.223 on prairie dogs

[JC0352]

I was wondering if any of you had experience with using an AR on prairie dogs, and what ammo do you use. My upper is a 16" Bushy free float HBAR, 1/9". Thanks

oh, and I'll need to get some new optics too. the aimpoint w/ the 4moa dot ain't gonna cut it, but i've got that covered

[Irons]

Shoot yeah, the cheapest lowest grain, steel case stuff you can find. A .22 Short is sufficient to pop them little b*stards. (actually it's preferred, as it doesn't over penetrate, but good luck finding much .22 Short) Even the weeniest load of .223 is overkill IMO. Some 55grn. Wolf ought to do the trick. Optics for Prairie Dogs? Nothing expensive, if at all. You try to shoot them at less than 100 feet afterall. Irons will do just fine.

[Laworkerbee]

Ask Scrybe, he's a murderous bastard when it comes to varmit's.

[JC0352]

Shoot yeah, the cheapest lowest grain, steel case stuff you can find. A .22 Short is sufficient to pop them little b*stards. (actually it's preferred, as it doesn't over penetrate, but good luck finding much .22 Short) Even the weeniest load of .223 is overkill IMO. Some 55grn. Wolf ought to do the trick. Optics for Prairie Dogs? Nothing expensive, if at all. You try to shoot them at less than 100 feet afterall. Irons will do just fine.


Well I want to be able to shoot them at long range. I have a .22mag and run 30gr Hornady V-max through it and it does the job out to about 150 yards.

I prefer shooting optics, but I was strictly iron sights until I was about 18; my Dad wanted me to learn to shoot properly. Qualifying Expert in the Corps 3 times validated my proficiency with iron sights, IMO.

edit: haha, thanks LAWB :)

[Laworkerbee]

Don't you find it easier to lead targets with iron sights?

[Irons]

Long Range hunting of Prairie Dogs is not something that I've really done. I've gone varminting them a few times, and it was always a .22, sneakers, and try to get as close as possible, upwind; walking heel-toe, in un-even rhythms, and then sit and wait. That's the "sport" of it to me.

Either way, you just want to make sure you get a clean shot. They may be pests, but they deserve the quickest death possible, just as any game animal does. How "long range" are you talking about? Like "whamp rats with your T-16 long range," or under 100 yards long range?" Either way, el-cheapo .223 should be more than enough.

Edit: "LAWB - Don't you find it easier to lead targets with iron sights?" Well if he's got a 30rd. magazine why worry about leading, lust pull the plug on that fire-hose and let-er-rip! ;)

[Laworkerbee]

Edit: "LAWB - Don't you find it easier to lead targets with iron sights?" Well if he's got a 30rd. magazine why worry about leading, lust pull the plug on that fire-hose and let-er-rip! ;)

That doesn't sound very sporting.

[Irons]

That doesn't sound very sporting.

Well, it's not very nice, but...what are they gonna' do about it? p-):)

[Hollis]

Well I want to be able to shoot them at long range.


What do you mean by long range?

[JC0352]

Don't you find it easier to lead targets with iron sights?

LAWB, I won't fire unless they're standing/sitting still, for fear of not making a clean kill. The only time I'll attempt to lead something is when I'm bird hunting w/ the shotty.


Long Range hunting of Prairie Dogs is not something that I've really done. I've gone varminting them a few times, and it was always a .22, sneakers, and try to get as close as possible, upwind; walking heel-toe, in un-even rhythms, and then sit and wait.

The first time I tried it was last year. A buddy of mine has an H&R handi-rifle in .204 Ruger that we used effectively out to 300+ yards. Like I was saying, my .22WMR (Marlin M982VS) is good for about 150 yards, but I bought that rifle mainly for squirrels and rabbits back home in Louisiana.


What do you mean by long range?

H, I was thinking between 200-300yds; not really "long range" but they are pretty small targets. Maybe further if I can hit consistently.

[Irons]

H, I was thinking between 200-300yds; not really "long range" but they are pretty small targets. Maybe further if I can hit consistently.

That's just mean Man; Mean! LOL!


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxCR5KA47kU

[Frens]

Well, it's not very nice, but...what are they gonna' do about it? p-):)

p-)

the AWB ended in 2004 for them also p-)

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/7429/machinegunprairiedog.jpg

[Soldat_Américain]

just get some cats, and you won't see them varmints running around much anymore.

