Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Hunting
Varmint Hunting
Going on first Prairie Dog hunt 2012
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="SBruce" data-source="post: 581278" data-attributes="member: 21068"><p>The 223 and 243 are both good choices in caliber. I've shot dogs with both.</p><p>Most serious doggers (myself included) load their own ammo for not only best accuracy, but lower cost.</p><p> </p><p>The 243 is definately cheaper to load your own, but <u>some</u> 223 is a good deal and hard to beat their prices by handloading.</p><p> </p><p>Black Hills is a good brand to try, I've used it myself in my AR's.</p><p>Cabelas sells it, so does Midway. You might also call First Stop Guns (605) 341-5211.........they stock alot of it and might ship you whatever you want.</p><p> </p><p>UltraMax also is located in Rapid City, SD and they make alot of 223 ammo. They seem to be one of the most affordable brands out there. Midway and Cabelas also sell it, I think Natchez does too. </p><p> </p><p>If you want to shoot factory ammo in the 223, you might try a box or two of both BH and Ultramaxs' stuff and see which shoots the best groups in your rifle.......then buy a bunch. You're looking for the tightest groups possible at 200 to 300 yds. The status quo "1/2 minute" rifle will struggle when the dogs get beyond 400 yds. </p><p> </p><p>Use the 243 if it's windy, you'll know when it's too windy for the little 223, when it's taking 4 shots per dog just to get the wind figured out. You may not get to experience that in Texas, but it's not uncommon to have to shoot in 15-20 mph winds in Wyoming and South Dakota. The 223 with "normal" weight bullets will blow off about 1" at 300 yds for every 1 mph of wind. If we misjudge the wind by only 2mph, that's very likely a miss.........................the 243 with 100-107 grn bullets is only blown off about 1/2" for every 1mph at 300 yds...........<u>twice as good</u> in the wind is another way to look at it.</p><p> </p><p>I'd say the average dog is about 3" wide when standing upright. Some are only 2", others are 5", but 3" is a good average to use. </p><p> </p><p>Now you're beginning to see how a gun that shoots 2" groups, and is blown off course 2 more inches really easy by a <u>measly 2mph wind</u>, makes it tough to hit a 3" wide dog at 400 yds............that's exactly why I say "use the ammo that shoots the smallest groups at 200 or 300 yds"</p><p> </p><p>Good Luck, Happy to try and answer any questions regarding prarie dog shooting. It just might take me a while to get back with you.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="SBruce, post: 581278, member: 21068"] The 223 and 243 are both good choices in caliber. I've shot dogs with both. Most serious doggers (myself included) load their own ammo for not only best accuracy, but lower cost. The 243 is definately cheaper to load your own, but [U]some[/U] 223 is a good deal and hard to beat their prices by handloading. Black Hills is a good brand to try, I've used it myself in my AR's. Cabelas sells it, so does Midway. You might also call First Stop Guns (605) 341-5211.........they stock alot of it and might ship you whatever you want. UltraMax also is located in Rapid City, SD and they make alot of 223 ammo. They seem to be one of the most affordable brands out there. Midway and Cabelas also sell it, I think Natchez does too. If you want to shoot factory ammo in the 223, you might try a box or two of both BH and Ultramaxs' stuff and see which shoots the best groups in your rifle.......then buy a bunch. You're looking for the tightest groups possible at 200 to 300 yds. The status quo "1/2 minute" rifle will struggle when the dogs get beyond 400 yds. Use the 243 if it's windy, you'll know when it's too windy for the little 223, when it's taking 4 shots per dog just to get the wind figured out. You may not get to experience that in Texas, but it's not uncommon to have to shoot in 15-20 mph winds in Wyoming and South Dakota. The 223 with "normal" weight bullets will blow off about 1" at 300 yds for every 1 mph of wind. If we misjudge the wind by only 2mph, that's very likely a miss.........................the 243 with 100-107 grn bullets is only blown off about 1/2" for every 1mph at 300 yds...........[U]twice as good[/U] in the wind is another way to look at it. I'd say the average dog is about 3" wide when standing upright. Some are only 2", others are 5", but 3" is a good average to use. Now you're beginning to see how a gun that shoots 2" groups, and is blown off course 2 more inches really easy by a [U]measly 2mph wind[/U], makes it tough to hit a 3" wide dog at 400 yds............that's exactly why I say "use the ammo that shoots the smallest groups at 200 or 300 yds" Good Luck, Happy to try and answer any questions regarding prarie dog shooting. It just might take me a while to get back with you. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Hunting
Varmint Hunting
Going on first Prairie Dog hunt 2012
Top