Fri Jan 08, 2010 4:53 pm
Prairie Dog Hunting Rifles
There are more than a few approaches as far as prairie dog shooting is concerned. A hunter can use the various rimfires like the .22, .22 mag or the .17 hmr. These weapons provide good accuracy for approximately 150 to 200 yards. These particular rifles offer the ability to be fired in a rapid matter without risking to burn up the barrels. Some hunters take along a rimfire in order to pop away at the close prairie dogs until the moment they disappear down the holes. Afterwards they get set up for the most important event which is engaging small targets at extended ranges with killer results.
In our opinion, we consider that it is more fun shooting these animals at a distance of 300-400 yards or even further but in order to do so you will need special gear. We recommend a very stable shooting bench because a rifle rest is imperative. Of course, this isn’t the only way to do it as you can use shooting sticks or even a bipod which will prove its efficiency especially in those situations in which you can’t get as close to the prairie dogs as you hoped.
Shooting prairie dogs is quite simple because you don’t have to stalk them, the only thing you do is sit down and wait until they show themselves and then shoot. The rifle that you are going to use doesn’t necessarily have to be specially made for prairie dogs especially if you aren’t a regular prairie dog shooter. You have to keep in mind that the volume of ammo that is going down the tube means that the barrels won’t last for a long period of time and the hotter the cartridge gets, the faster the barrel will burn up, that’s why we recommend a shorter barrel length
For accuracy matters, the weapons are custom made or factory accurized. In these cases, the Remington 700 action gun is used as the weapon is a delight for gunsmiths. Due to the fact that prairie dogs seldom charge you won’t be needing controlled round feeding. The single shot bolt actions are recommended because repeating action isn’t suitable for shooting prairie dogs and you won’t lose time single loading.
Selecting the most appropriate cartridge can be a very difficult task but if you prefer using factory rounds we recommend using a .204 Ruger which is considered to be the fastest mainstream commercial cartridge. Another wise choice would be the .223 Rem as these don’t get as hot as fast as the more powerful numbers do. Alternatives would be the .22-250 and .220 Swift if you don’t prefer the previous choices. If you have a little extra cash, we recommend purchasing the 5mm SMC which produces 300-400fps higher with a given bullet in comparison with the .204 Ruger. This particular type of cartridge offers a flatter trajectory than the .22-250 with the .204 Ruger which can prove to be a crucial advantage.
As far as bullets are concerned, this is entirely up to you. If you don’t want to spend that much cash you should buy the cheapest ones you can find but if you do want to pay a bit more in order to be more accurate then you might consider buying high quality bullets like Bergers, Sierras, Noslers or any other bullets that are suitable for your rifle. Some quality bullets would be the Think Speer TNT’s, Berger MEF’s, Barnes Varmint Grenades and Hornady Vmax’s.
We are now going to offer you a small list of rifles that hunters have been using for years on their prairie dog hunting adventures.
Savage Model 40
Specifications:
• Action: Short
• Caliber: 22 Hornet
• Overall Length: 42.25”
• Barrel Length: 24”
• Weight: 7.75 lbs
• Stock: Low profile, laminated stock with wide beavertail forend
• Features: AccuTriger, heavy contour, button rifled, free floating barrel, third swivel stud
Thomson/Center
Specifications:
• Caliber: .17 Mach 2
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Reciever: Stainless steel, drilled and tapped for scope base
• Magazine: 5-round clip
• Barrel: 20”
• Stock: Black composite with sling swivel studs
• Length Of Pull: 13 ¾”
• Overall Length: 37 ½”
• Weight: 5 ½ pounds
Marlin 917
Specifications:
• Caliber: 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire
• Capacity: 4-shot and 7-shot clip magazine
• Action: Bolt action, thumb safety, red cocking indicator
• Stock: fiberglass-filled synthetic stock with full pistol grip; swivel studs and model-in checkering
• Barrel: 22”
• Overall Length: 41”
• Weight: 6 lbs.
