223 vs 25-06 on prairie dogs

[Hammer]

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There are many good prairie dog cartridges ranging from the 14 Walker up through the original 17 Remington and the 222 Remington, 222 Remington Magnum, the 219 Donaldson Wasp, the 220 Swift, and the various 6mm's.

This thread is focused exclusively on the direct comparison of the 223 Remington and the 25-06 Remington.

After umpteen years and thousands of side-by-side comparisons at ranges up to a hundred yards...

Have reached the absolute conclusion that any prairie dog hit by a 75-grain Hornady VMAX fired from a 30-inch 25-06 looks much less healthy than one shot by a wimpy 223.

The chances of even the finest small animal vet piecing back together a prairie dog hit from a 25-06 is remote.

This conclusion having been reached with scientific certitude, what excuse can one give for continuing to even own a 223 ?







Of course, the 257 Weatherby and the 264 Win Mag can up the ante a little.

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[CJ in WY]

My findings preaty much mirror yours with a couple of exeptions.
In my world cost is relitive and dead is dead!
Dont get me wrong its fun to wackem with the 25-06 once in a while but the 223 gets more use.
I'd rather hand my 25-06 off to a fellow shooter so I can better see the acrobatics ;D

[chainsaw]

I agree,dead is dead.The 06 is way more expensive to shoot.

[Hammer]

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You should keep the gun powder and bullet making workers and their families in mind.

Using a 25-06 over a 223 is one way to "give back" to society.



And this "dead is dead" business is highly exaggerated.

You don't know how many of those 223 shot prairie dogs recover in their emergency rooms.

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[chainsaw]

Maybe you should step up to a 22-250,they fragment the gophers,send em straight to the morgue.

[DCM]

I think that at the end of the day, your shoulder would feel better if you shot the 223 or 22-250

[TOO Builder]

And this "dead is dead" business is highly exaggerated.

You don't know how many of those 223 shot prairie dogs recover in their emergency rooms.



You forget Mr. Hammer, we shoot Savage rifles and that means a very high percentage of head shots and no recovery. ;)

Any that come even close to recovery from a 25-06 hit are likely in need of an "AIR" ambulance.

[CJ in WY]

You don't know how many of those 223 shot prairie dogs recover in their emergency rooms.

Now that right ther is funny!!!! My guess is not many recover from their emergency room care ;)

Had the 25-06(Savage Axis not the J) and its just too much gun for my shoulder to be shooting more than a couple of times.......The 75 grain Vmax will definatly outdo the little 40 grainers out of the 223, Ya gotta hittem first and in the wind the 25-06 is a hands down winner!

[Hammer]

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If y'all will quit using them little carbines and get a rifle with some heft to it...

Maybe a sixteen pounder...

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[Hammer]

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Y'all do realize that there are government grants which pay for 25-06 ammunition and rifles used to shoot prairie dogs ?

It falls under the Department of Agriculture's spreading of natural fertilizer program.

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[Stu]

;D

[yobuck]

i own a 25/06 and its a fine cartridge.
to use that exclusivly for prairie dogs would be like repairing a car with an adjustable wrench.
id rather use the right wrench for a given situation.
given a choice ill use the 223 w/50s the 22/250 ai w/60s the 6x284 w 105s and the 6.5 wsm w 140s.
in that order. but thats just me.

[slaroy]

Personally, I dont know what took me so long to switch from a .223 to a .25 caliber. Here in Michigan we've got groundhogs that are *almost* as tough as prarie dogs. Now that I can sling a .25 caliber 75gr v-max at 3400 plus, (unfortunately I am shooting a roberts but should be enough for woodchucks *barely*) maybe I will start asking farmers for some funding to help support the natural fertiliziation of their fields.

[lomfs24]

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Y'all do realize that there are government grants which pay for 25-06 ammunition and rifles used to shoot prairie dogs ?

It falls under the Department of Agriculture's spreading of natural fertilizer program.

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Speaking of spreading fertilizer... ;)

[Tracer]

Hammer I gotta say that I have been a big fan of the Quarter Bore for many years! I just purchased my very first .223 the other day in a Savage model 12, already had a Ruger in a 25-06 (bench gun bull barrel) and it is real accurate out passed 400 yards on critters I wish to put down for keeps. I think the .223 is less nerve racking at the bench but other than that I love my 25-06's.

[A_Gamehog]

his conclusion having been reached with scientific certitude, what excuse can one give for continuing to even own a 223 ?

Funny how you left out the most important facts. Your 25-06 will shoot 10 shots @ 3400FPS before the barrel overheats. The fact I can see the complete shot thru my scope is something you can't. When you pull the trigger you miss the "SHOW" .My Savage .223 will go 30-40 shooting a 34 grain dogtowns @ 3850+ FPS and W748 Powder.

Now if my memory serves me right, when P-Dogs attack you might get some dumb ones in the first few shots (think Indian attack with a black powder rifle), but if you are waiting for your barrel to cool down you miss the second wave. Then the third wave, as you know they will eventually mount a charge and overtake your position and eventually bite your Cahones off! So to make my statement about which gun is better, dead is dead, I go for safety and choose the "low powered .223". I still have my Cahones and 3-4 times the kills you do. Bigger Body count numbers are always Better!

If you want bigger, try a 300 WBY with a 180 Sierra Matchkings, aim about 6 inches short of the target, the deflected shrapnel will vaporize the intended rodent.

Just trying to help....

[hcpyro13]

The 110 v-max is more impressive in the wby....

[Hammer]

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When using the 30 caliber and larger Weatherbys on stopping charges...

Prefer Swift A-frame bullets for their large expanded frontal area and their high weight retention and deep penetration.

But at some time, we must go to the truly big bores to repel the attack.



As to being able to see the total battle scene and the devastating effects, just go to a heavier rifle.

Rifle bounce is strictly a phenomena of the carbine set.

There are some good prairie dog rifles that weigh over eighty pounds.

Hydraulic, mechanical, and electrical turrets and gun mounts have been around a long time.



As far as overheating barrels go...

That is why you use a War Wagon so that you can have a hundred or more guns at the ready.

This is also why the Savage quick change barrel is so beneficial.



Just keep in mind, the 223 Remington is neither fish nor fowl.

It does not have the accuracy of the original 222 Remington nor the velocity potential of the 222 Remington Magnum.




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[A_Gamehog]

All P-dogs taken prisoner have told me the same thing, they Hate the .204 Ruger I use. ;D

[scope eye]

Hi the 25-06 is the most versatile gun I own, and nothing is more versatile than 70gr blitz kings propelled by 60gr of 4350 or RL17 to make a 3900 + fps statement
nuff said.

Dean