Prairie Dog Cartridge

[ebb]

^^^^^^^ I bet making up your mind on which to take takes longer than the hunt itself. Really nice looking rifles. Steel and walnut is the way to build nice rifles!

 

[markT]

A 223 is a pleasure to shoot. 40 gr Vmax “lifts and separates” ( heard that on an old bra commercial) just like other diameter bullets.

 

[Idaho-Lefty]

For those of You "stuck with" an old, .22-250 rem and the 1-14 Twist Barrel,..
I found that, a 50 grain, V-Max at .223 rem. "Hot Speeds" ( 3,400 to 3,550 FPS, MAX ! ) using, the "Correct" amount of, H-4895, with 50 grainers, in a 24" Braked Rifle, the Recoil ( Muzzle Jump ), is LOW Enough that, you can,..
"See the Fragg" in your Scope !
The 50 V-Max and 52 gr. ELD-M' s ARE very accurate Bullets, in 14 Twists !

 

[L.Sherm]

The 52 Berger and Varget is no slouch.

 

[slickshot223]

Went for many years, 223, 22-250, 243, only took the 243 one year, all other years the other two!!
By far the 223 is the most enjoyable to shoot all day!! My pick of bullets, 40 & 50 anything and H335 and A2230! 55's in the 22-250 any kind! If you want a real hoot, build an AR, medium heavy barrel and a decent trigger!! Doesn't need to cost a lot to have a different experience shooting, as apposed to a bolt gun! Wish you great fun!! Let us know results!!

 

[drover]

I don’t understand the infatuation with heavy bullets and the 223. I live within 100 miles of all the prairie dogs I can shoot. I have dozens of dedicated varmint rifles from 17 HMR to 6mm Remington. The 223, which may not be my favorite, is still an excellent choice with a 40 grain VMax at around 3600fps. For most prairie dog shooting that combination works well…

I have been using the 223 with 40 gr V-Max or Nosler BT for decades now. IMO it is a near perfect PD cartridge - light recoil, good velocity, tons of readily available components, long barrel life and it gives good lift on the target. I do drive mine a bit faster though my loads give 3700 - 3750 fps.

drover

 

[Rick in Oregon]

drover, could not agree more for the reasons you stated.
The only 'improvement' over the 223 to me at least is the 223AI. Mine launches the Nosler 50gr BT's at the same speed my standard 223's do the 40's. Muy bueno PD and GS cartridge!

 

[drop_point]

I used to prairie dog hung a lot. My main rifles were a .17 HMR, .17 Ackley Hornet, .204 Ruger, and a 6.5-284. I would start close and work my way out. My favorites were the .17 Ackley because it never got hot, and the .204 Ruger because it was a laser beam. The 6.5-284 I just used for the longest shots.

If I were to do it again, I'd go with a .17 Ackley Hornet, a .20-.223 Rem or .20-.223 Rem Improved, and a 6mm BR of some variety.

The .17 Ackley Hornet is about as cheap to load for as factory HMR these days, and the .204" bullets are great, but .223 Rem brass is more available and of higher quality so I'd just neck a .223 Rem down.

 

[Dan Hall]

The 20s are a great choice. 20 practical or 20 tactical. 40 grain 20 caliber bullet at about 4000 fps can’t be beat until the wind blows and then a good 6mm will take you the rest of the way. 6 ppc or 6 br. Skip the 17 HMR as it doesn’t have the explosive results the 20s have. Have fun…

 

[shrapnel]

Suppressed Cooper in 204 Ruger…

 

[markT]

Suppressed Cooper in 204 Ruger…



View attachment 1510085

“Dog a meter” and a 1/2 mile of Gorilla tape. Beautiful rig. Ha.

 

[hvacman04]

I have an opportunity to go prairie dog hunting with a buddy next year in Montana. I currently don't have a suitable rifle for high volume blasting, so I would plan to build a rifle for the job. I am wanting to build something based around the .223 simply because of the affordability of 1000 pieces of once fired processed Lake City brass. I have never gone prairie dog hunting or high volume varmint hunting, so I want to make sure I bring plenty of ammo and I don't care if I burn up a barrel in one trip as long as I have a good time! I have been debating on 3 potential cartridges, 20 Practical, 223 Remington, and 6x45 (6mm-223) with 55-65gr bullets. Ballistically the 20 with 39/40gr bullets and the 223 with 50-55gr bullets are very similar and I don't see an advantage to either option, however I have no real world experience with either cartridge for varminting. Running the numbers, the 6x45 isn't as flat shooting and drifts a little more in the wind, but I have access to old 6mm benchrest barrels so that is attractive but not a huge selling point. Any input or opinions on these cartridges for prairie dogs would be appreciated. Thank you!

