Yes, folks, my thread title is correct. I've waited for over a year for a safe shot at a woodchuck with my .458 Win Heym 88B double rifle! Today I spotted a woodchuck otherwise known as a groundhog (Marmota monax), between me and my 12' tall topsoil shooting berm. I would not want a heavy projectile ricocheting off my property into a house a half mile away! Toward that, the last thing I want is to see the state police coming down my driveway a few hours after I’ve been shooting my dangerous game rifles in my back field.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog
I quickly opened my safe, grabbed my Trusty .458, and picked up a few rounds of my lighted bullet loaded, 420 grain Cutting Edge Raptors with muzzle velocity of 2325 fps. Then I slipped out to start my stalk. Slowly I crept for woodchucks have tremendous long range vision. Had this small example (8 lbs) of the hole digging, berm safety violators spotted me it would have ducked into cover. But thanks to my stealthy movements, it did not.
With 45 yards of open field between me and this tunnel rat, I took aim and launched the 420 grain Raptor. The all copper projectile struck about an inch above my preferred contact area but as the photos show, it’s hard to argue with the effectiveness of 5000 foot pounds of energy against 8 pounds of woodchuck.
Did I mention I as a farm boy in my native Potter County Pennsylvania, on Sweden Hill to be precise, I developed my shooting skills pitted against this most noble of game animals.
PS: I am trying out the Aimpoint H-2 on my Heym 88B. I don't know if any advantage in less dot flare of this sight provides is worth the increase in size over my Trijicon SRO.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groundhog
I quickly opened my safe, grabbed my Trusty .458, and picked up a few rounds of my lighted bullet loaded, 420 grain Cutting Edge Raptors with muzzle velocity of 2325 fps. Then I slipped out to start my stalk. Slowly I crept for woodchucks have tremendous long range vision. Had this small example (8 lbs) of the hole digging, berm safety violators spotted me it would have ducked into cover. But thanks to my stealthy movements, it did not.
With 45 yards of open field between me and this tunnel rat, I took aim and launched the 420 grain Raptor. The all copper projectile struck about an inch above my preferred contact area but as the photos show, it’s hard to argue with the effectiveness of 5000 foot pounds of energy against 8 pounds of woodchuck.
Did I mention I as a farm boy in my native Potter County Pennsylvania, on Sweden Hill to be precise, I developed my shooting skills pitted against this most noble of game animals.
PS: I am trying out the Aimpoint H-2 on my Heym 88B. I don't know if any advantage in less dot flare of this sight provides is worth the increase in size over my Trijicon SRO.
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Groundhogs included!
