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Groundhog/Prairie dog rifle advice

CP312

Good morning,

Im thinking of picking up a new rifle for shooting groundhogs locally and may be going on a prairie dog hunt later this year. I’ve been doing lots of reading which is what led me to this site. You guys seem very knowledgeable so I thought I’d ask for a little guidance.

I think I’ve decided that I want a 22-250 and am trying to stay around $1,000 on the high end. I’ve mostly been focusing on the Browning X-Bolt Eclipse Varmint, Remington VSS, Savage 12 Low Profile and Tikka T3X Varmint. I’m hoping someone has some insight as to my best bet with these rifles or if someone knows of something I haven’t seen yet, I certainly open to other options. My guess is they are all pretty accurate but if anyone can tell me which factory trigger is the best that would be much appreciated. I’ve also noticed almost all have a 1/14 twist but I’ve also read that those don’t shoot lighter bullets as well as say a 1/10 obviously. I just haven’t seen many options other than 1/14... am I missing something? Thanks guys.
 
Remington VSS. Because it is basically the most upgradeable. You can get a Jewel trigger next, and when you burn up that barrel you can get a Criterion and install it yourself.
 
IMO, those are different rifles. I would want a fast 6mm for long shots on groundhogs. That gun would overheat quickly in the prairie dog fields.

The best part about prairie dog shooting is high volume shooting and being able to see your hits with a light recoiling rifle. For that I would choose something like a 204 R, 20 Practical, 223.
 
1/14 will shoot most bullets up to 60 grs. except for the 60 gr vmax. I have never had a 14 that would shoot that vmax. As for the rifle I would go with the Remington because if there is ANYTHING you don't like it is upgradeable. Not so much with the others.
 
The 14 twist is for lite bullets but won't shoot the heavies. Another thing to consider is that a 22-250 will heat up fast on a dog town, recoil and noise are something to consider also. If it were me I would look at a 223 or 204 and if you handload a 223 Ack Imp is hard to beat. If you go with a 22-250 I would look at the savage as it is easy to replace the barrel when it's shot out. Welcome.
 
With the Remington and Savage you can try different calibers too. Get you a 223 bolt to go with the 22-250 bolt and you can switch barrels to a 223 ackley before you go Pdog hunting. But for Ghogs you want serious speed.
 
I take 2 - .223 and 1 - 22-250 PD shooting.
1- Savage 12 and 1- 700 in .223 and a 700 22-250
Yes, the 22-250 does get hot.
 
After decades of shooting PD's, ground squirrels and rock chucks, I'd agree that you want something like a 223 or 204R for what you intend to do. Forget the 22-250! You'll burn out a barrel in two days in a good PD patch.....seen it myself twice.

Also, keep in mind if you want to actually SEE your hits/misses. You will not be able to do that with a 22-250, but it's easy with something like a 204R, which is about perfect for both tasks. Not to mention you barrel will last many seasons compared to a 22-250, which is great for leisurely chuck shooting, not so much for a hot rat patch though. I quit using mine for that purpose around 1985 if that tells you anything.
 
You are gonna get lots of opinions here on this subject. So here' mine. I shoot Pdawgs all spring, summer and fall. Sometimes in the winter too if the snow isn't so bad I can get out there.

Here's what I usually use and carry. Buckmark 22 pistol for those really close shots. CZ 455 22 mag, sometimes I put a 17 HMR barrel on it. 17 Hornet. Also usually have both a 204 and a 22-250 [twist is 1:12 on both]. I switch back and forth between the 22-250 and 204 cause if I am in a good spot they get a bit warm. So I switch guns and carry on. Son packs a Savage 223 if he goes
 
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I would go Tikka T3. While it pains me to say it, it beats the pants off the M700 out of the box.

And, while the upgrades aren’t as ubiquitous as for the M700, they are there...if you need them. Including pre-fit barrels and BnA triggers.
 
I would recommend the Remington. It can be upgraded when you feel you need it.

The 22-250 is tougher on barrels, I have gone through 2 1/4 barrels on my Rem 700 22-250 prairie dog gun. I also have a Rem 700 with a new 223 Krieger barrel which was my original PD gun, and now is backup to the 22-250, which is backup to my 6mmBR, which I prefer.

We have 4 guys that shoot PD's together. I use my 6BR, one guy uses a 22-250, and two use 204 Rugers. I generally get more of the distant dogs, the 204R's manage to shoot the close ones quicker because of less recoil, and they don't have to adjust the scope as much. I range and use my ballistics app, so I shoot slower.
 
I'd consider a 22 BR Norma as alternative to the 22-250. ++++ on a 20 cal and a 223. For me the forearm of the stock is as important as the caliber. I use a Caldwell medium front bag and a old 40X single shot stock, it rides a bag like no other. It's ugly as sin but the PD's don't seem to notice.
 
I shoot some high volume sage rat fields. Started out with a .22-250, .223 and .17 HMR. Sold the 22-250 to a buddy and picked up a second .223 because of the recoil and the hot barrel problem.

Three years ago I tried the .20 VarTarg and it is my go-to caliber now. I now take 2 VarTargs, 2 .223s and the 17 HMR. When my buddy goes with me, he often uses my second .223 because the barrel on his .22-250 is too hot to shoot.

That .223 he borrows is going to get a new barrel and become a .20 Practical. I too am sold on the .20 calibers for this kind of hunting.
 
redrockranger said:
I'd consider a 22 BR Norma as alternative to the 22-250. ++++ on a 20 cal and a 223. For me the forearm of the stock is as important as the caliber. I use a Caldwell medium front bag and a old 40X single shot stock, it rides a bag like no other. It's ugly as sin but the PD's don't seem to notice.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. After shooting and reloading a 22 250 for about 30 years, I got into a 22 BR, The 22 250 is a good cartridge but can suffer from donuts and case head separation...at least mine did. I owned a Savage 110V and a Tikka 595. Once into 22 BRs with their inherent accuracy and ease of tuning, and ease of reloading, I no longer have the others. JMHO
 
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