Disposing of woodchucks

Jump to latest Follow Reply
B

bat54action

Member
Feb 10, 2018
111
25
pa, United States
I have an FX Crown in 25 caliber that I am using for woodchuck control. At this time of year here in Pennsylvania the young ones are leaving the nest searching for other homes. This brings them down to me getting into numerous woodpiles, trying to burrow under buildings and a few who like getting under my porch. Most of my shots are within 50 yards away, and have quite good success harvesting them as long as I use head shots, or neck shots. I do get out to like 125 yards where my success rate really drops off. I had one yesterday take a straight on chest shot into the heart and lung cavity only to have him make it to his hole where I am sure he died. Seems to me like the energy of my rifle is not enough at that range to make a good clean kill like I want. I like to look over my kill and evaluate the placement of my shot. I could use my 221 Fireball but I truly enjoy the quietness of this gun and being able to watch the impact of the projectile.
So I am considering going into a 30 caliber rifle. The FPE is almost twice that of the 25. I know also shot placement is key to success also. I have even shot them in the head to have them go probably 15 or 20 feet before dying.
So is the 30 the way to go? And if so, what rifles out there would be a good match. I will probably go with another crown because of what I have now, but would rather not drop another 2 grand into an air rifle.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito
I happen to be a Certified Expert in the field of groundhog control with a .30cal! 😄😄😄

I'm over here in Youngstown, Ohio and I have the same groundhog problems you have! I will just link to several of my videos in the last few months so you can see the effectiveness of my solution.

As you can see in the videos above, I prefer to take bodyshots. One of the benefits a higher powered .30cal provides is the ability to take out two or three life sustaining systems at the same time, such as the circulatory, respiratory and skeletal systems.

I try and place my shots through the shoulder as it traverse the heart and lungs, which does two things:
  1. Immobilize the groundhog in place.
  2. Takes some of the energy off of my rounds if it makes a full passthrough. The 50gr H&N Slugs IIs most always zip through groundhogs when shot broadside.
I have had nothing but success with my FX Maverick VP. The only upgrades have been a carbon fiber liner stiffener and an aftermarket 580cc air bottle. I use the original STX superior liner, which allows me to go back and forth to pellets if desired.

I've used FX Hybrid Slugs because of their accuracy, but the design of the slug does not deliver consistent results when encountering tough skeletal members, as the round tends to fragment.

The JSB Hades works well under 50 yards, but accuracy suffers at longer distances.

The 50gr H&N Slug IIs have proven themselves time and again in both accuracy and terminal performance, and they are now my preferred ammo to shoot groundhogs with out of the Maverick. I am able to get the velocity with this ammo between 920-930 fps, which equates to roughly 95fpe. I also use the DonnyFL Ronin to keep things quiet. The Maverick VP delivers the FX quality you are used to at a more affordable price. You may also look into the FX Dynamics, but I prefer the Bullpup form factor to keep overall length short while keeping my barrel long enough to generate acceptable power. If you were really looking for a solution on the cheap, there is the Umarex Gauntlet 30SL, but you take a hit in craftsmanship and possibly reliability.

