How much energy is required?

[DalesCarpentry]

I know the rule for Deer 1,000 pounds of energy is required for clean one shot kills. I know some will argue that point. My question is how much energy is required to kill a Groundhog? I have really been thinking of getting a 17HMR. I have been reading the ballistics on this round and the 17 Grain VMAX has has a MV. of 2,550 FPS. and the Muzzle energy is 245 pounds. At 200 yards it has MV. of 1,378 FPS. and the energy is 72 pounds. It would seem to me that 72 pounds of energy at 200 yards would be ample to make a clean kill on a Groundhog. With that being said it would seem to me that a 17 HMR would work on Groundhogs out to 200 yards or so. Tell me what you guys think. Thanks Dale

[woodchukhntr]

The energy is getting a little low, less than a .22 at 100 yards.  The bullet will not react as viloently as it will at normal .17 ranges, but if you can hit 'em in the head that should do it!

I've had plenty of good 1-shot kills at 150, but wouldn't try 200.

[DalesCarpentry]

Here are some ballistics I just got from a on line software program. They seem to differ from Hornady's numbers. Dale

[flintlock]

Dale...My brother has a .17, the problem out at 200 yards is wind drift, it gets pretty challenging to hit a target at that range...

What about the .204 Ruger???

[DalesCarpentry]

Dale...My brother has a .17, the problem out at 200 yards is wind drift, it gets pretty challenging to hit a target at that range...

What about the .204 Ruger???

The more I read 200 yards is stretching it a bit. As far as the 204 goes I had one and liked it but 50 bullets for $14.00 is appealing for sure. Dale

[flintlock]

You do still have that .243 don't you???

From what I've been hearing lately it "might" be enough for groundhogs out to 200 yards...

[DalesCarpentry]

You do still have that .243 don't you???

From what I've been hearing lately it "might" be enough for groundhogs out to 200 yards...

No I ended up having to sell it. I needed the money. I did bust a few of them out to about 500 yards with it.  Dale

[AtlLaw]

From what I've been hearing lately it "might" be enough for groundhogs out to 200 yards...

Now wait just a minute there black powder boy!  I 'spose all those deer I killed with a .243 weren't really dead!     I'll have you know the 243 is the best dee...  uh, ... um, ... coyot ... er, ... nevermind  ...    wrong thread, wrong side...