Severe Groundhog Problem….What Do You Recommend? - Page 1

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Severe Groundhog Problem….What Do You Recommend?

Posted: 6/10/2014 2:32:24 AM EDT

Hey everyone,

I have a severe groundhog problem. They are destroying the foundation of a wooden porch that extends around the perimeter of my house. Incidentally, it's going to cost a lot to repair.

I'm going to resolve this problem with my AR, and I was just wondering what type of ammo you would recommend? Should I grab some OTM, soft point, or just use FMJ?

I have some PDX1 Defender (60 grain?). Would those work O.K.? They came in a promotional ammo box with a bunch of plinking ammo. I think they're supposed to be for home defense

Thanks for the help!

Edit: I'm going to be shooting them at close range (i.e., 10-15 yards), and they will likely be on my gravel driveway. A little concerned about ricochet (thanks Ascold).

Also, I'm using a mid length with a 1:7 twist.

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:16:09 PM EDT

[#1]

Check out DRT frangible ammo. It reduces the chance of ricochet, wont penetrate barriers and is nasty in varmint tissue....

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:18:41 PM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
Check out DRT frangible ammo. It reduces the chance of ricochet, wont penetrate barriers and is nasty in varmint tissue....

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Thanks. I suppose I should use something that is unlikely to ricochet, because they enter and exit the foundation from my rock driveway.

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:26:25 PM EDT

[#3]

00 Buck

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:28:29 PM EDT

[#4]

17hmr, with hornady varmint grenade makes them essplode

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:40:04 PM EDT

[#5]

I've used 75 grain BTHP PRVI with great success on ground hogs.

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:46:19 PM EDT

[#6]

Nice. If I was shooting into grass or something I wouldn't be concerned, but do you think those are safe against a rock driveway?

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:53:27 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Nice. If I was shooting into grass or something I wouldn't be concerned, but do you think those are safe against a rock driveway?

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We're you at in MO? Ill help you out with your problem

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:53:36 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Nice. If I was shooting into grass or something I wouldn't be concerned, but do you think those are safe against a rock driveway?

View Quote

Hmmm, I wouldn't be comfortable shooting at my house/porch, or under it, with anything really. Do you have any access to a cage trap? You could try trapping them and then executing them with a .22lr at point blank range. That's how my dad does it, and it works for him!

Posted: 6/9/2014 7:54:08 PM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

00 Buck

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LOL, I was going to suggest that out of a 410...

Posted: 6/9/2014 11:51:34 PM EDT

[#10]

12 ga with birdshot does amazing work on those little bastards, I had a few eating my garden a few years ago, cleaned out the whole family while they were munching on some clover one morning.

Posted: 6/9/2014 11:52:37 PM EDT

[#11]

Rem870 + birdshot.

Posted: 6/10/2014 1:00:58 AM EDT

[#12]

#220 conibear would be my first choice if you don't have your own pets.. Don't forget to stake them, a single Rebar T handle is adequate.

17 HMR with Hornady V max ammo would be my second choice.

If you're set on an AR, and don't handload, find some of the 40 gr Fiocchi V-max. They should fragment pretty well against rock or concrete, and they'll do a nice job against something the size of a groundhog. And they're affordable, accurate, and come in 50 round boxes. For something the size of a groundhog, you won't need anything heavier than a 40 to 45 grain bullet. I shoot coyotes with 50 grainers regularly and inside of 150 yards they are overkill, but I don't like how lighter bullets get thrown in the wind so that's what I shoot. If you handload, I would recommend a 36 grain Barnes Varmint Grenade.

Posted: 6/10/2014 1:12:34 AM EDT

[#13]

Or 00 buck comin out of this baby: [

Does this mean I win?

Posted: 6/10/2014 1:31:44 AM EDT

[#14]

i'm a little jealous of your problem.... i want to blast some groundhogs!

Posted: 6/10/2014 2:06:50 AM EDT

[#15]

22lr works just fine. Rifle or pistol does not matter.
I have used 22lr on everything that falls in the rodent hunting world for years.
I would use it on anything I needed to shoot under say 50lbs without much worry.

