Hi all, thinking of getting a new bolt action rifle for prairie dog hunting. I like the .223 and the 22-250 caliber. I have been researching and am shocked to see the vast difference in quality lately. I would like your input on some rifle, they have to be American made. I like Savage, Ruger and Thompson center has now come into the mix, but never shot one. I don't just want a lower line, but mid level rifle. Thoughts?
Prairie dog rifle
- Thread starter toddster
- Start date
If you are speaking of bolt actions there are also Remington and Mossberg.
for a dedicated prairie dog gun I would probably go with Savage if those were the only options I were offered. If bore life is a major consideration I'd choose the 223, but if I were not adverse to re-barreling every few years I'd go with the 22-250.
I like the Rugers too, but the savage is the easiest to re-barrel.
for a dedicated prairie dog gun I would probably go with Savage if those were the only options I were offered. If bore life is a major consideration I'd choose the 223, but if I were not adverse to re-barreling every few years I'd go with the 22-250.
I like the Rugers too, but the savage is the easiest to re-barrel.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
CZ 527 Varmint, in .17 Hornet or .223 Rem.
buckhorn_cortez
New member
Depends upon the distances you think you're going to be shooting. I live in New Mexico, and 400 yard shots were not unusual, with most shots between 150 - 300 yards.
I used to shoot with a friend who used a 22-250 with 55 grain bullets. I used a 6mm Remington with Sierra 70 grain boat tail match bullets. On breezy days, the extra bullet weight of the 6mm helped with wind drift and was far easier to shoot accurately than the 22-250.
For shorter distances like 100 - 250 yards, any of the .22 calibers would be fine. If you're shooting longer distances, I'd look at the .243 and use the 70 grain Sierra bullets.
I used to shoot with a friend who used a 22-250 with 55 grain bullets. I used a 6mm Remington with Sierra 70 grain boat tail match bullets. On breezy days, the extra bullet weight of the 6mm helped with wind drift and was far easier to shoot accurately than the 22-250.
For shorter distances like 100 - 250 yards, any of the .22 calibers would be fine. If you're shooting longer distances, I'd look at the .243 and use the 70 grain Sierra bullets.
buckhorn_cortez
New member
I'm sure for 50-150 yards .17 caliber of some type would be fine. I've never shot a .17 caliber. It wasn't developed until 2002 - I was shooting prairie dogs in the late 1970's through the 1980's.
Over 150 yards on open plains areas I don't think a .17 caliber would be "optimal" because of the lighter weight bullets and wind drift. In my opinion, there are better caliber choices for 150+ yards.
But, you need to tailor the caliber + rifle for the type of shooting situation. If the targets were all under 200 yards in pasture areas or fields surrounded by trees, a .17 caliber would be a rifle to seriously consider.
Unlicensed Dremel
Moderator
Oh, sorry. American made.
A Marlin or Savage in .17 HMR, yep.
Wait -are you buying new or used? And what budget range?
A Marlin or Savage in .17 HMR, yep.
Wait -are you buying new or used? And what budget range?
roashooter
Moderator
Ifonly an "american" made would shoot as well as my CZs...I would want one as well....but there are not any....
stillquietvoice
New member
savage varmint with accustock.
silverbullet6oh
New member
.17 HMR
.17 HMR is a fantastic round for this type of use. Are you going to be shooting prairie dogs past 150 yards??? I really enjoyed my buddies .17 HMR when we were target practicing.
I also had the chance to shoot a HOWA in .204 , it was a great too.
I dont think you could go wrong with either of those calibers.
.17 HMR is a fantastic round for this type of use. Are you going to be shooting prairie dogs past 150 yards??? I really enjoyed my buddies .17 HMR when we were target practicing.
I also had the chance to shoot a HOWA in .204 , it was a great too.
I dont think you could go wrong with either of those calibers.
Why do you need a rifle just for prairie dogs?
Back when I shot prairie dogs an a regular basis, I used my deer rifle, a Remmy 721 in .270WIN, fed with 90 to 110 grain bullets over mild charges of H335 and IMR4064...... took a Lee handpress kit and reloaded the same 150 cases all weekend
Nothing will familarize you with your deer gun like a few hundred rounds once a month all summer at small, dynamic targets at unknown distances, from field positions ...... and when you can cop a squat and cut a grass rat in half from 300 yards, bambi's dad is just plain easy come November ......
Back when I shot prairie dogs an a regular basis, I used my deer rifle, a Remmy 721 in .270WIN, fed with 90 to 110 grain bullets over mild charges of H335 and IMR4064...... took a Lee handpress kit and reloaded the same 150 cases all weekend
Nothing will familarize you with your deer gun like a few hundred rounds once a month all summer at small, dynamic targets at unknown distances, from field positions ...... and when you can cop a squat and cut a grass rat in half from 300 yards, bambi's dad is just plain easy come November ......
silverbullet6oh
New member
jimbob86 said:
Its probably not a NEED, but a want. Who cares why, the guy wants to get a prairie dog gun, good for him.
I wish I could come up with more and more different reasons to own more guns.... But I think my wife would catch on to all my BS reasons.
Its probably not a NEED, but a want. Who cares why, the guy wants to get a prairie dog gun, good for him.
I wish I could come up with more and more different reasons to own more guns.... But I think my wife would catch on to all my BS reasons.
mxsailor803
New member
I'm actually kinda surprised that no one has mentioned a .243win. It is a bit large but with a 60+gr bullet, wind deflection would be minimized quite a bit. You could also use that same rifle for anything from deer and smaller. I would also have to go with the Savage. Normally I would go for older Remington 700's but they are getting harder to find with a reasonable price tag and doesn't look like it was drug behind a truck.
My votes are for (in no certain order) any of the Savage heavy barrels - the model 10FV is a decent inexpensive rifle. I can also highly recomend Remington's 700 heavy barrel SPS.
As far as chambering its .223 over .22-250 unless you are shooting at really long ranges and then I might even bump up to a .243/6MM.
Regards,
Rob
As far as chambering its .223 over .22-250 unless you are shooting at really long ranges and then I might even bump up to a .243/6MM.
Regards,
Rob