Off topic... Dakota Arms Serious Predator in .204 Ruger

[lunde]

Sort of off topic, mainly because I drove to South Dakota (from California) to hunt prairie dogs with my dad. I got here yesterday morning.

Anyway, in less than ideal conditions, I shot my Dakota Arms "Serious Predator" chambered in .204 Ruger for the first time this morning. It's a keeper! See two of the groups it shot, using my handloads:

Here is the rifle:

I also took it out in the field in the afternoon, in 100+ heat and strong winds. I shot fifteen rounds, and most of them were hits (kills).

Three more days of prairie dog hunting. I also brought along two other rifles in .204 Ruger, specifically Cooper Arms M21s (a Montana Varminter and a Phoenix). They both shoot consistent quarter-inch 100-yard groups using my Sierra 32gr BlitzKing handload.

 

[Chuddy Bear]

WOW, thats some good shooting.

 

[mymindisamob]

Very, very nice Ken. It's been a loooooong time since I've had the steadiness to shoot anything that could be called close to that. Thanks for sharing. Glad you're having a good time. How about some pics of the scenery and some gratuitous knife usage?

 

[SNAFU]

Nice grouping! For give my ignorance, do you eat the prairie dogs and what do they taste like?

 

[Mulder]

Nice rifle and groups.
Makes me want to get out my XP 100 in .221 fireball.

dave

 

[lunde]

These tiny 32gr projectiles are devastating, coming out of the barrel at over 4,000 fps. The prairie dogs essentially explode. There is very little for a knife to do unfortunately. And, because prairie dogs carry disease, their bodies are best left untouched. I sure hope that tomorrow is cooler. This afternoon was brutal.

 

[Rescue Mike]

Nice grouping! For give my ignorance, do you eat the prairie dogs and what do they taste like?

Prairie dog actualy tastes alot like cat... And cat, as you know, is one of the best meats out there!! Sauted, marinated.... UMMMMMMMMM!!

'scuse me while I go see if there are any stray cats about.....

 

[getrdone44]

Nice groups!!! :thumbup: :thumbup: How far was your longest shot and was the wind blowing your bullet much? I know you are having a blast helping keep the prairie rodent's population down and the Bubonic plague they carry!!!! I just pulled out the 22-250 out and i may go out and try calling in some yotes!!!!!!! YEEEEHAAWWW

 

[Stubai]

How does the recoil compare to a .223?

 

[Ban]

Those are some awesome groups if it is 100yds. I've gotten really close .3-.5 groups with a .308 Robar QR2 on a lucky day when the tide is right and the moon is in the right position But still nowhere near as tight as these.

 

[gatorzingo]

Those are some great groups of shots. Talk about accuracy.

My wife's grandfather used to shoot ground hogs in New Jersey with a 22-250. At 250 yards he said they there would be not much left. Yes I said a rifle in New Jersey. Just less than 10 years ago also. He was shooting the ground hogs on a farm. Now the farm is a bunch of apartments.

 

[JohnnyO]

That's a keeper alright! Great groups. Sweet rifle.

 

[beefangusbeef]

Awesome rifle! I've been putting off a .204 ruger for a little while now. I need an excuse though. There aren't that many prairie dogs in alaska.