Prairie Dog Hunting - First Time!!!

codybrown

I have been invited to go prairie dog hunting for the first time. We will be going to Montana on July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. I was wondering as to what rifles I should use. My plans were a .223, .22-250, and a .220swift. I figured that would take me out to 750yards pretty easily. I have never reloaded, so I am getting my ammo for the .223 from www.georgia-arms.com. 1000 rounds of 55 grain balistic tip. I have access to reloading equiptment from my grandpa, but that will be limited. He used to do a lot of reloading and shooting, but he is starting to loose his eyesight. I have numerous other rifles, in multiple calibers, but these were my top picks. Am I on the right track here?

moose2

codybrown wrote:

I have been invited to go prairie dog hunting for the first time. We will be going to Montana on July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. I was wondering as to what rifles I should use. My plans were a .223, .22-250, and a .220swift. I figured that would take me out to 750yards pretty easily. I have never reloaded, so I am getting my ammo for the .223 from www.georgia-arms.com. 1000 rounds of 55 grain balistic tip. I have access to reloading equiptment from my grandpa, but that will be limited. He used to do a lot of reloading and shooting, but he is starting to loose his eyesight. I have numerous other rifles, in multiple calibers, but these were my top picks. Am I on the right track here?

I'll tell you what codybrown, you'll find yourself in 7th heaven on a good PD shoot. Congratulations to you on you're good fortune. Your selection for rifles is spot on. Don't know what kind of hunt you will be having or what other equipment you will be using, but its always nice to have a bi-pod along. If you haven't shot much long range, it wouldn't hurt to consult with some ballistics tables and get a feel for wind drift at various long ranges. Being you'll be in Montana, wind is sure to be a factor for any long range shooting. You're going to have a great time.--tr

codybrown

Thank you moose. I have a couple differant Harris bipods, and 2 uncle buds sandbags, both bench models. I have done some longer range shooting, and dropped my 8point buck this past year with a 320yard shot with my .338 ruger. Other than that, 400 yards is the longest I have shot, and that was just targets. I plan on doing quite a bit of practicing this spring before I go out.

moose2

codybrown wrote:

Thank you moose. I have a couple differant Harris bipods, and 2 uncle buds sandbags, both bench models. I have done some longer range shooting, and dropped my 8point buck this past year with a 320yard shot with my .338 ruger. Other than that, 400 yards is the longest I have shot, and that was just targets. I plan on doing quite a bit of practicing this spring before I go out.

Good for you on the practicing. It indeed does have its rewards. There are several places where one can copy off PD targets. That would make target shooting alittle more fun. Also try shooting on some windy days, if you have them there. Its always an eye opener. Hope you can come back this summer and give us a post on your experiences. Have fun--tr

strieg · Rookie Member Joined: May 02, 2007 Posts: 19

I tell you what i went pdoggin for the first time last oct. Four of us went we took so many guns and ammo that we saged the back of a 3/4 ton truck and after four days hunting i used my ar15 the most, hit one at a little over 800 yrds i liked the ar for the follow up shots if you miss the first shot you have time to send more before he hits his hole

skb2706 · Member Joined: Apr 10, 2006 Posts: 269

codybrown wrote:

Thank you moose. I have a couple differant Harris bipods, and 2 uncle buds sandbags, both bench models. I have done some longer range shooting, and dropped my 8point buck this past year with a 320yard shot with my .338 ruger. Other than that, 400 yards is the longest I have shot, and that was just targets. I plan on doing quite a bit of practicing this spring before I go out.

getting out to "750 yards pretty easily" ain't as easy as it sounds.......

The reality of it all is plan for 200-400 yd. shots and unless you have the gear for it...forget 750 yds. A simple ballistic calculation for any of the rounds you mention will give you a clue as to the amount of drop and wind deflection you are up against. I've shot pds for years and on only a very few occasions was there so little wind that those very long shots could be made regularly. What kind of optics are you using that will get you out there ?

Arizona Hunter · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2006 Posts: 275

This March I went on my first p-dog shoot in northern AZ, which is nothing like WY, MT or SD. But, man that was fun! WE are already planning our next trip in June (when the season re-opens).

I used my .204 Ruger and my friend a .223. Only onp-dog was hit at under 100 yards. Most of them were between 200 and 300 yds, and man when that cross wind begins to blow, it really affects things at 300-400 yds.

Your trip sounds like a lot of fun, let us know how it turns out.