July 30, 2009, 10:31 PM | #1 |
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Why not the .22?
I don't know why, but a lot of people on this forum seem to like to take out groundhogs with the 223 instead of the 22...I personally don't see the need for the extra power and I have taken a good amount of groundhogs so far with me little marlin 60 with hollow point 22. The way i see it is I can shoot more groundhogs for less money and then use the leftovers for rabbit, ferral cats, and squirrels. Anyone got a reason for this preference to .223 or even larger?
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July 30, 2009, 10:48 PM | #2 |
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:My personal opinion would be range. one can take dogs at any range one really desires. I've shot them at 400 yds and I know people can go further than that. With a .22 rim, any longer than 100 and your getting way out there. I'm not saying it can't be done, but the bullet takes a heck of a lot longer to get there. I love my ruger 10/22 and I know it could take them out that far, but it is cool to take them out further.
So, I guess ballistics is the bottom line. again, my opinion. and as we all know, opions are like buttholes. everyone's got one and they all stink.
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July 31, 2009, 06:37 AM | #3 |
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I agree with extra range as well. I've hunted them with a buddy who was using a .22-250 and the additional range with that the .22-250 provided really made a difference for him.
I was using a .22 and the fall off made shots longer than 100 yards pretty tough.
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July 31, 2009, 06:58 AM | #4 |
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gunner,
i use .22 Lr and WMR or flinters 90% of the time now i hunt often ( tomorrow and sunday too) goats bunnies cats 'roo's a shot to the brain box on a goat or roo is a 4"dia target plenty of folks shoot 2" groups with WMR at 300 meters plenty shoot 2" with LR at 200M so why not in the hunt ?? i only shot a ground hog once when visiting the US and a few Nutria things , ( man they taste bad) so am no expert but from what i remember thier skull aint no razorback's it aint much more stronger than a dog's ( excuse the comparision dog lovers) .22 is plenty good to do the job .223 rem is nice 5mm is good too but .22LR is cheap and versitile just my 2 cents cheers jack |
July 31, 2009, 07:31 AM | #5 |
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I use a .22 LR because it's cheaper and for me more sporting to get closer to the game. Not knocking those who use CF's, if it was my hay field I'd probably see things differently.
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July 31, 2009, 07:48 AM | #6 |
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Where I go to shoot prairie dogs shots range from 100-500 yards so I prefer the .223 for them but I'll use the .22lr for the short (100 yards and under) range shots.
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July 31, 2009, 12:03 PM | #7 |
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7MM mag...it's just WAAY more fun
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July 31, 2009, 10:56 PM | #8 |
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You forgot a few digits on the end. You should of asked why not a 22-250. Better all around than the .223.
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August 1, 2009, 12:52 AM | #9 |
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I can think of 2 reasons not to use a 22LR on woodchucks:
1- You need to hit them in the head to anchor them. Beyond about 75 yd, most people will have a hard time hitting a woodchuck in the head. It's not impossible with an accurate 22, but most people won't take the time and limit themselves to head shots. 2- Related to the advice above, if you are shooting woodchucks (marmots) in a pasture or hay field and there are others about, any shot other than a head shot will have them squealing and all the other woodchucks will go underground for a long time. Even with a centerfire, they are not alarmed by the shooting, but by alarm calls from their buddies. When you hit them with a 223 or 22-250, they don't squeal.
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August 2, 2009, 09:39 AM | #10 |
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.223 is all about being "trendy". There are many, many, many, many, many, many calibers that outperform it in every catagory BUT... "Trendy"
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August 2, 2009, 11:20 AM | #11 |
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I love using my marlin m60 for groundhogs and yep it's much cheaper.So far i have taken 3 g/h's this summer with it and haven't had to take a second shot yet.Dang things are murdering my garden and yard.
Though i have thought of using a 308 just for fun. |
August 2, 2009, 06:41 PM | #12 | |
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Because .17, .20, and .22 caliber center fires are just more fun. .22 LR is still the king of cheap but they loose effectiveness reall fast. I don't hunt prairie dogs which is my main reason for owning these rifle, I shoot them. I test my skill at range estimation and the accuracy of my loads rather than belly crawl within range of a .22 lr. Punts and splashes are somthing you will never get with the .22 rimfires as well.
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August 2, 2009, 08:40 PM | #13 |
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Marlin 60 22 on groundhogs I stay 65 yards or under, easy to do since I ranged my field. 100 yards with the 22 LR only on paper, nothing that breathes. I don't like having to shoot something twice and I don't like missing.
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August 3, 2009, 11:57 AM | #14 | |
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Quote:
Inside 75 yards or so I have also never had one get away that was shot from the front legs on forward. To answer the OP: As others have said, it's all about range. I now use a 204 ruger. It can kill them farther than I can hit them. The 22 was fine when my primary concern was how expensive CCI Stingers were at $5/50. As soon as I had a real job the price of ammo seemed less important too.
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August 3, 2009, 06:03 PM | #15 |
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Ok thanks for all the answers guys, mods you can close out or delete
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