Coyote and Prairie Dog Rifle

B

buddy10mm

New member
Originally, I was going to build up an AR dedicated to Coyote Hunting with what I liked: .223, 20" 1/8 barrel, free floated, trigger job, ACE stock, etc.

THEN I HAD TO GO SHOOT PRAIRIE DOGS IN SOUTH DAKOTA!! Now I'm of half a mind to get a 24" bull barrel, higher-power scope, .204 ruger.

Is there a way to resolve my dilemma? Can I build a coyote rifle that could double as a PD shooter? Or am I looking at two uppers (and the involved cost)?

Most use will be coyotes, with a littel PD thrown in. But I want a good 300 meters in PD accuracy, if I can get it.

Thanks for your input.
 
There is no problem having fun shooting prairie dogs with a calling rifle. The calling rifle you described will work quite well to hit prairie dogs out to 400 yards. I used to use a 16" AR calling rifle to shoot pdogs and had very good hits out past 300 yards.

I suggest building your calling rifle and putting good glass that is variable power to meet the demands of close calling and long range targets. A 4-14 or 3-12 would work nicely.

You could go with a couple savage/stevens bolt actions and cover both bases without the big expense.
 
Build on in 204 with a 20 in barrel buy two scopes and there ya go or a 223 with a 18 or 20 in bull but once you got a black rifle then the madness sets in and it just goes from there . forget every thing that I just typed and go on and two dif uppers
 
I would second the two savage rifles one in 204 with big honken glass and one in 243 with a good 4-12 variable either will work for either use keep the AR as you discribed as well since it should do well in either role too. There you go several choices and the last time I went PD shooting you just about needed three guns to keep from overheating one.
 
I'm always one post behind blinddog /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
If you don't mind getting two rifles and setting them up that is an option.
Although, you could get Mr Dan Carey to build you a beautiful upped in 204. It would be an absolute tack driver for the PD's and still enough power for the coyote.
Consider sending a PM to CWeeks and asking how he likes his.
Keep us posted.
M
 
Quote:
Is there a way to resolve my dilemma?



Yup
2 rifles, one light weight, short and fast for the yote's. Then get yourself a dedicated PD rifle, for the money I have a Savage BVSS in 223 that will wack'em from a long ways off, but its not the kind of rifle you want to walk around with. The only thing I walk around with it is the truck /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
I had DTech build me an AR 15 in .204 Ruger with a 22 inch barrel...He HIGHLY discourages a 20 inch barrel on a .204. This rig will be a Coyote and Prarie Dog machine! I shot about 500 rounds through it last weekend at gophers.

I've shot tons of coyotes with .204 and find the round more than adequate. If you like the AR format go with an AR in .204, you won't be sorry.
 
I found myself in your shoes 3 months ago. What I decided to do was sell my Dtech .223 upper(great upper) and purchase a .204 upper also a good upper from Dan Carey. The new .204 is meant to do just what you are asking of yours to do. #1 be my coyote rifle, #2 it will no doubt double as a rockchuck slayer. It will do both I have no doubt but have yet to get a dog with it.

I almost bought a .204 Savage wit hthe accutrigger and then decided against it and am happy as heck with the upper in .204. Since I already had a Stevens in .223 I opted for the .204 which I wanted to begin with but could not afford at the time. I have been very pleased with the .204 so far. I believe it doubles perfectly to accomplich long range shooting and get in on some dog action as well.

Good luck in the decision. If you have any further questions PM me and we can chat.
 
Thanks for your help, guys!

The more I hear about the .204, the more I like it. But I do prefer the .223/5.56.

If I didn't do Dtech, who else does good uppers? Can you get any good ones from the big vendors like J&T, M/A, Model 1, or such?

Thanks.
 
just stick with your original plan, and build the 20" ar in 223. this will work well for both types of hunting. use 55 or 60grain for coyotes and then find a good load using 40grain v-max for the prairie rats. I would start there and then decide your next move. I know this sounds easier said than done. If you are like me you want it all and right now! this rifle business will make you loose your mind!!! Lee
 
I have to agree with Lee on this one,
Quote:
just stick with your original plan, and build the 20" ar in 223. this will work well for both types of hunting.



Though I have both .204 and .223 in ARs, as well as others that I take on a PD shoot, if I were just starting and needing one rifle to get me by for a while, I would go with a 20" quality barrel, maybe with a little slower twist rate (1/9 or 1/10).

Below is my DTech 20" free floated, fluted, and comp'ed slow twist upper (1/14) for the light bullets and was built for the PDs as much as any other shooting.

I can jump up to 52-55gr bullets for coyotes whenever I choose.

DTechCompleted.jpg


As to your other question, Dan Carey has a great reputation for building accurate rifles as well as Mike at DTech..
 
I wouldn't rule out the 6.5 Grendel. Able to shoot bullet weights from 85gr up to 144gr, you are covered from p-dogs to larger deer sized game. Just another option.

2008_0709gun0023-1.jpg
 
Either way you go you will be able to cover both types of shooting. The 204 will be a bit heavy, but will tip coyotes. The 223 with the proper build (dtech) will knock over pdogs out to 300. I do suggest you stick with the ar platform. If you have one you know why. If you dont have one I hope youll be enjoying one soon
 
The 6.5 is a very good round for a cover all rifle. But if I were wanting a prairie dog/coyote rifle, The 6.5 is a tab big. I like to see my hits, or misses. Nice option though. It would cover it all pretty well! Lee
 
For both prairie dogs and coyotes, I shot a .220 swift M77V (old style) 24" bull barrel with a Nikon 4.5-14x40 with a mil dot reticle. I would like a bigger scope for the prairie dogs but then it gets to be too much for the coyotes that get in too close. 300 yd PD's are no problem. It also throws them in the air pretty good. Just can't beat a swift in my opinion.
 
Overbore chambers like the Swift or 22-250 do a great job on PDs or any colony varmints but are not practical. A barrel is only good for a week or less if in some good shooting. Unless you will take prefitted barrels along, a smaller chamber is a much better choice.

For just coyotes, barrel life does not matter. You will not get that many shots.

Jack
 


Am I missing something? I have been shooting my swift for over 18 years at PD's and it still shoots under inch groups at 200 yards and I don't shoot reduced loads. I like it fast. I will agree that a .223 will be cheaper to shoot but I don't know if it is possible to shoot a barrel out in a week if one watches the temp. of the barrel. That has to be done on any rifle.
 
Quote:
"... The 223 with the proper build (dtech) will knock over pdogs out to 300.



.. and it'll do twice that far, after you put the sights on the rifle /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif


.
 
AR is a given, I think. I started with one in the Army, and I definitely know why it stays on my list. I am a Grendel fan, but I think it's overkill for this shooting job. It and a 6.8 are on my list for later - probably on dedicated lowers.

I'm thinking the .223 makes sense, and a .204 bull for later. When it's finished, I'll post some pics.
 
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