[Irons]

I had a friend in High School who had 3 cats at home, and he loved them dearly, but would hunt stray cats with his truck while listening to the Jingle Cats CD. He was a weird guy. I decided then and there that owning cats does stuff to you. I'd just go ahead and spray those PDogs down with '06; saves your sanity, ya know.

[Henry's Fork]

I have the same Bushy upper. It has dispached a few Nevada ground hogs and wabbits. Shooting the rabbits on the run were ok beacuse of how quick the 16" moves, but i usally use a .22 or .410 on wabbits. Using white box Winchester FMJ most of the time, no problems with woundings. Was shooting the ground hogs at about 125-175 maybe 200 yards with a cheapo BSA scope. Not sure how the 16" would work at 300+ yards, as thats a little too far for my personal tastes for a vanilla AR on prairie dogs.

[JC0352]

He was a weird guy...

Pot, this is Kettle, over p-)

[Irons]

*salutes* I'm from Moline Illinois! :)

[JC0352]

I have the same Bushy upper. It has dispached a few Nevada ground hogs and wabbits. Shooting the rabbits on the run were ok beacuse of how quick the 16" moves, but i usally use a .22 or .410 on wabbits. Using white box Winchester FMJ most of the time, no problems with woundings. Was shooting the ground hogs at about 125-175 maybe 200 yards with a cheapo BSA scope. Not sure how the 16" would work at 300+ yards, as thats a little too far for my personal tastes for a vanilla AR on prairie dogs.

Thanks for sharing. I had planned on seeing how she groups at those distances before hunting animals.

[Hispeed1]

You should be fine with just a .22 LR rifle. You might already have a Ruger 10/22 in your posession... As the others have said you won't need anything large. As for the optics, check out eGey or even cheaperthandirt.com for some budget magnified scopes, you won't need some super-tacticool $2K scope on your varmint plinker. Check out the .22, 10/22 section under the "Armory" on ARF.com for more ideas. Happy hunting!

[wildcat]

I would recommend the 22LR, if you have a good LR rifle hitting a prairie dog at 200 yards should not be a problem, 300 i don't know. seems like a waste of 223 for such a small critter.

[Chulo]

wouldnt a .22 Air gun at around 750 FPS be enough to take out a 2 to 3lb varmint at about 100 yards?

[Irons]

I would recommend the 22LR, if you have a good LR rifle hitting a prairie dog at 200 yards should not be a problem, 300

HOLY Jeezus Palamina!

Just so yas knows; you don't generally use a .22LR past 50 yards.

[wildcat]

HOLY Jeezus Palamina!

Just so yas knows; you don't generally use a .22LR past 50 yards.
what does Palamina mean

[Soldat_Américain]

Well my aunt and uncle have wild cats that live on their spread and as soon as they go them, let's just say three months later they saw no prairie dogs.

[Irons]

what does Palamina mean

Not real sure to be candid with you, but Slim Pickens said it, and that's good enough for me! :)

[wildcat]

Not real sure to be candid with you, but Slim Pickens said it, and that's good enough for me! :)
what are you talking about?

[Irons]

This:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RmLAA2r4DlA

And also that using a .22LR past 50 yards isn't a good idea for hunting.

[scrybe]

Ask Scrybe, he's a murderous bastard when it comes to varmit's.

Haha, thanks buddy.

We use a combination of .223, .22lr, and .17HMR when go sage rat shooting. A 9mm and .40S&W has also been known to be used when presented with the opportunity. :)

The .22lr is definitely a capable round, especially with the hollow points. It's what we all originally shot with. The only issue is accuracy out past 50 or 100 yards if you are shooting cheap bulk ammo.

The .17HMR has proven to be an ideal round. We use the Hornady V-MAX. It shoots hot and flat with considerable accuracy at range. It generally doesn't split apart the squirrels but leaves some pretty big holes.

The .223 could easily be considered overkill. A gut shot with a jacketed hollow point can literally tear a squirrel in half. Shots in the ribcage will fold it inside out. I like using the .223, though, because it's an excuse to shoot my AR (also a 16" Bushy with an Aimpoint M2). I shoot in wooded, uneven land and the shots are rarely over 150 or 200 yards, so not having magnification isn't a disadvantage.

