Just for giggles - My .308 AR-10 for Prairie Dogs

EvanB

EvanB

New member
I have just loaded a few hundred .308 for my next Prairie dog hunt. I used 110 grain Hornady SP bullets with 47 gr. of H4895 targeting about 2950 FPS.

I know a .308 is a bit much for Prairie Dogs but, I figure out to 200 yards, it might make interesting visuals. I am shooting an Armalite Ar-10. Anyone else ever try a .308 on dogs just to see how big a mist factor they can achieve?
 
One of my shooting partners used an AR-10 as his only rifle on a PD trip a few years ago when .308 could still be purchased for a sane price. I don't recall a spectacular difference but the action was so fast I had my head buried in my scope most of the time.
 
I have a Bushmaster .308 but don't live around a pd town so I have to settle for pine-woods-rooters (hogs). Mine doesn't like 168 gr MHPs at all. The 150 gr Fusions do ok and I haven't tried loading for it yet.

It's like bringing a grown up toy to the park when we all get together to shoot ARs.
 
I shot some out of my RRA. I did a lot of missing because I didn't figure out my drops. Nice sound when you hit them but honestly my .223 with 53 gr vmax was more explosive. It's about energy absorbed not energy delivered.
 
I mostly shoot a .223 using 55 grain v-max and have for the last few years. This year I have loaded 4 different bullets weighing between 52 and 55 grains just to see the difference if any. The .308's will be 110 grain PSP's pushing about 3000 fps.

What intrigued me was your comment about figuring your bullet drop and having difficulty getting on target. I have a cure for that problem I thought might interest you. I have written about it on many sights before, but you still may have not heard about it.

A few years ago my brother in law and I bought Burris Eliminator scopes for our prairie dog rigs. We both now have two of them. The scope features a laser rangefinder built into the scope and once ranged by pressing a button, the correct holdover for your particualr bullet and round is automatically represented on the vertical post by a little light. Devestatingly accurate. No more missing. Look into it.
 
Originally Posted By: EvanB
What intrigued me was your comment about figuring your bullet drop and having difficulty getting on target. I have a cure for that problem I thought might interest you. I have written about it on many sights before, but you still may have not heard about it.

A few years ago my brother in law and I bought Burris Eliminator scopes for our prairie dog rigs. We both now have two of them. The scope features a laser rangefinder built into the scope and once ranged by pressing a button, the correct holdover for your particualr bullet and round is automatically represented on the vertical post by a little light. Devestatingly accurate. No more missing. Look into it.

Or just go out and shoot more!


Don't think you will be all that impressed with your .308 if your looking for the splat factor. For the splat factor you need speed not bigger bullets. If a .243 spitting 55's ain't enough of a splat for you.. well then your sick in the head!

Bigger and faster pill = more air and some splat.
Small and fast = splatter
 
I took my 50 bmg on a couple prairie dog hunts. Tracers make it really fun. You only want to use those when it's wet or there's snow on the ground though.
 
I tried the 110 Vmax out of my AR-10 and couldn't get satisfactory groups. I think I was using H335 powder and pushing them near the 3000fps mark. Maybe if I tried different powder combos it might work better. I did get pretty good results with the 125gr Sierra pro hunters though.
 
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