I am going on my first ever prairie dog hunt this spring in south Dakota.I want to build a switch barrel rifle for the trip and this is what i am thinking i need. I just bought a new stiller P-1000 action. These actions are big. the are 1.550 around and longer than the predator actions they make. I want my rifle to be big and heavy so i can see my hits or misses. I am going to do a 6mm and a 22cal. probably a 6BR and a 22br or possibly a 22-250AI. I want my barrels big as well. I am thinking 1.250. Midway Usa has unturned 22 and 6mm barrel blanks for 130 bucks each. these are chrome moly barrels. What i dont know is if these unturned barrels have been stress relieved or if that will need to be done. Can i just chamber these unturned barrels up and shoot them? I know these barrels will foul more than a lapped stainless so i was wondering if there was anything i could do to them before i start shooting them? I figured these cheep barrels would be the way to go for all the shooting we will hopefully do. Can anyone add or think about anything i need to do or is this all a bad idea? The 22cal barrel will be a 12 twist and i will shoot 55gr v-max, not sure about the 6mm yet. Thanks Lee
Prairie dog hunters i need your opinion.
- Thread starter skeetlee
- Start date
Lee,
I can give you an opinion based on my years of prairie dog shooting and numerous trips to several states out west.
Since this is your first trip, I recommend you have two rifles. The switch barrel idea is neat, but may not be the ticket the first time out. Always good to have a back up instead of relying on one rifle.
$130 barrels, well you might be getting what you pay for. How much is that compared to what you will spend on the trip? There is no substitute for accuracy. Invest in quality and enjoy all the hits you make. Shooting in not fun, but hitting what you shoot at is. I just built a 22 BR on a custom Goddard (Rocky Mountain Rifle Works) action and shot three different loads at 300 yards, all measured 5/8" elevation and not over 1 1/4 for wind. Now that's fun. This gun has a remington varmint contour barrel and you can see all the action in the scope. I wouldn't want a heavier gun in this caliber.
Take lots of ammo. With any hunting trip, some days are much better than others. If you are lucky enough to have plenty of sunshine and many targets of opportunity, you might shoot hundreds of rounds a day. Just like the accuracy of the rifle, remember your ammo quality can never be too good.
Be careful, prairie poodle hunting has been known to be addictive!
I can give you an opinion based on my years of prairie dog shooting and numerous trips to several states out west.
Since this is your first trip, I recommend you have two rifles. The switch barrel idea is neat, but may not be the ticket the first time out. Always good to have a back up instead of relying on one rifle.
$130 barrels, well you might be getting what you pay for. How much is that compared to what you will spend on the trip? There is no substitute for accuracy. Invest in quality and enjoy all the hits you make. Shooting in not fun, but hitting what you shoot at is. I just built a 22 BR on a custom Goddard (Rocky Mountain Rifle Works) action and shot three different loads at 300 yards, all measured 5/8" elevation and not over 1 1/4 for wind. Now that's fun. This gun has a remington varmint contour barrel and you can see all the action in the scope. I wouldn't want a heavier gun in this caliber.
Take lots of ammo. With any hunting trip, some days are much better than others. If you are lucky enough to have plenty of sunshine and many targets of opportunity, you might shoot hundreds of rounds a day. Just like the accuracy of the rifle, remember your ammo quality can never be too good.
Be careful, prairie poodle hunting has been known to be addictive!
Wow , you have an excellent action ( a Cadillac ) and you're going to screw on a cheap barrel ( a Yugo ) . Save your money and buy " one quality barrel " vs. two cheap ones . When you get out to PD land just wait till the barrel cools off . Depending on your caliber this is about 10-20 shots . If you go with a standard BR case , it will be about 20 shots max or less . Rule of thumb is if you're shooting more than 25 gr. of powder you'll have to cool off quicker . If you want to make long shots ( 500 yds plus ) stay with at least a 9 twist . Remember chrome moly will rust if it's not blued . Stay with stainless . I shoot with several rifles and switch barrel guns , but if you only have one it's best to invest in the best , you just have to exhibit dicipline and not get it hot . It's always best to use as heavy a barrel as possible , that way you will stay on target and see the shot , also the heavier barrels don't heat up as quickly . Good Luck !
memilanuk
Gold $$ Contributor
First time out shooting prairie dogs... take a .223 Rem with a medium heavy barrel and a brake. You'll see all the 'red mist' you care for 
Your barrel will last longer (might even survive the trip), ammo is cheap to load and available if you run out, etc. I'm not saying its the end-all-be-all caliber for prairie dog shooting, but having grown up in prairie dog country, I think it should form the back bone of your stable. 300-350yds and in, it'll get the job done as well as anything out there. From there you start stretching its legs a bit - it'll still put 'em down, but they are tough little buggers and short of violent expansion they can still walk away from shots you wouldn't believe possible. Thats when you want the bigger stuff - 6mm calibers with more retained energy and less drift in the wind, possibly a hot .22 cal like that Ackley you mentioned... but save them for when the shots are further out and a little less frequent. Otherwise you'll likely fry your barrel the first day once you get all excited and such - the self discipline to *stop* shooting while there are still abundant targets available is very tough...
