What's Your Prairie Dog BATTING AVERAGE?
- Thread starter sw282
- Start date
JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
I do as others to count case up or down for misses and hits. We will range specific yuccas and odd mounds for reference. Spot a brave one that is way out, spotter will get a range and we will dial for it.
An over all rimfire and centerfire, 17’s to 6.5’s average around 40-60%.
May seem like a large spread, but we usually always start out with rimfires. We have stretched these sessions with rimfires out to 300 yards if the wind is not terrible. Must sound like a bunch of hornets to them with a lot of projectiles oh so close.
An over all rimfire and centerfire, 17’s to 6.5’s average around 40-60%.
May seem like a large spread, but we usually always start out with rimfires. We have stretched these sessions with rimfires out to 300 yards if the wind is not terrible. Must sound like a bunch of hornets to them with a lot of projectiles oh so close.
Last edited:
jepp2
Gold $$ Contributor
I will share my summary from my "very best year". But first you have to understand how I score. I count hits. Any visible hit, I punch the counter. And if I get a double, I score it as 2 hits. And I'm sure there are some hits, I don't score, and a few hits that weren't. But I do it as honestly as I can, with no motive.
Next I hunt at a phenomenal location. Very high density, and I have hunted it several years, so I know the best locations to set up and where to move to. I also am in the field set up ready to shoot before the dogs start coming up in the morning, so the conditions are nearly ideal. On good days, I will have 100 hits before 8:00.
My best year was a combination of a very good prairie dog year and I was shooting my best rifles. I mostly shoot an AR in 20P. And I have the 3 1/4 lb. lead weight in the A2 buttstock, as I have to do my own spotting. I want to see where the bullet hits the dog, or it is misses, where it hits the ground. Once I start to feel the wind in the morning, I start compensating for it. I also adjust my hold for the distance and I range every dog before I shoot it. Most of my shots are between 125 and 200 yards. But I will shoot out to 300 yards unless the wind is really bad. I normally shoot in about 10 mph wind max, since I normally quit shooting by around 1-2 PM. So I have very good conditions. I also shoot from a bench that is VERY SOLID. I'll share a picture of my setup in the field.
Here is the summary from my very best year.
Last edited:
powderbrake
Gold $$ Contributor
I have never missed one on purpose myself.
jepp2: Will you adopt me, and take me with you?
Ive hit doubles and a few triples through the years. I guess that puts me over 100% depending on how we’re counting?
First version of tripod - now much improved, thick aluminum plate added to under plywood and left back corner cut off and heavy vinyl covering on top, and raised edge so stuff won't fall off- used with lead sled or sand bags.
If I need to, I can transport the entire works, minus lead sled, a quarter mile or so. The sand bags go into my bail out bag.
A hit empty brass mouth up, a miss brass down. About 85% when under 300 yards but does not provide the thrill of a 500 yard hit.
.20P or .22-.250.
If I need to, I can transport the entire works, minus lead sled, a quarter mile or so. The sand bags go into my bail out bag.
A hit empty brass mouth up, a miss brass down. About 85% when under 300 yards but does not provide the thrill of a 500 yard hit.
.20P or .22-.250.
Attachments
Last edited:
My hit ratio went up when I found a better laser rangefinder and when I started using the BDC in my reticle. It's faster than turning a turret allowing you to get on the 'dog. Also, shooting in 52mph requires more "english"....That's when the windmeter and the ballistic solver come out. Find a spot where the wind is consistently blowing in your face or a cross-wind and go from there.
searcher
Gold $$ Contributor
I'd not use hit ratios in any way to gauge one's skills against others with higher/lower ratios. For the guy who prides himself on hit ratio - he will probably have a higher ratio than the guy who's mission is to test his own limits on an ongoing basis. The one constantly testing his own limits will often prove to be the better shot - yet have the lower hit ratio. Anyone who shoots a 95% ratio isn't taking many shots that challenge his own skills. In the end - the novice having never shot can have the same hit ratio as one capable of regularly whacking them at 1,000 yards.
shoot4fun
Gold $$ Contributor
One trip to WY I shot an AR15 and a Weatherby SVM 22-250. Most of the ammo (900+) thru the AR suppressed and out the truck window. Another 250 rounds of 22-250 off a Caldwell Magnum tripod. Had a hit % of right at 80% with most shots 400 yards and in. Normally I'm good for very near 70% hits. I once had a rancher watching me shoot. Had just sat down on a bench with a fifty round box and when I finished all fifty case mouths were up (all scored). He said "Well I'll be damn. I counted and you killed 55 of them dogs with that box of ammo!" It's a sweet little CZ527 with a 6PPC barrel on it.
I tend to over compensate on my shots both in elevation and wind until I start getting hits. That is why my percentage is not where I want it to be. Use a guide because we do not live in the area we hunt in.
I have never known any locals here in Wyoming who count P-Dog kills. We just carry firearms with us every day. If we come up on some nice long shots we shoot.
We just carry firearms with us every day. If we come up on some nice long shots we shoot. JSH
Gold $$ Contributor
Jepp what did you use for weight, lead shot or other?
What range finder did you use?
I range best I can to middle of the town. Twist the scope till I am in good shape and run that way.
I don’t pack stuff very far. My buddies laughed when I drug out the 17 Remington and 204. They are pretty much twins except the 17 is about five pounds heavier. I tell everyone it is because the bore is smaller, lol. 17 weighs about 37 and the 204 weighs about 30. My bench looks a lot like yours. Bipod and a rear bag, I need no spotter. The 17 is crazy fun to shoot, bang and hole appears on target.
What range finder did you use?
I range best I can to middle of the town. Twist the scope till I am in good shape and run that way.
I don’t pack stuff very far. My buddies laughed when I drug out the 17 Remington and 204. They are pretty much twins except the 17 is about five pounds heavier. I tell everyone it is because the bore is smaller, lol. 17 weighs about 37 and the 204 weighs about 30. My bench looks a lot like yours. Bipod and a rear bag, I need no spotter. The 17 is crazy fun to shoot, bang and hole appears on target.
Upgrades & Donations
This Forum's expenses are primarily paid by member contributions. You can upgrade your Forum membership in seconds. Gold and Silver members get unlimited FREE classifieds for one year. Gold members can upload custom avatars.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.
Click Upgrade Membership Button ABOVE to get Gold or Silver Status.
You can also donate any amount, large or small, with the button below. Include your Forum Name in the PayPal Notes field.
To DONATE by CHECK, or make a recurring donation, CLICK HERE to learn how.