We're going again at the end of next month and I can't wait. Always a good time.

[Hispeed1]

HOLY Jeezus Palamina!
Just so yas knows; you don't generally use a .22LR past 50 yards.

Gee, how far is he going to be shooting those P-dogs?

[wildcat]

Haha, thanks buddy.

We use a combination of .223, .22lr, and .17HMR when go sage rat shooting. A 9mm and .40S&W has also been known to be used when presented with the opportunity. :)

The .22lr is definitely a capable round, especially with the hollow points. It's what we all originally shot with. The only issue is accuracy out past 50 or 100 yards if you are shooting cheap bulk ammo.

The .17HMR has proven to be an ideal round. We use the Hornady V-MAX. It shoots hot and flat with considerable accuracy at range. It generally doesn't split apart the squirrels but leaves some pretty big holes.

The .223 could easily be considered overkill. A gut shot with a jacketed hollow point can literally tear a squirrel in half. Shots in the ribcage will fold it inside out. I like using the .223, though, because it's an excuse to shoot my AR (also a 16" Bushy with an Aimpoint M2). I shoot in wooded, uneven land and the shots are rarely over 150 or 200 yards, so not having magnification isn't a disadvantage.

We're going again at the end of next month and I can't wait. Always a good time.

do you need a license in OR to shoot squirrel or sage rats?

[Irons]

scrybe (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/member.php?u=4503) does speak the truth, but I, like most, shoot the cheap Remington Walmart Bricks. So if you want to pony up for CCI or Stingers or something you might be good. I wouldn't though. You can get within 50 yards and less, it's more fun to me in fact--part of the "stalk"--and save the cash, or just go with something more fun to shoot; either way.

[Hollis]

Well maybe it was some kind of strange event from the unknown. I was looking for a ATV manual in my shop, and hidden in another manual was a old book of mine, "The Accurate Varmint Rife".

I would suggest a few reading it and then pick up a Sierra Bullet reloading manual and reading about bullets. p-)

I have several varminters. There is a big difference in commercial ammo and custom loaded if your going for range. I use to hunt those guys in AZ, at 400M. Depends on what your there for. In AZ they were dangerous to live stock, horses and those who road them. Killing just to kill is wrong, IMHO.

[JC0352]

Well before starting this thread, I never thought it was overkill...:| Everytime I heard about/saw a video on p-dog shooting, it was usually with .22 caliber centerfire rifles at several hundred yards. This guy that works at the gun counter at my local Bass Pro Shops uses a .220 Swift on the critters as his 800+ yard rifle. He's legit; shot competitively while in the Army.

As far my original question, I think going with the lightest, fastest round is the way to go and just wanted other folks' opinion if they've used an AR on prairie dogs.

@HOLLiS: The land I hunt them on is national grassland. Ranchers have permits for their cattle to graze there, so I figure I'm doing them some good. Plus there are also public trails for horseback through there too.

[Hollis]

Well before starting this thread, I never thought it was overkill...:| Everytime I heard about/saw a video on p-dog shooting, it was usually with .22 caliber centerfire rifles at several hundred yards. This guy that works at the gun counter at my local Bass Pro Shops uses a .220 Swift on the critters as his 800+ yard rifle. He's legit; shot competitively while in the Army.

As far my original question, I think going with the lightest, fastest round is the way to go and just wanted other folks' opinion if they've used an AR on prairie dogs.


You missed out, I sold my .220 Swift to another Marine, who is a retired SGM.

Also. .22 caliber can be a very misleading description. p-)

[wildcat]

JC do you eat them? any good recipes, is this too redneck.

[Chulo]

well i got a Gamo .22 whisper air rifle that shoots at about 1000fps to deal with varmint in the backyard. While the gun was about $250 the ammo is cheap and i can shoot it anytime



talking about stopping power..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gy86MI3mmBc

[scrybe]

do you need a license in OR to shoot squirrel or sage rats?

I think just a general hunting license for sage rats. Some squirrels have specific seasons and might require licenses though, I'm not too sure.

[Hollis]

I think just a general hunting license for sage rats. Some squirrels have specific seasons and might require licenses though, I'm not too sure.


Ever go to Eastern OR? 22LR work well.

