New Prairie dog gun?

[Craig]

What would be your pick for a dedicated prairie dog gun? Accurate, 150-200 yard max range, high volume shooting, and I don’t reload ( at least yet ). I was leaning towards a .17 HMR. Any other recommendations?

[MADMAX]

I used a 17
But the 22-250 guys were cleaning up when we went

[wadu1]

As MADMAX said 22-250, the round is easy to load and very forgiving. I like the basic loads, 38gr of H380 and 55gr V-max. An old friend who shoots in South Dakota got tired of shooting them with little bullets. He switched to a Trap Door Springfield 45-70 for fun, no problem smacking them at 200. Just need to add some elevation and lob them in. 

[Bob33]

If your distances are up to 200 yards I would choose a 223 over the 22-250. Less expensive to shoot, easier to find ammunition and more than adequate at reasonable distances. For longer distances I'd consider the 204 Ruger.

The 17 HMR is great up to about 150 yards .

[b23]

What would be your pick for a dedicated prairie dog gun? Accurate, 150-200 yard max range, high volume shooting, and I don’t reload ( at least yet ). I was leaning towards a .17 HMR. Any other recommendations?

Based on the parameters you give, 200 yard max, high volume shooting, don't reload, my top three choices in order would be 17 Hornet, 17 WSM, 17 HMR.

Unfortunately CZ has stopped making the 527 so finding one let alone a CZ 527 in 17 Hornet could be a little difficult not to mention if you do you'll pay through the nose for them.  Also, 17 Hornet ammo has dried up big time so finding any is very difficult.

The 17 WSM is a fair bit more potent than is the 17 HMR but like the 17 Hornet the available guns in 17 WSM is very limited and the quality of those is ehh ok at best unless you want to spend  $4000+ for a RimX 17 WSM build.

17 HMR is an "ok" option but they definitely have the best selection of available rifles and ammo is generally pretty easy to find, unfortunately, it's about double the cost what it used to be.

My top three list is based off of already having them and a pretty good stockpile to shoot in them so I suppose if I was starting from scratch and had to source a gun and ammo to shoot in that gun I'd probably go 17 HMR.

[jasnt]

I had great results with 17hmr and 25gr vmax on marmot out to 300.  Will really teach ya wind skills

[Stein]

Get in close, .22 LR with a 50 round mag.  Lots of fun.

[Pnwrider]

Up to 200 yds, I’ll add a vote for .223. I usually keep a 22 close for the 50 yd shots.

[bearpaw]

IMO you need three rifles when you go PD shooting, a regular .22 for close in shooting and for shooting a lot of ammo, and two center fire rifles because the barrels get hot. .223 is a good choice due to cheaper ammo, but a 22/250, .220 swift, or 243 are a lot of fun. I've also enjoyed using deer rifles, it's good practice to really get to know how they shoot.

[GWP]

I am old school. 22 Hornet and .223 for the ranges you mentioned, but am not opposed to some of the newer ones posted, just have not used them. Beyond that? 22-250. Closer? 22 Mag.

[C-Money]

I used a 17hmr on them...little round is pretty destructive on P dogs. Lots of respect for the 17hmr! Seems like a guy can still find good amounts of 17hmr ammo in stores. If I was to go pay to hunt, I'd sure have a .17hmr, and I would try and secure a .223 as a solid longer range rife. So much fun!

[KFhunter]

.17hmr with a few guys shooting the same gun same ammo gets the competition going

Little trash talk, lotsa fun

[Bob33]

In the new reality of ammo scarcity, visit a few sporting goods stores or ammo websites to see availability and cost of the different calibers. If you get into serious PD situations it's not uncommon to shoot several hundred rounds per session.

[Craig]

More then likely going with a .17HMR. All private land and I can just drive up to them,  Unlimited shooting and most of the time will be 50-75 yards. Out to 200 just for fun . If I reloaded I might look into something bigger. I already have a few .223 rifles. But that would get expensive to shoot a couple hundred rounds a day or weekend.

[Bob33]

More then likely going with a .17HMR. All private land and I can just drive up to them,  Unlimited shooting and most of the time will be 50-75 yards. Out to 200 just for fun . If I reloaded I might look into something bigger. I already have a few .223 rifles. But that would get expensive to shoot a couple hundred rounds a day or weekend.

At shorter distances like that the 17 HMR is perfect.

You will hopefully have lots of these.