I might have a chance to hunt a ranch for prairie dogs. I'm looking for suggestions on a good rifle for knocking them down. Looking for low price, cheap rounds, accurate, light kick for all day shooting. I don't want a huge investment in case I can't hunt there much in the future. So what kind of rifle should I be looking at?

 

I would just get a semi-auto 22 cal. rifle w/scope. No kick, cheap and shoot all day long. I prefer Ruger or Remington for a 22. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

If you want to get in cheap, have fun, and shoot all day at dogs up to 350 yards effectively, try a H & R single shot lam stock in .223. I have one in 22 mag, it's accurate, fits well, got the heavy barrel nice and steady, and best of all I bought it new for 150 bucks. Had a $30 trigger job done, stuck a cheap scope on it, and now for a very modest investment it's a great little rifle.

I use a Remington 700 Classic 223 for prairie doggin, I've hit them out to 339 yards using a Harris bipod. You can get 223 shells for cheap, like 3.99 or better per box, in the American Eagle jacketed ammo. Those are actually pretty decent shells for the money and you end up with brass in case you want to reload. My handloads are more accurate but not by a whole lot.

 

A Ruger Ranch Rifle 223.

 

.17HMR

22-250

30-06 with like 75 grain bullets

I like Brownings[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

Unless you reload, 223 is the cheapest, and actually is a very good choice ,even if it wasnt cheapest. If you do reload, then any of the center fire 22s will be about the same cost to shoot, after the brass is paid for.
Find a good quality scope , of at least 9 power, and have a blast.

 

NEF huntsman in .223 up to .243 all are fairly cheap to reload and if you go with a heavy barrel it will reduce recoil, slap a cheap scope on and a bi pod and go have some fun. If you wanna spend a little more a Remington 700 or one of the newer savages with the accu trigger (I think that is what they are calling it) might be an option.

 

This site may help www.dogbegone.com/index.htm

 

Some of those clips are the funniest. That's what got me wanting to try it out.

 

.223's work great, .22 mags work great....it depends how far you have to shoot....the .22 centerfires work great for distances out pretty far with no wind, if you are shooting within 100 yards, then any .22 rimfire...especially the .22 Magnum....

I have the .17 HRM and it does wonders on the dogs....I also have .17 Remington and provides good exposion....

I also have a weatherby .338-378....costs alot to shoot one, but I've taken them at almost 1000 yards....