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Selecting scope for Prairie Dogs

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safari1 View Drop Down
Optics GrassHopper
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Joined: August/26/2004
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote safari1 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Selecting scope for Prairie Dogs
    Posted: August/26/2004 at 12:44

I  need help selecting  a scope for a new rifle I plan to use for prairie doggin'. First off I've never been p-dog hunting before, but plan to accompany some buddies on their hunts form here on out. I have a Win 70 Coyote in 22-250, and plan to use Signature bases and rings. Most of my buddies have Elite  or B&L 6-24X, and a few have 5-15X. The shots will be from 100-400 yards in Texas or North Dakota. I am leaning towards a mil-dot , b-plex or similar recticle to use the recticle for holdover and windage compensation versus using target knobs. I can't decide between a Elite 4200, a Weaver V24, or Grand Slam. I like the looks and specs of the V24 the best, but don't want to pick an inferior product. How do these scopes compare in the prairie dog fields?  I'm trying to limit myself to under the $400 mark, and the V24 has the best price, but are the optics in the GS or the 4200 worth the extra  money for 2 prairie dog hunts a year?  What  other scopes should I consider?

 

 

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redneckbmxer24 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote redneckbmxer24 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/26/2004 at 14:00

go for the elite 6-24x40 mildot, you wont be dissapointed, and you get a free $99 gear bag

 

cory

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Chris Farris View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Chris Farris Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/29/2004 at 16:42
The Weaver V-24 6-24x42 is a great scope for the money.  The Elite and Grand Slam are better but really only noticeable in low light.  The Grand Slam is more of a white tail scope and the V-24 is more of a target/prairie dog type scope.  The Elite 4200 is a combination of both with its fully multicoated lenses, rainguard, quad power range, low profile target knobs, sun shade and mil dot reticle.  Hard to pass on the Elite.
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abmx View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote abmx Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: August/31/2004 at 21:02
The Bushnell 4200 Elite in 8-32 X 44 is a super p-dog and target scope
12-7-41 & 9-11-01

NEVER FORGIVE & NEVER FORGET

DAVE
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sscoyote View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote sscoyote Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/08/2004 at 18:59

If this is still active, and u're still interested in a ballistic reticle for LR pr. dogs, i'd go for the 6.5-20X Burris FFII with the greatest affordable varmint ballistic reticle ever made-- the Ballistic Mil-Dot. That reticle will be calibarted for their advertised subtensions around 16X, but can very simply be manipulated for any subtension u want, at different powers. If u get this type of scope get the Burris Tech. Notes to learn to manipulate the reticle to fit your needs. This reticle provides no less than 6 reference stadia along the verticle axis for a total of 14.5 MOA of trajectory compensation. The 6 reference stadia allow for easy interpolation for "in between" ranges. Plus u get the mil-dot windage reference as well. (I'd get a target turret for that pr dog that sits WAY out there on his mound for the really LR fun shots too), and use the lower post tip for shots beyond that stadia's zero.

 

Almost forgot-- wanna go way out there with that rig, to keep up with the 6mm buddies? Take a look at the JLK LD bullets. I think that Coyote has a 14 or 12 twist barrel-- JLK 14 twist 52 gr. LD bullet BC= .302, 12 twist 60LD BC=.359 Take a look at those calc's on a ballistic program sometime.



Edited by sscoyote
Steve
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Dale Clifford View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Dale Clifford Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: October/09/2004 at 09:27

Setting under a hot sun all day long looking through a scope and ranging on a dog is many times more straining on the eye than a short burst at the target range. Get the most expensive scope you can rationalize. Go without beer, no movies for a month anything. Do not get 50 mm objectives, they have more glare in the hot sun. Anyhing in the picture only makes you sight picture more difficult, ie the busier the scope the MORE likely you are to miss. Shooting dogs is not a first shot kill. After you have ranged in on the distance to the town range finders mil-dots, varmit range finders are all redundant. The thinner the cross hair the less strain on the eye to watch both the cross hair and the dog's movement.

The most important thing in a dog gun is time of bullet flight. The shorter this time, the less B.C. has any effect (I prefer magnetic rail guns using projectiles at 12000fps but I can't get the power supply into two pick-ups)    Do not get caught up in the larger case craze. Excessive powder  causes excessive barrel heat and poi changes after 10 fast shots you will not be able to touch the guns. A good hunt will shoot 200 dogs and if you are good u will see 300-400. My hands down choice is the 6 thrugh 20X. even though 20X has terrific mirage problems past 400 yds. Good luck have fun take lots of doughnets.

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