lf You Had Just ONE BULLET CHOICE for Prairie Dogs??

[F224]

I am cheap but want accuracy for high volume shooting.

50g tnt
50g Sierra lead tip

55g Tnt

Sierra Blitz kings are the most explosive. We went 250 straight with each kind of bullet, swapping shooters. 100% agreement. Blitz kings have match quality jackets also.

Same here. 39gr in 204, 55gr in 223, 70gr in 6mm.

 

[Rustytigwire]

Longest ar shots were 55 Blitzking
24 inch 1/9 hart barrel.
My bud walked one out and lasered the truck 435 yards.
That may not be much to this crowd but i am proud of it.
Good PLOP too!

 

[lb-ft]

+3 for the 50 TNT.

Near match accuracy, inexpensive, explosive, and works in my 14 twist 222s.

Only one powder? H322.

 

[biggun2869]

Hard to believe nobody brought up the good old Hornady SX. I've always had best luck w/50 grain in 14 twist guns. Gary

 

[people]

Easy 50gr speer tnt or the 52gr HPBT match Hornady bullet. Either one

 

[powderbrake]

22 caliber..... 55 gr Sierra Blitzking

6mm...…. 88 gr Berger High BC Flat base varmint.

 

[JSH]

20’s both my 204’s like the 40 vmax.

Accuracy,speed and cheap the 50TNT.
A little more $ and the 53 gets it. The 53 does a bit better in the wind. But I can walk the TNT in pretty easy.

 

[DirtySteve]

55 gr Z-max.... I bought a ton of them.. lol.. I think they quit making them

 

[KY_Windage]

"Please, anything but those 32-grain V-Max!"

 

[fyrewall]

The .20 32 Vmax @ close to 4000 is nice (bang zip splat) but the .20 40 Vmax velocities are somewhat better at close to 300.

See the above detailed and graphic photo by KY-Windage to realize the filth aspect of these rodents - clean your boots when done - decontaminate with 10-15 % solution of chlorine bleach.

 

[Tommie]

The .20 32 Vmax @ close to 4000 is nice (bang zip splat) but the .20 40 Vmax velocities are somewhat better at close to 300.

See the above detailed and graphic photo by KY-Windage to realize the filth aspect of these rodents - clean your boots when done - decontaminate with 10-15 % solution of chlorine bleach.

Man, that’s the truth. I’d rather jump into a swimming pool full of Norway rats than touch a prairie dog. They are CRAWLING with lice and fleas. Once I drove through a field we’d just finished shooting. Stopped to take a gander at a particularly large old sow. One guy said “Look, it’s still moving!” but upon further inspection we realized that it’s fur was the only thing moving...due to all the fleas still roaming all over the carcass. Disgusting.

 

[fyrewall]

They (bugs) wuz looking for a new host.

 

[Sieg]

Nobody use Berger 52/55/60 FB Varmint?

 

[KY_Windage]

The .20 32 Vmax @ close to 4000 is nice (bang zip splat) but the .20 40 Vmax velocities are somewhat better at close to 300.

If you run it through a ballistics table you will see that the 40-gr never catches the 32-gr. The speed advantage of the 32 is 380 fps at the muzzle, 243 fps at 100 yds, 131 fps at 200 yds, and 41 fps at 300 yds.

At 400 yds the tables turn and the 40-gr is going 37 fps faster than the 32-gr, and at 500 yds it is going 101 fps faster.

But the travel times for the 32-gr are shorter even at 500 yds, and out to 400 yds they smoke the 40-grainers.

But here is the real killer -- in a 20 mph cross-wind (90 degrees) at 300 yds the 32-gr VMax will drift 19", but the 40-gr will drift only 2.5" less -- 16.5".

At 400 yds the 32-gr drifts 36", but the 40-gr drifts 31". Not nearly enough to worry about, especially given the other advantages of the 32 (travel time and scope jump).

Some will say, "who cares about travel time?" But every time I spot for someone I see a miss every now and then even though the cross-hair was perfect on the dog when the gun went off -- the jerky-moving little squirrel just happened to make a quick move right after ignition and got out of the way of the incoming missile.

 

[sw282]

If you run it through a ballistics table you will see that the 40-gr never catches the 32-gr. The speed advantage of the 32 is 380 fps at the muzzle, 243 fps at 100 yds, 131 fps at 200 yds, and 41 fps at 300 yds.

At 400 yds the tables turn and the 40-gr is going 37 fps faster than the 32-gr, and at 500 yds it is going 101 fps faster.

But the travel times for the 32-gr are shorter even at 500 yds, and out to 400 yds they smoke the 40-grainers.

