My first unexpected prairie dog hunt with the 105 Hybrids.

[ttfreestyle]

I went to visit Wyoming on a friends ranch for a week just to hang out (my first time there and man is it awesome there). I took my newly finished 243 7 twist and a lil ammo just in case we got a chance to shoot a bit. As luck would have it we happened upon a newly started dog town so we found a high spot and got the guns out . We weren't prepared for this , no rest,bench etc but I did have my bipod with me and a backpack so here we went. The first shots were about 200 by out best guess and we hit 2 out of the first 3 shots. The shots ranged from 200 to 600 by the old fashioned way of stepping it off (I know that's not accurate but he is 6'2 so we went with his steps). The longest shot we made was 603 steps so it was a real fun experience. I Was shooting the 105 hybrid and hadn't ever shot anything but paper with it, it was less than devastating on them I thought but I realize its a target bullet and it got the job done. I think I will develop a load with a varmint bullet for when I get back out there. First time with the prairie dogs was a blast.

 

[pacificman]

You will be hooked for life now! Not too much else that is more fun than shooting prairie rats. Sometimes the best times shooting is when you are not prepared as this will make you want to go out again that much more.

 

[Prairiedogger]

Wyoming usually has a warm welcome. Glad you enjoyed yours. Haven't taken anybody on an outing like that, that doesn't have
a great time.

 

[CaptainMal]

That answered a question I didn't have. Would they work?

Guess the Dasher would work straight out with it's 105's.

 

[pdog2062]

So sorry for you,now you will order bullets by the thousand,use your lunch money for primers and powder.It is a habit I have been carrying for over 30 years and am just as hooked as ever. Good luck!!!

 

[ttfreestyle]

When I go back it wont be with the 105 hybrid, they penciled on several. I am going to try the 87 vmax I think and see if I can get a load for them for my next trip. I am not sure what choices I have with the 7 twist exactly, it is throated for the 105/107 weight bullets.

 

[5spd]

As you found out WY p-dogging aint all sitting on a bench with an umbrealla over yer head and a cooler by the side. The best way is prone on a mat so you can pop em off, move to another knoll and do the same all day long w/out crying at a bench cause nothing is coming up.
I have 5 guys out in this area hitting p-dogs hard via their shooting mats, small pack & lots of ammo and running out of munitions.
Glad you had a good time on them.
All you need for them next time is a 55g bullet in that 243 and they will do fine to as far as you can shoot, no need for heavies on them, unfortunately that 7 twist limits you to heavies.
Now you could stick that 243 on a back burner and get a over the counter 224 caliber for p-dogs & be ahead of the game.

 

[ttfreestyle]

Yes I did have a great time, shooting prone and moving when necessary would definitely be my choice. I went to help on the ranch but this was a great surprise. Mixing a little fun (or a lot of fun) with work makes it all the better. I actually have a 223 9 twist and a 243 9.25 twist I would probably taken had I known we would get into this but I just finished the 7 twist and just took it with hopes to shoot some paper at distance, but hey im NOT complaining. ;D ;D

 

[Nomad47]

The Hornady 105 AMax (if you can find them) works well on groundhogs and a friend told me they also work well on pasture poodles.

 

[jerrschmitt]

I have a 6 BR 8 twist that was throated for 105 AMAX. It shoots the 87VMAX just as well for closer shots.

 

[Tommie]

Might be hard to get the 87 V-Max to touch the lands but who cares? That bullet is murder on prairie dogs and does a good job bucking wind. Anything inside 400 yards is a total gimme shot. Longest shots I've been able to take were in the 540 yard range. Even then, hits weren't extremely challenging once I got the wind doped.

 

[ttfreestyle]

I will give the 87 vmax a try and see since I have a thousand or so.