Good rifle for groundhog hunting?

Yea, good luck seeing the piggy at 1k yds. Geez, I thought I was nuts, ha ha. Better have one heck of a scope too. I think my biggest problem though is learning how to calculate how the bullet will travel. i.e. distance, windage and drop. Any tips or suggestions?
 
Let me ask this, if you had one rifle choise for groundhog hunting, what would you choose?
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My next varmint gun will be a Remington M700 VSF in .223. Varmint rifles should be heavy barreled bolt actions with big glass on them.
 
Yea, good luck seeing the piggy at 1k yds. Geez, I thought I was nuts, ha ha.
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Awe, c'mon... I hit a playing card at that range--that's quite a bit smaller than a prairie dog! :D Of course, I doubt a prairie dog would have sat still through the 8 rds. it took to do it... But it would be a shot worth bragging about on a 'whistle piggy'.
 
Funny enough, we were shooting at a piggy last year who refused to move. We shot off about 8 rounds before he decided to move along. I was ashamed of myself for not being able to make a shot like that at 200yds. That's why I'm looking for a nice rifle in a good cailber.
 
The heavy barrel idea is good when many shots are taken in a short period of time. Rather pointless on a rifle intended mostly for coyotes or groundhogs, with the usual shot or two and then you're through shooting for a while. Fine at a prairie dog town.

Lotsa scope is good, for those Ma Bell shots on small critters like prairie dogs. Personal opinion is that around 400 yards is about the practical limit for 9X, based on my one prairie dog shoot. Higher magnification helps when you're competing with yourself or your buddy about getting one "way, way out there". Less necessary for coyotes, though.

:), Art
 
+10 on optics for distance. It doesn't matter how capable the rifle is if you can't see your target clearly. A little blond spot half hidden behind your crosshairs is going to make the shot real difficult under the best of circumstances. Don't skimp on that part.
 
You guys are absolutely right on optics. I've got a pretty descent scope right now with a diamond reticle. I have no idea who makes the scope though. If I knew how to take the picture and put it on here I would.
Just for fun though, hows this. Let's build a rifle for groundhog. I'm starting to get in the market for a new one and I've seen some good suggestions from everyone here. So how about we build one from scratch?

So where should we start?
 
So where should we start?
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With the caliber. It has to be small, fast, and flat. There's nothing better than a "lead laser". MY votes in order are .243 (6mm platform--just because that's my baby), .22-250. These are from a perspective of range and velocity. If we're building the ultimate varmint rifle, I want those little buggers to feel the effects at 500+.
 
22-250 is "THE ONE".

Winchester JHP , 4000 fps. or Winchester Silver Tips, I think about 3800 fps.

Mine launch from a Savage bolt : model 11.

The 22-250 is definitely louder than .223, but just my opinion I think is considerably more accurate.
Could just be me. I wasn't real familiar with the .223 I was shooting. Had a lot of practice with the Savage though.
 
22-250 is "THE ONE".
Winchester JHP , 4000 fps. or Winchester Silver Tips, I think about 3800 fps.
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Remington 6mm with 55gr. Nosler Balistic tips... 4100+fps. :D So there! :p

Actually, out here in the hot, dry desert I had to drop that load down just a tad. They were chrono'ing upwards of 4180's to almost 4200. Just a little TOO hot for my taste (and I like my barrel not totally burned out).
 
Favorite ground squirrel rifle is a Ruger 77MKII in 25.06 26" blued stainless heavy barrel. Fat Benchrest laminated stock and a 6.5X20 Leupold VXIII whith an elevation turret on it. Shooting 100gr Nos ballistic tips at about 3350 fps. The wind does not affect it much and it will shoot inside a 2" circle at 450 yds.
 
I just posted that and then thought a minute and went and looked at my Chrono notes. Those 100gr ballistic tips crono at 3185 fps. Don't wanna tell no fish stories here.
 
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Good stuff so far. This keeps up and I just might look to build my own custom hogging rifle. So I was talking to my buddy last night and it looks like we are heading out tomorrow for the day, hunting hogs.
Oh here's another quick question for my .22mag Based on everyones use, what would be the best ammo to buy. I usually just pick up a box of Winchester HP. Anyone have a personal favorite?
 
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