Prairie dogs, anyone?

E

Engineer1911

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Live near Augusta, GA, moved here from MN / WI in 1989. Have shot prairie dogs since 1982, but this was not the year to go. Also enjoy Bullseye 2700 but age is opening up the group sizes. S&W revolver owner with a few off-brand 1911 pistols. The true sporting use of an AR-15 is best demonstrated in a prairie dog town with a 20 round mag. Bet result was 14 hits with 20 rounds on a calm day from the top of the hill.
 
No prairie dogs, but we do get coyotes. If gas weren't so expensive and the population so dense, it would be a great place to snake hunt. I'll eventually get to go hog hunting again.
 
My son and I traveled to South Dakota a few years back and shoot prairie dogs and hunt some pheasants. It was a remarkable trip.
 
I landed at the Big Spring, TX airport back in in 90's and the airport was ate up with prairie dogs. I asked the guy doing the refueling if they minded if I brought a rifle the next time I came by. He said bring it on, but I never made it back there. Saw a lot of them in Pueblo, CO, etc. The cattle ranchers hate them.
 
I hear they carry black plague like trash pandas carry rabies.
 
Would love to try prairie dogs, also hogs and coyotes. Just don’t really know how best to do either or where to go. Would love to meet some folks who could “ show me the ropes “ !
 
Your first thing is to contact the dept of fish and game and private land owners. Some areas and owners will actually pay bounties on "Pest animals." Others have bag limits; the next step is to get the appropriate rifle. I hate coyotes with a passion, and I'm a fan of wild pork, so when I thought I might get into the bounty biz, I bought an AR-10 in 7.62 (308). The good thing about the AR-10 is that you can pretty much custom-build an entry-level gun with a Palmetto State Armory (Get the nickel-Boron coated parts, totally worth it!), then upgrade the upper to a match configuration in a season or two if you decide you like the sport, you could go with a match upper from LWRC or snoop the web for something custom or even different calibers like .243, 6.5 and 300 Legend come to mind. 300 BLK is a good general do-all caliber as well, and it can be used in a standard AR lower.
This is what I got, but there are dozens of pig-poppers available. I got one to just build up as I went, the first thing I did was change to a non-folding stock for stability and put in an accu-wedge.
they carry those too.
https://palmettostatearmory.com/psa...n-1-10-stainless-steel-classic-ept-rifle.html
 
Magus, I agree on the AR15 in .300. I have one with an 18" barrel that I shoot Hornady American Gunner 125 gr HPBT showing 2,175 fps and 1,313 ft·lb and for hogs/deer it is deadly. The 125 gr is a good fast flat trajectory out a few hundred yards.
 
Engineer1911 said:
Live near Augusta, GA, moved here from MN / WI in 1989. Have shot prairie dogs since 1982, but this was not the year to go. Also enjoy Bullseye 2700 but age is opening up the group sizes. S&W revolver owner with a few off-brand 1911 pistols. The true sporting use of an AR-15 is best demonstrated in a prairie dog town with a 20 round mag. Bet result was 14 hits with 20 rounds on a calm day from the top of the hill.
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Belated welcome! Sounds like you’ve been on quite an adventure. Those prairie dogs, Bullseye, and some really cool wheel guns. And that AR story is just awesome. I’m really glad you stopped by. Can’t wait to hear more about your experiences!
 
Brucer41 said:
Magus, I agree on the AR15 in .300. I have one with an 18" barrel that I shoot Hornady American Gunner 125 gr HPBT showing 2,175 fps and 1,313 ft·lb and for hogs/deer it is deadly. The 125 gr is a good fast flat trajectory out a few hundred yards.
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I'm thinking about doing a "honey badger" build on my pistol, If I can't hit the target, the shock wave will blow them away!
 
I have an Anderson/Bushmaster build, the upper is showing signs of use, I was thinking of having the local expert build a 10" stainless heavy upper, maybe go the extra ten yards and get a nickel boron plated carrier and bolt. I have to admit, I like the knurled aluminum pipe handguard, though, but the extra rail estate would come in handy. Would you believe it's the only flat top I own? anyway, I have a light, an ACOG, and a laser ALL mounted on that short hunk of rail on the upper, and somehow it all works well? I might even ditch the stupid paddle and put a real brace on it.
 
Magus said:
I have an Anderson/Bushmaster build, the upper is showing signs of use, I was thinking of having the local expert build a 10" stainless heavy upper, maybe go the extra ten yards and get a nickel boron plated carrier and bolt. I have to admit, I like the knurled aluminum pipe handguard, though, but the extra rail estate would come in handy. Would you believe it's the only flat top I own? anyway, I have a light, an ACOG, and a laser ALL mounted on that short hunk of rail on the upper, and somehow it all works well? I might even ditch the stupid paddle and put a real brace on it.
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I totally get the paddle-to-brace swap. If you’re already upgrading, you might as well go for it and make something you’ll truly enjoy using. It sounds like this build has evolved from a straightforward setup into something that’s distinctly yours and that’s the best kind of rifle. Keep us updated if you go through with the upper swap..,.
 
as to Bullseye shooting, the closest club to you probably is in Orangeburg SC.. they have a great club there with very friendly shooters. we try and make their big matches each year from the Atlanta area. Mid Carolina Gun Club

https://midcarolinagunclub.com/

Around the Atl. area we have two clubs.. South River Gun club (2nd Sundays) and RiverBend gun club( 3rd Sunday matches)

I'm 77 and still try to shoot the matches.( notice the word, try.....)
 
Alan said:
I totally get the paddle-to-brace swap. If you’re already upgrading, you might as well go for it and make something you’ll truly enjoy using. It sounds like this build has evolved from a straightforward setup into something that’s distinctly yours and that’s the best kind of rifle. Keep us updated if you go through with the upper swap..,.
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This dumb thing mutates every 6 years or so. The latest mutation is set screw secured push pins and an Accuwedge. TOTALLY WORTH IT!
 

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