Shot a groundhog last nite but

[randy_68]

Didn't kill him. I know it happens to everyone at some point but it's still a bummer. I do feel bad for him as it wasn't my intention to wound him . The good news is that I saw him about a half hour later laying on an old truck tire next to his den . I put the scope on him and saw a spot right where the pellet hit but he seemed ok. He jumped back under cover before I was able to take another shot so I'll go back in a day or two and see if he is still around. 

Originally I thought I had shot completley under him(wish I did) but looks like I did hit him, just lower than I wanted. 

I have been to this farm several times now and I'm starting to see all these groundhogs the farmer was telling me about. This guy is residing in a shed with junk in it and his hole is covered with metal roofing etc. No worries about the weather for him.

I did manage to pick off a couple pigeons while I was there but didn't hit the record button.

I was using my FX400 Royale .22 with JSB at 925. Topped with a Discovery 4-16x44 sfp with Hawke reticle.

https://youtu.be/wGmvXNhuKqQ

 

[bubblerboy64]

Looked to me like a perfectly placed shot. You might be looking at another. GH you know they all DO look a like. I hit one the other night and he got about 5 yards and out of sight . Walked down to check and he was hit solidly in the head. He was dead just flopping . Yours maybe the same.

 

[randy_68]

I thought of that but no blood and he ran around the bin into the shed. The one I saw later sure looked like he had a spot right in the same spot I hit him. Could be a different one though and the one I shot made it into his hole to expire. If I shoot another one at that location I'll check him over good for sign of a hit.

 

[AirgunBill]

It happens the main thing is to try your best to place the shot in the right place. I will say while many have reported killing groundhogs with the JSB 18's I have found their light weight and soft lead is not the best for penetrating through a tuff groundhog skull. For a .22 caliber gun of moderate power I like the harder lead and extra weight of The H&N Baracuda Match. Here is a chart I did for penetration for various pellets. Bill

 

[bubblerboy64]

Interesting. I would have thought plenty of penetration and never considered the possibility that it was poor bullet performance. Good to know.

 

[randy_68]

thats good info Bill.

I have shot over 20 groundhogs with airguns in .177 and .22. The only two I lost were body shots on my first two. After that it has been head shots only and they all dropped at the shot. All my shots have been from 5 to 40 yards, with this one right at 35 . Pellets used were Crosman Premiers and JSB's. I still think from my video the shot was just a touch low and that's why I shared it with you guys. Originally I thought I missed as the pellet hit the plastic pipe pretty hard but I guess it was a pass thru.

 

[NEAirGunner]

I didn't see predator polymags on your list of pellets you tested. I have seen a lot of videos of guys hunting with them and they had devastating results. Might be something to think about as well. Sure looked like a good shot but, I have to wonder. Usually a hit to the head/neck region would be an almost instant kill.

 

[AirgunBill]

I didn't see predator polymags on your list of pellets you tested. I have seen a lot of videos of guys hunting with them and they had devastating results. Might be something to think about as well. Sure looked like a good shot but, I have to wonder. Usually a hit to the head/neck region would be an almost instant kill.

The reason I did not test the Polymags is because in my opinion they are designed for expansion. The tip is designed to improve b.c. and then upon impact to drive into the pellet to increase mushrooming. For air rifles shooting pellets I only go for head shots and therefore want little expansion to increase penetration. Bill

 

[Jammin22]

It looked like you nailed him. Strange.

 

[NEAirGunner]

I didn't see predator polymags on your list of pellets you tested. I have seen a lot of videos of guys hunting with them and they had devastating results. Might be something to think about as well. Sure looked like a good shot but, I have to wonder. Usually a hit to the head/neck region would be an almost instant kill.

The reason I did not test the Polymags is because in my opinion they are designed for expansion. The tip is designed to improve b.c. and then upon impact to drive into the pellet to increase mushrooming. For air rifles shooting pellets I only go for head shots and therefore want little expansion to increase penetration. Bill

Hey Bill, I know this isn't a ground hog in the video but it's worth a look. Check it out... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DsUTwKeZ-Q

 

[Vetmx]

Yeah you were a little low. He will have a sore jaw and then possibly an infection. Go redeem yourself on him. You will feel better. I shoot grundy’s with 15.89’s going 830 out of my Leshiy. Right behind the eye, dead every time at 50yrds or less.

 

[pcparmy]

It did hit low through the jaw. If you want a higher percentage kill zone, I’m a big proponent of chest shooting woodchucks if you really need them dead. They die quickly, but it will be down the hole. Not as satisfying, but it does the job every time and the kill zone is easy to penetrate unlike a sloped woodchuck skull that loves to deflect pellets) . Make terrible video, but it works lol

 

[Yote]

Between the eyes 18 gr JBS

 

[randy_68]

I wont be able to get back out there till monday or tuesday and will be taking my Cricket .25 so won't have any video. 

Hopefully I'll be able to redeem myself.

 

[Bob_O]

This was 30yds with a JSB 15.89gr right behind the eye, full profile shot.