But here is the real killer -- in a 20 mph cross-wind (90 degrees) at 300 yds the 32-gr VMax will drift 19", but the 40-gr will drift only 2.5" less -- 16.5".

At 400 yds the 32-gr drifts 36", but the 40-gr drifts 31". Not nearly enough to worry about, especially given the other advantages of the 32 (travel time and scope jump).

Some will say, "who cares about travel time?" But every time I spot for someone I see a miss every now and then even though the cross-hair was perfect on the dog when the gun went off -- the jerky-moving little squirrel just happened to make a quick move right after ignition and got out of the way of the incoming missile.

This is the reason l shoot 40s in all my .22cal guns. 40s get there much QUICKER than 50s or 55gr bullets!

 

[fyrewall]

I need to get another rifle and put more of some other powder in my loads. I can only get 250 fps advantage with 32's over 40's in my 24 inch barrel rifle (3700 vs 3950). In any event, with the 250 fps advantage using 32's the catch up point is about 225 yards - this is with Hornady ballistic data.

My Hornady ballistic calculator does not show time of flight for G1 BC bullets. It does show a noticeable difference in wind deflection between 32's & 40's - like about 1.5 inches at 350 yards with a 5 mph cross wind. The rodents present a tiny target of sometimes only 3 inches width and 1.5 inches is 50% of that.

Edit: Not wanting to engage the rodents with markedly deficient ballistic resources, I was compelled to use the Berger calculator that provides TOF for G1 BC bullets. My goal was to justify my planned acquisition of 4 boxes of 250 count .204 40 grain Vmax bullets and 4 pounds of IMR 8208 powder. In today's world of abject failure caused by tiny differences I needed assurance that my acquisition strategy was adequate.

Use of the Berger calculator with Hornady supplied G1 BC's combined with my actual chronograph data utilizing IMR 8208 indicated the 40's were superior in windage, & velocity at near practical max rodent ranges (400 yards) using a .20 given a velocity difference of 250 fps mv between 32's & 40's. TOF's were equal up to 350 yards then slightly better beyond with the 40's.

I observed that the Hodgdon on-line .204 Ruger data generated some 376 fps advantage with the 32's over the 40's but my using my chronograph, Hornady 32 & 40 .20 bullets, IMR 8208 I only was able to enjoy a 250 fps advantage before sticky bolt lifts, expanded primer pockets, and various bolt face features imprinted on fired brass. I experienced excessive pressures approaching 28.0 of IMR 8208, Hornady .204R brass, 32 Vmax bullets, CCI 41 primers. Using the Hodgdon max load of 29 IMR 8208 with 32's would not work in my rifle. Precise high volume accuracy was my goal, not messing around with marginal ballistic advantages. Looking at the Berger 40 grain data shows very modest velocities and powder charges.

I favor my .20 P more than the .204R and realize close to equal velocities and velocity differences between 32's & 40's with about 1 grain less powder.

The total expected cost of the 1000 40 Vmax bullets & 4 pounds of IMR 8208 is going to be more than $270 - past experience shows it will work.

Consider the real cheap 39 Speer TNT should you need to shoot up a bunch of rodents around 250 yards or so. $11 per 100 vs. $19 per 100 40 Vmax.

 

[urbanrifleman]

This is the reason l shoot 40s in all my .22cal guns. 40s get there much QUICKER than 50s or 55gr bullets!

I am shooting my 223 Ackley at 3850 with Lt32 and a 50 tnt.

That is really moving!!

 

[fyrewall]

Calculating the TOF for various velocity differences of 200 to 300 fps at MV's at 3700 to 4100 fps at equal ranges indicates the differences are about .01 second. For this reason I only shoot the fat (thicker) older slow moving rodents.

 

[KY_Windage]

I need to get another rifle and put more of some other powder in my loads. I can only get 250 fps advantage with 32's over 40's in my 24 inch barrel rifle (3700 vs 3950). In any event, with the 250 fps advantage using 32's the catch up point is about 225 yards - this is with Hornady ballistic data.

225 yds is the "equalized velocity" point -- the 32's still got there quicker because of the speed advantage up to that point. If you load the 40 to max (3,750 fps) and the 32's to 4,000 (28 gr of XBR 8208) there is still a 250 fps advantage at the muzzle, and 29 fps at 200 yards.

My Hornady ballistic calculator does not show time of flight for G1 BC bullets. It does show a noticeable difference in wind deflection between 32's & 40's - like about 1.5 inches at 350 yards with a 5 mph cross wind. The rodents present a tiny target of sometimes only 3 inches width and 1.5 inches is 50% of that.

