What a blast!!!!!

This was my first time ever shooting P-dogs, my father and I flew out to Billings and then was picked up by the rancher. First day we both shot about 250 times each trying to conserve ammo for the full three days and we knocked off early 2:30 because it was 102. Second day we cut loose and shot about 600 times each and shot till 5. Third day wind was blowing pretty strong we knocked off the regular shooting around 2:30 or 3 and then rode around an shot out the truck window. I shot 175 times or so out of the truck. I guess I killed about 125 p-dogs in two hours doing this and my father about the same.

Most fun I have had in a long time, we are booked for May.

My dad was shooting a 17hmr and killing the hell out'em and way out there too. I was shooting the Cooper in 223 and a Browning 22K-hornet that was awesome.

During late May the dumb prairie dog pups will be out . You can get a lot of shots within 22 LR and 17 HM2 range that is 60 and 80 yards. I like the 17 HMR round for shots out to about 150 Yds but wind may cause me to switch to a center fire rifle. For longer shots I like the 204 Ruger round . Good luck on your May shoot.

Montana: I am so happy that you had a good time there thinning out the Varmints on your first Prairie Dog Safari!
I am looking forward to your report after the May Hunt next year!
I have a little motto that I swear by and live by - there are two places you DON'T want to be in August, one is Billings, Montana and the other is Hell!
I REALLY don't like 100 degree+ heat!
The airport in Billings used to give just super deals on rentals of Ford Explorers (4x4's) - that might be something to consider for next spring?
Check out the window mounted sandbags from the Dog-Gone-Good Bag Company I have three of them and they perform superbly!
Link here: http://www.dog-gone-good.com/
Anyway glad you had a good shoot!
And how did you like that big Burris 6x24 variable?
I bet that Cooper 223 really SHINED out there on the high plains for you?
What do you think was your long shot with the 223?
Buy your dad a Cooper in 204 Ruger this Christmas, for next years Safari - and then, hold on to your hat!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Varmint Guy,

102 the first day and we knocked off about 2:30. It was hot but the humidity was low. This made it bearable to us, being from NC. Today it was 85 and and about 90% humidity. Would trade it in a minute to be back out there in that 102.

Burris with the Mil-dot performed good. I kept it on 15 about all the time. The eye relief seemed very narrow. The was only about a 1" or so amount of distance you could position your eye and see thru the scope. I had a 4.5-14 x 40 Leupold on my Browning in 22 Hornet and it performed great. Wish it had some Mil-dot or something. Thinking about selling the Burris and buying another Leupy with the varmit reticule or sending it off and having just the Mill-dots out in it.

Last day was windy and that is when I shot the Cooper 223 the most. My longest shot with the 223 was probaly about 600-700 it was a damn long ways. It took me about 5 shots to get him. I wanted to step it off but it was time to head back and it looked like it would take 15 minutes to walk down there.

For the most part our shooting was over 200 yards on every shot. I would dare to say a lot was in the 3-400 range and the dogs were not too dumb. We would shoot for a few minutes then move again, the truck seemed to get them up and then when we started shooting they would head for the holes. We tried a lot of head shots and connected on quite a few. I had a blast and cannot wait to get back. I am thinking of buying a 10/17hmr to take back.

Wayne

Montana,

Was this a paid hunt? If so would you be willing to share the name of the outfit?

How far was it from the airport?

Buck,

I am contemplating my new varmint rifle and Cooper is on the list. Are you pleased with yours???????? Thanks in advance.
Doug

A word of caution....This is a very addicting sport and the varmint rifles seem to multiply like rabbits

Magnum Hunter1- I have two Coopers and love both of them. Both are the Varmint Extreme model in .223 and .25WSSM a friend has one in .204 Ruger and is very satisified with his also.

The Cooper is an awesome gun. The one I have came with a one hole target. Not three shot tight clover but one freaking hole. Anyway I shot it and while siting it in, it shot in the same hole and caused me to think I had missed the whole target. Started shooting the other target it did it again. This thing is awesome. I purchased mine off Gunbroker most on there post pics of the target that came from the factory, I bought the one with the best target?

I am thinking about buying a 6.5-284 Cooper next.

What for not sure, but then really don't need an excuse. The wife does not understand why I need a 223 and a 338 or a 280 they are just guns to her.

Wayne

quote:

Originally posted by Montana:
The wife does not understand why I need a 223 and a 338 or a 280 they are just guns to her.

Wayne

My EX was giving me the same crap until my 20 year old DAUGHTER asked her "Mom, why do you have so many pairs of shoes?"

Shut her up about my guns for good...

Yeah, but that's different.

Perhaps this isn't the right place to ask but I'm interested in hunting a few P dogs and shooting a variety of guns but am lost as to where to start. Being disabled (but ambulatory)) makes cash an issue. I'm a long time shooter and reloader but lurk more then post.
Any ideas or tips appreciated. I'm in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Thanks,
mc

mcshot,

Most any rancher with p-dogs here in MT will let you shoot them for free (as long as the cows aren't in the pasture). There are a lot of dogs in the Baker/Ekalaka area with majority of the land being fairly easy to access. If you go on certain public lands namely State lands in MT there is a season. In SE Montana, some places are fee shooting and it is a big deal.

Sometimes calling the local radio station that has a "for sale" hour is the best bet. I know KIKC in Miles City/Forsyth has one every morning at 8:30 Mountain time and a lot of people listen to it.

Shooting is good from May to August/Sept. It gets dang hot after July 4 with summer highs well into the 90s and 100s

Calibers to use are mostly high velocity 20 or 22 caliber guns topped with something in the 6-18 or 6-24 power range. My favorite is my TC encore 22-250 with 40gr V-max over 37.5gr of Varget.

MThuntr,
You provided more information in a few sentences then I've found in a long but casual search.
Thanks and hope to see more of your fine State.
mc