? For prairie dog hunters

I've done a goiod amount of prairie dog hunting and I have no doubt at 50 yards you would be fine. How much shooting you will get at that distance I don't know. From my experience most of my shots a PD were from 2 to 3 hundred yards. My weapon of choice has been a 223 . Lots of wind typically and the close ones go into their holes. I always shot off a bench and I suppose if you walked hunted you might be able to get closer. I like the challenge of long range and have shot lots at 4 and 5 hundred yards but have missed more. I think shooting dogs with an air rifle will be a challenge and it will depend on how many there are whether or not they have been shot at before and the wind conditions. You are going to want to make head shots but if you get decent conditions and keep it inside 50 you should be able to cleanly kill them.

I recently went P dog hunting in North Dakota, My impact .25 was my weapon choice, BUT I hate the be the bringer of bad news, but my closest shot was 90 yards and the wind was hella bad. I had bad conditions. Wind varying from 5-10mph with 15 mph gusts. HOWEVER, my 25g shooting at 900 fps was plenty enough to Dispatch them, but be warned they are very crafty. I shot numerous dogs that would make it back to their holes even with a shot to the cranium. My buddy was shooting a .17 hmr and had the same issues as well. They are tough and very smart. One chirp and the whole town goes into hiding. But, I had a confirmed kill at 136 yards, dropped like a rock. 

Your gun will be fine for them at 50 yds but they get wise fast. I have been helping a friend with a PD problem and the first day was crazy shot twenty in the first hour or so then they started running and hiding much quicker as time went on and the shots went from 50 yds to 100 then 150 ++. My last outing I got 10 but all were over 200 yds so just know that the 50 yd thing probably wont last long. But good luck and turn off as many of those prairie rats as you can.

My experience exactly. After about 200 yards they seem somewhat last affected by the shooting. 17 caliber anything is nearly impossible in the wind. Heavy 22 caliber bullets the best You have to be able to spot your shots thru the scope making the bigger stuff difficult. 223 the best 

Here is what you need for PD's Remington action bench rest style stock (Mike's stocks eBay seller) custom Shilen barrel. Nikon BDC scope. Note front rest scissors jack modified. I've added about five lbs To the rifle by cutting out the stock and adding shot . It's heavy 

In the past few years I've killed a couple hundred prairie dogs with various airguns-all of which have been sub 20fpe and .177 or .22. It is not uncommon to drop them dead out past 75 yards with a 20fpe .177. Just hit them anywhere from right behind the front legs all the way up to their snout and they're dead. I've found neck shots seem to anchor them better than lung/heart shots (brain shots area best of course. 

Prairie dogs aren't nearly as tough as ground ssquirrels.Dang groundsquirrels REQUIRE a brain shot or they'll get back to their holes. 

I went out west for about five years shooting prairie dogs with different centerfire and rimfire rifles. I would always shoot the close ones first and move out as the sound and the sight of their comrades blowing up sent them down their hole. You always have to contend with wind during the day but I always preferred a steady cross wind when taking shots. Once you get the hold off your in business. One advantage of using an air rifle is the report of a centerfire rifle is not there to scare them. I would try to find some natural cover to hide behind when taking shots. If they can't see you they won't be as fast to associate danger when their brothers start falling over. The other thing that might help is to go out very early or late before the wind picks up. Bill

Cea1960, why don’t I just come up there for a week and help you with this problem? You know being the humble and noble guy that I am. And I’ve shot dogs in Colorado for a few years too.

Chuck