prarie dogs want to get shot by my rem 700 vs 308, are there inexpensive rounds for v

LTC_Para · March 4, 2006, 01:42 AM

hey....

i want to go prarie dog hunting this summer. i recently bought a rem 700 26" VS .308, leupold varxIII4.5-14x50mm, harris ultralight....now are there cheap loads for varmits, and i assume since the 308 is kinda loud that i would have to shoot around 300+ yards so they wont run scared as often? i would really like to use south african as ii have heard it is fairly accurate and it is cheap. i may be able to use someones loading bench, any thing recommended for cheap accurate loads

someone once told me to get a good scope with good eye relief or something, he suad get a good scope because if it isnt then you can get eye strain and your day will suck.

he had a rem 700 with i cant remember the type of leupold in .300 he had a blast with the dogs

thanks for the help!

Art Eatman · March 4, 2006, 09:09 AM

About all I can suggest is that you get a small quantity of the SA ammo and try three- and five-shot groups at the benchrest.

The best deal is to tailor some load to your rifle, via handloading. (You can go to the H&R forum here for some ideas.) It's not that handloading is all that cheap so much as you get the best accuracy-load for your own particular rifle. The cost-saving is that it keeps you out of the beer joints at night.

I wouldn't worry about noise and distance. The .308 is no louder, really, than a .22-250 or other PD cartridges. You shoot, they go into their holes, they come out, you shoot.

Repeat as necessary...

, Art

Shooter 973 · March 4, 2006, 04:48 PM

Get A couple of Boxes of Black Hills 308 with the 168 gr Hollows and give them a try. They do cost more but with such a fine and expensive set-up I think you'll find the Black Hills ammo meets your need better. Then you can work up a load to try and match the 168gr. Black hills stuff. Good Luck!!!

FirstFreedom · March 4, 2006, 07:29 PM

Are you sure that they didn't just misunderstand the question?

Art Eatman · March 4, 2006, 11:17 PM

??? FF, he wonders about the South AFrican ammo; I think I answered that. It might well work in his rig; it might not.

He asked about noise; didn't I comment on that?

He's got access to reloading, so all he needs is suggestions for data.

So what did I misunderstand?

Art

Rimrock · March 4, 2006, 11:43 PM

LTC_ Para
Welcome to the wonderful world of varminting. You're goin' to "blowd 'em real good" with that round. I shoot .22-250 with 55 gr Nosler ballistic tips.

They'll violate the no fly zone...if ya get my drift!

Quote:

I wouldn't worry about noise and distance. The .308 is no louder, really, than a .22-250 or other PD cartridges. You shoot, they go into their holes, they come out, you shoot.

Repeat as necessary...

, Art

One thing Art Eatman didn't mention...sometimes they don't go back in their holes!

Get some good ears...a firm table and rest, some good company and have the time of your life! ...and yes load consistency is of paramount importance!

Rimrock

armedtotheteeth · March 5, 2006, 09:27 AM

MAn I wish we had prairie dogs here! SOunds like fun! Like one of those Amuzement show bb gun shoots! I d like to try it with my Armalite 300 win mag. (KABOOM!) OH< YOU have to try handloading. It saves you alot, it is fun, and if the government goes and outlaws ammunition, you can allways make your own. (well, until you run out of components)

FirstFreedom · March 5, 2006, 10:28 AM

Art, sorry; I was trying to be funny (unsuccessfully). He said that the prairie dogs *WANT* to get shot; I was wondering if the prairie dogs understood the question of "Do you want to get shot by my Remington 700?". Maybe they thought he said "Should I put a red *DOT* on my Remington 700?".

In all seriousness, Para, I don't think any kind of milsurp, even South African, will consistently make hits at that range (beyond 300) on a target that small. Under 150 it might with that good of a rifle, but 300 is a pretty long ways to hit a p-dog, despite internet commando assertions to the contrary, and I think you'll need good factory stuff or handloads to make hits past 250-300, even with a quality turnbolt like that. As for noise, I do not have enough experience to know whether .308 or something a tad smaller will make a difference in them bolting or not, but I kinda doubt it, esp. since something like a .243 for example, will be just as loud IINM, since you've got essentially the same amount of powder, but pushing it through a small hole (bbl diameter) I believe will make it louder if anything, not quieter.

