Hunting & Fishing Utah Prarie Dogs

[Jdubya45]

I have been invited to Utah next July to shoot some prairie dogs. Long story short do I take my Savage model 10 308 with handloads, Hornady 110 gr spire point.

AR15 and use 40 gr V-max.

Or use this as an excuse to get new bolt gun...223, 243 or 22-250.

What say ye??

 

[snaglytooth]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

I say you call me when you guys get here so I can tag along! Hell I live here and still haven't killed one yet.

As for the gun I quess I can't really offer any great advise since I am not a grand Prarie dog hunter, but I am building a 20x47 lapua for any possible future hunts!! Hint Hint...I will be ready when the call comes..

 

[phxfa]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

AR-15 AND a new bolt gun,,,204 Ruger

 

[500grains]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

.223

You really do not want the heat the the powder burn of the bigger cartridges causes as it will decrease your rate of fire.

 

[wfjames22]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

I typically carry a .204 bolt gun, .22-250 bolt gun, .223 bolt gun, .223 AR and a .308 bolt when going out to shoot prairie dogs. An AR in .223 with a heavy barrel launching 50-60gr Vmax bullets is a pretty badass setup if you are going to stick to one gun.

 

[rpk762]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

I say bring both of those rifles and buy one more. Any of the calibers will be good to go. If it is warm put a wet rag on it to cool it.

 

[Graham]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cucakid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">... Hornady 110 gr spire point. AR15 and use 40 gr V-max. Or use this as an excuse to get new bolt gun...223, 243 or 22-250. What say ye?? </div></div>I say you need to specify at what range you will be hunting them.

At under 250-300 yards those bullets will be fine.

But if you want to shoot prairie dogs at anything approaching long distance you will need 168-185's in the .308, and 69-80's in the .223.

A new rifle is probably not necessary: A .243 and/or 22-250 won't increase your capability at distance unless you set them up properly for long range shooting as well.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Cucakid</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have been invited to Utah next July to shoot some prairie dogs. </div></div>

I have to agree with SNAGLYTOOTH, tell us where you find them. The only place in Utah I've seen enough prairie dogs to justify getting out of the truck was standing on the state line looking into Colorado or Wyoming.

 

[Muttt]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

.17 hmr for 200 and under
.223 for 600 and under
6.5 Grendel for long ones
.308 for long ones

 

[utahyote]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

Yep pdogs are somewhat scarce around here. You may be ok if you are going to be on private ground. Be sure to read our laws on pdogs, they are pretty screwy! Good luck.

 

[Garvey]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

The AR with the V-max is the cheapest way out. It'll be good to go.

I've got a .22-250 that sees more action shooting prarie dogs than anything now. I hand load for it for 3 months prior to my annual trip to the Texas panhandle. But my hand loads go sub sonic at 650-700 yards since it's still wearing the factory 1:12" twist barrel and I'm shooting 55 grainers.

If I were starting over, I'd build a .22-250 with a 1:7" twist and run 80 grain bullets. That's the plan for my rifle once my barrel is smoked.

 

[3hundredWM]

Re: Utah Prarie Dogs

You can follow the rest of the heard and shoot the .223 or throw some cash down the drain with the .22-250(I only pay $24 for a 50 round box of .204). Go with a .204. You won't be disappointed. Flatter shooting, more fps and for p-dogs you don't need to drop a nuke on em'. They explode when that little 32gr vmax hits em at 3100fps(@200yds).

I shoot yotes, bobcats, foxes and p-dogs with my .204...and I don't destroy the hides on any of my fur bearers. I have never had to track anything that I have shot with the .204 either.

Just my 2 cents, good luck finding p-dogs in utah!