Your barrel will last longer (might even survive the trip), ammo is cheap to load and available if you run out, etc. I'm not saying its the end-all-be-all caliber for prairie dog shooting, but having grown up in prairie dog country, I think it should form the back bone of your stable. 300-350yds and in, it'll get the job done as well as anything out there. From there you start stretching its legs a bit - it'll still put 'em down, but they are tough little buggers and short of violent expansion they can still walk away from shots you wouldn't believe possible. Thats when you want the bigger stuff - 6mm calibers with more retained energy and less drift in the wind, possibly a hot .22 cal like that Ackley you mentioned... but save them for when the shots are further out and a little less frequent. Otherwise you'll likely fry your barrel the first day once you get all excited and such - the self discipline to *stop* shooting while there are still abundant targets available is very tough... Thanks i just wasnt sure what to expect. The shilen chrome moly barrels are not exactly junk! Well at least i wouldnt think they would be. They are trust unturned chrome moly and unlapped. That just reduces the price not having these other things already done. I would have to think that the rifling is cut the exact same way as there select match stainless barrels are?? I just hate the idea of burning up a 325$ barrel in 5 days. I have an extra barrel vise that i thought about welding up a devise that will allow me to stick it in the reese hitch. Thats were i thought the switch barrel would come into play? I just dont have anything cheap that i can take or anything that i can afford to burn the barrel up in a weeks time. Just dont have that kind of cash. I will do some more research on shilen's chrome moly barrels. I know they will fowl more at first but there has to be something a guy can do that will only cost him his own time. JB maybe??
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
Stop shooting while there are still abundant targets available??? Isn't that "going cold turkey"?? Out to 200/300 yards, you shouldn't have any problem seeing your hits with a 22 or 6 BR. Sounds like fun. Spend the $$ and get a "good" barrel. Don't try switching barrels in the field. Only takes one mistake and you're done! 
Always have a "good" backup rifle. Might not be as pretty as your high $$ rig but it'll keep you from sitting on the side lines while everyone else is popping dogs.
Out to 200/300 yards, you shouldn't have any problem seeing your hits with a 22 or 6 BR. Sounds like fun. Spend the $$ and get a "good" barrel. Don't try switching barrels in the field. Only takes one mistake and you're done! Always have a "good" backup rifle. Might not be as pretty as your high $$ rig but it'll keep you from sitting on the side lines while everyone else is popping dogs.NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
And if you're thinking Shilen, (unlapped) it might take a bunch of rounds to get it working but the $$ savings might be worth the extra work?
But then again, it might turn out to be a "real shooter". Don't know till you try.
But then again, it might turn out to be a "real shooter". Don't know till you try.
CJ6
Silver $$ Contributor
Bring a 22rf with for the barrel cooling periods of the CF rifle.Run wet patches thru as often as you can. If it looks like rain you better have a 4x4 with a winch (the GUMBO CLAY is wicked) and calling a tow truck is well hard to do if your cell phone doesn't get a signal. DO NOT DRIVE OVER or STEP on those Cactuses, they'll put a hole in either :'(. Get out /setup as early as possible (predawn is best)to get the least wind/mirage in the morning conditions.Stay away from those ANT colonies too they don't like being bothered 
.Stay on the Trails. Private Ranchers DON'T like new trails all over their pastures. If a gate is open leave it open,if it's closed close it behind you. Make sure you thank the Rancher properly.......1 last thing keep your hands out of those dog tunnels there is these things called Rattle Snakes that for some reason like to hunt/hide in them also :
....have fun......If your near Pierre give the VHA a call or stop by the club house and say hey to Jackie & Janet and the guys, I think guys work there any how . (guess I never noticed) ;D (kidding)great group to get to know
.Stay on the Trails. Private Ranchers DON'T like new trails all over their pastures. If a gate is open leave it open,if it's closed close it behind you. Make sure you thank the Rancher properly.......1 last thing keep your hands out of those dog tunnels there is these things called Rattle Snakes that for some reason like to hunt/hide in them also :....have fun......If your near Pierre give the VHA a call or stop by the club house and say hey to Jackie & Janet and the guys, I think guys work there any how . (guess I never noticed) ;D (kidding)great group to get to knowNorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
alf: I think you'de run out of ammo before you'de run out of guns.
Has anyone here ever shot a shilen chrome moly barrel? Will the unturned blanks need stress relieved or is that already done? I have heard some say if you contour a barrel you will have to stress relieve it afterwards? I dont know squat about any of that. Thanks lee
Alf,
I like your style of guns.
I like your style of guns.
LarryDScott
Site $$ Sponsor
Joe you are 100% correct on the 20cal and PD shooting. They are the very best for having less wind drift than the 22s,speed, accuracy, light recoil, and 500 yd potential. For volume shooting it is IMHO the only way to go. Take 2-4 of these for out to 500yds and a 6BR for a few Long distance shots, and you will have a PD battery second to no one. Larry in western Ky.
NorCalMikie
Gold $$ Contributor
I've got one Shilen in CM. Blued on my .221 Fireball. A "real shooter" and cleans real easy when I need to.
Don't forget about muzzle brakes. You can use the 6MM with a muzzle brake and still the the hits and after a long day of shooting, the muzzle brake equiped rifle hasn't beat you up. Also, as we get older our body becomes more frail. Think about retna separation in the eyeball. Recoil could cause that to happen.
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