Since I may have an opportunity to shoot some groundhogs but don't want to buy a dedicated varmint gun right now... any recommendations?

Shoot groundhogs with the same loads that you plan to use for big game -- if you want your varmint-shooting to be practice that will enhance your marksmanship for hunting bigger animals. Anything that you can reasonably expect to be adequate for deer is sure to be deadly on groundhogs (sorry -- I couldn't resist the opening! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />).

The hunter who knows one load thoroughly, in his gut, so to speak, is vastly deadlier than the fellow who has to master more than one trajectory, sight-in range, etc.

One charge of one powder between one primer and one bullet is also cheaper and less susceptible to confusion or error than a mixed bag of components, die settings, etc.

Get to know one load thoroughly at both your loading bench and your sight-in bench and from whatever rest or position you shoot groundhogs, and Man! are you ever ready for whatever awaits you come hunting season!

I like Ken's philosophy. I rarely differ with him. However, the .280 I have is very flexable. Bearing in mind that all rifles are not the same, I found a very sweet load that pushes a 120 gr. Sierra about 2600-2700 fps. and shoots about .6 or .7 MOA. It even shoots right where my full power ammo does at 100yds. It's about 37 grains of IMR 3031 over the mentioned 120 gr. bullet with a Winchester Magnum Rifle primer. My .280 is a little light for much prone shooting. But, if I were to use it at the longer ranges, then I would use my hunting ammo. E