Long-ish range prairie dog caliber?

[5.56×250]

Have you done any research into the .224 Valkyrie?

My self and a couple others have suggested that round. Not getting any love from the masses on here though. In a 22 cal and windy conditions, I think it had to rank right up there. Not as much powder as a 22 creedmoor, which would be the ultimate non wildcat IMO. I look at the valkyrie as a mini 6 or 6.5 creed. Same rules of design, just 2/3 sized. The 90gn SMK fed premium should be devastating at the OPs range. Fed makes a 90gn fusion load too that would be effective enough on whitetail and goats inside 200yds for a dual purpose deal. Less recoil and blast than the 22 creed would be why I'd recommend the valkyrie for sand gerbels.

 

[ntsqd]

"sand gerbils" ROFLMAO!! That's awesome!

Just because the SAMMI spec is for a specific twist rate doesn't mean that you have to stick with that twist. Granted, finding a factory barreled rifle with a non spec twist isn't going to be easy, assuming its even possible. However, for example have a look at Pac-Nor's page. Within reason can spec the twist rate and rifling type that you want with the chambering that you want in the barrel profile that you want. All other custom barrel makers do this too, its just easy to see on Pac-Nor's page.

This is where a Savage or a "Remage" really shines. Can order a pre-fit barrel the way that you want and fit it yourself with only a few tools.

 

[Steve Streeper]

I still think you are on the right track with the .22-250 choice. Lot's of factory ammo. Minimal recoil. Great power (for prairie dogs.) Heck, everything is going to get pushed around by the wind, so won't matter much between a .243 and .22-250 as your Dad is going to have to learn to 'kentucky windage' his shots either way.

But if you are seriously thinking he MIGHT want to shoot Bambi someday, the .243 Win makes more sense. Just know that a long day on the prairie dogs with a .243 Win will be more punishing (recoil-wise) than the .22-250 would be. As we get older, we like recoil less and less. Since the primary goal was prairie dogs, go with your first instinct (it was a good one.)

I was going to suggest the .224 Valkyrie as an option since it will be twisted to shoot heavier for caliber bullets, but I'm not sure it is going to survive long term. Still...it's an option if you are looking to 'fight the wind' without the recoil of a .243/6mm gun.

EDITED ADDITION: Re-read the original post and...since this is for your Dad and HE expressed an interest in the .22-250 Rem, that's what you should get him. He'll be happy. It's what he 'knows' and that means a lot.

I agree 100% with getting Dad what he is leaning toward. Back in the 70's I shot a lot with my brother-in-law, who shot a .22-250. I was shooting a .25-'06 AI with 75 gr HP bullets (can't remember brand). Most of our shots were 200-300 yds out, so both guns were handling it very well. If we'd been shooting at 400-600 yds, I'd have gone to an 87 gr bullet. The .22-250 is a sweet-shooting gun and the recoil is very light, so that might just be the ticket for Dad. In fact, I wish I had one!!

 

[Overkill338]

Go with an oddball and enjoy being different. Get a .243 WSSM or .25 WSSM. I've popped a lot of groundhogs with a Etronix .243. Very effective either way.

What about the 6.5 PRC ?

 

[Overkill338]

My self and a couple others have suggested that round. Not getting any love from the masses on here though. In a 22 cal and windy conditions, I think it had to rank right up there. Not as much powder as a 22 creedmoor, which would be the ultimate non wildcat IMO. I look at the valkyrie as a mini 6 or 6.5 creed. Same rules of design, just 2/3 sized. The 90gn SMK fed premium should be devastating at the OPs range. Fed makes a 90gn fusion load too that would be effective enough on whitetail and goats inside 200yds for a dual purpose deal. Less recoil and blast than the 22 creed would be why I'd recommend the valkyrie for sand gerbels.

I always wanted to try the .22-.243 Middlestead

My brother has a .220 Swift in a VSSF-II. That thing will cut single holes so easy at 100 yards,its boring to shoot.

 

[Mt rummy]

As a graduate of Elmer Kieth and a student in his class of molecular dispersion, any projectile that will deliver near 3k in foot pound energy at 500 yards is adequate.

Your spotter will have a big smile all day and probably buy your gas next time, just to come out with ya. Some thing to think about.

 

[jrkotz]

Just because the SAMMI spec is for a specific twist rate doesn't mean that you have to stick with that twist. Granted, finding a factory barreled rifle with a non spec twist isn't going to be easy, assuming its even possible. However, for example have a look at Pac-Nor's page. Within reason can spec the twist rate and rifling type that you want with the chambering that you want in the barrel profile that you want. All other custom barrel makers do this too, its just easy to see on Pac-Nor's page.

Understand that, but OP wants to buy factory loaded ammo. Will be much easier to find high BC factory options if factory barrels are fast twist

 

[ntsqd]

I had not forgotten that aspect. I was pointing out that you don't have to settle for the factory twist rate no matter what ammo you shot thru it.

 

[KS2506]

If you live somewhere that has a lot of dogs consider a 223 and shot 40 gr. V-Max ammo. 5 to 7 shots and a 22-250 barrel needs to cool if you want it to last. I hunted with a group of 6 guys for years in the heyday of Eastern Colorado and Western KS. when you could shoot 4-500 rounds per day. That was before a six year drought and the plague wiped them out. These guys made many kills at over 500 yards and several at over 600 yards. Be sure and get a good scope with cheater marks. That makes a world of difference. Also the 204 Ruger is a killing machine with 32 gr V-Maxs.

 

[JDallas]

Planning to build/buy my dad a rifle for prairie dog hunting. He's expressed interest in a .22-250 but the buddy he will be hunting with shoots anywhere from 400 yards to 600 yards and in our state of South Dakota the wind always blows at least 10mph - 25mph it seems. I have wondered if a .22 bullet will be buffeted around by our wind too much to be an effective cartridge. Any suggestions for a better prairie dog cartridge or will a .22-250 suffice? Also, I feel I should note my dad has never owned a rifle before, only shotguns, and will be using factory ammunition. As tempting as a tighter-than-factory twist barrel and 75gr hand-loaded 22-250 sounds, I don't think that will be an option for factory loaded ammo that is readily found at Cabelas.

Hi couple years ago I was in New Mexico hunting prairie dogs . I use 223 remington 22-250 encore, my primary rifle was a Tikka 595 in 240 cobra, most shots 100 or less yards out to maybe 400 yards or more.

 

[JDallas]

Hi couple years ago I was in New Mexico hunting prairie dogs . I use 223 remington 22-250 encore, my primary rifle was a Tikka 595 in 240 cobra, most shots 100 or less yards out to maybe 400 yards or more.

 

[ragsflh]

243ai,220 swift

 

[ATH]

I typically set up with a .20, a .22, and a .243 rifle. When it gets windy I find myself sticking with the .243 past 300 yards, the hit ratio stays up much better. Personally I shoot a 243AI but the standard will do fine.

Don't let anyone tell you a .243 won't deliver the splat factor. I use 87gr VMAX and 105gr AMAX and those bullets blow them up as good or better than the 22 calibers.

 

[bigdaddyWSM]

In a town of 1200 where everyone knows what you did before you even do it... Yeah I don't know anyone in our town who handloads or even target shoots. Everyone I know has had the same box of 20 rifle shells for the past 15 deer season.

I was shooting long distance PD's all last week with a .204 ruger but also took really long shots with my 6mm CM, lots of creedmoor on shelf for the non reloader plus the cheapest American eagle or 50 count hornady match ammo is all you need. 204 flipped them better though. Was mostly calm last week northern SD for me.