How Many Rifles???

[Vartarg]

I know it's a personal decision, and there's no "right" number.....but how many rifles do you usually take small critter shooting with you?

A friend and I are going to South Dakota in June for three days of shooting PDs, and I'm wrestling with what to take.....

Problems, problems, problems

Thanks,

George

[Bill K]

I take either two or three, sort of depends on the lenght of the trip and where I am going. Bill K

[Captqc]

Here's what "always" goes with me: .204 Ruger, .22LR, .17HMR.
Sometimes this is added to the mix: 22-250.
The .204 is the primary go to rifle on sage rats but when they are in close we will often use the .17HMR as the ammo is so much cheaper. The .22lr usually gets used for what we like to call "drive by" shooting when the weather doesn't allow us to set up our shooting benches. Gary

[Bodei]

I would take two centerfires and 1-2 rimfire (.22 and 17HMR). Of course .204 is one of the centerfires. Maybe a .223 with some 60 grain v-max to buck the wind. If I had a 6mmBR I would take that!

[Vartarg]

IF I was going to take my 6BR, what size bullets should I think about? I normally am shooting 105gr Bergers for 600 yards....

Thanks,

George

[inKYfromSD]

VarTarg, it's a .243 not a 6BR, but I load a bunch of Nosler 70 gr BT's and 87 gr VMaxs to take with me home each year. Helps improve my odds in the wind. And pay attention to that buzzing sound. I almost crawled on top of one on a haystack.

[Vartarg]

InKYfromSD: a number of rifle/cartridges use the .243 bullet.....I'm referring to my rifle in 6mm BR caliber....

George

[Keith in Ga]

I have a 5 day shoot coming up in June, also in SD. Since we're driving, I'm bringing two Cooper .204's and a Cooper 20 VT. I have about 1300 rounds loaded, hope it's enough. I still have plenty of time, I may load more!

[inKYfromSD]

VarTag - I meant one of the rifles I take with me, .243 Win, I worded it poorly. Not sure how light of a projectile you can shoot out of a 6BR. The 70's and 87's do very well in my .243 Win and do a number of the small furry critters. What part of SD will you be in?

[Joe O]

I'm taking a 20 Ackley Bee,two 204s and a 243 AI.About 1000 rounds for each gun.Hope to run out,as we're scheduling 15+ days of shooting.

[Mike]

I expanded the stable this year, so the lineup will include a .22 rifle and pistol, a pair of .204s and a pair of 6BRs. The .204s will likely see the most duty, but I'll switch to the 6BRs if the wind gets brisk and the shots stretch out. One BR has a 1:14 twist for the lighter bullets while the other has a 1:9 to shoot the heavier stuff at longer ranges.

[bdweis73]

Just got back from eastern Oregon 5 day, trip I toulk 2 .204 Rugers a .223 remmy and 17 hmr, first 2 days of shooting slow, third day was best ever, had all four rifles smokin hot and had to quit for awhile, I did not know you could get a 17 hmr barrel that hot. The rats were plentiful from 3 yards to 300, as fast as you could load went through about 500 rounds in 3 hours.

[Sidewinderwa]

I always take at least 2 center fire rifles, 204 and 20 VarTarg in case something goes wrong with a rifle so I can still do the longer shots. I always take a 17 HMR and maybe a 22LR, depending on what I am going after. I will be taking my 6.5-284 once I get a load worked up. Trying to get into the 1,000 prairie dog club! Don't forget to take a good shooting bench for the long shots. My original Pivot BR bench is a prized tool!

[leeloader]

Im going to south dakota in june and im taking a whole arsinal with me. Im taking a .243, .22lr, .17hmr, 6.5 creedmore, and my favorite .204 ruger. I figure that ill shoot each a little also will help with barrel life. only problem is the guns takes up a lot of room in my car

[Sidewinderwa]

It is good to have multiple rifles to shoot so that you can let one rifle cool down and be able to keep shooting with a different rifle(s). Shooting a hot rifle is one of the worst things that you can do regarding barrel life. We frequently spot for the other person on the long range shots. A good spotting scope is very nice to have along. It also allows your rifles to not get too over heated. I normally take 4 to 5 rifles with me for sage rat and prairie dog shoots.