Equipment for Prarie Dogs

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Picking it up slowly.
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Dad wants me to arrange a hunt, there will be three of us, and we'll be on private land in either southern CO or western TX.

I've never hunted them before, so couple questions

1 - caliber? I'm thinking 22-250 or 220 swift, dad shoots the 22-3000. Why do you like what you like?

2 - optics? How much power, and fixed vs variable? I don't have a budget yet, but I'm thinking $1,000.

3 - rifle? Am I buying a rifle that'll pretty much work out of the box, or am I buying a platform to build on? Again, don't have the budget yet but thinking $1,500-$2,000.

4 - practice and training? Where can I get to 250-300 yards near Charlotte? Think I need to practice any further?

This just came up today, so I'll be doing a bunch of reading over the next couple days, but thought I'd get the basic questions out to ya'll.

Thanks guys and gals,
Jim
 
What about a .243?

If you've got a decent .223 rifle, some 50gr VMax bullets will dust those dogs

I'd definitely go variable, something in the 4-16, maybe higher range...5-20x

I'd get something with a detachable mag, whether it's a Savage, a Ruger, Tikka or other. I'm not hugely familiar with many "hunting" platforms. Mossberg has some .243 options like their Predator rifle...not a budget breaker either

I've got a 300yd range I'm a member at if you're ever down this way (SW Columbia)
 
I looked into dog hunting a few years back. I got the summary that if you get into a high dog area that you can plan on shooting that barrel out and it would need replacing after the trip. High round counts. That means if it is a rem action you're looking at money ($500+)to get it back to working condition or go with a savage action ($300-400) with the screw or rebarrel the rem action with a REMAGE barrel ($400). Calibers were anything from .17hmr (just knocks them over when hit) to the larger round that turn them into two chunks and some fine mist. Most were the flatter shooting rounds with varmint tips that can buck the wind better as these areas tend to have some wind. Check out youtube there is/used to be good info in the comments of some videos. Another thing is to consider your shooting platform. The land is flat so looking into one of those nice folding shooting benches might help vs a rollout mat that sits lower in elevation. If I had the coin, I'd show up with 2 guns and a pallet of ammo... oh and some ear plugs.
 
When I lived in CO I hooked up with some HARD CORE varmint hunters and for once in my life I couldn't hang for very long. Those guys primarily shot .22's with 22-250 being the most popular and the 220 Swift and 219 Zipper bring up the rest. The used portable shooting benches and a 250 round afternoon was about "normal". Variable scopes ruled as did high power spotting scopes.
I outfitted myself with a Rem 700 in 22-250 with a 12x32 Bushnell from Japan with the good glass. I was good to about 300 yards and that's where some of those guys STARTED!! My 22-250 is on it's 3rd barrel and it won't be long before it wears it's 4th.
If you're hooked up with the hard core group don't be surprised to smell what's in their water or Coke, but things never got anywhere close to being out of hand. They joke a little, smoke a little, shoot some and then shoot some more.
 
If you already own an AR15. Get with someone on a DMR, and run some 70ish gr bullets, spend rest of the money on a 5-25 scope.

If not, a 22-250 would work.
 
Take the opportunity this presents as an indication that you need a laser rangefinder. With those small light projectiles, even a slight range estimation error ends in a miss.

I would also download a ballistics app for holdover and windage adjustment.

I once shot a woodchuck at 50 yards with a .22-250 40 grain hollowpoint. It left the hindquarters connected to the forequarters and head connected by a length of spine. The ribs, hide of the torso area and guts were just gone.

Good luck!
 
Good varmint hunting here in south dakota; heed the advice about distances (definitely practice further than 300 yards if possible), flat shoozing calibers, and winds (very windy here). From what ive been told, many ranchers allow ya to come on and take as many as ya want, as the holes are a danger to the cattle.
 
At first I was thinking .17 hmr would be a pretty good choice. But I did some research and folks are saying 200 yds is stretching it for that round and most varmint hunting is at that distance or further.
 
I remember my dad taking a mini 14 out hunting. You could call about any CoOp in central Kansas and probably hunt for free. Diablos is 100% correct. Them things spread fast and once you get a field covered in holes, that land is no longer useful. Same thing went for geese. They eat winter wheat by plucking ip the whole plant. Farmers would always let me and my friends hunt their land.

Let me know if you want any leads
 
For the volume of shooting that you could encounter .223Rem is likely the most economical round to run. One of the Savage 12 varmint rifles can typically be had for $900 or less online. Inside of 300yds use a 50gr Hornady V-max bullet, 300yds and beyond load up some 73gr Hornady ELD-M's over Varget. I'm very familiar with the 73's and have shot them out to 1k. They do surprisingly well for such a relatively light bullet at range. They do tend to fragment on impact and not get much pass through or in my experience on woodchucks:

IMG_0988.JPG
 
Black Hills 77gr TMK will pop those pups really well. I agree with .223 being the most economical.

