What's a big woodchuck weigh?

[Conan The Librarian]

We had a 40 pounder in our garden before it met its untimely demise. That's the biggest 'chuck I've ever seen. How big to they get?
 
By the way, shot placement is everything with these animals, as I've learned by shooting them with relatively low velocity bullets like 22s and 45s. It's just like the African hunter advice on dangerous game. You gotta break 'em down or they'll run away. Go for the big shoulder bones first, and use a bullet with good straight penetration.

[ironglow]

  I guess it depends upon where you live/hunt.  Full grown here in western NY state..they probably go 11-15 lbs usually.  After a lifetime of hunting...largest one I ever got was 20# (estimated)..  Never saw a 40 pounder..but if he was eating out of your garden, he probably had a great head start.
   Here is a local website which hosts a woodchuck derby each year:  http://huntingwny.com/Contests/2011-wood-chuck-derby.html
  You can see that their best this past season was 28 lbs 10 ozs. for 2 chucks.. single heaviest was 14lb 7ozs.

[DDZ]

I'd have to say 15-20lb. is bout the biggest I ever got. A 40lb-er is huge. If they had a boone and crocket book for groundhogs that thing would be at the top. Sure that wasn't the neighbors dog? 
I think a normal weight for a groundhog here is 5-12lbs. I know hogs don't live all that long. Many don't make it out of hibernation, so an old hog is probably around 4 years. Thats not taking into account the demise from .22-250's and such. Most of the weight they put on in the summer is lost in hibernation. Never saw what I'd call a big groundhog in the early spring.       

[DalesCarpentry]

I shot one a couple years ago that must of went about 25 pounds. I have taken probably over 200 of them in the past 9 years and he was the biggest I've ever seen. Most only reach about 12 pounds max. That 40 pounder I bet could be a record. Dale

[powderman]

I killed hundreds growing up in ILL. Mostly head shots with 22 lrhps. Shot placement was vital. Killed a lot with 110gr out of a 308 too. POWDERMAN. 

[ironglow]

We had a 40 pounder in our garden before it met its untimely demise. That's the biggest 'chuck I've ever seen. How big to they get?
 
By the way, shot placement is everything with these animals, as I've learned by shooting them with relatively low velocity bullets like 22s and 45s. It's just like the African hunter advice on dangerous game. You gotta break 'em down or they'll run away. Go for the big shoulder bones first, and use a bullet with good straight penetration.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
  Now, how to put them down is another discussion..and I am sure we each have our own views.  I never considered the "break them down" situation..since usually they are standing and facing the shooter.  With a .22 LR..it's always hollow points...and the more they mushroom ..the better.  Humanely, a .22 LR is comfortable within 75 yards..for the hunter, that is..    Yes, I have shot them farther, but out there past 75 yds..best go to a .22 mag or .17 HMR..again, hollow points for the mag and V-max for the HMR (IMO).  After 150 yds best go centerfire.  In my experience the mag has more punch than the HMR..but the HMR is flatter & more acurate.  You can take head shots out where the .22 mag is relegated to the chest area...  Just my $ .02
 
  BTW:  Each of those rimfires will break through those leg bones within the ranges I mentioned for them.