Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Prairie Dog Rig

I'm going on a 3 day PD shoot with my father this summer. What would be a good rig that won't break the bank?. I'm open as far as cartridges and rifle brand goes.

RAP 204........

What ever rifle and scope combo you like, 223 for the cartridge, lots of components available if you reload and lots of factory ammo choices if you don't.

I load my 223's with 40 gr Nosler BT's or Hornady V-Max's so I can watch the hits. As you go up in bullet weight or to larger cartridges it becomes more difficult to see your hits, or misses.

drover

I like a .22-250, but Drover has given you excellent advice on rifle, caliber, and bullet wt.. It has become my main p.dog and gopher caliber with some others for special shots.. You need look no farther than a good .223..

Yep, a decent .223 is the basic prairie dog rig to start with.

After you shoot a .223 for a while, you may want to branch out to some others--and you may not!

Just looking at ammo prices I can see that .223 is probaly going to be the best choice based on ammo cost alone.
Anyone have expiereance with the CZ 527 varmint?

Yes....the double set trigger and accuracy can't be beat in that price range....period..

I don't own one but for a "cheap" alternative my buddy's Ruger American is amazingly accurate.

A 223 should be a first and a staple for PDs IMHO.

I'd look at Howa/Vanguard and Tikka myself. Many others.

Enjoy your shoot, and time with your Father. Well spent.

CZ trigger is great , dont like the detachable magazine quite as well as well as a top loader for pdogs

my favorite rig is a Ruger 77 heavyweight in 204...it is a killing machine

Then get a follower for the CZ from James Calhoon.

Imma 700 fan, so I'd do this....223 for sure:

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/...43/Remington+700+SP+Synthetic+VAR+223+26

223 sumthing......Savage or Tikka.....

here's a very budget minded 223.....add glass & kill schidt...

then if you did it more often...you could replace the barrel with a

better SS aftermarket one...223...204R...or 20-222..20 Vartarg...etc

https://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog.../78092/Savage+19661+11+HOG+HUNTER+223+TB

I'd get a HB howa in .223.

A 3-9X40 Nikon Prostaff with BDC.

Bunches of Fiocchi loaded with the 50gr. V-Max.

Hot damn did I find a good P-dog spot yesterday... Can't wait.


Travis

Just bought on friday. Howa 223 with nikon and bdc. And a bunch of fiocchi 50 vmax ammo.

I must be a genius too

Third vote for Fiocchi ammo. Can't be beat for the price I don't think.

I like CZ and Howa. I really like the two stage Howa trigger.

14 power scope for me though.

If you have a Walmart nearby check them for Winchester USA (White box) 40 per box if I remember correctly, it is loaded with a 45 gr hollow point. The last time I bought some it was reasonably priced and shot very well, plus it is devastating on impact. Another plus for it is that you have once fired Winchester brass to sell to recoup some of your cost, or to save for the day you start reloading.

drover

Great minds......


Some Alabama boys might concur.....

Awwwww, schit!




Dave

Big fan of the Tikka T3. Any caliber from 204 through 22-250 but I lean toward the 204. Spend equal amount of money on optics and you'll have a rig that will shoot with anyone, regardless of the price.

factory ammo for p/dog shootin'

you must be a bunch of rich fuggers......