Dear Jud96 , friend of mine would go prairie doggin , every spring or later. He did this very year , his battery of rifles was 2 Remington 700's or sako in Remington 222 caliber , 1000 for each rifle reloaded rounds, then his next in line was 2 Remington or Sako 221 fireball rifles , another one thousand reloaded rounds for each . Then one cooper 222 remington magnum , one 204 ruger, these was reloaded with 500 rounds each , then I think a 22 -250 and a Remington 243 caliber , four or
Five hundred yards not sure how many rounds for those caliber. Robert's reasoning for this so he would not frost the barrel. One would get pretty warm, then he would trade off and get another one and keep shooting . When Robert wasnt shooting ,he was cleaning rifles , then he wasnt shooting or cleaning , he was reloading ammo, because he stayed two weeks , and he had shot up all his loaded ammo . Robert , reloaded ammo, from the time he was back , till the time was close to leaving the following year again. I hope this helps. Buck.

 

[shrapnel]

Having plenty of prairie dog rifles, requires having plenty of prairie dogs to shoot…

 

[JSH]

Your bench looks like the same thing I have. If that is gorilla tape you must have $200 in tape on there.
Whom ever decided black Naugahyde was a good material to cover the top with was no shooter. I promptly peeled the crap off of of mine and procured a chunk of indoor/outdoor carpet. Cartridges don’t roll off, nor bounce off if dropped.
I also found the top a bit short for me. Leaning over all hunched up for several hours gave me a bad back ache. I took some aluminum round stock, cut them 31/2” and bored for 1/4” bolts. Made a huge difference and added little weight. Also found it some what short and added 6” on to the front.

My stable is not quit as full as yours, but close. Mine are a far cry as good looking either. I like a heavy rig, so my choice was for chassis I could add weight too.

 

[ABC1000]

.223 Remington, Savage 12 FCV action, Kreiger 9 twist, light varmint barrel with 55BKs and 52 Berger varmint bullets work well for me out to a little over 300. Also have used a 6X47 Lapua for longer shots. This year, I got a 22BR set up on a Remington action using 52 Bergers varmint bullets. I've only had it out once and it's deadly. For the longer shot, the X47 is more effective. The problem with long range is the loose nut (me) on the end of the stock.

I was shocked to make it to the fourth or fifth page before mention of a 22BR. I purposely built one on a 23” this year (to run suppressed) with a 53 gr v-max dummy round… Brownells had the 53 and 40 gr v-maxes on sale for .17/bullet earlier this year and I majorly stocked up.. incredibly accurate but just finishing load development for 2025 hunts… also have a 20 or 21” (can’t remember) 22 ARC barrel on its way should be here in January for the longer shots… I have 1,000 62 eld-vt waiting for that one. My 22 CM carbon is a custom barrel and shoots the heavies extremely well but I went for heavy steel shilens on the 22BR and 22 ARC and will be proud when I shoot them out.. heavy varmint contour on both of them. I’ve also built a 18” 223 bolt gun for a suppressed truck gun and it loves the 53 gr v-max as well but the 40 v-max shoots almost as good and is much more ideal when you want it to blow up on contact in my opinion. I haven’t tried the 32 gr in 223 as I think it’s for the hornet but a couple guys I know said the 32s do ok in a 223?? I’ll use the 18” for a couple ground squirrel shoots in MT and it did great for that in 2024 out of my SXS from the window w a bag rest. That and a 17 HMR and I was in hog heaven with ground squirrels.

I also love the 12 twists for the 40-55 grainers and I feel that I can maximize velocity with them in a 12 twist vs a 9/8/7 twist though they have their place as well. I really, really love a 75 eld-match in a 7/8/9 twist 223, and in a 22 CM 8” twist they are my favorite on rock chucks and will lift an 6-8ish lb chuck in the air up to 400 yards away.

Reading this has got me excited for next season. Merry Christmas everybody!