Posted: 6/10/2014 2:11:01 AM EDT

[#16]

Quoted:
17hmr, with hornady varmint grenade makes them essplode

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My Savage 17 HMR is THE varmint gun. And all I feed it is Hornady VMAX.

Posted: 6/10/2014 5:26:50 AM EDT

[#17]

I was going to say 55 gr Vmax or Zmax if its cheaper but for this type of application CCI 22LR Stingers would be best. Velocitors if you can find them. My 15/22 is full of Stingers for this type of problem. Less chance of putting a hole thru the house.

Posted: 6/9/2014 8:03:26 PM EDT

[#18]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Nice. If I was shooting into grass or something I wouldn't be concerned, but do you think those are safe against a rock driveway?

View Quote

Hmmm, I wouldn't be comfortable shooting at my house/porch, or under it, with anything really. Do you have any access to a cage trap? You could try trapping them and then executing them with a .22lr at point blank range. That's how my dad does it, and it works for him!

View Quote

I thought about the trap idea, but I'd prefer to not have to buy the cages.

Would you still be concerned if you were shooting parallel to your home? I won't be shooting in the direction of my home. Also, I will be the only one at home, so there isn't a safety issue for anyone but myself from a ricochet.

Posted: 6/9/2014 8:12:09 PM EDT

[#19]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Nice. If I was shooting into grass or something I wouldn't be concerned, but do you think those are safe against a rock driveway?

View Quote

Hmmm, I wouldn't be comfortable shooting at my house/porch, or under it, with anything really. Do you have any access to a cage trap? You could try trapping them and then executing them with a .22lr at point blank range. That's how my dad does it, and it works for him!

View Quote

I thought about the trap idea, but I'd prefer to not have to buy the cages.

Would you still be concerned if you were shooting parallel to your home? I won't be shooting in the direction of my home. Also, I will be the only one at home, so there isn't a safety issue for anyone but myself from a ricochet.

View Quote

It would depend on what surrounds your house....other houses? woods? fields? If that is no issue, you could use a vehicle as a rifle rest and at least some protection for yourself, and have at it. At the range you specified, a .22 rifle would get the job done. Just trying to give you some ideas, I know ground hogs are a pain in the ass!

Posted: 6/9/2014 9:23:41 PM EDT

[#20]

Conibear #4 trap. Use 'em all the time on the farm for this and they work like a charm. You can get them at most sports stores that sell guns, farmer's co-ops or feed stores, or country hardware stores. You really don't want to be shooting around homes, especially with rock around

Posted: 6/9/2014 9:29:20 PM EDT

[#21]

Get a couple dogs if you dont have any

Posted: 6/9/2014 9:35:04 PM EDT

[#22]

Bill Murray

Posted: 6/9/2014 9:38:18 PM EDT

[#23]

Ball ammo is what I would use.

Posted: 6/9/2014 9:40:42 PM EDT

[#24]

Quoted:
Bill Murray

View Quote

+1

Posted: 6/9/2014 9:49:11 PM EDT

[#25]

22LR

Posted: 6/9/2014 10:40:40 PM EDT

[#26]

Was gonna use my .22, but based on the research I've conducted, I hear that you can get quite a few "crawlers." Don't want to torture them. LOL

Posted: 6/9/2014 10:48:00 PM EDT

[#27]

CCI segmented hollow points or stingers don't leave crawlers and at that range would surely get the job done nicely.

Posted: 6/9/2014 11:04:00 PM EDT

[#28]

Shotgun is best choice.

Posted: 6/9/2014 11:20:29 PM EDT

[#29]

Posted: 6/10/2014 10:54:45 AM EDT

[#30]

20mm

Of course, I'm in construction

Posted: 6/10/2014 11:14:52 AM EDT

[#31]

Quote History

Quoted:

I thought about the trap idea, but I'd prefer to not have to buy the cages.

