I've gotten to know a hardcore prairie poodle hunter. Most cattle ranchers would love to have someone clean-up the population. Problem is, they don't want some wingnut they don't know real well with a high powered, long-range rifle shooting around their house and their cows.

FYI: 2006 MN hunting regs now allow shining for certain varmints at certain times of the year.

The Varmint Hunters Association website is www.varminthunter.org

what power scope would be ideal for prairie dogs, .223 and at a range between 200-500 yards?

That's EASY! So you can compete in 3 gun Competitions! Need a reason for a high power bolt action Rifle even though you deer hunt in a shotgun zone? So you can compete in 5 gun competitions!


My this is an old thread - resurection!

Mostly-

I have a fixed 15 power Weaver T-15 on my Rem 700 that I used for shooting PDs. Worked just fine for me. However I do use 8 or 10x binoculars for spotting them first. Much better FOV with the binos...

320 paces(about 300-325yds) and 30mph crosswind:

Last weekend I went, it was a good time. Didn't have as much luck as past years.

I use a tasco 2.5-10x scope, I have had higher powered scopes but never cranked them up any higher.

I got a friend who wants to go out again, maybe in a couple weeks I'll make another trip

Theres no good reason not to have a .223, buy one today!


Jon

Is that a 20 or 24" barrel? I ultimately took the plunge and bought an M4-style S&W M&P. It's a great gun and easily shoots MOA with handloads.

I'm worried that the 16" barrel might put a damper on performance past 250 yards or so.

16" and I shoot under 1" at 100yds. not even free floated. Its a DPMS AP4 with an A2 stock on it and A3 upper.

Thats my custom linear compensator(levang comp) on the end which adds about 1.5" but reduces the recoil decently.


Jon

The size/power of your scope is directly related to your wallet.


I have a couple of Burris 6-24x50's and a couple of 8-32X50's and some older 12x Leupolds and a 4-12x 40s that Galyans was just flat out giving away before the name change.

The 8-32's are spectacular at being able to watch the show. However, at the higher magnifications, they really choke down the field of view, and amplify the mirage. .223's are nice, cheap and fun, but .22-250's and 220 swifts, and other higher velocity wild cats are a way cool fun thing to play with. Managing barrel erosion is necessary with the speedsters, but when you nail a triple with a 6x284 and just see the red mist, you really "get" the idea.

Olympic Arms makes a .223 WSSM upper. From the reload manual, that round sounds like the ultimate screamer -- 55gr VMAXes at 3800 fps, on average about 2-300 fps faster than .220 swift velocities for equal bullet weights.

Seen the movies at some gun shows...................Nosler Balistic tips

What's with the big letters, I did'nt do it

Son.............it's those fat fingers of yours..

Well i routinely get 3850 FPS with a 42 gr load of H380 and a 55 gr Speer.

I don't remember the load, but I have seen 4100 FPS out of the Swift on H414 with the WW 52 grainers. a good friend has a 243 necked down to a .22 cheetah, and if he approached top end with it, about one bullet in 5 never makes it to the target as the shed the jacket in flight and the lead melts in mid air

I'm sure you do. I'm just quoting numbers from the Hornady manual; across the board, the .223 WSSM beats the .220 Swift. My guess is that it would do so with "street" loads as well.