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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506 |
Now that deer and elk season is almost behind me in Oregon except for specialty tags. I start thinking 🤔 with joy about shooting sage rats “Belding Squirrels” in Late April. I have a few favorites calibers above that are always seeing field time. I’m curious what others are using as their Faithful Go 2 Dog Slappers in other states. Anyone still a lover of the 222 Rem as I am?
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 504
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 504 |
I am a long-time hunter/shooter and only started shooting prairie dogs two years ago. I started with what I had, a .222, .221 Fireball, and a .22 magnum. Have since added a .17 HMR, .17 Hornet and a .204, all of them with heavy varmit barrels. The .17 Hornet is probably my favorite with the .17 HMR and .204 close seconds. My wife doesn't hunt but she does enjoy shooting prairie dogs. The .17 HMR is her gun.
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,130 Likes: 16
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,130 Likes: 16 |
Beaver10: I shot Ground Squirrels a "lot" last year. I am adding up the calibers and did them in with at least 5 different rimfire calibers (17 Mach2, 17 HMR, 17 WSM, 22 L.R. and 22 Magnum) along with at least 12 different centerfire calibers (from 17 Fireball, 17 Hornet and 17 Remington on up through 220 Swift and 243 Winchester!). Sadly I did NOT choose to use any of my 222 Remington Rifles this year - but I did use one of my 221 Remington Fireball Rifles, some of my 223 Remingtons and one of my 222 Remington Magnum Varminters! As far as "faithfuls" (or favorites?) I would go with the 17 Mach2 in the rimfire category and the 17 Remington Fireball in the centerfire category. The 17 Hornet I shot some Gophers with this year was not mine but that of a visiting friend from Iowa. It was a Ruger 77/17 Hornet in the Varmint/Target configuration - that indeed was a Ground Squirrel killing machine with its Weaver 4 to 16 power variable scope on it! I hope to have my own Ruger 77/17 Hornet "online" by spring. Yeah I am looking forward to this coming years Ground Squirrel season! Somebody has been "Hunting" Ground Squirrels in my back yard, as of yesterday - it was a Badger (I am sure!) that dug up a hibernating Ground Squirrel and made a mess of fresh dirt on top of the snow there. I haven't seen much Badger activity of late (I am not sure if they hibernate or not?) but its been VERY warm the last two days and this "enlarged" Ground Squirrel hole is proof pretty positive that a Badger has been "Hunting" them. Come on spring. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,130 Likes: 16
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,130 Likes: 16 |
Boltgunjim: I to just LOVE the 204 Ruger caliber for Colony Varmint Hunting! A few years ago I bought another 204 Ruger Rifle specifically for Hunting Ground Squirrels with on the ranches where I can use centerfire Rifles. It is a Remington XR-100 in the aforementioned 204 Ruger caliber - it is all factory stock and I have a Weaver V-16 (4 to 16 power) variable on it with the fine crosshairs and fine dot reticle. Ground Squirrels are difficult to laser rangefind but I have shot them and then walked out to their bodies and lasered back to my shooting platform and I have indeed killed some of these diminutive Varmints out just past 300 yards! By the way I use the 32 grain Sierra Blitz-King bullets in this Rifle and that bullet (at that speed!) just explodes Ground Squirrels. I have also used my 204's on Prairie Dogs, and thats impressive as well. Long live the 204 Ruger. You and your wife have a great Prairie Dog season next year. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
The Deuce is my favorite...but on windy long range days nothing beats the .204 with 40 grainers!
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29 |
P/dogs in my parts.......
17M2
20 Vartarg
20-222
20 Practical
223 AI
6BR
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506 |
Boltgunjim: I too have a wife that loves to shoot any rifle without recoil. I’m trying to convince myself I need a Kimber of Oregon in 22 hornet. I guess I don’t need but want one. Thanks for sharing.
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Posts: 23,506 |
Tikkanut: Interesting calibers. I imagine you’re killing out past 600 yards with a few. I’m not familiar with the 20-222 or your 20 Practcal. Either similar to Tac 20? Curiousity killed the cat and pdogs.