 

[ABC1000]

I was shocked to make it to the fourth or fifth page before mention of a 22BR. I purposely built one on a 23” this year (to run suppressed) with a 53 gr v-max dummy round… Brownells had the 53 and 40 gr v-maxes on sale for .17/bullet earlier this year and I majorly stocked up.. incredibly accurate but just finishing load development for 2025 hunts… also have a 20 or 21” (can’t remember) 22 ARC barrel on its way should be here in January for the longer shots… I have 1,000 62 eld-vt waiting for that one. My 22 CM carbon is a custom barrel and shoots the heavies extremely well but I went for heavy steel shilens on the 22BR and 22 ARC and will be proud when I shoot them out.. heavy varmint contour on both of them. I’ve also built a 18” 223 bolt gun for a suppressed truck gun and it loves the 53 gr v-max as well but the 40 v-max shoots almost as good and is much more ideal when you want it to blow up on contact in my opinion. I haven’t tried the 32 gr in 223 as I think it’s for the hornet but a couple guys I know said the 32s do ok in a 223?? I’ll use the 18” for a couple ground squirrel shoots in MT and it did great for that in 2024 out of my SXS from the window w a bag rest. That and a 17 HMR and I was in hog heaven with ground squirrels.

I also love the 12 twists for the 40-55 grainers and I feel that I can maximize velocity with them in a 12 twist vs a 9/8/7 twist though they have their place as well. I really, really love a 75 eld-match in a 7/8/9 twist 223, and in a 22 CM 8” twist they are my favorite on rock chucks and will lift an 6-8ish lb chuck in the air up to 400 yards away.

Reading this has got me excited for next season. Merry Christmas everybody!

I forgot to mention I also love the 20 practical with the 39g sierras but high volume can shoot the 204 40 gr v-maxes much more practically priced almost as good. I’ve got the 20 practical in a bolt gun and have a white oak AR barrel I’ve never loaded as I’m not really a gas gun guy bit this year I’ll dial it in.

 

[Lee Whitsel]

I have an opportunity to go prairie dog hunting with a buddy next year in Montana. I currently don't have a suitable rifle for high volume blasting, so I would plan to build a rifle for the job. I am wanting to build something based around the .223 simply because of the affordability of 1000 pieces of once fired processed Lake City brass. I have never gone prairie dog hunting or high volume varmint hunting, so I want to make sure I bring plenty of ammo and I don't care if I burn up a barrel in one trip as long as I have a good time! I have been debating on 3 potential cartridges, 20 Practical, 223 Remington, and 6x45 (6mm-223) with 55-65gr bullets. Ballistically the 20 with 39/40gr bullets and the 223 with 50-55gr bullets are very similar and I don't see an advantage to either option, however I have no real world experience with either cartridge for varminting. Running the numbers, the 6x45 isn't as flat shooting and drifts a little more in the wind, but I have access to old 6mm benchrest barrels so that is attractive but not a huge selling point. Any input or opinions on these cartridges for prairie dogs would be appreciated. Thank you!

AGAIN P0STING THIS HELPFUL INF0 0N HUNTING G0PHER AND D0GS IN THE WEST. IF Y0UR LIKE M0ST 0F US Y0U CANT AFF0RD T0 HIRE A GUIDE. WANT T0 HUNT G0PHERS IN SAY THE DAk0TA'S CALL THE L0CAL FEED MILLS IN THE C0UNTY AND ASK F0R HELP NAMES AND NUMBERS 0F RANCH'S WITH 0VER RUN NUMBERS 0F CRITTERS AND WELC0ME SH00TER'S T0 THIN THEM 0UT. ALL RANCHERS END UP IN THE FEED ST0RES S0ME TIME AND THAT C0MES UP 0FTEN AND THE MILLS MIGHT VERY WELL GIVE Y0U ALL THE INF0 Y0U NEED T0 HAVE THE HUNTING G0PHER TRIP 0F A LIFE TIME. I HAVE 2 RACH'S I HUNT 0N HERE THAT ARE 0 MINS. DRIVE APART Y0U CAN MELT THE BARREL 0F A GUN N A G00D DAY THEIR S0 THICK. B0TH PLACES SAY BRING Y0UR CAMPER AND PARK IN THE RANCH ANY TIME D0N,T B0THER T0 ASK JUST START KILLING. G0T THE INF0 FR0M L0CAL FEED ST0RE. N0W MY WIFE AND I ARE PERS0NAL FRIENDS WITH THE RANCHERS. C0MING CR0SS C0UNTRY ALL Y0U NEED IS A TRUCK WITH A CAP AND A SMALL C00K STVE A BED NICE AND C0MFFY F0R HER AND I A C00LER FULL 0F F00D AND SNACKS AND WERE G00D F0R A FEW DAYS AT A TIME. C0ST N0THING BUT TRAVEL AND F00D C0STS M0ST TIMES SLPIT BETWEEN A C0UPLE 0F GUYS WH0 ARE SH00TING BUDDIES MAKE A L0T 0f MEM0RIES 0f A GREAT TIME T0GETHER>>>>> ALL CAPITAL LETTERS MY KEY BTH 0 IS BR0KEN 0NLY WAY F0R ME T0 D0 THIS N0TE.

