What .22 Ammo Would You Use for Prairie Dogs?

[BradY]

I’m yet to see the difference in knockdown power between hollow point and round nose ammo at the same speed. Yes obviously a hollow point can expand and cause more damage but generally what we shoot 22’s at often are so small that wound cavity size isn’t a factor. There is enough energy to do the job. I’ve had plenty of runners with poor shots with hollow points. Same as round nose. But a solid head/chest shot usually stops a rabbit every time no matter what shape it is. One thing I have seen some posts on is the bullet hardness. Harder lead not expanding in hollow points especially. Now I just look for what’s most accurate in my rifle. Current batch of CCI SV is fantastic and I’ve shot a lot of sub moa groups out of my cz457. Eley match shoots great as does SK rifle match. I’ve also had great success with RWS subsonic hollow points. But I’ve never seen any supersonic rounds shoot as tight as subsonic. And generally if you want a longer shot your bullet goes transonic at some point and accuracy goes downhill. Lastly not as much noise from subsonic ammo. I definitely would recommend trying some CCI SV, maybe SK standard plus, eley subsonic hollow points and rws subsonic hollow points then buy up from the same lot of whatever you choose.

 

[COLT45SA]

Awful curious to know the reasoning behind requiring .22 LR

I don't read that question as "requiring .22LR" or even infurring the request for another caliber. Seems to me that the question specifies .22. On the surface the question leads to answers which could include .22short, .22LR, .22magnum, Velocitors, Stingers, or others. Extending the question in your own mind you could include .223. .22 Hornet, .22-250 or a couple of .22 centerfire cartridges.

 

[Adam in WI]

I don't read that question as "requiring .22LR"

This is the original post, emphasis added.

Suggestions? This is a must in an area we would hunt.

 

[centershot]

I believe that I will see the restriction is rimfire. Will not know that until the time comes to look into it further . I was putting out a few "feelers" to narrow it down. Thanks so much for all of the suggestions.

 

[COLT45SA]

This is the original post, emphasis added.

Why would he specify 22 if he was going to hunt in an area where 22 caliber is not permitted~?

 

[Adam in WI]

Damn, lol. I'm out...

 

[ohlongarmisle]

I’m yet to see the difference in knockdown power between hollow point and round nose ammo at the same speed. Yes obviously a hollow point can expand and cause more damage but generally what we shoot 22’s at often are so small that wound cavity size isn’t a factor. There is enough energy to do the job. I’ve had plenty of runners with poor shots with hollow points. Same as round nose. But a solid head/chest shot usually stops a rabbit every time no matter what shape it is. One thing I have seen some posts on is the bullet hardness. Harder lead not expanding in hollow points especially. Now I just look for what’s most accurate in my rifle. Current batch of CCI SV is fantastic and I’ve shot a lot of sub moa groups out of my cz457. Eley match shoots great as does SK rifle match. I’ve also had great success with RWS subsonic hollow points. But I’ve never seen any supersonic rounds shoot as tight as subsonic. And generally if you want a longer shot your bullet goes transonic at some point and accuracy goes downhill. Lastly not as much noise from subsonic ammo. I definitely would recommend trying some CCI SV, maybe SK standard plus, eley subsonic hollow points and rws subsonic hollow points then buy up from the same lot of whatever you choose.

I will debate that sir but there is, we've had Ohio BCI run numerous tests on various bullet types before the chief made his decision on what we would carry. A hollow point of any caliber hits harder due to the fact all energy is dumped inside the median wound cavity , as opposed to many solid nose rounds that dependent on distances will pass through, with much of the energy not being deposited on target.Now one can debate as numerous of the cops I work with did but BCI is a renowned facility used by numerous law enforcement agencies and their tests were conclusive.All coroners will tell you when a bullet is inside the target it usually results in a doa, pass through higher survival rate. Just saying I base all my claims on facts. Try this test get a grapefruit shoot a solis nose 22 in it complete pass through, now shoot a CCI velocitor grapefruit blown in pieces but also a pass through, the solid nose a tiny hole. Killed enough critters so far to fill a semi trailer ,I know.Pictures if need be .

 

[Dgd6mm]

To me dead is dead, but the thousands of pdogs I've shot with hollow points definitely had more devastation to the body than with solids. I will put some CCI Velocitors on my list to try.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

To me dead is dead, but the thousands of pdogs I've shot with hollow points definitely had more devastation to the body than with solids. I will put some CCI Velocitors on my list to try.

Nothing better from one who's killed a myriad of game with it, a real close second is Aquila Interceptor, but personally Velocitor gets my vote,gh's,coyotes,fox,beavers,squirrels,deer (nuisance permits only) within range will get the job done.

 

[Slowshot]

Decide what range you plan to set up for to shoot those varmints. Then do testing of different ammunition at that distance in your rifle and with your scope or iron sights. Then shoot the ammunition that gives the best accuracy at that distance. As we all know, you cannot kill it, if you cannot hit it. On the other hand, any 22 ammunition can kill a prairie dog out to 100 yards, if you place your shots well.

I remember a day at my local club when I was grumbling about the group sizes I was getting at 50 yards with SK Standard Plus in my CZ 452. I was shooting at a 50 yard 25 bull target. The range officer happened to pass by in time to overhear my grumbling.

