Prairie Dog Rig
 

I'm going on a cool little prairie dog hunt with my dad this summer. I need a prairie dog rig under 400 dollars and preferably under 350 but if that isn't something that is practical I guess I could find a way to do it. If I don't find anything I'll probably use my 30-06 with brown bear ammo but I don't really want that kind of recoil when I'm shooting all day. Thanks for the help in advance!

It would only be a rifle but Marlin x7vh in 22-250 would be my choice. Either that or am x7 in 243. You might also be able to find a savage in that range.

Marlin makes a 26" heavy barreled 22-250, the XS7VH that is under $400. i have the same rifle in 308, shoots very accurate.

another option is to look around the pawn shops and gun stores for something used.

Dogs are small critters. You can shoot hundreds of rounds in a big Dog Town. The 30-06 even with light bullets may lack the long range accuracy need to hit these small targets at over 300 yds. The .22 and 6MM caliber rifles with heavy barrels and good scopes of 10X and up are best. Most Dog shooters will have 2 rifles. During the summer months it gets hot on the High Plains. The rifles heat up fast and cool down slow. It is also a good idea to keep loaded ammo in your cooler. Dog populations are down in most Western states due the plague. Don't touch any dead dogs or camp near Dog Towns. Good Luck.:)

Thanks everyone for the replies. I had the x7 on my list of possibilities I also would like to know how you think the axis stacks up against the x7. Also anyone have experience with the handi rifle? I was thinking about buying it in .223 and getting a 45-70 barrel later on because I was already planning on buying the 45-70 this summer anyways. I guess I could get the .223 now for dogs and wait on the 45-70. Any thoughts? Thanks again.

Good bipods are also needed.....or sand bags.

The x7 will blow the axxis out of the water anyday. Handi rifles are a good gun. If I was you I'd get it in 22-250 or 243. Both has more range and power than the 223 and both are great varmint rounds in their own rights. 243 is also a good deer cartidge

Well telling by your name I can tell you are a fan already but what makes it better. I completely believe you and have no reason not to I'd just like to hear what you like better about the x7. Also .223 ammo is available in bulk. Is it still a better route to go with 22-250?

Better stocks, hell of alot better trigger, better riflings so therefore more accurate, you can use any model 70 win scope mounts, pillar bedded factory, better butt pad, better customer service, better/smoother bolt, and it has a cocking indicated in plain sight on the bolt head base. I also think the safety is better located as well.....but that's just me and the fact I have a surgically repaired right wrist. As to ammo-ya bulks good but 22-250 has such a wide range of ammo choices-espcially to a reloader-that it makes up for it.

Thanks for your input. Very helpful!