Caliber combination for prairie dog hunting?

[skipglo]

Thats funny! I do have a 6.5 CM, but I must be doing something wrong with it. It isn's the sledgehammer or laser beam its claimed to be.

Then you're right...it's something you're doing wrong...

 

[vmax97]

I like Hornady ELDM, they may not blow up like some of the lighter bullets but I like shooting longer distances. I also shoot a 1:8 twist and the ELDMs run great. I agree about taking more guns, I will bring my bolt gun as well and use the hunt to practice my PRS shooting skills.

 

[Stugots]

I have never been prairie dog hunting, but am looking to start doing it in 2025. I have my first build almost done, which is an AR15 in 223 with a 1:8 twist 24" WOA varmint barrel. I am hoping to shoot the 53g V-max with this upper. Everything I read on the topic says to take several guns/calibers along. It would be convenient to have the other caliber(s) be AR compatible so I can just swap uppers. Realistically, how many guns do I need to take? I assume I want a gun for close range, medium range, and long range. Where does my 223 fall in line and what cartridges do you recommend for the other ranges? I plan to reload for this on a progressive. Am I missing anything else important?
Thank you in advance for the insight.

I have never been prairie dog hunting, but am looking to start doing it in 2025. I have my first build almost done, which is an AR15 in 223 with a 1:8 twist 24" WOA varmint barrel. I am hoping to shoot the 53g V-max with this upper. Everything I read on the topic says to take several guns/calibers along. It would be convenient to have the other caliber(s) be AR compatible so I can just swap uppers. Realistically, how many guns do I need to take? I assume I want a gun for close range, medium range, and long range. Where does my 223 fall in line and what cartridges do you recommend for the other ranges? I plan to reload for this on a progressive. Am I missing anything else important?
Thank you in advance for the insight.

I currently have multiple .223 platforms all set up with HV 26" barrels all of which are set up with 1/8 twist. for these rifles I have reloaded and been shooting the Hornady 53gr V-max with excellent results. My last varmint platform is set up with a .204 Ruger 26" HV which has a 1/10 twist. I'm hand loading a 40gr Hornady V-Max behind a charge of H335 with stellar results. (Think pink mist). From here on out, I will at the very least replace one 26" HV barrel in .204 Ruger.

 

[Stugots]

I like the idea of the 20 practical. Easy to make brass from 223, but I worry it'd get confusing keeping track of what brass is which as I already have a 223.

I solved that problem by purchasing Nickle plated .204 Ruger brass. Yes, it's not 20 Practical, but it sure makes it easy when all my brass is combined (.223 and .204 Ruger) to sort for reloading!

 

[oldfortyfiveauto]

I solved that problem by purchasing Nickle plated .204 Ruger brass. Yes, it's not 20 Practical, but it sure makes it easy when all my brass is combined (.223 and .204 Ruger) to sort for reloading!

When I head out with both 20P and 223 I keep the bolt for each rifle with it's ammo.

 

[TigerOnThe Hill]

Junglebird, congrats on your upcoming pd hunt. I'm sure you'll enjoy. I've been pd hunting a while. Through the years, my choice has evolved some. I hunt w/ specialty handguns. I started w/ a TC Contender in 223 Rem and a Remington XP in 22 BR. I later added an XP 6 BR and the Contender platform went into retirement. I've since evolved into using suppressors. I now use a 20 VarTarg (16" McGowen barrel in Howa Mini-Action), an XP in 223 Rem Ackley (15" barrel) and a Nosler Custom Handgun in 22 Nosler. I hunt in OK and it gets pretty windy usually. I start w/ the VarTarg in 32 gr bullets and move to the 223 AI (50 bullets) and 22 Nosler (55 gr bullets) as the wind picks up. I'm looking at adding a bolt action 17 Remington Fireball for next year. I like to hunt from a rotating table in the bed of my truck, but sometimes I'll go on a "walkabout" w/ a supposed 22LR. To some degree, what you use depends on how you hunt. On last month's hunt, the guys that hunted w/ me walked the pastures a LOT, burning through untold amounts of 17 HMR and 22 Magnum ammo.Re: the AR platform, I've hunted w/ a guide who didn't allow AR's on his. hunt because they could be so efficient. The 53 gr VM is a fine choice. Depending on the climate where you hunt, you might think of a heavy bullet gun (22-250, 220 Swift, 6mm, etc). If you're looking for a gun to compliment the 223, the 204 Ruger/20 Practical would be a good choice. If you want to go even lighter, the 221 Fireball is a great pd gun, The 204, Practical and Fireball all allow one to spot their own shots. I have Savage rifles in 20 P and 221 FB and really like both. I built them for guests hunting to use if they don't have a pd gun.
20 VarTarg

 

[cjsheely]

I live in Pdawg country. Go out prolly twice a week maybe more. I take multiple guns. 17 HMR is the favorite. And not just close in. Also I always drag a couple of hand guns along. Then a few CF's. usually 204 and my trusty 5.56 bolt gun.

 

[Junglebird]

I live in Pdawg country. Go out prolly twice a week maybe more. I take multiple guns. 17 HMR is the favorite. And not just close in. Also I always drag a couple of hand guns along. Then a few CF'sd. usually 204 and my trusty 5.56 bolt gun.

Great information!

 

[ARlife4me]

I wouldn't call it hunting as it's more of an arcade shooting skill

 

[bubbadad]

You can think of it as practice for all your hunting and target shooting. You learn to adapt for yardage and wind . So the next time you are hunting and a hard target appears you can dope it out easily.

 

[sesauk]

Thats funny! I do have a 6.5 CM, but I must be doing something wrong with it. It isn's the sledgehammer or laser beam its claimed to be.

You are not wrong it has been sold as that but it is far from a laser or sledgehammer. If you want a real sledgehammer you can try a round that is a 6.5 it has been around for a long time 264 Win Mag there is only a few faster.

 

[ARlife4me]

You are not wrong it has been sold as that but it is far from a laser or sledgehammer. If you want a real sledgehammer you can try a round that is a 6.5 it has been around for a long time 264 Win Mag there is only a few faster.

I started shooting p-dogs at 5 years old w/ a pistol (22lr) then on to 22mag in a rifle. Then a big jump by 11 to the 264wm. We had 100's of those things to shoot at many, locations/sites. The closest and smallest place wad 2 miles from the house and the biggest was 6 or 7 miles. That's where I had my longest shot at 600 yards (about 17 or 18 at the time).

 

[Junglebird]

You are not wrong it has been sold as that but it is far from a laser or sledgehammer. If you want a real sledgehammer you can try a round that is a 6.5 it has been around for a long time 264 Win Mag there is only a few faster.

I had a 257 wby at one point. That was fun to shoot deer with! Pretty hard on meat though.

 

[Grey Goast]

Never hunted prairie dogs and after reading 1000 rounds for each rifle and a combo of three rifles for close - midrange and long range that would be 3000 rounds of ammo to go through with what's going on around the world and at home I wouldn't waste the ammo for a pop-up game of prairie dog hunting that's just me . I will reserve my ammo for what might come in the near future better to be safe than sorry. So you have fun on your hunt's if that makes you happy. For me being ready to protect my family is what makes me happy I have to consider my income for those that have a great income and can afford to have 5000 rounds for each rifle you own or more and you love to prairie dog hunt you can have a great day or two you have enough reserve ammo to keep your family safe you will do well.