He looked at my target and said, "I don't know what you are complaining about." "Every one of those shots would be a head shot on a squirrel." Here is as much of that target as I can get into my scanner:

 

[nakneker]

Hollow points make a big difference on rabbits and prairie dogs unless it’s a head shot, then it doesn’t matter. The jack rabbits we have are big, only place I’ve seen bigger is northern Nevada. I’ve seen those rabbits and prairie dogs take numerous hits from a solid point, they die but they die a slow painful death much If the time if even with a good shot or shots, that hasn’t been the case with most of the decent hollow points I’ve used. Winchester super x, federal Game Shok and CCI mini mags have been the three I’ve used the most, CCI velocitors do a good job but they weren’t around when I was having most of my 22 fun. Stingers make an amazing thud and are lethal if your gun will shoot them. Just repeating myself after repeating some of the solid point vs hollow point comments. Just my experience and opinion.

 

[Ralph Littlefield]

Hollow points make a big difference on rabbits and prairie dogs unless it’s a head shot, then it doesn’t matter. The jack rabbits we have are big, only place I’ve seen bigger is northern Nevada. I’ve seen those rabbits and prairie dogs take numerous hits from a solid point, they die but they die a slow painful death much If the time if even with a good shot or shots, that hasn’t been the case with most of the decent hollow points I’ve used. Winchester super x, federal Game Shok and CCI mini mags have been the three I’ve used the most, CCI velocitors do a good job but they weren’t around when I was having most of my 22 fun. Stingers make an amazing thud and are lethal if your gun will shoot them. Just repeating myself after repeating some of the solid point vs hollow point comments. Just my experience and opinion.

Interesting. Have you ever been able to recover a hollow point slug to compare the expansion?

 

[BradY]

I can agree about the velocitors and expansion as I too have seen some impressive expansion pics. But on the other hand I don’t shoot high velocity ammo. I have dropped a 45kg kangaroo that was injured and wouldn’t let me get close to it with a CCI SV. The difference between a hollow point and a round nose on a brain shot would be absolutely nothing. Have also done a fair bit of longer range 100m plus out to 265m longest retrieved kill and I know a round nose is a lot more capable at range than hollow points have proven to be in terms of being able to group. Hollow points seem to get a bit weird further out past 150 it seems. And the velocity is that low that expansion is negligible. Better to shoot what is accurate. Now the fragmenting bullets I had great success with in an older rifle and I will vouch for their performance. This was a rabbit at 96m. One hole in, broke up and caused 3 out. Poor shot placement was aided by a good performing bullet. At range I haven’t seen any subsonic hollow points perform much better than solids. High velocity possibly that’s different.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

I can agree about the velocitors and expansion as I too have seen some impressive expansion pics. But on the other hand I don’t shoot high velocity ammo. I have dropped a 45kg kangaroo that was injured and wouldn’t let me get close to it with a CCI SV. The difference between a hollow point and a round nose on a brain shot would be absolutely nothing. Have also done a fair bit of longer range 100m plus out to 265m longest retrieved kill and I know a round nose is a lot more capable at range than hollow points have proven to be in terms of being able to group. Hollow points seem to get a bit weird further out past 150 it seems. And the velocity is that low that expansion is negligible. Better to shoot what is accurate. Now the fragmenting bullets I had great success with in an older rifle and I will vouch for their performance. This was a rabbit at 96m. One hole in, broke up and caused 3 out. Poor shot placement was aided by a good performing bullet. At range I haven’t seen any subsonic hollow points perform much better than solids. High velocity possibly that’s different.

Have you tried the Winchester 42 max subsonic 42 grain , they're made in Australia, i've used them and the 40 grain also made in Australia, you'd be surprised at their lethality, killed dozens of deer with them on my nuisance deer permits, all drt.Try them and report back.The 40 grain is no longer available is USA, but the 42 max is,bought a brick from ,SG Ammo Oklahoma USA

 

[BradY]

Have you tried the Winchester 42 max subsonic 42 grain , they're made in Australia, i've used them and the 40 grain also made in Australia, you'd be surprised at their lethality, killed dozens of deer with them on my nuisance deer permits, all drt.Try them and report back.The 40 grain is no longer available is USA, but the 42 max is,bought a brick from ,SG Ammo Oklahoma USA

Yes I did for a long time. The 40 and 42 were great. We used to put a brick each into a bucket and drive around fruit orchards keeping farmers crops safe from pests. Sadly I n fact they are no longer made here. For a long while it’s all we used. But its consistency at long range wasnt super and sadly when it stopped being made here there were almost more misfires in a box than ones that went off. A lot of people have since given up on them. Shame as the Australian plant made a great <100m hunting round. Winchester quality has taken a real dive in terms of loaded ammunition, including 17hmr as well. Most people I shoot with have turned to Sellier and Bellot subsonic hollows, cci subsonic hollows or eley subsonic hollows to feed their 22’s.

 

[ohlongarmisle]

Yes I did for a long time. The 40 and 42 were great. We used to put a brick each into a bucket and drive around fruit orchards keeping farmers crops safe from pests. Sadly I n fact they are no longer made here. For a long while it’s all we used. But its consistency at long range wasnt super and sadly when it stopped being made here there were almost more misfires in a box than ones that went off. A lot of people have since given up on them. Shame as the Australian plant made a great <100m hunting round. Winchester quality has taken a real dive in terms of loaded ammunition, including 17hmr as well. Most people I shoot with have turned to Sellier and Bellot subsonic hollows, cci subsonic hollows or eley subsonic hollows to feed their 22’s.

Have you tried RWS subsonic will outperform any of the aforementioned, largest wound channel of any mentioned. Too bad about Winchester all mine so far made there have performed flawlessly I'm wondering if what's available is old stock.

 

[BradY]

Have you tried RWS subsonic will outperform any of the aforementioned, largest wound channel of any mentioned. Too bad about Winchester all mine so far made there have performed flawlessly I'm wondering if what's available is old stock.

Yes it’s very good in the CZ. 18-19 dollars for a 50 box. Still staying with CCI SV at almost a third of the price when my current lot is so consistent. Dead is dead!