Blond Prarie Dog from Coyotehunter_1

Knifeboy

I saw your picture in the photo albums pretty cool little sucker. Is this their normal color, or is this an albino? I also wanted to know what you shot him with. Lets talk Prarie dogs.
The dogs are starting to come out in full force here in AZ so hopefully I can get out this weekend and pic some off with my trusty old .270.

Knifeboy

coyotehunter_1

Knifeboy,
It may be hard to tell from the photo but that's one of our southern woodchucks (groundhog). Yes, she was a true blonde. I took several more in the same area but most were a dark brown. The rifle in the photo is my main coyote calling rig, a Rem 700 ADL carbine in 222 Rem. About a week before I got that groundhog my calling partner and I called in a blonde coyote. He nailed it with his 12 gauge and 3"/#4 shot at 25 yards.

BTW, Good luck with the pasture poodles! Cool

Knifeboy

Congrats on the critters keep them pictures coming. Its a lot of fun to see the animals that people have taken.

By the way Happy St. Patricks Day!

Knifeboy

calsibley · Super Member Joined: Jan 28, 2005 Posts: 317

Hello coyotehunter_1,

I like your varmint rifle. Is that a heavy barrel you have on it or a sporter. I can't tell? What kind of groups does it shoot? I don't think most shooters are aware of how accurate the 700ADL can be. I was sorry to see Remington drop the ADL line this year. Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

coyotehunter_1

calsibley,
I like your varmint rifle.
Thank you, Smile

I have developed a close affection for it also. Some rifles just feel right and this one fits me like a glove. Since that photo was taken the old ADL has accounted for several dozen groundhogs, crows and a batch of coyotes. To help offset glare, the 3x9 scope, mounts and wood stock now wear camo.

Is that a heavy barrel you have on it or a sporter? This rifle was produced in Feb. 1962, sporting a 20â€ factory sporter carbine barrel. The short action and barrel makes for a handy, lightweight and fast handling rig.
What kind of groups does it shoot?
This is about average: Very Happy

Five shots (55 gr. SXSP/IMR 4198 @ 100 yds.)

I don't think most shooters are aware of how accurate the 700ADL can be. I was sorry to see Remington drop the ADL line this year.
Me too! Sad

Good shooting to ya'
Chet

WildHorse · Member Joined: Feb 17, 2005 Posts: 184 Location: Nebraska

Coyotehunter
I too shoot a 222 Rem, but in a Winchester mdl 770.
Do you have a special load for coyotes, and do you have a load for Prairie Dogs? I am trying to work up a load for my rifle and the best load I can find as of now is a 50 gr Hornady V Max, using alliant reloader 7 powder.
Any hints?

coyotehunter_1

WildHorse,
We donâ€™t have Prairie Dogs here but I do shoot a few groundhogs and coyotes. When I first got my 222, a few years ago, I researched what powder was being used in benchrest competition when the 222 was in itâ€™s prime. From what info I could find BLC-2 and IMR 4198 were preferred powders. I tried both BLC-2 and IMR 4198 using 50 & 55 Gr. bullets in three different brands. As far as groups, BLC -2 shot very tight but also left a lot of carbon residue in the barrel. I found the same powder weight of IMR 4198 preformed equally well with both 50 and 55 grain bullets irregardless of brand. There are a bunch of good bullets and powder on the market today for the 222 but I chose the Hornady SXSP and IMR 4198 based on their performance in the field.

Check your personal messages, I've sent you something. Smile

deermanager · Member Joined: Jun 17, 2005 Posts: 50

i totally agree!! find a load and if it works , stick with it!!

if it aint broke..............dont fix it!!

coyotehunter_1

Quote::

if it aint broke..............dont fix it!!

deermanager, you got that right!

Around here, when shooting groundhogs, itâ€™s usually within 250 yards, much less (50 yards +/-) for coyotes called in. A 55 grain/.224 SXSP bullet traveling at 3000 f.p.s. muzzle velocity can really mess up a groundhogâ€™s day. Three others were killed the same day but were not shown, just too much splatter factor to post. On larger animals like coyotes, unless a big bone is hit, there is usually little or no exit. IMHO, a great bullet/powder combo for the 222. Yes, there are 222 loads out there that will work as well or maybe even better but as you said â€œif it ainâ€™t brokeâ€¦â€ Laughing

Good hunting,
C<

Wildhorse · Guest

I found a load I really like and it shoots extremely well in my 222.
I am using 24 gr of Hodgdon Bench Mark and a 52gr Calhoon double hollow point bullet. I chonographed this load and the average speed was 3134fps. I zeroed this load at 250 yds. It's maximum height is at 150 yds and that is 3.09". It really works good for me in my 222.