Caliber combination for prairie dog hunting?

[Junglebird]

I have never been prairie dog hunting, but am looking to start doing it in 2025. I have my first build almost done, which is an AR15 in 223 with a 1:8 twist 24" WOA varmint barrel. I am hoping to shoot the 53g V-max with this upper. Everything I read on the topic says to take several guns/calibers along. It would be convenient to have the other caliber(s) be AR compatible so I can just swap uppers. Realistically, how many guns do I need to take? I assume I want a gun for close range, medium range, and long range. Where does my 223 fall in line and what cartridges do you recommend for the other ranges? I plan to reload for this on a progressive. Am I missing anything else important?
Thank you in advance for the insight.

 

[26Reload]

Obviously the 65crdm....for those pds at 2000yds

 

[kgarrett]

I'm no expert, but I think part of the reason for multiple rifles is to allow for barrel cooling time…

 

[Coyote Shadow Tracker]

I have never been prairie dog hunting, but am looking to start doing it in 2025. I have my first build almost done, which is an AR15 in 223 with a 1:8 twist 24" WOA varmint barrel. I am hoping to shoot the 53g V-max with this upper. Everything I read on the topic says to take several guns/calibers along. It would be convenient to have the other caliber(s) be AR compatible so I can just swap uppers. Realistically, how many guns do I need to take? I assume I want a gun for close range, medium range, and long range. Where does my 223 fall in line and what cartridges do you recommend for the other ranges? I plan to reload for this on a progressive. Am I missing anything else important?
Thank you in advance for the insight.

Much depends on where you are going and if with an outfitter.
I have gone to SD on private land so it was nice. Getting to mover around on hundreds of acres and dozens of Dog towns. I take three rifles. a Ruger 77 in .204, a 17 HMR and a AR in .223. Take one thousand rounds for each rifle for a 2-3 day hunt. I used the 204 & 223 for shots up to 500 yds and the 17 HMR for under 100.
There is so much to tell.
There is a lot of info on the internet.

 

[akdad]

Amazingly enough as a kid we used 22lr we didn't know it was so specialized.
Don't over think it. take what you want to use and have fun. 375 is perfect and so is a 222
Some days we take 223 some days I just want to shoot a certain rifle so I take whatever I want.

 

[Junglebird]

Much depends on where you are going and if with an outfitter.
I have gone to SD on private land so it was nice. Getting to mover around on hundreds of acres and dozens of Dog towns. I take three rifles. a Ruger 77 in .204, a 17 HMR and a AR in .223. Take one thousand rounds for each rifle for a 2-3 day hunt. I used the 204 & 223 for shots up to 500 yds and the 17 HMR for under 100.
There is so much to tell.
There is a lot of info on the internet.

I plan on a DIY hunt in the Dakotas.

 

[Junglebird]

Obviously the 65crdm....for those pds at 2000yds

Thats funny! I do have a 6.5 CM, but I must be doing something wrong with it. It isn's the sledgehammer or laser beam its claimed to be.

 

[del2les]

Part of always bringing at least one other rifle is just in case something fails on your primary. Also, if you are on a good town with lots of shooting, letting one rifle cool while using another is great also, and then there is the shorter range vs longer range caliber/BC loads to help fight the wind.

Typically for multi-day hunts in another state, I take 3 rifles. Most often, I take a 222Rem, 223 in fast twist (often multiples), maybe a 22/250 or AI in fast twist and sometimes a 6mm version. A 223 fast twist can shoot both shorter ranges and longer with different loads. I have several 223's 1/8" twist rifles in bolt and AR that I build loads using the 50-55's and 75-80's for multi-range usage. I've shot a fair amount of 800yd+ P-dogs with a good 223 using 75-80gr bullets.

Failed to mention, that sometimes, I bring along a 22LR target rifle for those dog towns that have young dogs coming up at under 100yds.

 

[lancetkenyon]

For me, I would take up to 4 rifles.

.22LR (shots under 100)
.223 (shots out to 300)
22GT (shots 200-600)
6CM (shots beyond 500)

 

[Junglebird]

Part of always bringing at least one other rifle is just in case something fails on your primary. Also, if you are on a good town with lots of shooting, letting one rifle cool while using another is great also, and then there is the shorter range vs longer range caliber/BC loads to help fight the wind.

Typically for multi-day hunts in another state, I take 3 rifles. Most often, I take a 222Rem, 223 in fast twist (often multiples), maybe a 22/250 or AI in fast twist and sometimes a 6mm version. A 223 fast twist can shoot both shorter ranges and longer with different loads. I have several 223's 1/8" twist rifles in bolt and AR that I build loads using the 50-55's and 75-80's for multi-range usage. I've shot a fair amount of 800yd+ P-dogs with a good 223 using 75-80gr bullets.

Failed to mention, that sometimes, I bring along a 22LR target rifle for those dog towns that have young dogs coming up at under 100yds.

Thank you. Good info here.

 

[del2les]

Here's a longer range 223 load for one of my 1/8" twist bolt rifles and single load AR, and a 22/250AI for even longer range.

 

[Junglebird]

Since I have a 1:8 barrel already is it a good idea to focus more on a heavier bullet for that rifle and disregard the 53g v-max for this rig? If so, bullet recommendation?

 

[xsn10s]

Since I have a 1:8 barrel already is it a good idea to focus more on a heavier bullet for that rifle and disregard the 53g v-max for this rig? If so, bullet recommendation?

Nothing wrong with the 53gr vmax. I shoot it and the 73gr ELDM and 75 ELDM out of my AR15. The 75gr ELDM needs modified stainless steel mags. Easier to do the 73gr ELDM or 77gr TMK.

 

[crashlanding]

Heck, my best and longest shot on a prairie dog was with my 7 mag at a touch over 600 yards. I find it just as enjoyable using your long range big game hunting rifle as a .22 caliber gun but with longer intervals between shots. Even with little critters, it's about shot placement, not volume of fire