East of Truxton on Rt 66 in AZ was a pretty big PD colony. Slow easy day hunting them.

[scrybe]

Yea, we go camp about an hour outside of Burns. We used to to go Christmas Valley, but there are just too many homes around there.

[wildcat]

I think just a general hunting license for sage rats. Some squirrels have specific seasons and might require licenses though, I'm not too sure.
I will have to look into it, maybe I can come down, we go do some shooting.

[Hollis]

I will have to look into it, maybe I can come down, we go do some shooting.


It would be neat to have a Northwet link up shoot.

[Laworkerbee]

I want an invite, I won't kill nothing but I'd like to go.

[Hollis]

I want an invite, I won't kill nothing but I'd like to go.


Cool, we can put out some plastic turkeys and stuff PDs....

[Laworkerbee]

No, I want to be OPFOR.

I'll wear an orange jumpsuit and run around with a whistle giving my Prairie comrades a heads up.

It should make the shoot a bit more challenging :)

[Hollis]

No, I want to be OPFOR.

I'll wear an orange jumpsuit and run around with a whistle giving my Prairie comrades a heads up.

It should make the shoot a bit more challenging :)


Have you really thought this one out? Orange makes a great target!!!

[wildcat]

lol, it would be fun have a NW shoot day, I think Gin, would want in on this too. I guess it will be your way seeing move of you live there.

[Laworkerbee]

Have you really thought this one out? Orange makes a great target!!!

I figure I'll throw some bunny ears on as well.

After this mission I can slap the video up on the net and then I'll need to hire bodyguards to protect me from all the PETA activists trying to get me into bed.


I'll be in your boys AO in late July for my annual golf trip, I'd like to get some beer or trigger time while I'm up there this time.

[Hollis]

lol, it would be fun have a NW shoot day, I think Gin, would want in on this too. I guess it will be your way seeing move of you live there.


Gin would be GTG, he is a good guy.

[Hollis]

I figure I'll throw some bunny ears on as well.

After this mission I can slap the video up on the net and then I'll need to hire bodyguards to protect me from all the PETA activists trying to get me into bed.


On the PETA activist, only accept the good lookin' female hetero types. (if there are any).

[Laworkerbee]

On the PETA activist, only accept the good lookin' female hetero types. (if there are any).

Good point :|

[JC0352]

scrybe (http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/member.php?u=4503) does speak the truth, but I, like most, shoot the cheap Remington Walmart Bricks. So if you want to pony up for CCI or Stingers or something you might be good. I wouldn't though. You can get within 50 yards and less, it's more fun to me in fact--part of the "stalk"--and save the cash, or just go with something more fun to shoot; either way.

I use these and they're not too expensive, but .22LR bricks are cheaper: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712-cat604023&id=0064202216860a&navCount=4&podId=0064202&parentId=cat604023&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=IK&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&hasJS=true
This is what kind of .22 I have: http://www.marlinfirearms.com/Firearms/22WinMagnum/982VS.asp
mine has a Burris 3-9x scope with the BallisticPlex Reticle


You missed out, I sold my .220 Swift to another Marine, who is a retired SGM.


If I had the money, I'd like to get a Model 700 Sendero in .220 Swift and a Leupold target scope


JC do you eat them? any good recipes, is this too redneck.

no way buddy! i've heard unconfirmed rumors they're carriers for the plague


I think just a general hunting license for sage rats. Some squirrels have specific seasons and might require licenses though, I'm not too sure.

there's a season for them in Colorado. last year, it was June-Feb; all you need is a small game license


No, I want to be OPFOR.

I'll wear an orange jumpsuit and run around with a whistle giving my Prairie comrades a heads up.

It should make the shoot a bit more challenging :)

lol, i think most of us wouldn't be able to shoot our buddy LAWB:hug:

[Hollis]

lol, i think most of us wouldn't be able to shoot our buddy LAWB:hug:


Would we be betting on it, for beers? Cash?

[JC0352]

Would we be betting on it, for beers? Cash?