Art Eatman · March 5, 2006, 11:36 AM

Hokay, FF. Say, remember back in the good ol' juvenile days when you'd write "Kick Me" on a piece of paper and tape it to someone's back when you slapped their back and said something like, "Hey, how ya doin'?"

Prairied dogs run around with little Post-Its saying "Shoot Me!"

, Art

FirstFreedom · March 5, 2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Prairie dogs run around with little Post-Its saying "Shoot Me!"

Now THAT would be funny!

shureshot0471 · March 5, 2006, 12:06 PM

That would make for a Horbal day one of your buddies putting a note on your back that said shoot me.

Ian2005 · March 5, 2006, 12:36 PM

300 yards for a prarie dog? Arn't they like the size of a small squirel? Good luck with all that

laff... But then I just started my trainig at the 200 yard line and have no trouble placing shots in a 6" circle from the bench.

But a 1" target a 300 yards and 1 shot.. well thats gunna take some practice, some quality ammo, a tailwind, etc..etc..

Anyone seen a good deal for Black Hills .308 168gr? I've only seen a box of 500 for $350 at Midway.. which is ok, but I sure would like it cheaper.

LTC_Para · March 5, 2006, 12:54 PM

prarie dogs are what 4-7" standing on their hind legs?

Rimrock · March 5, 2006, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Prairied dogs run around with little Post-Its saying "Shoot Me!"

Funny!

We often take a break from the bench and do a walk around with rimfires....inventory if you will, before the Eagles feast. We have a tradition of placing a marker on a stick by the most "effective" hit. On it reads, He's no longer with us"

Varmint shooters are the rancher's friend!

Rimrock

Jack O'Conner · March 14, 2006, 05:23 PM

Prairie dogs are dumber than a box of rocks. Brain size is no larger than a marble. They're so dumb that a cloud casting a shadow on the ground makes them dive into their holes. They think it's a hawk!

But shooting a dog town for hours on end takes a heavy barreled rifle. Light barrels heat up and will not hold their zero. .308 is a very accurate cartridge and I love it for elk and long shots in windy open country. But plan to visit a massage therapist after an afternoon of shooting.

Sierra 125 grain Pro Hunter and Hornady 130 grain spire point are very accurate bullets. To save a few dollars you can buy a case of 7.62mm NATO surplus and pull the bullets. Discard these full jacketed bullets as they're prone to dangerous richochets. Then weigh each powder charge and load either of these bullets mentioned above.
Good shooting to you.
Jack

LTC_Para · March 19, 2006, 09:25 PM

to switch between rifles during the time, what would be good a heavy barrel ruger 10/22 with hot load 22LR not the cheap 500 brick or a 17HMR? i want something that is still inexpensive but can stil reach out of provide a 'red mist'

Jack O'Conner · March 20, 2006, 01:21 PM

I'm certain the 22LR has put down coutless prairie dogs. But these days, most of your shooting will performed at 125 to 225 yards. Prairie winds plus poor trajectory will cause many misses or wounding if you insist on using a 22LR for shooting these animals.
Jack

Scorch · March 20, 2006, 02:50 PM

Seriously, Ian2005, 3"-6" at 200 yds? I supppose if I could shoot like that I would question the ability of so many people to hit a 1" target at 300 yds.

ParaLTC, you probably will have to work up a load if you want to be consistent. Only way to tell is to try some of that SA surplus and see if it will hold 1/4" at 100 yds. Having shot thousands of ground squirrels, I can tell you it's a blast. Addictive. Did I mention fun?
You also will get very good at reloading or go broke. My buddy and I used to shoot 200-300 rounds/weekend, then spend the next weekend reloading, then go out the next weekend and shoot, then . . . you get the idea. It was very time consuming before I bought a progressive press. If you try that with factory ammo, it will cost you $150-200/weekend. With handloads, it's more like $35-40/weekend. Makes the $200 for the progressive press seem pretty insignificant.

