Air rifle for groundhogs

Mossyoak · May 28, 2015

I can confirm that a Gamo air gun in .22 with pba pellets will address the problem at the ranges you are looking to cover

air gun will work fine at the distances you mention.

Pale Ryder · May 28, 2015

Concur about energy. It's about the fpe, not fps. If you're not sure about a .22 they do make a few .25 in gas pistons.

Streetgang · May 28, 2015

Blacksmith101 said:
Consider the energy of the round since that is what does the work. In my opinion the minimum energy for a humane kill on a groundhog, at close range 25 yds. with a well placed shot, would be a standard velocity .22 short weighing 27 to 29 grains. The ballistics tables show that equals something in the range of 60 to 70 foot pounds of energy at 25 yds. A better choice would be a .22 Long Rifle either sub sonic or standard velocity weighing 38 to 40 grains. This has an energy of 80 to 90 foot pounds at 25 yds. Look for an air rifle and "pellet" combination that will give equivalent energy at 25 yds.

If you can't shoot them with something adequate to insure a humane kill then either trap and dispatch them or use smoke bombs. Respect life even when you have to take it.

Not sure I agree with your assessment of how much energy is needed. I think a decent .22 air rifle with a heavy pellet is more than enough to humanely dispatch a groundhog.
See the video:

To add, here is an article on hunting groundhogs

But, you aren't under-killing that's for sure. It's better to have more power than needed than not enough.

carpecervisi · May 28, 2015

I've taken a dozen or so over the past few years with a .25 PCP. My first attempt was a full auto Drozd Blackbird. That was a lot of fun, but those bb's just bounced off em. After one laughed at me, I picked up a Benjamin Marauder.

That was a great starter PCP and did a great job, but I wanted a little more excitement and picked up a select fire Evanix MAX. Sometimes you just want to go full auto on those little bastards.

Personally, I wouldn't go less than .25 on them. They are tough little blighters.

Arcamm · May 28, 2015

Second Amendment said:
Agreed, caught my first one this morning in a trap. The instructions for the trap are BS. I followed them and I caught nothing. I went on line and read a completely different approach to using the trap and it worked.

I'd be interested in that link.

Streetgang said:
Not sure I agree with your assessment of how much energy is needed. I think a decent .22 air rifle with a heavy pellet is more than enough to humanely dispatch a groundhog.
See the video:

To add, here is an article on hunting groundhogs

But, you aren't under-killing that's for sure. It's better to have more power than needed than not enough.

That is impressive.

teratos · May 29, 2015

If your budget for an air rifle is $500, you might as well buy a .22 suppressor.

BradMacc82 · May 29, 2015

My brother has an older model of the Talon SS from AirForce in .22, bought it from an exterminator of all people.

Has no issues dropping raccoons and groundhogs, cleanly. Have no idea what they usually cost, but it definitely does the job - quietly too if you drop the power some.

molonlabe · May 29, 2015

I have used an RWS model 32 with heavy .177 pellets to slow it down and improve accuracy. I shot one of those ground squirrels in Wisconsin using my wife's shoulder as a rest. It's head came off with jets of blood from the body. My wife thanked me for the visual that she will never get out of her head. I would say anything advertised at 1100 fps. Using a heavy pellet (.177 HP) will slow it down to 850 fps. I'm with the post that before spending 500 bucks on a precision air gun you can buy a suppressor for a .22. But with the .22 shortage I have been getting a lot of target use from my air guns.

Second Amendment · Jun 2, 2015

Arcamm said:
I'd be interested in that link.

That is impressive.

HA! I got six with the trap. Mom, Dad, and four kids. My next door neighbor's dog killed two cubs. The little bastards have done a lot of damage to my yard.

Arcamm, here's the link that helped make that trap really work.

http://www.wikihow.com/Trap-a-Groundhog

Vic · Jun 5, 2015

I shoot a .25 Benjamin Marauder. It is hard on squirrels and ghogs. They come with a Green Mountain barrel and are very accurate. Very good gun and very quiet. They are shrouded/suppressed. I can shoot mine in the dining room and my wife doesn't hear it in the kitchen. It will nearly remove the head from a squirrel. More than adequate for groundhogs. I think it is generating about 45 ft lbs of energy.

Vic

C.Alls · Jun 5, 2015

I'm pretty addicted to Bigbore airguns and will bypass my HMR and .204 to grab my .408 air rifle whenever I see a groundhog inside 200 ish yards. Something about slinging a 230 grain hollowpoint near silently with nothing more than air

Turtle Man · Jun 6, 2015

This is where I purchased my air rifle. .22 Hatsan break barrel.

www.pyramydair.com

airsporter · Jun 9, 2015

A lot depends upon your budget. Groundhogs are tough creatures and you need sufficient power and accuracy to make proper brain shots. Quality airguns can do it, but you may be looking several hundred dollars - minimum.

hutchinsonkw · Jun 11, 2015

My brother gave me his 22cal air rifle which I will use for squirrels and rabbits. I think I will look into a 25-30 cal air rifle for groundhogs. That is if the traps I putnout does not get then.

Pmbspyder · Jun 23, 2015

I dropped a massive whistlepig yesterday with my crosman nitro venom at about 70 yards. Shot was standing, unsupported, vs a broadside target. Ran about 2 feet, dropped, and was dead by the time I walked over. No blood, just a small entry hole.

A .22 pellet rifle with decently heavy pellets pushing anywhere from 600-800fps will most certainly do the job. The key is shot placement.

Jerry M · Jun 23, 2015

Benjamin Rogue
http://www.crosman.com/rogue-357

Saw video at the NRA Sportsman show in Harrisburg of this rifle killing Warthogs.

GTOGUNNER · Jun 23, 2015

Pmbspyder said:
I dropped a massive whistlepig yesterday with my crosman nitro venom at about 70 yards. Shot was standing, unsupported, vs a broadside target. Ran about 2 feet, dropped, and was dead by the time I walked over. No blood, just a small entry hole.

A .22 pellet rifle with decently heavy pellets pushing anywhere from 600-800fps will most certainly do the job. The key is shot placement.

Jerry M said:
Benjamin Rogue
http://www.crosman.com/rogue-357

Saw video at the NRA Sportsman show in Harrisburg of this rifle killing Warthogs.

So we are talking head shots? These bastards are tough....Well maybe from AA County they aren't? Here in Carroll,, they drink beer.

Pmbspyder · Jun 24, 2015

GTOGUNNER said:
So we are talking head shots? These bastards are tough....Well maybe from AA County they aren't? Here in Carroll,, they drink beer.

Haha nope, shot right behind the shoulder, I'm guessing lungs or heart. Not gonna lie, I was surprised it dropped so fast. This was a Carroll County beast too...

Air rifle for groundhogs

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