If you we're to build a rifle (bolt) for this purpose what caliber would you choose? I'm thinking 22-250.

If it is really for prairie dogs, be sure to factor in ammo cost. You can burn up a lot of rounds sitting on a populated prairie dog hill. I would probably go .223

Something in the 22 or 6mm caliber. For 22 cal, something pushing a 75+ grain high BC bullet as fast as possible. For 6mm, something in the 105 grain weight pushed 3100+.

1:8" twist .22-250 shooting a 75 gr A-Max at 3200 fps MV, with H-Varget.

Went from the same cartridge shooting a 55 gr to the new barrel shooting a 75 gr. The 75 gr does waaaay mo betta in that panhandle wind.

Farthest I've hit a prairie dog with that combo is 705 yards.

edit: Take a secondary rifle chambered in .223 shooting the highest BC bullet the twist rate will stabilize. Or just run the 55's and use the .223 for the closer in shots. On a good day it doesn't take very long to get the barrel (at the chamber) too hot to touch with s bare hand.

How long of a barrel would you put on it JG?

I've got a friend that takes a group of clients every year prairie dogging. He started out using 17s, 204s, 223s, and 22-250 but has since decided a 243 and 6mm Rem is much better. 204s kill them dead but they just don't have the same "splash" factor an 87 grain Vmax does at long distance. The goal with prairie dogs, so I'm told, is to get that pink mist explosion and 22 cals just don't have the same effect. I'm told a 257 Weatherby with a Vmax can be quite entertaining as well.

I don't know what effect is good or not. But my .22-250 turns them inside out, and often launches them cartwheeling in the air 8 feet.

Basscat, mine is a 24" plus 10" suppressor, so it's longer than a night in jail. Because it is so stinkin fast, you could go shorter and still be OK. But since there really is no walking during prairie dog killing, you might as well stick with a 24" barrel in my opinion.

I actually spent a night in jail back in the day. I can assure you, nothing you own is longer than that.

Money no option 220 swift with 1-8" or 6x45 same twist. Factoring in associated costs id go 223.

.223 for an all around affordable varmint round in an affordable varmint rifle. I'd go wildcat if i were building a one off custom rifle.

22-250. I went on a prairie dog shoot in Wyoming in September. Burned up all our ammo and were reloading on the tailgate.

6mmBR with 70gr Ballistic Tips. They don't stand a chance.

I think it makes a lot of sense to have at least two rifles with you, a .220 Swift or .22-250 for the longer shots and .223 for the closer stuff. Why use a Swift if you can set up 200 yards out from them? When / if / if/ if I can get to the panhandle this spring, I'll take a .222, .223, AND a Swift.

When I lived in South Dakota, I took my 45-70 several times. You get a neat impact factor from that. They shoot straight up in the air like you dropped a grenade down the hole, and it send body parts 20 yards out.

I've got the inside 200 taken care of with .223's and I say a neat video where they were shoot high speed 22's such as a 22-250 and the acrobatics we're just outstanding. In the 223 I use some Nosler frangible pills and that gives a real nice pink cloud.

Really like my 22 creed. Pushes those 75 and 80 grainers a little faster to buck the wind. And is a hammer at distance

I'm not sadistic when hunting even the worst varmints. I don't need "splash factor"; just eradication. If I can get within 100yds, 223 or 22wmr. If I had to setup at 200, maybe 22-250 or 204. I'd rather setup closer and use cheaper ammo. I don't need to explode them, just eliminate them.

When I think of a prairie dog town, I think of longer range shots and small targets. 100-200 yards is fairly close range, and a 223 or maybe a 22 WMR might be ok. A P Dog town makes me want to shoot something fast and flat with a good BC to buck the wind. If you had a 22-250 (or similar) pushing 80+ grain bullets or a 6mm pushing the 105's fast, with a scope in the 6-20 or 5-22 (i.e. any of my Nightforce scopes) with the ability to dial, I'd think that would be just about perfect. Having a 223 Rem for the 200-300 yard shots along with a fast 22 or 6mm, that would be ideal.

Right, Chad.

The key here is how much pressure has the town had recently. If it has been shot at then there won't be much shooting inside 200 yards. Almost all shots will be outside that. If the town has not had much pressure,and if there was rain that spring, then there will be plenty of pups, and pups are stupid. But they are very small,so they are easy to miss. Adults are armadillo sized, and they may show themselves, but they will usually be 300+ yards out. It is really helpful to show up with at least a 3/4 MOA rifle and load. While speed is important, BC is also important, since it is almost always windy in the Texas panhandle. 10 mph is a gift from God.

The first year I showed up with the 75 gr. A-Max I was also shooting suppressed, that was a major help in getting more hits, because the report of the rifle wasn't scaring prairie dogs back into their mound.

Big as armadillos ? Are you hunting on a nuclear waste site ? Be careful of killer tomatoes !!

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Everything's bigger in Texas!

It's rare to see an adult, for us. Last year I was killing adults at 500+. So the armadillo may be a bad estimation. They are lots bigger than pups, though.

.204 end of story...

fast, better barrel life than 22-250 and I swear the book lies when it comes to wind drift...

Reason you don't see the adults--they are under the ground. Believe he was using .458 mag.

Betcha a case of beer.




Cole, that may be "the" better cartridge.

I apologize to everyone for getting


I have always said if jackrabbits and armadillos grew as large as mule deer they would would be impossible to kill with a shoulder mounted firearm.