LTC_Para · March 20, 2006, 02:57 PM

washington huh?

thats my hometown, where did you go prarie dog huntin?

Scorch · March 20, 2006, 03:08 PM

For prairie dogs, go to E Montana
For ground squirrels, go to N California
For jackrabbits, go to Nevada
For rockchucks, go to W Idaho
For coyotes, go to E Washington or E Oregon or Nevada
For crows, go to E Washington
I'm currently looking for a new partner. Interested?

LTC_Para · March 20, 2006, 04:46 PM

hell ya man

coyote trip last weekend didnt work out but im always up for some hunting

Fat White Boy · March 21, 2006, 10:43 PM

I use a Model 1885 Browning in .22-250(52 gr HPBT match grade bullet) for Ground Squirrels- My best shot on them went 312 yards...According to the laser rangefinder. Nice calm day, no crosswind...

Fat White Boy · March 21, 2006, 10:44 PM

I use a Model 1885 Browning in .22-250(52 gr HPBT match grade bullet) with a 5-20X scope for Ground Squirrels- My best shot on them went 312 yards, according to the laser rangefinder. Nice calm day, no crosswind...

March 4, 2006, 01:42 AM	#1
LTC_Para Member Join Date: December 31, 2005 Posts: 88	prarie dogs want to get shot by my rem 700 vs 308, are there inexpensive rounds for v hey.... i want to go prarie dog hunting this summer. i recently bought a rem 700 26" VS .308, leupold varxIII4.5-14x50mm, harris ultralight....now are there cheap loads for varmits, and i assume since the 308 is kinda loud that i would have to shoot around 300+ yards so they wont run scared as often? i would really like to use south african as ii have heard it is fairly accurate and it is cheap. i may be able to use someones loading bench, any thing recommended for cheap accurate loads someone once told me to get a good scope with good eye relief or something, he suad get a good scope because if it isnt then you can get eye strain and your day will suck. he had a rem 700 with i cant remember the type of leupold in .300 he had a blast with the dogs thanks for the help! __________________ Remington 700 VS .308 26" heavy barrel - Leupold Var-X III 4.5-14x50 mm \|\| RRA M4 16" 1911 Para Ordnance LTC Stainless .45 ACP \|\| HK USPf 9mm V1 Savage 93R17 21" Heavy Barrell 17 HMR

March 4, 2006, 04:48 PM	#3
Shooter 973 Senior Member Join Date: February 3, 2001 Location: Home town of John M. Browning, Utah Posts: 499	308 for Prairie Dogs!! Get A couple of Boxes of Black Hills 308 with the 168 gr Hollows and give them a try. They do cost more but with such a fine and expensive set-up I think you'll find the Black Hills ammo meets your need better. Then you can work up a load to try and match the 168gr. Black hills stuff. Good Luck!!! __________________ The problem with America is stupidity. I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off of everything and let the problem solve itself?

March 5, 2006, 12:06 PM	#11
shureshot0471 Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2005 Location: In the sticks of East Texas Posts: 185	That would make for a Horbal day one of your buddies putting a note on your back that said shoot me. __________________ "Prefection is not attainable,but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence." -Vince Lombardi "Gun control is putting that second bullet through the same hole the first one made." - Ted Nugent

March 5, 2006, 12:36 PM	#12
Ian2005 Senior Member Join Date: October 24, 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 355	.308 300 yards for a prarie dog? Arn't they like the size of a small squirel? Good luck with all that laff... But then I just started my trainig at the 200 yard line and have no trouble placing shots in a 6" circle from the bench. But a 1" target a 300 yards and 1 shot.. well thats gunna take some practice, some quality ammo, a tailwind, etc..etc.. Anyone seen a good deal for Black Hills .308 168gr? I've only seen a box of 500 for $350 at Midway.. which is ok, but I sure would like it cheaper.

