Prairie Doggin'

[Rockydog]

Anybody here ever use cast for prairie dogs? I've got molds for both .223 and .243 to use in my .223 Rem and 6mmTCU. While I don't expect the kind of spectacular hits I see with Hornady V-max I'm wondering just what I could expect. I'm in the process of loading some 223 to try on targets right now. 55 Gr. over 10GR. 2400. Can I expect some expansion or will I get clean pass throughs that let them get back down the hole? The 6mm are 85 Gr. Loverin type bullets. RD

[JIMinPHX]

These little .223s expand real well on P-dogs.

[WHITETAIL]

:idea:Nice boolets!:cool:

[Dennis Eugene]

Very Nice boolits tell me more about them/mold. Dennis

[OBXPilgrim]

These little .223s expand real well on P-dogs.

Jim, once you wake up today after that late night (3:18am?, couldn't sleep, huh), tell us what boolit & whether that was with your new tool or a modified mold - wouldja?

[longbow]

This is a little out of my area of knowledge but this article is a good read:

http://www.jesseshunting.com/articles/guns/category16/9.html

He does make a mistake in saying that loads should never exceed the yield strength of the alloy though. Almost all reloads especially in rifle will exceed the yield strength of the alloy since about the strongest lead/antimony alloy you can get heat treated is 12,500 PSI.

The formula he uses is to determine the recommended chamber pressure not the strength of the alloy. The rule of thumb is that chamber pressure should be 3 to 4 times the yield strength of the alloy.

Longbow

[JIMinPHX]

That's a Lyman 225415 drilled out with a 3/32 bit. 10 grains of 2400 gives me about 2,000fps. I'm using Hornady gas checks & sizing to .225" for use in a Handi-Rifle.

The boolits are seated way far out because they are getting used in a rifle with a really long throat. I used Rooster HVR lube because it is very hard & stands up to being left in an exposed lube groove like that. I tried Orange Magic too. It held up OK, but accuracy was about half as good compared to the HVR. The problem is, that I can't find HVR lube anymore. If anybody knows of a place that has it on the shelf, please let me know. I'd really like to buy a few more sticks.

[dk17hmr]

I just make my 225415 out of Pure/WW about 50/50 mix and let them air cool.....seems to work pretty good on p-dogs out of my Bee with 4.5ish gr of Reddot.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/7-2.jpg

Of course the 454424 out of my 454 casull works pretty good also.
http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f208/dk17hmr/dk7.jpg

[nighthunter]

I'm glad that Doug had the sense to break out the Casull for those prarie dogs. Those things can sure take some lead before they are properly dead. I've shot a lot of PA groundhogs with cast with different results depending on where the groundhog was hit with the bullet. With small calibers cast can give explosive performance that is better than the new fangled varmint bullets if hit in the head and as with jacketed a gut shot is a gut shot. Velocity and alloy are very big factors when hunting live game. Cast bullets do expand. Find a good bullet and load for your firearms and have fun.

Nighthunter

[JIMinPHX]

I'm glad that Doug had the sense to break out the Casull for those prarie dogs.

Yea, I always make sure that I bring at least a 477 Rigby back-up gun when I hunt dangerous game like that! Those things can be ferocious, especially during the rut! Sometimes, they've been known to charge you, especially if you are hunting in close, like at 300 yards. It's terrifying to see those big 6-inch monsters coming at you that close up. I was lucky to escape with my life the last time that I went toe to toe with those earthen devils. Yea, I remember one time back in the Congo...:veryconfu

[leadman]

I use straight lino in my 22K Hornet. Range is limited with this cartridge so don't know what happens beyond 150 yards. Up to that point it is very explosive.

On larger "game" like big jacks the hole on the off side can be 4" to 5" at ranges up to 75 yards.

[jdgabbard]

I could do without knowing whether or no you're praire doggin'! J/k.

Those HPs look mighty devistating, but I think with how fierce those beasts are I'd go with a magnum!

[Screwbolts]

This is what is left of a Pigeon after being shot with one of the NOE Group buy 22-055 Sp Boolitz from Air cooled WWs, 61.2 Gr with check. The load was 9.5 Gr of Imr4227, 2047 FPS cronyed, in a Handi Hornet. Laser ranges @ 120 yards:mrgreen:

http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg84/flyboyd8/Deadpigion120yards.jpg

I am working with 12 gr 4759 in my 223 that is 2075 FPS same Bollit.

:castmine:

Ken
Central NY

[nighthunter]

Ken .... at least you saved the best eating part of the pigeon ... the beak. That just might be the first critter that volunteered to sacrifice itself to test the NOE 22-055. Thanks for the loading info. What are you sizeing them?

Nighthunter

[trk]

Yea, I always make sure that I bring at least a 477 Rigby back-up gun when I hunt dangerous game like that! Those things can be ferocious, especially during the rut! Sometimes, they've been known to charge you, especially if you are hunting in close, like at 300 yards. It's terrifying to see those big 6-inch monsters coming at you that close up. I was lucky to escape with my life the last time that I went toe to toe with those earthen devils. Yea, I remember one time back in the Congo...:veryconfu

The last time I was PD hunting, I took my .458WM as backup - iron sights too. Next time it'll be the .375H&H (with cast bullets and scoped of course).

[lwknight]

This thread title cracks me up. I learned from a teenager that "Prairie Doggin" is something that happens on a long road trip when its a hundred miles to the next gas station.

[45-70 Chevroner]

dk17hmr has the right idea shoot them between the eyes and they will never crawl down a hole, but his buddy might pull him down and eat him for lunch. If given the chance they are meat eaters, and its usually thier buddies especially when blown to bits with a fast moving cast boolit. Or even a jb;;;;;;;;; nasty word almost foul language.

[largom]

dk17hmr, Is Thunder Basin still closed for PD shooting?

Larry

[rhbrink]

That's a Lyman 225415 drilled out with a 3/32 bit. 10 grains of 2400 gives me about 2,000fps. I'm using Hornady gas checks & sizing to .225" for use in a Handi-Rifle.

The boolits are seated way far out because they are getting used in a rifle with a really long throat. I used Rooster HVR lube because it is very hard & stands up to being left in an exposed lube groove like that. I tried Orange Magic too. It held up OK, but accuracy was about half as good compared to the HVR. The problem is, that I can't find HVR lube anymore. If anybody knows of a place that has it on the shelf, please let me know. I'd really like to buy a few more sticks.

I have about a stick and half if you want it I'll be happy to send it to you.

[dk17hmr]

dk17hmr, Is Thunder Basin still closed for PD shooting?

Honestly couldnt tell ya. I do all my p-dog shooting on a ranch up in Montana with my dad. Havent shot at a single critter since I moved to Wyoming.

[DLCTEX]

I have used my 257 Wby. for pd backup. 475 yds. vaporized pd in a widening V pattern for 5 yds. Wasn't much left to photograph.