For the Varmint Hunters and Prairie Dog Shooters
at Long Range;
(Especially Varmint Guy)

I am leaving for Montana this week to do a couple of days of PDog shooting around Billings.

Getting ready to go out to the Loading Bench and Load up somemore ammo. Playing with different loads for those really long shots, in different calibers.

Thought about the 107 grain Sierra Match bullets I have. Think I will load up 50 or so to take with me just to see what they will do.

Also have 107's in 6mm. Will also take along 50 of those or so for my 6mm Remington and see how they do.

I always set up with at least 2 rifles, one with a cool load ( 2600fps/223) for shots under 250 yds, and then one for those long range stuff from 250+ to 500 or so.

Will keep anyone interested posted on the results week after next.

Seafire,

When you get a chance can I suggest another bullet for your .260 as well? I have the kissing cousin to your rifle, the 6.5x55. I got to thinking, it's a scandanavian caliber, why not try scandanavian components so I bought some Lapua Scenar bullets in 108, 123 and 139gr. Then bought some VihtaVouri 550 and 560 powder as well. It opened up a whole new ballgame for me. Those Finns make some terrific components. Maybe others here on the forum have used them. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

Seafire,

I have been told of non expansion of these projectiles (MV in the region of 3,200fps) on a 60/75lb deer from a member of these boards who I would trust implicitly. Maybe expansion is not required with a 6.5mm projectile with PDs

Seafire, my wife has shot the 108 Scenar at long range (1000 yd.)in my 260. It shoots great at .003" off the lands with a load of 42.2 gr. of N540 in Remington brass and a Federal 210M. Velocity is 3180 fps out my 25" Krieger. I am sure this bullet will not open a PD but, but if you can it to shoot like it does in my rifle there be alot dead PD's at longer range. Good luck!

Shoot Safe, Shoot Straight.....RiverRat

For Some of the Europeans, Prairie Dogs are just fat little Rodents who did a lot of holes in a farmers field and also eat half of their hay or alfalfa crops.

They are not for eating, so the idea is just to dispatch them. Expansion is not a concern. When hit with a projectile like that, it will just past thru them.

In size they range from the size of a 20 ounce Coke bottle to a One Liter Coke Bottle on average.

They are also cannabals, and will eat the dead ones, as the dead ones also attract coyotes and birds or prey, crows, owls etc.

Appreciate the input. I will try the Finnish bullets some times, but as far as the powder, too many other good powders that work well available locally. I do shoot a lot of Reloder which is made in Sweden, ( by Norma I believe) for Alliant.

Cal I also shoot the 6.5 x 55, 6.5 x 57, along with the 260. I have a total of 7, 6.5 mm rifles.

I think it is the best combo of velocity, killing power, accuracy and recoil ( or lack thereof), for anything short of 800 pounds.

I was made aware of a test down by the Swedish hunting regulatory people testing the penetration capabilities of the 6.5 x 55 with the 156 Grain Round Nose. It actually penetrated more than a 375 H&H utilizing a 300 grain Round Nose. Pretty impressive in my book.