A friend of mine shot out a .243 barrel in two weeks in Nebraska shooting 'dogs. Fired thousands of rounds. I'll drop him a line
 
What about a 6 or 6.5 Creedmoor? Heavier than a .22 cal to buck the wind, shoots flatter than a .308. Match grade ammo is readily available off the shelf.
 
For the volume of shooting that you could encounter .223Rem is likely the most economical round to run. One of the Savage 12 varmint rifles can typically be had for $900 or less online. Inside of 300yds use a 50gr Hornady V-max bullet, 300yds and beyond load up some 73gr Hornady ELD-M's over Varget. I'm very familiar with the 73's and have shot them out to 1k. They do surprisingly well for such a relatively light bullet at range. They do tend to fragment on impact and not get much pass through or in my experience on woodchucks:

View attachment 23426

A Savage 12FV from Cabelas can be had for 400

http://www.cabelas.com/product/SAVAGE-FV-VARMINT-RIFLE/1994604.uts

On sale for 319!

Now you have money for a chassis and scope.
 
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What about a 6 or 6.5 Creedmoor? Heavier than a .22 cal to buck the wind, shoots flatter than a .308. Match grade ammo is readily available off the shelf.

If you're shooting the amount I think you will be, your shoulder will thank you for something with less recoil than 308

120gr AMAX 6.5gr CM is the same price as 155gr .308 AMAX; both would work great
 
At first I was thinking .17 hmr would be a pretty good choice. But I did some research and folks are saying 200 yds is stretching it for that round and most varmint hunting is at that distance or further.

It'll still kill a goose at 275....


Oh, and an 8pt buck
 
For AMMO cost I'd stay in .223 go with a heavier and longer barreled bolt gun and run Hornady Custom 73gr ELD Match factory load will reach 400-500 yards with very good consistency.
 
We went prairie dog hunting in Montana last year when visiting my wife's family. It was the most fun I've ever had with a gun. We were just shooting 22 lr but as many dogs as there were I wouldn't be able to afford anything else. It was just the two of us and every time one of us would shoot, 2 more dogs would run. We were shooting at least every 10 seconds non-stop, the whole day. I wouldn't believe it unless I was there but it was awesome. Glad I don't live there cause I would go broke shooting 22. Anyways, good luck with the slaughter and stay safe out there.
 
A Savage 12FV from Cabelas can be had for 400

http://www.cabelas.com/product/SAVAGE-FV-VARMINT-RIFLE/1994604.uts

On sale for 319!

Now you have money for a chassis and scope.


That is an option. As long as it's the top bolt release it will essentially be the same action as the 12V's (BVSS, BTCSS, and Varmint). I have the 12BVSS and the stock is perfect for bench shooting.

I'm not exactly sure what quality chassis you can procure for $400-$500. MPA, KRS, MDT, and anything else inlet for a Savage I can think of is above that price point or have prices dropped in the past six months?
 
I sent a message to a buddy who's done several trips out west for Dog popping.

I know he used a Rem 700 Heavy Barrel varmint in .223 and a Rem 40XB .243 single shot

I posed all your other questions to him
 
That is an option. As long as it's the top bolt release it will essentially be the same action as the 12V's (BVSS, BTCSS, and Varmint). I have the 12BVSS and the stock is perfect for bench shooting.

I'm not exactly sure what quality chassis you can procure for $400-$500. MPA, KRS, MDT, and anything else inlet for a Savage I can think of is above that price point or have prices dropped in the past six months?

Savage 12 FV: 340
Boyd's Stock: 150
Rings: 200
Scope: 7-800????

1500ish range, if you go MDT LSS and he has a stock and buffer tube it'd be 250 more.
 
There is a SWEET deal on an AR upper if you reload. It's a 6mm based off a 6.8spc. Add a lower and some decent glass and it's good for about 1k yards.
 
Jim, got a long reply from my friend, gonna PM it to you
 
That is an option. As long as it's the top bolt release it will essentially be the same action as the 12V's (BVSS, BTCSS, and Varmint). I have the 12BVSS and the stock is perfect for bench shooting.

I'm not exactly sure what quality chassis you can procure for $400-$500. MPA, KRS, MDT, and anything else inlet for a Savage I can think of is above that price point or have prices dropped in the past six months?


The MDT HS3 chassis I put my Savage FCP-SR in last month was right at $500. I added 2 of their polymer magazines for $35/each.

The chassis made a HUGE difference in groups for me. From ~1" down to an honest .417" 8 shot group.

I'm all in for a 1,200 yard capable rifle for right at $2,000, including optics.
 
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120 gr, 155 gr, 6.5, 308??? Fellas these things only weigh OUNCES. It don't take Moose medicine to knock one over. If you're shooting more than 40 grains you're wasting energy...
 
I'd use an AR in 5.56 with a decent scope. These things are notoriously stupid and will actually stand still and look around as bullets are impacting next to them. An AR will give you the ability to make quick follow up shots if you need them.
 
