I live in prairie dog country. Started shooting them in 1949 with a 22 LR RF . I started looking for one perfect P D rifle years ago. Iv shot them with 17HM2, 17 HMR ,17 WSM , 17 Hornet,17 Fireball, 17 Rem, 204 Ruger, 22 RF, 22WMR, 22 Hornet, 221 Fireball, 222 Rem, 223 Rem, 22 250 Rem, 220 Swift, 243 Win, and a few with big game rifles. To be a good PD rifle it must be accurate with a good quality high power scope .. Prairie Dogs become muzzle blast smart. So only one rifle wont do. The little low muzzle blast 17 rim fire rifles are fine for shooting spring time PD pups. Iv only shot a few with the new Ruger 17 WSM rifle and the new CZ 527 Varmint 17 Hornet rifle. Both are winners. But for some one looking for their first prairie dog ,take look at a accurate 204 Ruger rifle.