Would you still be concerned if you were shooting parallel to your home? I won't be shooting in the direction of my home. Also, I will be the only one at home, so there isn't a safety issue for anyone but myself from a ricochet.

View Quote View All Quotes

View All Quotes

Quote History

Quoted:

Quoted:
Nice. If I was shooting into grass or something I wouldn't be concerned, but do you think those are safe against a rock driveway?

Hmmm, I wouldn't be comfortable shooting at my house/porch, or under it, with anything really. Do you have any access to a cage trap? You could try trapping them and then executing them with a .22lr at point blank range. That's how my dad does it, and it works for him!

I thought about the trap idea, but I'd prefer to not have to buy the cages.

Would you still be concerned if you were shooting parallel to your home? I won't be shooting in the direction of my home. Also, I will be the only one at home, so there isn't a safety issue for anyone but myself from a ricochet.

Blast away then

Posted: 6/10/2014 11:28:25 AM EDT

[#32]

Monoxide.

Posted: 6/10/2014 11:47:34 AM EDT

[#33]

The Rodenator.

Posted: 6/10/2014 2:57:26 PM EDT

[#34]

Quote History

Quoted:
Monoxide.

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Works good out in the field by would not recommend around the house foundation. It could end up inside the home.

To the OP, .22LR works fine on woodchuck as long as you make good hits. I have killed them in my yard with a .177 pellet rifle.

Posted: 6/12/2014 3:55:12 PM EDT

[#35]

I would use my 22LR ruger MKII. I live in the city and don't have that choice. I am battling moles/gophers currently with zero success using bait and smoke bombs. They are destroying my garden.

Posted: 6/15/2014 9:35:46 AM EDT

[#36]

If your set on using your AR then use frangible or varmint type ammo. It is made to fragment and reduce ricochet. I would use my 870 and large birdshot or buckshot.

Posted: 6/15/2014 9:38:43 AM EDT

[#37]

Where are you located in MO. I think I have some varmint grenade's in my ammo inventory. I know I have 60gr VMaxs and 55gr soft points.

Posted: 6/28/2014 11:20:02 PM EDT

[#38]

If you really want to get rid of them all, get some connibears to cover all the holes.

Posted: 6/30/2014 2:33:47 PM EDT

[#39]

That rodentator is nothing new. I did the same for moles with a propane roofing torch.

It blows the hell out of the tunnels, ruins your yard, but does work!
If the runs are near flower beds and/or ornate landscaping, look out!! You'll have a mess

Posted: 7/15/2014 4:18:37 PM EDT

[#40]

Defending the garden this year. The 22-250 version of this bullet has taken 8 so far with no runners. link

Posted: 7/15/2014 5:19:58 PM EDT

[#41]

FMJ works fine. M193 makes them flip & pop at 400+ yards.

Posted: 7/15/2014 5:24:42 PM EDT

[#42]

My offer still stands for lending a helping hand getting rid of them

Whacked one in the garden the other night, 300 blk 208 amax with a can all the neighbors heard was a "firecracker" go off

Posted: 7/15/2014 8:39:35 PM EDT

[#43]

This would be interesting.

Quote History

Quoted:
http://olegvolk.net/gallery/d/26777-1/M134_minigun_4173.jpg

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Posted: 7/30/2014 3:57:03 PM EDT

[#44]

While I love my .17 hmr for groundhogs, and a .22lr would work fine, since the op asked for AR specific loads, go with as light of a bullet as possible. Any load marked for varmint use and under 50 grs would be perfect.

Make sure you are sighted in for the closer range.

Posted: 7/31/2014 12:32:37 PM EDT

[#45]

I have dispatched many ground hogs with my .17 hmr, drops them right in place

Posted: 7/31/2014 7:56:23 PM EDT

[#46]

If you are not shooting at your house and the backdrop is clean I would say any 223/556 round should do the trick. A vmax round would be ideal though. If you don't have pets I am in the conibear 220 camp. Traps will take care of the woodchucks that don't conform to you schedule and you can pick them up for about $12 apiece.