March 5, 2006, 12:54 PM	#13
LTC_Para Member Join Date: December 31, 2005 Posts: 88	prarie dogs are what 4-7" standing on their hind legs? __________________ Remington 700 VS .308 26" heavy barrel - Leupold Var-X III 4.5-14x50 mm \|\| RRA M4 16" 1911 Para Ordnance LTC Stainless .45 ACP \|\| HK USPf 9mm V1 Savage 93R17 21" Heavy Barrell 17 HMR

March 4, 2006, 09:09 AM	#2
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	About all I can suggest is that you get a small quantity of the SA ammo and try three- and five-shot groups at the benchrest. The best deal is to tailor some load to your rifle, via handloading. (You can go to the H&R forum here for some ideas.) It's not that handloading is all that cheap so much as you get the best accuracy-load for your own particular rifle. The cost-saving is that it keeps you out of the beer joints at night. I wouldn't worry about noise and distance. The .308 is no louder, really, than a .22-250 or other PD cartridges. You shoot, they go into their holes, they come out, you shoot. Repeat as necessary... , Art

March 4, 2006, 07:29 PM	#4
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Are you sure that they didn't just misunderstand the question?

March 4, 2006, 11:17 PM	#5
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	??? FF, he wonders about the South AFrican ammo; I think I answered that. It might well work in his rig; it might not. He asked about noise; didn't I comment on that? He's got access to reloading, so all he needs is suggestions for data. So what did I misunderstand? Art

March 5, 2006, 09:27 AM	#7
armedtotheteeth Senior Member Join Date: October 3, 2005 Location: podunk, Texas Posts: 1,610	MAn I wish we had prairie dogs here! SOunds like fun! Like one of those Amuzement show bb gun shoots! I d like to try it with my Armalite 300 win mag. (KABOOM!) OH< YOU have to try handloading. It saves you alot, it is fun, and if the government goes and outlaws ammunition, you can allways make your own. (well, until you run out of components)

March 5, 2006, 10:28 AM	#8
FirstFreedom Junior member Join Date: May 31, 2004 Location: The Toll Road State, U.S.A. Posts: 12,451	Art, sorry; I was trying to be funny (unsuccessfully). He said that the prairie dogs WANT to get shot; I was wondering if the prairie dogs understood the question of "Do you want to get shot by my Remington 700?". Maybe they thought he said "Should I put a red DOT on my Remington 700?". In all seriousness, Para, I don't think any kind of milsurp, even South African, will consistently make hits at that range (beyond 300) on a target that small. Under 150 it might with that good of a rifle, but 300 is a pretty long ways to hit a p-dog, despite internet commando assertions to the contrary, and I think you'll need good factory stuff or handloads to make hits past 250-300, even with a quality turnbolt like that. As for noise, I do not have enough experience to know whether .308 or something a tad smaller will make a difference in them bolting or not, but I kinda doubt it, esp. since something like a .243 for example, will be just as loud IINM, since you've got essentially the same amount of powder, but pushing it through a small hole (bbl diameter) I believe will make it louder if anything, not quieter.

March 5, 2006, 11:36 AM	#9
Art Eatman Staff in Memoriam Join Date: November 13, 1998 Location: Terlingua, TX; Thomasville, GA Posts: 24,798	Hokay, FF. Say, remember back in the good ol' juvenile days when you'd write "Kick Me" on a piece of paper and tape it to someone's back when you slapped their back and said something like, "Hey, how ya doin'?" Prairied dogs run around with little Post-Its saying "Shoot Me!" , Art

March 14, 2006, 05:23 PM	#15
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	Prairie dogs are dumber than a box of rocks. Brain size is no larger than a marble. They're so dumb that a cloud casting a shadow on the ground makes them dive into their holes. They think it's a hawk! But shooting a dog town for hours on end takes a heavy barreled rifle. Light barrels heat up and will not hold their zero. .308 is a very accurate cartridge and I love it for elk and long shots in windy open country. But plan to visit a massage therapist after an afternoon of shooting. Sierra 125 grain Pro Hunter and Hornady 130 grain spire point are very accurate bullets. To save a few dollars you can buy a case of 7.62mm NATO surplus and pull the bullets. Discard these full jacketed bullets as they're prone to dangerous richochets. Then weigh each powder charge and load either of these bullets mentioned above. Good shooting to you. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