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2018
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Ingwe: Thruth be told, I came across my first 222 by accident. I bought a scoped Sako Vixen that was advertised as a 223. Once the Sako was delivered and scope removed I realized it was a triple deuce. Quick Google search about the round and my Love Affair started. I own 4 now. The Vixen, Remington 700 BDL Varmint Special mfg in 1987, Winchester 70 HV with a stainless fluted barrel mfg in 1997-98 and a custom build Sako with a Lilja barrel. Definitely my favorite caliber. Thanks for sharing!
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2018
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Varmintguy: WOW! Super selection of dog shooter for sure. I too have a couple of 204’s. Sadly, a couple years ago I bought a new Kimber model 84M Varmint SS. It shot great 3 shot strings, then flyers galore. Changed loads and still flyers after 3 rounds. I talked to a few smith’s and consensus was a bad barrel. Recommendation, send it off to have it Cryo Froze to stabilize the metal, crazy talk to me, or have it rebarreled...I went with rebarreling. I’ve had several rifles built using Lilja barrels, all with great performance. This time around I wanted to try a local Oregon barrel maker PAC-NOR. I went with a 26” super match fluted barrel. Very happy now! Thank you for sharing your selection.
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,857
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,857 |
.204 Ruger. I love mine. Probably the funnest round out there to shoot.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,307 Likes: 2 |
I 700 BDL Varmint Special ! My shooting pard lusted after one of those in a Deuce for so long....we could NOT find one...so I "Built" one for him... He has put it to good use....247 Lazered Yards, 45 gr. TSX...
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506 |
Beauty!!!!! The deer also.
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29 |
Tikkanut: Interesting calibers. I imagine you’re killing out past 600 yards with a few. I’m not familiar with the 20-222 or your 20 Practcal. Either similar to Tac 20? Curiousity killed the cat and pdogs. 20-222......222 Rem case necked down to 20 cal........easy 600 yd dog gun...23/H322 20 Practical..223 necked down to 20 cal.........600 yd +.......moly 40 V max in my 20 cals....26/H4895 http://www.accurateshooter.com/cartridge-guides/20caliber/
Last edited by tikkanut; 01/06/18.
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 23,506
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
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Tikkanut, did some Google work last night on your calibers....20 Practical is ringing my fancy bell. What barrel length would you suggest? More research on my part and a call to PAC-NOR for a barrel price, etc. Need a winter project. Thanks!
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29 |
Mine are all Pac Nor tubes.........if you do a 20 PT.....do at least 11 twist.......
dies are easy.....Redding 223 bushing dies with .227-.228" bushings.....204R Forster BR seater
my 20-222 is a 9 twist...original chamber was a 20BR.......for 55 Bergers..
A finished tube is $450 ish.....SS SM......plus set up fee....usually $150ish
I use Salvage actions..just build pre fit barrels & set em up myself...
never had a bad Pac Nor tube in nearly 20 yrs.....
20PT will exceed the 204R velocities easily......safely.......40 gr V max
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29 |
barrel length ?
minimum 26".......
I don't carry mine.......so I build em 28"
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 31,030 Likes: 29 |
Duece-20..........18# single shot Salvage.........
T R U M P W O N !
U L T R A M A G A !
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,945 Likes: 16
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 42,945 Likes: 16 |
My 20 Practical has a Ruger Varmint Contour but is only 20 inches...
I mainly shoot 32 V Max and done... favorite bullet when you can find them..
24 grain NTX Hornady.. Lead free bullets..
you can really rocket them...
"Minus the killings, Washington has one of the lowest crime rates in the Country" Marion Barry, Mayor of Wash DC
“Owning guns is not a right. If it were a right, it would be in the Constitution.” ~Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
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Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
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Tikkanut, 27” Barrel. All over it now with your info....PAC-NOR didn’t do me wrong on my rebarreled Kimber 84M Varmint 204 and super customer service ta-boot.
Curiosity Killed the Cat & The Prairie Dog “Molon Labe”
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