Coyotefurharvester
Silver $$ Contributor
If you don't have gps and shooting in unfamiliar area, I would not stay out past sunset. At least get back to a road by dark.
First time, last minute Prarie dog trip. Questions.
- Thread starter 59f100292
- Start date
Do not leave the 6XC at home! We had two on our last trip and shot the hell out of both of them.....between the wind and the wariness of the p-dogs this time of year long shots galore are the rule not the exception. The 6xc (a 6mm of some sort) is a must in my opinion. Loaded with the right bullet it is deadly......and the right bullet at the moment, for me anyway, is the 105 Beger hunting VLD. That bullet really cuts through the wind and has very good terminal performance on varmints....
https://bergerbullets.com/product/6-mm-105-gr-vld-hunting/
Hornady can kiss my ass on the 105 Amax!
https://bergerbullets.com/product/6-mm-105-gr-vld-hunting/
Hornady can kiss my ass on the 105 Amax!
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Long shots? Wariness? The rodents are stupid but not that stupid! Practice elementary concealment - like don't skyline your vehicle, conceal it behind a ridge or brush even if it means lugging some bench or tripod 100 yards or so. Dull down equipment with flat paint. Pre-select other shooting spots for periodic moves. I think their cute chirping sounds are warnings.
I ran out of Hornady Amax bullets about 3 years ago. The 95 Berger hunting VLD @ 200 fps more than 105's, is a nice bullet despite price per round but its swat effect is nothing like the splat effect of the 87 Vmax.
Edit: the need for long range shooting caused by rodent wariness is evident - the rodents have enough intelligence to identify threats. A huge shiny vehicle might sound an alarm though the rodent community.
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Didn't see it mentioned, though I read quickly, but I will recommend a "Red neck chair" . Sitting on a bucket with swivel seat is ok, but for long hours and slow movement this chair will always be with me!
https://redneckblinds.com/products/portable-hunting-chair
https://redneckblinds.com/products/portable-hunting-chair
SBS
Gold $$ Contributor
https://www.harborfreight.com/foldable-aluminum-sports-chair-62314.html?_br_psugg_q=chair Best chair I've found for the PD spotter and handy at HP matches also. Weighs 6 1/2 lb., folds flat or locks open in seconds,, fold down side shelf, pockets on other side for drinks, glasses, wind meter, maps, etc. Backrest and padded arms to rest your elbows on when trying to steady the binoculars in the wind. Cheap, too. You will have to replace the vinyl tips on the leg ends with rubber crutch tips, but that's all the maintenance in 6 years of fairly heavy use.
AckleymanII
Gold $$ Contributor
Don't wear white T shirts or hats, p. dogs pick up that color and movement.
A tarp is worth it's weight in gold.
Keep your ammo out of the sun. If you do not have a tarp, keep your ammo box under a thick towel. Don't let a round cook in a hot chamber, keep your bolt open till you have the cross hair on the next target.
We have drove 4' stakes in the ground and attached camo material, benchtop height, just shot over the top of it...this hides movement and helps from spooking dogs more than you could ever believe. P.dogs are scared to death of a human's voice.
White trucks can put p. dogs down to 450 yards pretty fast, green and dark blue, not so much, Chrome on the truck tells all. Drive the truck a ways away from you if you can.
Insect spray!
A tarp is worth it's weight in gold.
Keep your ammo out of the sun. If you do not have a tarp, keep your ammo box under a thick towel. Don't let a round cook in a hot chamber, keep your bolt open till you have the cross hair on the next target.
We have drove 4' stakes in the ground and attached camo material, benchtop height, just shot over the top of it...this hides movement and helps from spooking dogs more than you could ever believe. P.dogs are scared to death of a human's voice.
White trucks can put p. dogs down to 450 yards pretty fast, green and dark blue, not so much, Chrome on the truck tells all. Drive the truck a ways away from you if you can.
Insect spray!
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Are you there yet?
What we find works optimally is the lightest bullet available, going at max or near-max velocity. In .223 that is the 35-gr. VMax. We get first-shot kills out to 500 and beyond that you are plinking at them no matter what you are shooting because they are such a small target (the vitals, anyway).