The MDT HS3 chassis I put my Savage FCP-SR in last month was right at $500. I added 2 of their polymer magazines for $35/each.

The chassis made a HUGE difference in groups for me. From ~1" down to an honest .417" 8 shot group.

I'm all in for a 1,200 yard capable rifle for right at $2,000, including optics.

That's great! I'm all for accuracy on a budget and the MDT polymer mags are the cat's dick for .223Rem bolt guns.

However, what did you actually use for a buttstock on the chassis? For $499 the MDT doesn't come with a buttstock. It will accept AR-15 buffer tubes and stocks. You would want something adjustable to get a proper cheek weld and LoP which means a Magpul PRS @$185 + buffer tube ($30). Just saying. ;)
 
That's great! I'm all for accuracy on a budget and the MDT polymer mags are the cat's dick for .223Rem bolt guns.

However, what did you actually use for a buttstock on the chassis? For $499 the MDT doesn't come with a buttstock. It will accept AR-15 buffer tubes and stocks. You would want something adjustable to get a proper cheek weld and LoP which means a Magpul PRS @$185 + buffer tube ($30). Just saying. ;)


Savage FCP-SR ~$500 (I traded into it)
HS3 Stock $500
2x Plymer Mags $75
PRS Stock and tube $150 used
Hogue grip $20
Vortex Viper PST 6-24x50 $700 (I've had a few years)
DNZ 1 piece mount $120

All in: $2065
 
120 gr, 155 gr, 6.5, 308??? Fellas these things only weigh OUNCES. It don't take Moose medicine to knock one over. If you're shooting more than 40 grains you're wasting energy...

From what I'm reading, you need the energy to fight the wind, not to kill 'em. That said, I'm planning to start short, 100-300 yards so 223 seems like a great place to start.

Got a lead on a place in TX today, bonus points for free and yotes.

@Tim Got a pic?
 
From what I'm reading, you need the energy to fight the wind, not to kill 'em. That said, I'm planning to start short, 100-300 yards so 223 seems like a great place to start.

From my experience trajectory is as important as anything. Most of my dog hunting was done at first light up until about 10/10:30 and then mirage sets in and it becomes v e r y difficult to read yardages and dope wind. Mix some side wind with mirage and you're in the hole....
 
Did my first dog hunts this spring in North Dakota. Took couple with a newly acquired 1962 dated Remington 572 pump .22LR with irons and some with my M16A4 clone. Range 25m-250m. Ammo on the .223 were 56 gr FBHP made with swaged lead into .22 LR cases, hows that for cheap. My son used his 14.5" AR with red dot (he later got a Leupold 1-4x)

aab0d1e9-463b-428c-8e7e-b5278d3620cf.jpg


Highly suggest a laser range finder and a good set of sticks/bipod/table. I had a Harris 6-9" bipod on my rail but determined it was too low where I was shooting. Had a great time.


CD
 
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Sorry that I am failing to respond to each of the points you guys make, appreciate them all.

Planning for portable tables, getting dad down on the ground, or rather getting him up again after a few hours, would likely diminish the enjoyment of the event.
 
Hornady 73gr ELDs made me a believer today. Available as factory loads and would really buck the wind better than a smaller varmint bullet might

5 rounds, 100 yards. Same zero as with my 77gr Tipped Match Kings

4ZV3u2p.jpg
 
Savage 223Rem_73grELDM_300yds.jpg
Hornady 73gr ELDs made me a believer today. Available as factory loads and would really buck the wind better than a smaller varmint bullet might

5 rounds, 100 yards. Same zero as with my 77gr Tipped Match Kings

Very nice and pretty standard for this bullet. That's just the tip of the iceberg with the 73gr ELD-M's. They are an outstanding performers all the way out to 1k as well.
 
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View attachment 23682

Very nice and pretty standard for this bullet. That's just the tip of the iceberg with the 73gr ELD-M's. They are an outstanding performers all the way out to 1k as well.

I normally hand load but bought a box of 20 rounds of the 73gr ELD-X loaded rounds. The loose bullets for reloading were 75gr; couldn't figure out why the difference in their factory ammo versus reloading component. I'd hate to buy some 75s and not get the performance of the 73s

I just wanted to see how they shot before buying them to load myself; figured the difference in price was gonna be my time spent loading and testing etc. I'm thrilled and would like more!
 
I normally hand load but bought a box of 20 rounds of the 73gr ELD-X loaded rounds. The loose bullets for reloading were 75gr; couldn't figure out why the difference in their factory ammo versus reloading component. I'd hate to buy some 75s and not get the performance of the 73s

I just wanted to see how they shot before buying them to load myself; figured the difference in price was gonna be my time spent loading and testing etc. I'm thrilled and would like more!

Here is some load development data for the 73's. The nodes are ~ 1gr apart near 23.x gr and 24.x gr Good luck and enjoy the bullet!

https://forum.snipershide.com/forum...eloading/6252888-hornady-224-73-eld-m-testing
 
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