Adobe_20231115_112522.jpg
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito, Bowhunter73, oaklandj91 and 1 other person
Upvote 0
N2 Shooter said:
I happen to be a Certified Expert in the field of groundhog control with a .30cal! 😄😄😄 I'm over here in Youngstown, Ohio and I have the same groundhog problems you have! I will just link to several of my videos in the last few months so you can see the effectiveness of my solution. As you can see in the videos above, I prefer to take bodyshots. One of the benefits a higher powered .30cal provides is the ability to take out two or three life sustaining systems at the same time, such as the circulatory, respiratory and skeletal systems. I try and place my shots through the shoulder as it traverse the heart and lungs, which does two things:
  1. Immobilize the groundhog in place.
  2. Takes some of the energy off of my rounds if it makes a full passthrough. The 50gr H&N Slugs IIs most always zip through groundhogs when shot broadside.
I have had nothing but success with my FX Maverick VP. The only upgrades have been a carbon fiber liner stiffener and an aftermarket 580cc air bottle. I use the original STX superior liner, which allows me to go back and forth to pellets if desired. I've used FX Hybrid Slugs because of their accuracy, but the design of the slug does not deliver consistent results when encountering tough skeletal members, as the round tends to fragment. The JSB Hades works well under 50 yards, but accuracy suffers at longer distances. The 50gr H&N Slug IIs have proven themselves time and again in both accuracy and terminal performance, and they are now my preferred ammo to shoot groundhogs with out of the Maverick. I am able to get the velocity with this ammo between 920-930 fps, which equates to roughly 95fpe. I also use the DonnyFL Ronin to keep things quiet. The Maverick VP delivers the FX quality you are used to at a more affordable price. You may also look into the FX Dynamics, but I prefer the Bullpup form factor to keep overall length short while keeping my barrel long enough to generate acceptable power. If you were really looking for a solution on the cheap, there is the Umarex Gauntlet 30SL, but you take a hit in craftsmanship and possibly reliability. View attachment 479956
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: gendoc and Bandito
Upvote 0
great videos! Last evening I took out two woodchucks from 96 yards away. These are young chucks and not very big. But again, I am not able to recover them. They always seem to be able to get back to their hole, or possibly crawl into heavier grass where I am not able to find them. These two last night there was no blood to be seen, but I am able to watch the impact of the pellet and also able to hear the impact. Getting very frustrating. I am using the exact king in 25.39 grains. Probably not the best hunting pellet but definitly one of the more accurate ones. I have posted targets where I am shooting to and I'm very pleased with the accuracy at that distance. If I am not able to recover these chucks after I shoot them it's quite possible I will stop shooting at them. I could use a rifle, but I do have neighbors that I would nt feel comfortable disturbing them.
I did some homework on some rifles and if I decide to purchase a bigger caliber it will probably be something in the higher end like the FX or the RAW. These seem to be one of the best rifles out there but they do come with a hefty pricetag. I am sure my success rate would change.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito and N2 Shooter
Upvote 0
One more thing, I am shooting from a tripod,a deathgrip to be exact. Even at 100 yards I am able to be very steady and my hold on the chucks are very constant. At 50 yards and in I am able to use head shots or shots in the neck-head area very easily. They are quite lethal and other than the flopping around of the chuck I am satisified with the projectile. Possibly slugs would do better but so far my results with the FX Hybrid slugs have not given me the accuracy I need.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito and N2 Shooter
Upvote 0
bat54action said:
great videos! Last evening I took out two woodchucks from 96 yards away. These are young chucks and not very big. But again, I am not able to recover them. They always seem to be able to get back to their hole, or possibly crawl into heavier grass where I am not able to find them. These two last night there was no blood to be seen, but I am able to watch the impact of the pellet and also able to hear the impact. Getting very frustrating. I am using the exact king in 25.39 grains. Probably not the best hunting pellet but definitly one of the more accurate ones. I have posted targets where I am shooting to and I'm very pleased with the accuracy at that distance. If I am not able to recover these chucks after I shoot them it's quite possible I will stop shooting at them. I could use a rifle, but I do have neighbors that I would nt feel comfortable disturbing them.
I did some homework on some rifles and if I decide to purchase a bigger caliber it will probably be something in the higher end like the FX or the RAW. These seem to be one of the best rifles out there but they do come with a hefty pricetag. I am sure my success rate would change.
Click to expand...
That explains a lot.

At those distances with my FX Maverick .30cal, I have more energy at the POI than you have at the muzzle. The groundhogs probably perish from blood loss, but it may be a slower journey to the other side than you are comfortable with. If I get my shot anywhere close to center mass, that groundhog is done, oftentimes DRT. I think your only decision is when do you want to make your wallet much lighter!
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito
Upvote 0
bat54action said:
I see that Utah Airguns have the FX king on stock and ready to ship. I am actually toying with possibly going the .35 way.
They have both and I may have a tuff decision as to what to buy.
Click to expand...
Oh my, yeah that's a tough one!

I've done a fair amount of groundhog pesting with the Benjamin Bulldog .357cal. It's certainly took them down, but it's was an air hog, needed a lot of moderator to keep quiet and required use of my Ballistic Calculator assisted scope with Laser Rangefinder in order to hit targets reliably past 75 yards, as if I was 5 yards off that might hit 3" lower. Past 100 yards, it was like dropping artillery shells on top of them!

Just something to keep in mind.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bandito
Upvote 0
I use a .30 with slugs and it’s still head or neck shots for me. If they can run off with a hit from a 22-250, no airgun is in the realm of that. This one was this morning just under 100 yards. I waited until it was quartering towards me (for margin of error) then took it in the dome. For me an airgun just doesn’t deliver enough shock to rely on planting them with body shots every time. You’ll find out. Unless you buy a 45-50 caliber airgun. In which case, just use the 221 fireball. I had a pistol in that caliber. It was my Oklahoma coyote killer.

IMG_6149.jpeg
 
  • Like
Reactions: N2 Shooter and Bandito
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu