Coyote/Prairie Dog Gun

Texas Ranger · January 26, 2011, 01:11:41 PM

I have a couple of friends, brothers, that shoot dogs on the Rose Bud Reservation every year, they use a .22-250 and .25-06, both Remingtons, and both seem to do well. They reload but I cannot tell you what they load with.

ErikC · January 26, 2011, 02:04:23 PM

The 25-06 is a good varmint and deer round, and less drift at long shots when it's windy. Not as light on recoil, noise or $$ammo though.

iffy · January 26, 2011, 03:32:34 PM

I own a lot of calibers, including 22-250 and 25-06. I use my 22-250 for coyotes, bobcats, and prairie dogs. 25-06 for deer, but have used it for both p dogs and coyotes. Every 22-250 I have ever owned has been super accurate and I use 60 gr bullets to resist drift a little better. It destroys p dogs and makes a pretty good shock wave in a coyote. Had a 222 and a 223. Both accurate, but I like the extra energy of the 22-250.

Just Me · January 30, 2011, 09:24:43 AM

I think you are looking at two guns. A .22 long rifle will dispatch prairie dogs with ease, and at a lot less cost, so you will do it more. I shot thousands of dogs when I lived in Montana with a .22. That was my weekend entertainment, and all the ranchers were glad to have me.

I have or have had all of the calibers mentioned as my dad was a custom rifle maker, and if I could have just one it would be the 243. I have a 22-250 target rifle with a Sako action and Douglas premium barrel, thumbhole stock with a Unerteral [?] 28 power springloaded that is accurate as can be, but I like the Redfield scope on my 243 for most circumstances.

Warren · February 19, 2011, 09:04:29 PM

I would second (or third) the .243. You can hand load 55g ballistic tips up to 3900 fps for varmints. And you can buy or handload 90 to 100 gr bullets for white tail deer that will shoot thru and thru broadside without having to worry about a head shot or a neck shot. All 3 of my grand sons took their first deer, with a single shot from a .243, when they were between the ages of 7 and 10...

If you really got your mind set on a .22 caliber, I would opt for the .223 with a tight twist barrel as mentioned above. cheap ammo, accurate, use heavier bullets for deer. Many of my friends in PA took deer regularly with .222's, .223's, .220 Swift's.

Personal experience, I killed 3 deer with a.223 shooting Remington factory 55 gr soft points between 1993 and 1996. All 3 required a second follow up shot to seal the deal. OTOH, I took 16 deer with a .243 between about 1997 and 2008. Only 2 of the 16 required a follow up shot with the .243... YMMV...

-w-

Wrangler55 · February 20, 2011, 11:18:06 AM

Quote from: CX3 on January 24, 2011, 09:27:28 PM
Alright momma said I could git me a new one. Heres the finalists........

Remington 700 VTR 204cal . My price 649
Remington 700 SPSV 204cal My price 499
Ruger M77 22 Hornet. My price 550

Whichever one I get, will have a Leupold vx3 6-24, with leupold rings. Or a Bushnell 4200. (a little cheaper). I also have a friend that hand loads 204, and has good results. He could also load the hornet, but factory is about as good as they get.

Heres my thoughts. The VTR is gonna be loud as DanG because of the muzzle brake. But it looks awesome. The SPSV is heavy. But it is a nice steady rifle, that would mostly ride in truck. The hornet doesnt have the bang, but it is not nearly as loud as the 204. Thats my thoughts. Anyone else?????

The gun will be used mainly for varmint predator hunting, in MO and out west, as well as 2 prairie dog trips, and maybe the wife will deer hunt with it too.

I bought one of the Ruger 22 Hornet baby varmint rifles several years ago. The best it would do was 2 1/2" groups, so I bedded the action and 2 1/2" groups... Then I bedded the barrel and floated the action, 2 1/2" groups. Then I sold it. Right after I sold it, someone on the Internet of course, found the answer. It's not the bedding. The bolt is made in two pieces and needs a .005" brass washer between the two pieces to firm up the bolt. I swapped the M77 for a #1 and it shoots 3/4" groups with just about every load I've tried. I'd go with one of the Remington's or look at the Savage .223 rifles. The most accurate (out of the box) rifle I've ever bought is my Savage .223.

Hal