of around 3000-3100 fps. I use an older H&R Model 157 single shot, hinged frame, with a 3-9x40 variable Barska scope. Very accurate out to 150-175 yards and effective.
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  • TWalkerTWalker Member Posts: 2,372 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Now, that is a GREAT friend! I used to hunt groundhogs all the time when I was a young man. I had an H&R single shot with an 8 power fixed scope. Deadly out to 150 yards. I loaded a little hot with Remington 46 gr. HP bullets and an unspecified charge of IMR 4227. I had to carry a cleaning rod to knock the empties out about 50% of the time. I killed hundreds of groundhogs with that rifle and rarely lost one in the hole. I finally bought a .220 Swift and although it was deadly at long range, it just wasn't as much fun as hunting with the Hornet. Carry a couple of 30 inch shooting sticks for sitting shots and the Hornet is one great groundhog gun at moderate ranges. Enjoy your hunts. You are a lucky man!
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