March 19, 2006, 09:25 PM	#16
LTC_Para Member Join Date: December 31, 2005 Posts: 88	to switch between rifles during the time, what would be good a heavy barrel ruger 10/22 with hot load 22LR not the cheap 500 brick or a 17HMR? i want something that is still inexpensive but can stil reach out of provide a 'red mist' __________________ Remington 700 VS .308 26" heavy barrel - Leupold Var-X III 4.5-14x50 mm \|\| RRA M4 16" 1911 Para Ordnance LTC Stainless .45 ACP \|\| HK USPf 9mm V1 Savage 93R17 21" Heavy Barrell 17 HMR

March 20, 2006, 01:21 PM	#17
Jack O'Conner Senior Member Join Date: July 11, 2005 Location: Manatee County, Florida Posts: 1,976	I'm certain the 22LR has put down coutless prairie dogs. But these days, most of your shooting will performed at 125 to 225 yards. Prairie winds plus poor trajectory will cause many misses or wounding if you insist on using a 22LR for shooting these animals. Jack __________________ Fire up the grill! Deer hunting IS NOT catch and release.

March 20, 2006, 02:50 PM	#18
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Seriously, Ian2005, 3"-6" at 200 yds? I supppose if I could shoot like that I would question the ability of so many people to hit a 1" target at 300 yds. ParaLTC, you probably will have to work up a load if you want to be consistent. Only way to tell is to try some of that SA surplus and see if it will hold 1/4" at 100 yds. Having shot thousands of ground squirrels, I can tell you it's a blast. Addictive. Did I mention fun? You also will get very good at reloading or go broke. My buddy and I used to shoot 200-300 rounds/weekend, then spend the next weekend reloading, then go out the next weekend and shoot, then . . . you get the idea. It was very time consuming before I bought a progressive press. If you try that with factory ammo, it will cost you $150-200/weekend. With handloads, it's more like $35-40/weekend. Makes the $200 for the progressive press seem pretty insignificant.

March 20, 2006, 02:57 PM	#19
LTC_Para Member Join Date: December 31, 2005 Posts: 88	washington huh? thats my hometown, where did you go prarie dog huntin? __________________ Remington 700 VS .308 26" heavy barrel - Leupold Var-X III 4.5-14x50 mm \|\| RRA M4 16" 1911 Para Ordnance LTC Stainless .45 ACP \|\| HK USPf 9mm V1 Savage 93R17 21" Heavy Barrell 17 HMR

March 20, 2006, 03:08 PM	#20
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	For prairie dogs, go to E Montana For ground squirrels, go to N California For jackrabbits, go to Nevada For rockchucks, go to W Idaho For coyotes, go to E Washington or E Oregon or Nevada For crows, go to E Washington I'm currently looking for a new partner. Interested?

March 20, 2006, 04:46 PM	#21
LTC_Para Member Join Date: December 31, 2005 Posts: 88	hell ya man coyote trip last weekend didnt work out but im always up for some hunting __________________ Remington 700 VS .308 26" heavy barrel - Leupold Var-X III 4.5-14x50 mm \|\| RRA M4 16" 1911 Para Ordnance LTC Stainless .45 ACP \|\| HK USPf 9mm V1 Savage 93R17 21" Heavy Barrell 17 HMR

March 21, 2006, 10:43 PM	#22
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I use a Model 1885 Browning in .22-250(52 gr HPBT match grade bullet) for Ground Squirrels- My best shot on them went 312 yards...According to the laser rangefinder. Nice calm day, no crosswind...

March 21, 2006, 10:44 PM	#23
Fat White Boy Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2005 Posts: 1,276	I use a Model 1885 Browning in .22-250(52 gr HPBT match grade bullet) with a 5-20X scope for Ground Squirrels- My best shot on them went 312 yards, according to the laser rangefinder. Nice calm day, no crosswind...