Anyone hunt prairie dogs?

[jay]

Hey all, in the market for a prairie dog rifle...checked out a couple on the savage website but wanting to get some input from others. I have an old .22lr savage that my brother bought me when i was like ten, but i think i pretty much melted the barrel on that poor thing. The ones i found from savage are also .22lr, similar to what i already have but are bolt action, with the accutrigger and a heavy barrel. Debating between the .22lr or the 17, leaning towards the .22lr because the bullets are dirt cheap compared to others also because some of the areas we hunt have houses nearby. Any other options or companies i could look at? Thanks

 

[Drhorsepower]

If you go 10/22, there is so many aftermarket stuff for them. You can do anything. I agree, .22 long rifle is just plain cheaper although the .17 has great ballistics. A little pricey for a fun day out though for me.

 

[Ikeepitcold]

If you go 10/22, there is so many aftermarket stuff for them. You can do anything. I agree, .22 long rifle is just plain cheaper although the .17 has great ballistics. A little pricey for a fun day out though for me.

Could not have said it better myself.. We shoot the ground squirrels here but pretty much the same. I like my 22 hornet but spendy for the ammo. You can't go wrong with the 22lr. And with the aftermarket stuff for the Ruger you can deck that thing out like a AR that the seals use in a second. Also a replacement barrel is cheap.

 

[jay]

so is it possible to soop up my current .22lr or would it be cheaper to just buy a new one?

 

[Ikeepitcold]

If it's a Ruger I know it's pretty cheap for a new barrel.

 

[jay]

no, mines a savage...i was looking online and it looks like the ones for the savages are a little steeper.

 

[gman1]

The 22 is too small.. you will need to keep some distance between you and the dogs ....223 a good round

 

[Drhorsepower]

I use a 17 Fireball for close dogs in a Heavy Barreled Remington M700 and for long dogs I use my elk rifle.

That can get expensive!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

A lot depends on where your shooting. The problem with the .22 rimfires is that they richochet (sp?) a lot. If there are houses around it could get a little dicy. I use a .17 WMR. Very accurate, pretty quiet and the bullet explodes when it hits anything. I use it on P Dogs out to about 175 yds pretty regularly. If I need to shoot further, I go to my .220 Ackley Swift. Realistically any of the .22 centerfires will do a great job.

 

[schoff]

I love my Savage 17HMR fun as heck to shoot, flat, fast and accurate! Range is limited to 150-175yrds depending on the shooter, anything beyond that is centerfire territory in my opinon.