New to the game

[MattFriend]

I'm recently retired and looking for some new outdoor fun. New to the game of prairie dog hunting.
I recently purchased a Savage model 16 in 223 Cal. Lefthanded bolt action, stainless steel barrel.
I've topped it with a Vortex 4x12x44 Crossfire ll BDC retical scope.
After doing a lot of mind numbing research, I've purchased 200 rounds of Fiocchi 50 grain V Max ammo to start shooting once it gets warmer outside.
I hope to reload my own ammo down the line.
Any thoughts on this rifle/ammo setup for prairie dog hunting?

 

[sdbob]

I hope your not planning on traveling too far. 200 rounds is about a half days shooting if you take it easy. The gun and ammo you are shooting will work fine. You might find that 12 power is on the low side, my first dog guns were 3-18 and I was always on the high end and now shoot Sightron 8-32's. Don't get me wrong you will have fun with what you have. Just get out and have fun.

 

[DogBuster]

welcome.......first of all...we don't hunt p/dogs....

just shoot 'em.........

your store bought ammo will get you started...buy a set of Forster or Redding

223 dies....buy once/cry once.....a stash of 53 gr V max bullets.....powder ?

endless....H4895...IMR8208..Benchmark.....H335...W748..etc

you may get into the dog shootin' and later want a more dedicated rifle set up

field weight 223s in a p/dog patch are gonna heat up fast......

 

[hogpatrol]

Welcome to the forums. Depending on where you hunt pds and how thick they are, consider taking two or more rifles and a lot of ammo. Good luck with your journey.

 

[Texas10]

Two off the shelf ammo's that I have found that shoot great in my Savage 12FV, 223 with 26 in varmint barrel, is the Australia Outback 69 gr SMK and the American Eagle 50 grain Tipped varmint.

The A.E. 50 gr mentioned has shot many 3 shot, one hole groups at 100 yds, and will go to 750 yds on those days when the wind is light and variable. I usually pay about 50 cents per round for either of these on sale.

 

[snert]

Many PD's die from factory ammoa nd basic 223. Your set up is fine...shoot shoot shoot and learn to guestimate wind. Save your brass...buy the same all teh time. After you wear out the barrel, put a heavy barrel on it, and a heavier BR type stock. Your scope is a little on the short side of power. Think 6-18 minimum.
When you decide to jump in to reloading, go single stage, buy well made dies, use some 53Vmax and you will like the results. Learn to do each step of reloading well, then just go shoot shoot shoot.
As time goes by you will likely progress to another heavy barrel rifle and scope also. It is always good to have two...

 

[Tommie]

Hardware is the easy part. Finding a good place to shoot prairie dogs is the bigger challenge.
Seriously.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Hardware is the easy part. Finding a good place to shoot prairie dogs is the bigger challenge.
Seriously.

Thats true. Tons of money have been wasted on dreams of shooting p-dogs until barrels melted down only to go and never fire a shot. These days you gotta know somebody. Gone are the days of farmers paying you to shoot all day. BLM uses poison these days