im more into the bigger rifles and would like to mess around with something smaller. I’d also like something that can go out to 1000 yards for target shooting. I already have a 6.5, I’m looking smaller that that. Also something where reloading components can be found. Thanks
What smaller caliber do you recommend for predators to prairie dogs
- Thread starter Jpron
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NIGHTLORD40K
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.243
Available everywhere with bullets ranging from 100 to 55 grains for all manner of critters.
Available everywhere with bullets ranging from 100 to 55 grains for all manner of critters.
6.5mm Grendel. Will use the same primers and bullets as your Creedmoor (I assume your 6.5 is a Creedmoor), but it will work nicely with the lighter bullets on smaller targets and out to 1000 yards with match bullets for paper no problem. 6.5 Lapua is another one, but closer to and more redundant if you have a Creedmoor.
6mm BR or 6mm Dasher will get you into lighter and cheaper varmint bullets and still be sweet on long-range targets. They're maybe not known for 1000 yards, but they're still supersonic at that range with 90 gr. Lapua Scenars.
Smaller than 6mm, check out the 5.45x39mm and the .204 Ruger.
6mm BR or 6mm Dasher will get you into lighter and cheaper varmint bullets and still be sweet on long-range targets. They're maybe not known for 1000 yards, but they're still supersonic at that range with 90 gr. Lapua Scenars.
Smaller than 6mm, check out the 5.45x39mm and the .204 Ruger.
CarJunkieLS1
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224 Valkyrie seems to fit your criteria the best.
Varminterror
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6 Creed, 243win, 6.5 Grendel, Fast twist 22-250. In that order. A simple 223/5.56 will get you to 1,000yrds, but the conditions have to be very friendly (aka, nobody drives back and forth to check paper targets at 1000yrds, and 22cal pills don't rattle steel well that far out. 224 Valkyrie could be on the list, but I'd take a 6.5 Grendel every day and twice on Sunday over the 224.
First and foremost I am not here to start arguments as I am a newb to this forum. However I think this is a very broad statement and I would love to hear you elaborate on this.
bannockburn
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Just off the top of my head I would say .243; if you want to go smaller then a .22-250.
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lightman
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My main Prairie Dog rifle is a 223 with a fast twist barrel. I usually carry another rifle in either 22-250AI, 243 or 6.5-284. I like the 223 because it covers most of my shots and the barrel does not get hot as fast as those other 3 calibers. You could chose 4 other calibers that would give equal or better coverage. Those are just my choices.
Varminterror
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Read a little bit on what 70-90grn bullets can do in 223/5.56, load some up, and go shoot. Based on your remarks, ol' Wild Bill Shakespeare's line comes to mind: "There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
Hint: A high BC bullet going sufficiently fast at the muzzle to remain supersonic to 900-1100yrds... Whether that's a 24" AR with a 1:7" twist running a 77SMK at 2800 or a 90 VLD at 2400fps, take your pick...
ETA: "newb to this forum," with a 2015 reg date... yup... I wish you well in your endeavors...
oldfortyfiveauto
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You want a rifle/caliber combination with minimal recoil so you can watch the hit through your scope. 223 and any of the various 20's work well. You will also want a lighter round like the 17 hornet or WSM for the closer ones. The 17's also doesn't seem to keep them underground like the muzzle blasts from the larger rounds.
CryptKeeper5
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I'll 2nd, or 3rd, or 4th the .243.
I grew up shooting "dirt dogs" growing up on the north side of Cheyenne in the 70's when we'd just grab our guns after school and go out to hunt.
My Dad was working for a well known gunsmith during college down in Lubbock Tx when the .243 was a very new cartridge. He decided to build one from a 1933 Argentine Mauser action. He turned down a Douglas premium benchrest barrel to sporter specs(24"), added a Timmney trigger and also hand carved a beautiful walnut stock. Anyhoo...he gave that to me as my first real "big game" hunting rifle and I've used it to shoot dogs out to about 400-500yds as well as Pronghorn and a couple of Mule deer using 100gr bullets. Exceedingly versatile, very mild recoil and isn't too finicky about reloads although in my rifle, it seems to prefer IMR-4895 and RL-17 depending on either Varmint/Deer size bullet.
Not as "fast" as a true varmint round, Not as "heavy" as a true big game round but can do either if need be. The national championship long range match was won using a .243...so it CAN be very accurate out to 1000yds. Some Palma shooters are taking serious looks at them.
I grew up shooting "dirt dogs" growing up on the north side of Cheyenne in the 70's when we'd just grab our guns after school and go out to hunt.
My Dad was working for a well known gunsmith during college down in Lubbock Tx when the .243 was a very new cartridge. He decided to build one from a 1933 Argentine Mauser action. He turned down a Douglas premium benchrest barrel to sporter specs(24"), added a Timmney trigger and also hand carved a beautiful walnut stock. Anyhoo...he gave that to me as my first real "big game" hunting rifle and I've used it to shoot dogs out to about 400-500yds as well as Pronghorn and a couple of Mule deer using 100gr bullets. Exceedingly versatile, very mild recoil and isn't too finicky about reloads although in my rifle, it seems to prefer IMR-4895 and RL-17 depending on either Varmint/Deer size bullet.