Again, assuming 40's at 3,750 and 32's at 4,000 fps, and a 5mph cross-wing, the wind deflection at 300 yds would be 4.1" versus 4.9". I agree they are tiny targets but you're telling me you can hold over 4.1" but you can't hold over 4.9"? And at 400 yds you can hold over the 7.7" required for the 40's but you can't hold over the 9.4" required for the 32's? Or in a 20mph wind at 300 yds you can hold over 16.5" but you can't hold over 19"?

No, of course not, and fail to get either one right results in a miss. This is why I try to stick with ONE BULLET going the same speed every time I shoot PD's. -- it doesn't matter which one you pick, you still have to learn that one (or have it written down). The only time there is a big difference is if you are shooting at more than 300 - 400 yds in a strong wind, and that is a LOW PERCENTAGE deal no matter WHAT you are shooting. The wind isn't just moving the bullet around, it is moving YOU and your table around. It is extremely difficult to shoot with precision. I usually end up passing on anything past about 300 yds in a strong wind because it is a waste of ammo. It is a lot of fun to shoot and SEE what kind of real-world deflections are required at the various distances, but as a sport it is a waste of ammo and barrel.

I observed that the Hodgdon on-line .204 Ruger data generated some 376 fps advantage with the 32's over the 40's but my using my chronograph, Hornady 32 & 40 .20 bullets, IMR 8208 I only was able to enjoy a 250 fps advantage before sticky bolt lifts, expanded primer pockets, and various bolt face features imprinted on fired brass. I experienced excessive pressures approaching 28.0 of IMR 8208, Hornady .204R brass, 32 Vmax bullets, CCI 41 primers. Using the Hodgdon max load of 29 IMR 8208 with 32's would not work in my rifle.

I don't know what to tell you. I have shot 32's with 28 gr (or more) of XBR in several different 204's without any signs of pressure problems whatsoever. And I'm talking thousands of rounds.

 

[fyrewall]

Rodent engagements may occur at varying conditions from flat calm to 20 mph winds, from the low 40* to over 100*. After traveling over 400 miles are you going to quit because it is blowing at 20 mph ? - not me. Think of the comparison between the relatively stubby 32 Vmax and the much more pointy 40 Vmax with the nice boat tail. The provided G1 BC's provide an edge to the 40 Vmax, like .275 vs. .210.

Then there are the realistic and actual ballistics that may vary from rifle to rifle. I quote, from the Berger Manual, 1st edition, page 271 -272, re. .204R "If you are getting higher velocities than listed here, you are probably exceeding factory pressure limits". My 40 grain Vmax loads exceed the IMR 8208 40 gr. bullet load in the Berger manual by 1.2 grains - no excessive pressure signs, long brass life & superb accuracy. With my .204 R increasing powder charges beyond that is destructive. My velocities are close to those provided in the Berger and Hodgdon manual for 40's and are about 1 grain less than those in the Hodgdon manual for 32's with IMR 8208. Maximum velocities provided in the Berger manual for 30's and 35's straddle my 32 velocities with somewhat elevated max powder charges . Note that starting loads are provided in all load data.

In most longer range shooting bullets with better form factors and higher BC's are preferred; shooting rodents with a .20 is a similar application. In my thinking, slight velocity differences between the 32 & 40 Vmax are inadequate to justify deployment of the stubby 32 Vmax's against the rodents. Velocity differences of 250 to 380 represent 6 to 10 % velocity increases. Using the Berger calculator for 32 Vmax, BC .210 @ 3950 and the 40 Vmax, BC .275 @ 3700 the 40 is clearly the superior bullet considering velocities over 200 yards, energy, elevation, windage, and matches the TOF of the stubby flat base 32 Vmax up to 250 yard where it surpasses the low BC 32 Vmax by .01 seconds.

A frequent situation often occurs where 2 rodents are lined up. Both supine, one facing head on the other, also supine but broad side. Taking the shot to remove both with one bullet, the windage call is controlled by the head on rodent. This is where the 40 Vmax with its .275 BC and boat tail excels over the stubby flat based 32 with a BC of .210. Windage corrections experienced by actual events and supported by the Berger & Hornady calculators clearly give windage advantages to the 40 Vmax with the nice boat tail over the stubby 32 flat based VMax. Like 7.18 (40 Vmax) to 9.26 (32 Vmax) at 400 at 5 mph. For 300 the difference is about 1 inch at 5 mph but this is considerable considering the head-on rodent is only 3 inches wide. Increase wind velocity and more corrections are needed.

I don't use the term "prairie dogs" to describe my rodent shooting because I once mentioned the "dog" word and my city associates thought I was engaged in shooting canines living in rural areas - thus the term rodents, similar to dump rats.