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Where do I go from here - new load development??

If you will be happy being able to hit the PD's out to 300-400 yards, I'd just re-shoot some groups in that 39-40 grn range. If they still prove to be the best, I'd opt for the lower end of the good-shooting powder range (39-39.5) unless you are doing your load development in hot weather. It likely will be hot where you go, and you want your load to be approximately 1/2 grain lower in weight than where your most accurate range is when you are testing. The heat will raise your pressures -and your velocity. What kind of trigger do you have? If it is not capable of adjusting down to about two pounds or less - you would be well-served to yank the trigger and get a Jewell HVR or other good trigger. It will allow you to close those groups up more than you might think if you are currently running a heavier trigger. That higher-powered glass will help too. Take a few sand bags to put on your shooting table to anchor it down and not allow it to move when the wind starts blowing. On that seating depth, a lot of light varmint bullets do pretty well jumping and taking closer to the lands can be very counterproductive, contrary to the opinion of many. I hope you find a bunch of those dogs!
 
If you will be happy being able to hit the PD's out to 300-400 yards, I'd just re-shoot some groups in that 39-40 grn range. If they still prove to be the best, I'd opt for the lower end of the good-shooting powder range (39-39.5) unless you are doing your load development in hot weather. It likely will be hot where you go, and you want your load to be approximately 1/2 grain lower in weight than where your most accurate range is when you are testing. The heat will raise your pressures -and your velocity. What kind of trigger do you have? If it is not capable of adjusting down to about two pounds or less - you would be well-served to yank the trigger and get a Jewell HVR or other good trigger. It will allow you to close those groups up more than you might think if you are currently running a heavier trigger. That higher-powered glass will help too. Take a few sand bags to put on your shooting table to anchor it down and not allow it to move when the wind starts blowing. On that seating depth, a lot of light varmint bullets do pretty well jumping and taking closer to the lands can be very counterproductive, contrary to the opinion of many. I hope you find a bunch of those dogs!

Already loaded up some ammo yesterday for this rifle so I won't be doing any more testing on it until after the Prairie Dog trip. I did get the new scope mounted on it last night so I just need to go out today and zero it.

It has the stock Rem 700 trigger on it but I tweaked it down to 2.0# several years ago and it has a nice crisp pull. I have installed aftermarket triggers on a couple of other rifles (Timney & Triggertech) but I am really happy with the stock trigger on this 22-250.

Had not thought about taking extra sand bags to stabilize the shooting bench out west. Will definitely take some along. Thanks for the tip.

I am guessing the weather here while working up my load (mid 80's to mid 90's) has been very similar to what we will have in S.D. this week so I can't imagine seeing any pressure differences? Time will tell I guess.
 
Keep ammo in the shade or a cooler, damp rag on the barrel and don't let a round cook in the chamber while looking or spotting the next dog. 3 shots and a cool down for the 250's. Center mass, enjoy the mist.
 
Keep ammo in the shade or a cooler, damp rag on the barrel and don't let a round cook in the chamber while looking or spotting the next dog. 3 shots and a cool down for the 250's. Center mass, enjoy the mist.
He’s right, I have never been but know a few who have. Heard some wild horror stories with a 22/250 shooting prairie dogs
 
Just got back from my S. Dakota prairie dog hunt and wanted to update my progress:


The new scope, rail and rings all arrived by Saturday so I mounted the scope that evening.... The scope sits a little higher than I liked, even with the low height rings but it really wasn't an issue.
70758893343__DFA6F00F-FEF9-448F-BCC4-35D42D245092.jpg

Sunday morning I was back out on my range getting it zeroed...
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Found paper right away at 100 yards and a couple groups later I had it zeroed.
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I took 4 rifles, including a 22 Mag, 17 HMR and my new (to me) Savage 204. Never fired either of the rimfires as targets under 200 yards were very few and far between...
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We hunted one dog town in the morning and a different one in the afternoon on both days...
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Had to be careful not to shoot one of the legs out from under my shade canopy but I managed...
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I was hesitant to buy one of these before I left but I am very happy that I did. It was likely 15-20 degrees cooler under the tent and it kept me as well as my rifles and ammo cool in the 92 degree weather...
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Neither of my buddies had a shade canopy and it was pretty warm for them...
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The 22-250 proved to be very accurate and I shot quite a few dogs between 350-400 yards. It is a light weight sporter barrel so it heated up pretty fast. I probably only fired about 75 rounds from it as I found that the bull barrel Savage 204 stayed much cooler and I was able to shoot it more. I fired a little over 200 rounds through the .204.

I might add that I took the advice of @Fclassfool and did more shooting and less cleaning. I did clean the barrel on the 22-250 after Day 1 but I never cleaned the .204 at all and it remained very accurate even after 200 rounds down the barrel. Good advice.

I missed a lot of prairie dogs for sure but I also had some good strings of consecutive kills. The vast majority of our shooting was probably 225-375 yards. I had one double (2 dogs for one shot), I flipped maybe at least 10 of them. My best runs were 9 out of 10 and 18 out of 20 - I was just on a roll at that point. Overall, we had a great time and are already making plans to go back again next year.

Thanks again for the help on getting ready for my hunt.
 
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