A
akdad: Groundhogs- .223 Contender(1660); Rem. 22-250 XP-(2286); .250 Sav. AI XP-(1206); 6mmAI Encore-(735); suppressed Ruger MKIII-(878)
Deer- I didn't keep quiet the records as groundhogs, but roughly- 6.5-284 XP 100 (over 600 with around 18 between 500-565); 6.5 JDJ Contender (around 400); .309 JDJ Contender (around 200); .375/.284 XP-( around 350). Many other deer with .454 Casull, .357 Mag., .500 Mag, .45 ACP. I chose my deer guns based on the terrain/corn fields I hunted. Less than 150 I often used revolvers or semi autos, over that my 6.5/.284 was first up. I shot out my first barrel after 2200 rounds. Used it & my .375/.284 primarily in Africa, although I did my rhino & a Cape buff with my FA .475 Linebaugh.
Sniper, I have all my groundhog papers from 1976 to present. Somehow some of my deer paper are gone. I had a house fire in 2002. Lost all my guns including rifles, but these papers survived with my family bible, otherwise 99.5% loss. I only replaced my handguns. I see no need for rifles. I use the suppressed Ruger for squirrels (600+),.FA .454 Casull for turkeys (30, plus 2 with a .44 Mag), bears (12 blacks with .375/.284 XP, .325 WSM XP, 2 brown bears- .375 JDJ Contender, .500 Mag). All other guns are for the big stuff. My personal best for summer crop damage deer was 151. Didn't want to see a deer for a while. All my deer get cleaned by me (7 1/2-8 minutes) & all my squirrels cleaned. All meat given to poor, elderly, friends.