Scope for prairie dogs
- Thread starter harrym
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Speedieguy
Member
Cabelas has a 4-12x44. I have one and am very happy with it.
Cabela's Riflescopes : Cabela's
There are also some sub-$200 Nikons that are pretty nice.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/prod...104752080%3Bcat104535180&WTz_l=YMAL;IK-713427
Cabela's Riflescopes : Cabela's
There are also some sub-$200 Nikons that are pretty nice.
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/prod...104752080%3Bcat104535180&WTz_l=YMAL;IK-713427
Last edited:
JaPes
Member
Calling Oneyeopn ...
Rastoff
US Veteran
A $200 scope? I'm sure you'll find many who'll say they have one that's working great for them, but I'm not one of them. I've wasted too much money on cheap optics. Save your pennies and get a good one. You won't be sorry.
At what distance do you intend to obliterate these little varmints?
At what distance do you intend to obliterate these little varmints?
I thought cypher was the "self proclaimed" prairie expert?
uncledoggle
Member
A wise man once told me that you should spend at least as much on your scope as you did on your rifle.
cyphertext
US Veteran
No, but I know enough about it to know that an Eotech and match grade ammo ain't what you need...
......thanks Dad!
cyphertext
US Veteran
I agree with Rastoff, it may be a challenge to find something under $200. Most prairie dog hunters have pretty high magnification, up to 20x. Clarity and magnification are expensive.
Mostly between 50 and 100 yards. I've made some longer shots with my Remington 700 in .243, but I've missed some, too. It has a Bushnell 3-9 power scope that has been satisfactory. I've heard the spend as much as the gun costs argument, but I don't agree with it. There are lots of under $200 scopes available. Some varmint shooters must know of a good one.
JaPes
Member
Nope. Oneyeopn is.
Though I'm starting to understand why he doesn't participate much here anymore. Sad.
I've shot prairie dogs since 1982 and burned the rifling out of 3 guns doing it.
Hands down the best prairie dog scope for the money is a 12X Luepold target scope with fine duplex cross hairs. Used ones are even a better deal. Used might be $200 and I don't know what new costs.
You get what you pay for in optics. You can't shoot 400 yards with a $200 scope accurately on an AR. Firing vibration/bolt cycling beats a cheap scope to junk. I've shot $125 Simmon's scopes (from MidwayUSA) for years on Ruger 10/22 or bolt action 223 Rem rifles but they aren't ARs.
Hands down the best prairie dog scope for the money is a 12X Luepold target scope with fine duplex cross hairs. Used ones are even a better deal. Used might be $200 and I don't know what new costs.
You get what you pay for in optics. You can't shoot 400 yards with a $200 scope accurately on an AR. Firing vibration/bolt cycling beats a cheap scope to junk. I've shot $125 Simmon's scopes (from MidwayUSA) for years on Ruger 10/22 or bolt action 223 Rem rifles but they aren't ARs.
Rastoff
US Veteran
OK, now we've got something to go on. This will determine how much magnification you need. Though I must say, most prairie dog hunters seem to shoot them further out than that.
Yep, there are tons of scopes for less than $200. Everyone I've ever owned was fine until I actually shot them. Don't hold zero, difficult to adjust and lots of parallax error. I guess this falls into the category of, until you try one, you won't understand how much better it can be.
Here is the absolute cheapest scope I'd recommend: Vortex Optics - Viper 3-9x40 Dead-Hold BDC
It's more than you wanted to spend, but quality don't come cheap. Even this one is not one I'd buy myself, but Vortex has a tremendous reputation for making good scopes.
cyphertext
US Veteran
Harry, if you can keep your shots within 100 yards, a Bushnell 3-9 power will work. However, prairie dog hunting is often from a longer distance, like 200 yards and out.
plattincreek
Member
Well, I've been shooting at the P'dogs for about 30 years now so I have a little experience to share. My AR is a colt that has be refitted with a 26 inch stainless bull barrel with a muzzle brake. The scope on that rifle is a Leupold 12x with target knobs and a fine duplex reticle. It is accurate out to about 350. After that I reach for a bigger gun... 22/250, 220 Swift or my 25/06. Save your money until you can get a good scope. I watched a 18 power Simmons self destruct just a couple of hours ago. Told him he needed to buy a good scope.
TheMaineEvent
Member
At that yardage you could use a Nikon 3-9x40. I use one and have nothing but praise for it. I also shoot a Primary Arms 4-14x44 and love that scope too. Both would be good choices.
I was wondering about the different stress produced by the AR15, compared to my Remington 700. So any opinion of the Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14x40 Riflescope? It is available for $269 -- a bit more than $200 -- but possible if it is up to the job. I have always been happy with Nikon products.
rongarrett
Member
P dog huunting
If you are going to limit your shots to 100 yds you must just be going to dabble at it. Not every hole has a couple of P dogs in it. You will find out that it doesn't take long for you to either kill the 100 yard ones, or the ones you missed will not come out. Stick gwith 40 brain bullets if you can, they shoot flatter and will net you a few extra yards.............if the wind is not whipping. As for scopes I proved to myself that a Leupold 6X25X40 is the best and can be moved around to better Pdog rifles if need be. More magnification and mirage gets to be a big problem. Less magnification just does not give you enough detail to properly dope the wind. Side focus is a great help. Last shoot I went on my buddy and I + guide carried 18 rifles that ranged from 22 LR to 22.250, to 6BR, to 243 improved, to 25.06 and a total of 5000 rounds. My longest confirmed kill was 786 yards, with the 25.06. If you are serious about Pdog shooting and the 223 is all ya got. Use 40 grain bullets in as hot a load as your gun will take,[flattened primers}. You will be seriously underguned if you really want to get after them. Would recommend that you get interested in predator hunting, which the 223 / 5.56 can excel at.
If you are going to limit your shots to 100 yds you must just be going to dabble at it. Not every hole has a couple of P dogs in it. You will find out that it doesn't take long for you to either kill the 100 yard ones, or the ones you missed will not come out. Stick gwith 40 brain bullets if you can, they shoot flatter and will net you a few extra yards.............if the wind is not whipping. As for scopes I proved to myself that a Leupold 6X25X40 is the best and can be moved around to better Pdog rifles if need be. More magnification and mirage gets to be a big problem. Less magnification just does not give you enough detail to properly dope the wind. Side focus is a great help. Last shoot I went on my buddy and I + guide carried 18 rifles that ranged from 22 LR to 22.250, to 6BR, to 243 improved, to 25.06 and a total of 5000 rounds. My longest confirmed kill was 786 yards, with the 25.06. If you are serious about Pdog shooting and the 223 is all ya got. Use 40 grain bullets in as hot a load as your gun will take,[flattened primers}. You will be seriously underguned if you really want to get after them. Would recommend that you get interested in predator hunting, which the 223 / 5.56 can excel at.
JoseVazquez76
US Veteran
look into the vortex cross fire II
JoseVazquez76
US Veteran
or the Bushnell AR 223 line
