[270sniper]

I am booked for a two day hunt prairie dog with Pahapest Outfitters in South Dakota this June and want to see if I have or will need more ammo for the rifles I will be using.

I was planning on taken this much ammo.

17hrm rifle - 700 rounds

223 rifle - 250 rounds

AR 223- 250 rounds

243- 200 rounds

 

[Greyfox]

Hard to say for sure, but if your guide puts you in a decent spot, you should be good to go. I'd say the 223 bolt will get the most use and if you have a good two days you will be wishing you had blocked out more time. That's a long drive for a two day shoot. But then, it's good to leave while it's still fun.

Rick

 

[WDSWIFT]

For a 2 day trip, I'd guess you're about right. Wind, heat, and Pdog population & their relative wariness being the Xfactor.

Take WAY more water than you think you need and drink it way more often than you normally do during the day. JME. WD

 

[toiville2feathers]

Your going in June, if it is in the last half of June the dogs may be skitterish because they have been educated in May and the first Haif of June. You have enough of the 17 HMR, but I think you should have at least 400 of the 223 and the 5.56 and another 100 of the 243. If you run short of ammo and try to buy it out there it’s 1. A long ways from the PD fields. 2. Expensive, 3 your short on time to go get ammo on a 2 day guided hunt. You want to be shooting that last day not driving to get ammo
It’s a lot easier and cheaper to get your ammo close to home. And it no big deal to haul it back.
Good luck on your hunt and 1 hope you haves target rich trip.

 

[Kentucky Fisherman]

All three of the previous responses are from guys who've been there, done that, and the info is good. Since you're going with a guide, you aren't likely to be shooting "virgin" dog towns in June, although that's what you'll be told. You'll be shooting educated dogs, which means longer shots. Unless .17HMR is just one of your absolute favorite calibers, I don't think I'd bother with that one at all. You might get 2-3 shots with the HMR, then will have to switch to something with more reach.

I'd leave the HMR at home, bump the .223 and 5.56 to 400 each and bump the .243 up to 300 rounds. I think that's the same number already recommended by 2Feathers.

As Wayne (WDSwift) said, pay at least as much attention to your fluids as to your ammo. PD hunting is the only time I drink Gatorade, but I literally suck it down by the gallon out there. Do not wait until you get thirsty.

 

[Doug Roberts]

....................

As Wayne (WDSwift) said, pay at least as much attention to your fluids as to your ammo. PD hunting is the only time I drink Gatorade, but I literally suck it down by the gallon out there. Do not wait until you get thirsty.

Amen to this. June out there is likely to be brutally hot and there will be shade only if you bring it with you. By the time you get thirsty, you're already heading for trouble.

As for ammo, I always bring back almost as much as I shoot. Much rather haul it home than run out. But then, I'm married to a barrel-melting, valley-of-death creator. I'd almost rather spot for her than shoot. ALMOST!

 

[jimp]

I would take 250 rds of 223 per day at a minimum. Last yr I took about 750 rds per 223 rifle (had 2) plus the 204R for a 3 day shoot.

 

[TinMan]

Bring more ammo. Put it another way, if you get lucky and have an area that hasn't been shot recently, you can easily shoot 200 rounds in a couple of hours, even waiting for the rifle to cool down.

 

[df]

223 ammo

I would take 250 rds of 223 per day at a minimum. Last yr I took about 750 rds per 223 rifle (had 2) plus the 204R for a 3 day shoot.

I agree, take more ammo for the 223 bolt. If it’s windy, the 17 HMR might not see much action. And it’s often windy in sodak. I’ll be in central sodak about May 20 for a couple day shoot.

 

[Larry in Bend]

If I were going on a guided hunt, I'd surely ask the opinion of the outfitter/guide as to ammo and rifles. Some guides/ranchers frown on the 17 HMR, thinking that every living thing deserves a quick death.

On the other hand, I know PD hunters that use 22 rim fires and have a lot of fun.

I once shot 450 .223 rounds in a 24 hour period (noon to noon) out of a Ruger #1. Wore me out but it CAN happen so I'd take more .223 if you are able. June is more likely to be rainy than hot, but be prepared for any weather. Be sure and take a good binocular and I enjoy ranging PDs with a little laser rangefinder.

 

[Kentucky Fisherman]

I can't help injecting a bit of humor here. I'm recommending that you bump up your stash of 5.56 should you take something like this on your PD Safari.

Carpman

 

[Bear57]

Like the guys are saying...... better to have too much ammo, than not enough!

Take more, as you never know how much your really going to use.... have fun! .