 

[spaniel]

I've got the full stable. You can't go wrong starting with 223. But you need to use appropriate bullets so your best bet is the 53gr vmax. Most of the heavies won't expand. However, a 20 Practical will absolutely outshoot it. The carnage just isn't the same. In a similar vein, a 6x45 with 75gr vmax will shoot right with the 223 with 53s but the impacts are much more impressive. Step up to a 22ARC, and it surpasses all of the above with the 62gr eld-vt.

My 243AI with 105gr amax blows them all out of the water but that's another class. Just built a 6ARC as an in between.

End of the day, along all options, 223 is a solid vanilla option but gravitate towards these other options.

 

[10XSHOOTER]

.223 AI use a 1-9 barrel and Sierra 69 HPBT Match king or Tipped match kings.
a little extra velocity for those long shots and a better bullet for those long shots.
Use a 24" barrel with about a number 5 Kreiger contour.
Break it in nice and slow and then clean it every 50 rounds.

 

[Lee Whitsel]

I've got the full stable. You can't go wrong starting with 223. But you need to use appropriate bullets so your best bet is the 53gr vmax. Most of the heavies won't expand. However, a 20 Practical will absolutely outshoot it. The carnage just isn't the same. In a similar vein, a 6x45 with 75gr vmax will shoot right with the 223 with 53s but the impacts are much more impressive. Step up to a 22ARC, and it surpasses all of the above with the 62gr eld-vt.

My 243AI with 105gr amax blows them all out of the water but that's another class. Just built a 6ARC as an in between.

End of the day, along all options, 223 is a solid vanilla option but gravitate towards these other options.

F0R M0RE INF0 G0ING WEST T0 SH00T D0GS AND G0PHERS. D0NT TELL A RANCHER Y0UR FR0M A BIG CITY. JUST SAY I SH00t H0GS IN SAY VIRGINIA AND LEAVE IT AT THAT. THEY D0NT LIKE BIG CITY PE0PLE NEITHER D0 I. NEVER DRIVE 0F R0ADS WHEN ITS WET 0UT HERE ITS CALLED MUCK AND Y0U'LL BURY Y0UR RIG UP T THE AXLE RIGHT N0W N0 J0KE. L0TS 0F WIND HERE PUT IT T Y0UR BACK. R0LLY HILLS ARE GREAT SET UP0N T0P AND SH00T D0WN S0 N0 BULLETS FLYING 0F ASTRAY INT0 C0WS 0R BUILDINGS. LATER MAY AND JUNE PRIME TIME T0 BE HERE. S0ME STATES CHARGE N0THING T0 SH00T THEM 0THERS A SMALL FEE. D0NT G0 AND EVEN THINK AB0UT SH00TING 0N INDIAN TRIBAL GR0UNDS. THEY HATE WHITE PE0PLE AND WILL SCREW Y0U 0VER S0 QUICK. REMEMBER AMM0 C0STS ARE VERY HIGH AND A 223 IS THE CHEAPEST THING Y0U CAN SH00T. D0GS and G0PHERS GET A DIEASE AND DIE 0F AT TIMES. A PLAGE CAN M0VE THREW AND KILL THEM ALL 0F AND N0THING T0 SH00T WHERE A FEW YEARS BEF0RE IT WAS A H0T SP0T. ALWAYS HAVE M0RE THAN 0NE PLACE T0 SH00T. * YEARS AG0 I USE T0 DRIVE 0VER T0 MILES CITY, MT. AND 1 YEAR LATER PLAGUE WENT THREW AND KILLED THEM ALL 0F. NEW PLACES ARE ALWAYS A G00D IDEA. AN0THER FUN THING IS G0 SET UP 0 A RANCH 0N THE B0RDER OF SAY N0RTH DAK0TA AND S0UTH AND SET 0N THE LINE AND SH00T B0TH STATES AT THE SAME TIME. JUST BUY THE C0RRECT TAG AND G0 D0 IT F0R REAL EXCITING DAYS 0F SH00TING. D0NT F0RGET T0 TAKE SEVERAL GUNS Y0UR BARRELS WILL HEAT UP S0 FAST 0UT HERE FR0M S0 MUCH SH00TING.