Good one! What caliber is that Savage and how long was the shot? My son has one in a .22-250. He's somewhat of a hitman on the local whistlepig population.

Hello Keith, I'll see what I can dig up. I too like to keep the local 'hog population on their toes and can usually be found with a Ruger 77 in .220 Swift close at hand from Memorial Day on. Do you handload for your .223? Good hunting!

Agreed. I don't think my Swift has ever seen a factory load. I carry a .223 for spring turkeys and like Winchester's 50 gr. PSP very much, with the 55 gr. bullet going into the Swift. My son is feeding his .22-250 Hornady 55 gr. V-Max's. We have a friendly competition every summer to see who can rack up the most pigs. Groundhog hunting in our area is, sadly, a lot like turkey hunting. On the one hand, I should be glad there are more people doing it and supporting the sport, but on the other hand it's depressing to walk into your favorite haunt and find two or three other guys already there. I told my wife last summer that it was getting to the point that I felt like wearing blaze orange for safety. We do, thankfully, have access to some property that doesn't see a lot of pressure. One piece would lend itself very well to the handgun or muzzleloader. Good hunting.

Thanks, I do enjoy my handgun, no question. I manage to take a whistlepig or two with it as well and occasionaly a deer or so. I've been wanting to take the flintlock for a while now but can't seem to reach for it over the Swift or TC, it would be great for walking them up, and what better way to tune up with it for the fall? I once read that a Western guide said that the best shots he saw were Eastern groundhog hunters. To clarify, my .223 is also hooked to a 12 guage barrel, a old Savage 24F12T. Like it a lot. Good hunting to you!