ejectors and 'typical' prairie dog range

[bmash]

1) Do you prefer an ejector or not for prairie dog shooting?
2) What is the normal range for prairie dog shots?,I see the discussions on 600 to 1000 yards, but is what you normally have to shot?,I am in Louisiana so obviously I will be traveling somewhere else!)

 

[bhoges]

I dont have one on two of my rifles. Its just nice not to have to go looking for the brass. As far as range this past summer I didnt get many shot closer than about 150yds. They must have been shot alot. My max was 700yds due to the winds being about 17-25mph. I used a 7moa hold over for the wind. If you send alot of time prepping brass and dont want to loose any take out the ejector.

 

[vmthtr]

I have taken all my ejectors out of my dog rifles and prefer to pick brass from receiver. Average shot for use is between 200 and 400 yards. With a bipod we get much closer shooting, but you need to carry a mat and elbow pads or you tore up quick.

Mike

 

[rstreich]

I think I'd have to say that I prefer to have an ejector in my rifles, but I'd probably prefer not to have one when I was shooting PDs. You can always disable the ejector if you want or, at least, cut a few coils off like Catshooter suggested. I've gotten to the point where my hand automatically goes up to block the brass anyway.

The typical range for PDs depends on where you go, the time of year, and how hungry and how spooky they are. In the PD towns that I go to in the Spring, I bring at least four rifles: a 17 HMR for the 10 to 250 yard shots, one or two 223 Rem sized rifles for the 200 to 500 yards shots, and one or two 6mm rifles for the 400 to wherever I think I can get hits given the conditions at the time shots. I need at least four rifles so that I can set them down to cool without having to twiddle my thumbs or resort to some other means to cool them. In the fall, taking a break from other hunting, those same towns will rarely give you shots any closer than 400 yards.

I prefer setting up a bench and shooting from that instead of laying on the ground.

 

[bmash]

Thanks guys, this helps a lot! I have a .218 Mashburn Bee for closer in and am building something for further out. I shoot 6oo yard Palma and I have gotten use to pulling the brass out myself.

 

[vmthtr]

I would suggest a 6 BR for a meduim range gun. I really like mine and have it throated for use of all bullets, 70g are perfect, 58 are way out but still touch the throat and stay in the case and the 107 is above neck.

Mike

 

[Tommie]

I would say the average of all shots would come to around 250 yards where I shoot. That being said, you'll nail 'em at all ranges - starting at about 10 yards and going out as far as you can see,or shoot).

By far the most important gun is the short-range rifle. This rifle should be chambered for a cartridge which provides 200-250 yard capability without much noticeable recoil. Chamberings such as 17HMR, 17AH, Vartarg, 22 Hornet or your Mashburn will fill that bill pretty well. Even a .223 can jump too much to see bullet impact at 50 yards. Think LOW RECOIL. Many people use a .22lr as a short-range gun but I've found that the 30MPH winds just raise too much hell with that little slow bullet for my taste.

You'll also need a rifle chambered in a long-range cartridge. This gun needs to be capable of consistent accuracy at 400 yards in heavy winds. Also, this gun will be taking the 500+ yard shots with some well beyond that so horsepower rules. Lots of choices/opinions on the best cartridge here. While smaller chamberings can and are used successfully, most PD shooters consider something like the .243 Win to be the minimum cartridge for this application.

The third gun is the "tweener". It covers the yardages in between the two other guns - with a considerable amount of overlap. This gun will cover at lot of the 200-400 yard shots. Here's where the .223 shines. Other great candidates are the larger cased .17's as well as cartridges in the .204 Ruger category. I've tried a 22-250 as my in between gun but found it had too much muzzle jump for my taste. Really, a 204 Ruger is hard to beat for this.

Tom

 

[rstreich]

I'll second that "lots of ammo" bit. I've gotten a fairly heavy 17 HMR barrel smokin' hot just driving around window shooting. 1000 rounds a day would be easy to do in some PD towns. I wind up bringing all my reloading components along.

 

[people]

The only reason is it uses a cheaper bullet and far less powder than my other guns. I have a milldot scope on my gun so I can use it for hold off. The more you shoot your gun the better you will know how far you need to hold off or crank your scope.

Edit


I am from ND. I have seen it where the tall grass was totaly flat on the ground. On those days try to shoot in to the wind or with.

 

[LarryR53]

I appreciate the great advice here as I am going on my first PD shoot this year. The idea of shooting with a string really makes sense. I wonder if you shot INTO the wind instead of with it would the muzzle blast be muffled enough to reduce spooking the dogs? Just a thought, thanks for the help.
Larry

 

[LarryR53]

Catshooter, thank you. shows how much I have to learn. Luckily we will have experienced shooters with us to show us the ropes.
You're right about the bullet "crack". I shoot F-class and a 6.5 or 30 cal will get your attention even at 1000 yd.
thanks again for your detailed post.

 

[bmash]

What rifle is your Mashburn Bee. Over the last 45 years, I have owned a number of .218 Bees, both straight and Mashburn, and I love the cartridge. I have one now,a beautiful and very accurate Ruger #1)

I have a Cooper Model 38. I am shoting 50 gr Berger and Vmax at 3024fps with 3/8 inch groups. Love it!

 

[tuck2]

I live in prairie dog country and have tryed out all the factory .172, .204, .224 caliber rounds and the 243 Win round on them. I have also used 4X, 8X, 12x, 4-12X, 4.5-14X, 6-18X, and 6.5-20 X scopes. During the spring when the pups are dumb I get a lot of shooting with the rimfire rifles . A Cooper 57M LVT 17 HMR rifle with a 4-14 X scope is my main spring time rifle for shots out to 150 yards. By mid summer the dogs are are muzzle blast smart so I go up to the 204 Ruger Target Varmint Gray rifle w a 6-18 X scope and or the Browning Varmint 223 rifle w a 12 X scope and a Howa 1500 Thumb hole Varmint 223 rifle w a 6-18X scope for shots out to 300 yards. By fall, winter and untill the next spring the 22-250, 220 Swift w a 6.5-20 X scope and 243 w a 6.5-20 X scope may be used but I have seen prairie dogs go to their holes out at 400 yards when they hear the muzzle blast from them. Over a year I get a lot of shooting within 350 yards. Get a 17 HMR and a pair of center fire varmint rifles with reloads that will shoot 3/4 inch or less groups at 100 yards and you can have a fine time out in the prairie dog pasture.