Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to use my Contender .223 on prairie dogs. Went to the field with three other guys, who were also armed with .223s, but in Ruger rifles.
For four hours or so, it was crazy shooting. The other guys, however, were leaving the 'close' shots to the handgun shooter. After a while of 5- and 6-dog runs, however, the others were picking longer shots for the Contender, and finally were trying to see if I could hit at 300 yards.
We burned up 500 rounds in an afternoon, 100 or so out of the Contender. This barrel is out of the Fox Ridge Custom shop, 15" length, and mounted up with a Burris EER scope.
Loads were 28.5 gr. of W748 behind Nosler 40 gr. BTs. This is an explosive bullet, with spectacular results on dogs.
Sighted in for 2" high at 100 yards, a low hold out to 200 yards or so gets the job done. 250 yards require a center hold, and the 300 yarders need a hold 6 in. or so above the head.
I can't imagine a more fun way to spend an afternoon!