Nothing you have is going to enable you to see many hits so team up with another guy -- one shoots and the other spots with his scope. Set your tables up side by side.
Keep in mind that going in and out of the vehicle numerous times as we do when on PD's all day is a great way to run your battery down.
Nothing you have is going to enable you to see many hits so team up with another guy -- one shoots and the other spots with his scope. Set your tables up side by side.
Keep in mind that going in and out of the vehicle numerous times as we do when on PD's all day is a great way to run your battery down.
Mark W
Gold $$ Contributor
Snakes and bugs aren’t the only thing to keep an eye out for...... It was 104 degrees a couple weeks ago in SD when we felt a cool breeze and turned around to see this tornado in the distance. Luckily it didn’t come our way but we dodged some nasty thunderstorms both days.
Mark , on one of our Pdog Trips many years ago I ran into something I have never seen before . Traveling North across Minnesota ( on I35 ) according to the Radio we were a few Miles South of I90 where a Tornado was traveling West to East towards Albert Lea . All the cars were pulling over along the Road side and parking so I did the same . Everything from the ground up ( and I'm talking 180 Deg. ) was covered in a dark Purple Haze . Darnedest thing I have ever seen while driving . Waited for a few minutes until the Tornado was East of Albert Lea , then proceeded North , then West to S. Dakota and were quickly out of the Purple Haze .
Yea I definitely am not set up with optimal loads. For the .223 I’m shooting a 55 Nos vgdn, and the 22-250 the 60 SIerra Varminters. Not small and fast but it’s what I already had loads developed for ground hogs and coyotes. I’ve never shot under 52 grains with either. The .223 is a 1:8, the 22-250 is 1:13 and would handle the smaller ones well I suspect. Unfortunately I’ll be spending my limited free time coming up with a kid for the 6xc, and have to stick with what I have for the two .22 cals
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
Accuracy trumps speed all the time. If you have an accurate rig, your set. I do a 200 yard zero.
FYI it is almost as much fun spotting as it is shooting, did I just admit that???;-)
Every time one of these threads comes up, I see some one crawling around. Maybe terrain is better else where, to eachs own, just have fun. I myself don’t care to crawl around in cactus, sand, ants and snakes.
FYI it is almost as much fun spotting as it is shooting, did I just admit that???;-)
Every time one of these threads comes up, I see some one crawling around. Maybe terrain is better else where, to eachs own, just have fun. I myself don’t care to crawl around in cactus, sand, ants and snakes.
Another question: the 22-250 is set up on about a 1 thou shoulder bump, but the bolt is snug on closing. The thing shoots amazingly well for what it is, so I’ve never fooled with it. Will that be a problem After a few dozen rounds at varmints? Any reason to be concerned about the chamber getting a bit fouled and not being able to close the bolt? I can adjust the die to bump a hair more.
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I have a rifle set about the same way, different caliber. I never had any issues, I did run a bore snake through it about every 20-25 rounds too. Never had much use for one in the past, now I have them for 17-6mm.
FYI, I bring a fair amount of tools with me. Guys made fun of me till one of them needed something. I have a flip top tote that has about everything one may need and then some. It is also handy to throw in on a range trip. Don’t take stuff off your bench to take with you, double up. Otherwise you either can’t find something at home or forget to put it in for the trip.
Double check rifles and ammo before ya leave. 17 Hornet will not work in a 17 Fireball. I have a couple of rifle that are clones other than caliber, action, stock and scope are identical.
Just trying to save grief.
A light long sleeve shirt and some sun block is also a must. Large brim hat is handy as well.
Jeff
FYI, I bring a fair amount of tools with me. Guys made fun of me till one of them needed something. I have a flip top tote that has about everything one may need and then some. It is also handy to throw in on a range trip. Don’t take stuff off your bench to take with you, double up. Otherwise you either can’t find something at home or forget to put it in for the trip.
Double check rifles and ammo before ya leave. 17 Hornet will not work in a 17 Fireball. I have a couple of rifle that are clones other than caliber, action, stock and scope are identical.
Just trying to save grief.
A light long sleeve shirt and some sun block is also a must. Large brim hat is handy as well.
Jeff
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