Prairie Dog Hunting in the 1930's

[ben lurkin]

This is an excerpt from my grandfather's diary. A little background. They were lead and silver miners/farmers and the following discusses how my grandfather and great grandfather would spend their lunchtime during the summer:

"My father owned a(n 1886 Winchester) 45/90 rifle and during the noon hour he would see how many ground dogs he could hit as they sat up by their hole. When he hit one it would turn them wrong side out and all you could find were small pieces. Sometimes I would pack water from the spring and force them out of their hole then hit them with a club; they could not run as they were too soaked."

I do have an 1886 45-90 takedown Winchester/Miroku replica. I may just have to get it out and try that! The rifle; not the club!

 

[moorepower]

I am waiting for someone to say Prairie dogs are a tough animal and you need a larger caliber to kill them.

 

[redrockranger]

I am waiting for someone to say Prairie dogs are a tough animal and you need a larger caliber to kill them.

Prairie dogs are tough animals and you need a larger caliber to kill them. Mission accomplished.

 

[moorepower]

Prairie dogs are tough animals and you need a larger caliber to kill them. Mission accomplished.

I knew it!! I think cavedweller actually has a Youtube shooting a .45-70 at pdogs.

 

[redrockranger]

I'm really pleased with my 20 practical,700,Pac Nor 11 twist and 39 sierra or 40 Nosler BT. I'd do it again.

 

[#40Fan]

I've shot PD's with a 50 BMG. Nothing more than a 1/2" hole in them.

 

[Ironworker]

I've shot them from 17 HR-7mm WSM and I can honestly say the only calibers that were able to kill those tough critters was all of the above.

 

[1raggedhole]

America is great...bigger is better

 

[KenOath]

I shot Rabbits with a 300wm a few times... Hornady 110s at around 3600fps.. Always made me smile...was it to much gun??

 

[Ironworker]

Shot a Blue Jay with a 300 WM and it just put a big hole thru him.

 

[hogpatrol]

6.5-284 and Berger 130 HVLDs launches them pretty good.

 

[CubCouper]

A buddy of mine uses "The Varminator" -- a 6mm-06 loaded with 62gr BR bullets.... 4850fps! (5000 occasionally, but the bullets don't allows make it to the target) The gun's other nickname... "Red Mist".

 

[Puzzaz01]

We take a two week trip every year to shoot prairie dogs. You know shooting large calibers like that........ well I'm just not that mad at em anymore. Lol...

Darrin