Caliber choice for prairie dogs

[skipglo]

.223 and now 6.5.....

 

[greenejc]

Alright guys, I have a trip coming up at the end of June and having some dilemma on which rifles to take with me. Thought it would be fun to start a poll, see what your guys' favorite calibers are for prairie dogs. I've limited the poll to the calibers I have rifles chambered in and have ample ammo for. Let me know your thoughts! I have a feeling I know what the winner will be!

I live in Colorado, and I use mostly the 25-06. I also use the 6mm Remington with 80 to 100 grain bullets. These buck the wind out to 350 to 400 yards. For inside 200 yards, I sometimes use the .223 Remington, though. I can shoot it from the driver's window and hit at 200 yards. The wind on the eastern plains runs from 10mph up to 25mph on any given day, so something that will buck the wind becomes important.

 

[elkslayer44]

17 HMR, 204 Ruger

 

[wildcat westerner]

17 hmr, 22-250, .243 or .244, for really windy days and long distance 6.5 x 284

 

[Chas1]

22-250

 

[tomsd]

.22 Hornet could work - similiar to the .17 HMR

 

[Greenvette01]

.222 Rem or .257 Roberts

 

[nicholasjohn]

Alright guys, I have a trip coming up at the end of June and having some dilemma on which rifles to take with me. Thought it would be fun to start a poll, see what your guys' favorite calibers are for prairie dogs. I've limited the poll to the calibers I have rifles chambered in and have ample ammo for. Let me know your thoughts! I have a feeling I know what the winner will be!

Whichever cartridge you have the components to load for.

 

[davidu]

Two rifle limit makes your hunt a challenge. I really like to shoot the close ones with the 17hmr first, but it will need to stay in your closet. The 223 Rem is numero uno choice. The barrel will stay cooler, especially if it's a heavy profile, than the 204R or 22-250 Rem. I usually take all three.
The other rifle should reach out from 400 yards to as far as your optics will allow. You also want to see your misses so a muzzle break or suppressor is a must. The 6CM and 6.5CM are the two long range rifles I take along. With excellent optics 1100 to 1300 yds in less 10mph winds are possible. The 243 cal can work if that's a caliber you already have.
Keeping your barrel cool will be difficult in a target rich environment. A truck with A/C running to stick barrel end into vent works ok. I use stick on temp sensors on my barrels because it's hard to sit there and not shoot. I have no affiliation with the temp sticker outfit

 

[Tidus56]

I have burned out two 22-250 barrels shooting prairie dogs so I am partial to the 22-250. I actually have three dog guns 204 ruger, 22-250 and 243ai. Each one has a different purpose and I love each one.

 

[gsp2west]

I hope you are taking 2-3 guns. If you are setup right one gun will over heat.
204
22-250
243AI
6 creed

 

[mrbigtexan]

I take my 22LR, 22 Mag mostly but occasionally I take my 223

 

[5gauss]

Alright guys, I have a trip coming up at the end of June and having some dilemma on which rifles to take with me. Thought it would be fun to start a poll, see what your guys' favorite calibers are for prairie dogs. I've limited the poll to the calibers I have rifles chambered in and have ample ammo for. Let me know your thoughts! I have a feeling I know what the winner will be!

22 250 223 243 bring all three or more....they have to cool down or bye bye barrel

 

[Pointman]

Something belt fed?

Perhaps a Vulcan 20mm?