9mm Ammo for Groundhogs

[300UGUY]

I've shot probably a dozen over the last 20 years, a 22 is the only thing I was successful with. I tried a 9mm, but a moving chuck is hard to hit.

 

[bumperm]

The speed of sound is a little under 1100 fps depending on some variables. So if you want to eliminate "ballistic crack", slower will do that. If you are using supersonic ammo, then the bullet size and shape affects noise volume and the distance determines noise duration. The 9 mm bullet is going to probably weight between 115 and 135 gr. so even going slow it will have enough energy. The bullet will not likely reliably expand in such a small target, so shot placement will be critical, and difficult with a pistol at anything but short range. The heavier bullet will have more of a tendency to ricochet.

I have several suppressors. They of course have no effect on ballistic crack. What they do is eliminate most of the muzzle blast and much of the secondary recoil (caused by the jet of gas behind the bullet).

You've gotten a lot of good advice, I wouldn't use a 9mm either. What I would use is a 17 HMR with Hornady V-max bullets. These are very frangible, weight just 17 gn, and come out of the barrel at 2550 fps. Very flat shooting, accurate, and good for prairie dogs out to about 150 yards. A suppressor is a must to shoot quietly though, as the 17 HMR is basically a necked down .22 magnum case, so lots of muzzle blast for a rimfire. Suppressed, there will be a ballistic crack, but the bullet is tiny and the crack isn't overpowering - hearing safe w/suppressor from a rifle, and absolutely "explosive" when it hits. Essentially no or very low risk of ricochet as the V-max bullet expands and fragments as soon as it hits anything.

 

[joemd11]

Reading this thread has me wondering if the hogs here in W Pa have a tougher hide than those in other areas. I was using a 22lr but found I couldn't reliably get a one-shot kill. I moved up to the 22 mag and now hardly ever need a second shot. Of course there is always the possibility that I'm not as good a shot as I used to be. They sure are fun to hunt. Ground hogs must have excellent eyesight or hearing or both. I usually wait in the shadow of the shed and try to catch them when they are grazing in the field.

 

[k0ua]

Reading this thread has me wondering if the hogs here in W Pa have a tougher hide than those in other areas. I was using a 22lr but found I couldn't reliably get a one-shot kill. I moved up to the 22 mag and now hardly ever need a second shot. Of course there is always the possibility that I'm not as good a shot as I used to be. They sure are fun to hunt. Ground hogs must have excellent eyesight or hearing or both. I usually wait in the shadow of the shed and try to catch them when they are grazing in the field.

Educated ones are pretty wary. Young stupid ones, are pretty easy. Did you know they can climb trees pretty well? I never knew that until I saw one climb a tree.

 

[k0ua]

The speed of sound is a little under 1100 fps depending on some variables. So if you want to eliminate "ballistic crack", slower will do that. If you are using supersonic ammo, then the bullet size and shape affects noise volume and the distance determines noise duration. The 9 mm bullet is going to probably weight between 115 and 135 gr. so even going slow it will have enough energy. The bullet will not likely reliably expand in such a small target, so shot placement will be critical, and difficult with a pistol at anything but short range. The heavier bullet will have more of a tendency to ricochet.

I have several suppressors. They of course have no effect on ballistic crack. What they do is eliminate most of the muzzle blast and much of the secondary recoil (caused by the jet of gas behind the bullet).

You've gotten a lot of good advice, I wouldn't use a 9mm either. What I would use is a 17 HMR with Hornady V-max bullets. These are very frangible, weight just 17 gn, and come out of the barrel at 2550 fps. Very flat shooting, accurate, and good for prairie dogs out to about 150 yards. A suppressor is a must to shoot quietly though, as the 17 HMR is basically a necked down .22 magnum case, so lots of muzzle blast for a rimfire. Suppressed, there will be a ballistic crack, but the bullet is tiny and the crack isn't overpowering - hearing safe w/suppressor from a rifle, and absolutely "explosive" when it hits. Essentially no or very low risk of ricochet as the V-max bullet expands and fragments as soon as it hits anything.

That 17 sounds like excellent groundhog medicine to me. And much less risk.

 

[joemd11]

Educated ones are pretty wary. Young stupid ones, are pretty easy. Did you know they can climb trees pretty well? I never knew that until I saw one climb a tree.

Never knew they could do that but they do have some impressive claws. They sure can move some massive quantities of dirt. One of my sheds has a dirt floor and it is a favorite spot for them to dig. So now I'll have to worry about them pouncing on me from the trees!

 

[MossRoad]

Educated ones are pretty wary. Young stupid ones, are pretty easy. Did you know they can climb trees pretty well? I never knew that until I saw one climb a tree.

I pop them in the butt with a BB gun when they're up in my fruit trees.

 

[the old grind]

I've had better luck with .22s (CCI Mini-Mag HP, etc) than .17s, where 17g V-Max doesn't seem to penetrate thick fur as well as 17g TNT or 20g 'Game Point', esp on quartering shots. .22 Mag & .22 Hornet are sure stoppers by comparison, but expect some pass-throughs on broadside or gut shots.

'Target' type .22 ammo is usually loaded to ~1050fps, subsonic but aren't much quieter than 'std' or 'high' velocity. Stingers rarely over-penetrate, but not every gun likes 'em and CCI Velocitors suit many shooters better. CB Long does ok within 30 yd or so. Feral cats and GHs may dash off to die rather quickly. 'Coons and possum often just wander off as if perturbed and expire more slowly.

I'm considering a 1:9" twist barrel for the 10/22 to shoot Aguila 60g subsonics.
BLUE 1:9 TWIST FACTORY TAPER THREADED 1/2-28 TPI REPLACEMENT 16.5
I do shoot the 60g SSSs in pistols (Taurus 94, Heritage Rough Rider SA) and while they keyhole much beyond 20yd in any std twist they tumble in large bodies ('coon) up close.

Another critter gitter I'm having fun with is .410 SG. 3-Pellet buck for GHs and #6-#9 shot for cowbirds and 'hosps'. Shot capsules are pricey but may work for .38/.357 or .44 Mag revo on GHs with #4 shot within 20 yd or so.

Anytime you can find GH holes I recommend trapping (Conibear 160). Expect to garner a few skunks or young dumb 'coons who explore the holes. Cheaper, quieter, and carcasses can still be used for a 'yote bait pile or for crow food if you'd rather watch 'em than shoot 'em.

 

[k0ua]

I pop them in the butt with a BB gun when they're up in my fruit trees.

I bet that makes them unhappy!:laughing:

 

[J_J]

I would suggest 9 MM rat shot.

Maybe shoot shoot propane down the holes and light it off.