Kimber Pro Varmint 17 Mach 2
Specifications:
• Calibers: 17 Mach 2; .22 LR
• Material: gray laminated
• Finish: hand-rubbed oil
• Length: 20”
• Grooves: 6
• Twist Rate: 9
• Finish: brush polished stainless steel/black flutes
Sako 75
Specifications:
Model: Model 75 Varmint
Operation: Bolt-action repeater
Caliber: .223 Rem. ( .204 Ruger, .22-250, .243 Win., .260 Rem, .308 Win )
Barrel Length: 23 5/8”
Overall Length: 43.25”
Finish: matte stainless steel or blued carbon steel
Stock: Laminated/European walnut
In our opinion, we consider that it is more fun shooting these animals at a distance of 300-400 yards or even further but in order to do so you will need special gear. We recommend a very stable shooting bench because a rifle rest is imperative. Of course, this isn’t the only way to do it as you can use shooting sticks or even a bipod which will prove its efficiency especially in those situations in which you can’t get as close to the prairie dogs as you hoped.
Shooting prairie dogs is quite simple because you don’t have to stalk them, the only thing you do is sit down and wait until they show themselves and then shoot. The rifle that you are going to use doesn’t necessarily have to be specially made for prairie dogs especially if you aren’t a regular prairie dog shooter. You have to keep in mind that the volume of ammo that is going down the tube means that the barrels won’t last for a long period of time and the hotter the cartridge gets, the faster the barrel will burn up, that’s why we recommend a shorter barrel length
For accuracy matters, the weapons are custom made or factory accurized. In these cases, the Remington 700 action gun is used as the weapon is a delight for gunsmiths. Due to the fact that prairie dogs seldom charge you won’t be needing controlled round feeding. The single shot bolt actions are recommended because repeating action isn’t suitable for shooting prairie dogs and you won’t lose time single loading.
Selecting the most appropriate cartridge can be a very difficult task but if you prefer using factory rounds we recommend using a .204 Ruger which is considered to be the fastest mainstream commercial cartridge. Another wise choice would be the .223 Rem as these don’t get as hot as fast as the more powerful numbers do. Alternatives would be the .22-250 and .220 Swift if you don’t prefer the previous choices. If you have a little extra cash, we recommend purchasing the 5mm SMC which produces 300-400fps higher with a given bullet in comparison with the .204 Ruger. This particular type of cartridge offers a flatter trajectory than the .22-250 with the .204 Ruger which can prove to be a crucial advantage.
As far as bullets are concerned, this is entirely up to you. If you don’t want to spend that much cash you should buy the cheapest ones you can find but if you do want to pay a bit more in order to be more accurate then you might consider buying high quality bullets like Bergers, Sierras, Noslers or any other bullets that are suitable for your rifle. Some quality bullets would be the Think Speer TNT’s, Berger MEF’s, Barnes Varmint Grenades and Hornady Vmax’s.
We are now going to offer you a small list of rifles that hunters have been using for years on their prairie dog hunting adventures.
Savage Model 40
Specifications:
• Action: Short
• Caliber: 22 Hornet
• Overall Length: 42.25”
• Barrel Length: 24”
• Weight: 7.75 lbs
• Stock: Low profile, laminated stock with wide beavertail forend
• Features: AccuTriger, heavy contour, button rifled, free floating barrel, third swivel stud
Thomson/Center
Specifications:
• Caliber: .17 Mach 2
• Action: Semi-automatic
• Reciever: Stainless steel, drilled and tapped for scope base
• Magazine: 5-round clip
• Barrel: 20”
• Stock: Black composite with sling swivel studs
• Length Of Pull: 13 ¾”
• Overall Length: 37 ½”
• Weight: 5 ½ pounds
Marlin 917
Specifications:
• Caliber: 17 Hornady Magnum Rimfire
• Capacity: 4-shot and 7-shot clip magazine
• Action: Bolt action, thumb safety, red cocking indicator
• Stock: fiberglass-filled synthetic stock with full pistol grip; swivel studs and model-in checkering
• Barrel: 22”
• Overall Length: 41”
• Weight: 6 lbs.
Kimber Pro Varmint 17 Mach 2
Specifications:
• Calibers: 17 Mach 2; .22 LR
• Material: gray laminated
• Finish: hand-rubbed oil
• Length: 20”
• Grooves: 6
• Twist Rate: 9
• Finish: brush polished stainless steel/black flutes
Sako 75
Specifications:
Model: Model 75 Varmint
Operation: Bolt-action repeater
Caliber: .223 Rem. ( .204 Ruger, .22-250, .243 Win., .260 Rem, .308 Win )
Barrel Length: 23 5/8”
Overall Length: 43.25”
Finish: matte stainless steel or blued carbon steel
Stock: Laminated/European walnut