Not as "fast" as a true varmint round, Not as "heavy" as a true big game round but can do either if need be. The national championship long range match was won using a .243...so it CAN be very accurate out to 1000yds. Some Palma shooters are taking serious looks at them.
someguy2800
Member
223 is perfect for a 600 yard varmint gun with a 1:8 twist and 73-77 grain bullets. Use your for 6.5 when you want to shoot longer than that. Right tool for the right job.
"I'll 2nd, or 3rd, or 4th the .243."
Not me the 243 is a fantastic round, shot my first deer with one. The problem as I see it is he asked for a step down, not a shuffle to the side a bit.
My vote would be a 223 something with a Wylde chamber and a 1 in 7 or 1 in 8 twist, if you reload you can still get to 1K with 80s loaded long. If you don't reload and want 1K for sure I'd say Valkyrie.
Not me the 243 is a fantastic round, shot my first deer with one. The problem as I see it is he asked for a step down, not a shuffle to the side a bit.
My vote would be a 223 something with a Wylde chamber and a 1 in 7 or 1 in 8 twist, if you reload you can still get to 1K with 80s loaded long. If you don't reload and want 1K for sure I'd say Valkyrie.
Ks5shooter
Contributing Member
.243.......
TN Outlaw
Member
This isn't my conversation but I'll add, I was watching Guns & Ammo TV the other day and they were using a 16" AR chambered in 5.56 and shooting steel to like 1250yds. They got 4 hits in a row. It's capable.
To the OP, In my opinion, you are looking for two different guns. Get one designed for long range wind bucking and another for flat shooting lighter pills with continuous shots without heating the barrel up too bad.
The same gun could do both jobs ok but 2 specialized rifles could do both jobs exceptional.
BigBL87
Member
This pretty much hits the nail. A 1000 yard rifle can kill prairie dogs, but it won't be great the the purpose. Similarly, you can probably find a good varmint cartridge that CAN reach out to 1000 in some form, but it won't be great at that.
Personally, for the varmint purposes, I'd go with 22-250 or .223/5.56. I currently have my AR set up for coyote, and it'd be great for prairie dogs if we had them around here.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
I killed a bunch of prairie dogs one day with a .223 bolt gun; 55-grain SPs. Those also do just fine on Wily Coyote.
CryptKeeper5
Member
I've shot high power/service rifle for years and just don't see the .223 being consistently effective past 600yds. CAN it go a bit further? Yep. SHOULD it? Not in my opinion. Look at what match target shooters are shooting at those ranges to get an idea of what and what is not consistently accurate. There's a VERY noticeable "cliff" standing around 800yds or so for most 70-75 gr class bullets. A bit heavier can push past that. There were a LOT of very, very good world class shooters who were pretty surprised when John Whidden used a 105gr .243 load to win the his 4th long range title at the Camp Perry national matches. He beat the 6.5's, and heavier in the wind we always see there later in the day off Lake Erie. Again, you can EASILY load up or down with the .243 making it a much better "swing" option. Besides, anyone who regularly shoots long range knows it's more about being consistent in ammo and technique than just caliber. Also, unless you really have the facility close by to practice and work up loads...shooting reliably at those distances (especially in wind) will be more pot shot for a novice than relying on any whizzbang recipe. I know a lot of really good, master and high master 600yd shooters who just fall on their face out at 1000. That extra 400yds is much, much more difficult to master on a regular basis. Everyone has their own opinions though...
redneck2
Member
IMO, What you’re looking for is a 6br. Kinda obscure cartridge that never really caught on, but does what you want. Ultra accurate. Won’t burn barrels as fast as a .243. You could use any high BC 6mm bullet.
My S-I-L has one in a factory ready heavy barrel Savage. If you added a 6-24 scope you’d be good to 1,000.
Just remember when choosing a round that adding 25% more powder increases velocity 10%. Once you get past a certain tipping point, barrel wear increases exponentially. Along with that goes barrel heating. I’ve had multiple.22-250’s. After just a couple shots the barrel is too hot to touch.
When I worked at the LGS, we had a guy that had a .30-378 Weatherby. My dog’s bigger than your dog thing. Used it for 1k shooting. Had to use a muzzle brake or get your shoulder rearranged. Barrel was gone around 800 rounds. Had to double up on ear pro. Muzzle blast was brutal.
Everything is a trade off. Life’s about choices. Those sexy high MV’s come at a price. Only you can decide the relative value of the trade offs.
My S-I-L has one in a factory ready heavy barrel Savage. If you added a 6-24 scope you’d be good to 1,000.
Just remember when choosing a round that adding 25% more powder increases velocity 10%. Once you get past a certain tipping point, barrel wear increases exponentially. Along with that goes barrel heating. I’ve had multiple.22-250’s. After just a couple shots the barrel is too hot to touch.
When I worked at the LGS, we had a guy that had a .30-378 Weatherby. My dog’s bigger than your dog thing. Used it for 1k shooting. Had to use a muzzle brake or get your shoulder rearranged. Barrel was gone around 800 rounds. Had to double up on ear pro. Muzzle blast was brutal.
Everything is a trade off. Life’s about choices. Those sexy high MV’s come at a price. Only you can decide the relative value of the trade offs.
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