Prairie Dog Vital Zone

Experiences and effectiveness in hunting with the 204 Ruger.
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Malazan
Senior Member
Posts: 119
Joined: Thu Apr 15, 2010 6:07 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Cooper .204
Location: CO

Prairie Dog Vital Zone

Post by Malazan »

What is the vital zone on a PDog? 1", 2". 3"?


I'm trying to figure out my MPBR
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"When the Government fears the People there is Liberty, When the People fear the Government, there is Tyranny." - Thomas Jefferson
Ruger1
New Member
Posts: 18
Joined: Wed Mar 03, 2010 7:26 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage Model 12 LRPV

Re: Prairie Dog Vital Zone

Post by Ruger1 »

Try this recipe and just about anywhere from his butt to his brain.

Savage model 12 Long Range Precision Varmint Rifle in .204
Winchester brass
Remington 7 1/2 BR primer
28 gr Varget
Sierra 39gr BlitzKing
JDB
New Member
Posts: 32
Joined: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:43 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage VLP 204 w/ Konus Pro M30 8.5X32x52
Location: Boise Idaho

Re: Prairie Dog Vital Zone

Post by JDB »

Ruger1, I will have to agree.

Savage 12 VLP 1-12" in .204
39gr SBK's
27.4 gr Varget
CCI #400 Primers
Hornady or Winchester Brass

I think this works anywhere that hair is touching skin. Its hard to find any sizeable data though.
However I dont think sagebrush or tubleweeds are tinted red naturally.
Last edited by JDB on Sun May 02, 2010 11:59 am, edited 1 time in total.
acloco
Senior Member
Posts: 1708
Joined: Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:53 pm
.204 Ruger Guns: 12FV, 12BVSS -S
Location: Nebraska

Re: Prairie Dog Vital Zone

Post by acloco »

....just on the other side of the crosshair! :)
jwc41
New Member
Posts: 38
Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:37 am
.204 Ruger Guns: AR-15 clone

Re: Prairie Dog Vital Zone

Post by jwc41 »

What makes it tough to answer is that point blank range depends on their size and whether they are standing erect or are on all fours when you squeeze off. A well-fed, fully grown PD standing erect can approach 12" high by 4" wide (the pregnant moms can go a little wider), but a pup foraging on the ground can be less than 3" high and 5" long.

So, a 3" circle is probably conservatively safe. But if they are fat and standing tall, your PB range is extended considerably. Any hit that draws blood is usually fatal, but unless there is a visible reaction to the shot (like measurable hang-time or noticeable red fog) they'll probably crawl down a hole before you can count coup and you are left looking for blood on the dirt for confirmation.
broncsandwhiskey
Junior Member
Posts: 86
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2008 8:51 am
.204 Ruger Guns: Savage modle 12 LRPV

Re: Prairie Dog Vital Zone

Post by broncsandwhiskey »

I consider the vital zone when the bullet makes contact with the PD. Now with that considered you should just look at maybe a scope like a Leupold with a varmint hunters reticle. Then setting your zero for 200 yds and just go from there with your load and the range you plan on shooting. The .204 is so flat when it shoots that you will be amazed. I just hope I didn't step on anyone's toes. Ride Up!!!

Shane
RIDE UP!!!
Savage LRPV .204 With a Burris 6.5x20 Mill Dot
And alot of other savage rat killers
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