Well, we could borrow that one guy's $4000 airsoft rifle and bet beer AND cash on who could hit LAWB the mostp-)

[Hispeed1]

Well, we could borrow that one guy's $4000 airsoft rifle and bet beer AND cash on who could hit LAWB the mostp-)

Only if you throw in that Multiscam armor carrier. J/k-who'd want to shoot laWB? p-)

[JC0352]

LAWB is my scarved role model, but the idea of chasing an orange LAWB with a toy-gun to win free beer is kinda awesomep-)

[Irons]

54 posts inspired by pure Prairie Dog hatred. At this point you guys may as well just use a Back-Hoe, and go Mai Lai on their a*s's. Cool info on .22's btw. I didn't know people did custom .22 loads. They are so small; wow.

[Bro Jangles]

It would be neat to have a Northwet link up shoot.
i was planning a varmint trip to idaho, but oregons closer.

[Laworkerbee]

LAWB is my scarved role model, but the idea of chasing an orange LAWB with a toy-gun to win free beer is kinda awesomep-)

Agreed, that would be awesome.

[wildcat]

Well, we could borrow that one guy's $4000 airsoft rifle and bet beer AND cash on who could hit LAWB the mostp-)
I think it only has the range of 2000mm

[budgie]

I prefer to use a gatling gun against such dangerous creatures. Wouldn't want to overkill.

[USMC29]

I had a friend in High School who had 3 cats at home, and he loved them dearly, but would hunt stray cats with his truck while listening to the Jingle Cats CD. He was a weird guy. I decided then and there that owning cats does stuff to you. I'd just go ahead and spray those PDogs down with '06; saves your sanity, ya know.

One guy at boot camp would hunt stray cats with his brothers w/ his ar-15. He just attached a laser sight onto it and the cats would start playing with it...you can imagine the effect.

[Irons]

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoID=2018291720

[Winger]

In case it hasn't been posted yet.....

www.dogbegone.com

[Chulo]

In case it hasn't been posted yet.....

www.dogbegone.com (http://www.dogbegone.com)
wtf kinda sick stuff is that.. its like orgish on animals

[kopema]

He just attached a laser sight onto it and the cats would start playing with it...you can imagine the effect.

At first I thought that sounded cruel. But then I thought it over, and is that REALLY a lot worse than tricking a bunch of poor, unsuspecting ducks into thinking they're going to get laid?

[wildcat]

and is that REALLY a lot worse than tricking a bunch of poor, unsuspecting ducks into thinking they're going to get laid?
roflroflroflroflI like that.

[pascalywood]

Garden hose and baseball bat. Yeah.

[oldsoak]

Its the guys who crawl down their tunnels with only a flashlight and .45 that get me....

:-P

- on a more serious note - are the prarie dogs an economic pest ?

[Hollis]

Its the guys who crawl down their tunnels with only a flashlight and .45 that get me....

:-P

- on a more serious note - are the prarie dogs an economic pest ?

Crawling down their hole is easy to say, even seen what PDs do to captives?


They are a pest. Live stock, they undermine the ground. Riders have been injured or killed when their horses stumbled when stepping in a hole. Live stock have broken legs.

Then there is crop damage.


Eastern Oregon, in the past, farmers have invited shooters to help lower their population.

[oldsoak]

I've seen the missing fingers on those that survived :lol:

That sounds like a day of fun with a worthwhile outcome. I rather they be shot than poisoned - lingering death just isnt right for any animal.
Hitting something the size of a rabbit at 200m, I can seewhy you'd want .223 rather than .22 mag.

[scrybe]

After you've seen a few run out and start humping the carcass of their downed comrade, or drag it off to eat it, you don't really feel a lot of sympathy for the species.

[Deus Proeliator]

Its the guys who crawl down their tunnels with only a flashlight and .45 that get me....

:-P

- on a more serious note - are the prarie dogs an economic pest ?


I can tell you that i have heard i don't know for a fact that some Cattle farmers actually let people hunt Prairie Dogs on there land. I have heard that they do this because of the holes they make in the ground with there tunnel's they make. It causes the cattle in the pastures to sometimes fall in the holes and break there legs. As i said i do not know this for a fact it is jut what i have heard before but i have no idea wether this is true or not.

[Hollis]

The foreman at the Baca Float (ORO) ranch AZ, was about 80 year old when his horse stepped into a prairie dog hole and threw him. He died from a broken neck. Yes prairie dogs and other burrowing creatures (badgers) are not welcome on the open range.

[7385564]

doing a service to all the ranchers, and you get to shoot! sounds like fun