If my .22LR is giving me under 1" at 100, do you think it's possible to shoot to 320 at prairie dogs?

Question

the first thing you need to know is that im a very good shot. my dad will get 3 to 5 inch groups at 100 yards, and ill shoot the same gun and get 2 or 1.5 in offhand. i have a .22 LR with a 3-9 power scope and sunshade, and 36 grain "golden bullet" hollow points. is it even possible to kill a prairie dog at this distance, and has it been done with a .22, EVER?

Answer 1

The odds are against it.  If you can keep a ,22 rimfire in 1 inch at 100 yards, you need to enter the olympics.  1 inch at 100 yards with a .22 is so highly improbable that it is ridiculous to even talk about it.  But, just for fun, let's say you had a gun that could do that and you had the skills to actually do that.  If you are 1 inch at 100 yards, you will be at  3.2 inches at 320 yards.  How big is a prarie dog?  When you are shooting a gun, any gun, even one that can actually shoot minute of angle, when you are shooting at long ranges like 320 yards, there are many factors to take into account.  Many of these factors are only of minor interest, if of any interest, at say 50 yards.  Winds at that distance do not vary in direction and velocity along the bullet's path very much but at 320 yards it becomes a very important factor and must be accounted for.  Air density will have to be taken into account.  Mirage is another factor to be contended with as will the ballistic coefficient of the bullet.  Shooting at 320 yards is not just putting the crosshairs on the target and pulling the trigger.  .22 rimfire bullets are very light and the wind does some mighty strange things with them.  1 inch at 100 yards consistantly.....not likely!!

As to whether such a feat has ever been accomplished, Who knows?  I know of no place that keeps such records.  If it ever did happen, you can bet your sweet butt that whoever did it couldn't do it twice in a row because it was a fluke.

Answer 2

I'm going to go with the majority. Its possible, but highly unlikely. As much as I like the .22LR round, at 300+ yards bullet drop and wind are going to be serious issues. Even a gun that shoots minute-of-angle would be challenged to group well enough to ensure hits on a prairie dog at those distances.

At those distances you'd be better off with a flat-shooting .22 center-fire (say a .22-250, or .220 Swift).  

Answer 3

Sorry pal, there's no way you're shooting that kind of MOA offhand at 100 yards with a 22. Seriosuly, you're not doing it.

320 yards with a 22 will not kill a groundhog.

Answer 4

the only problem is the bullet drop, if you go to a range and shoot 300 yards, you will see how far off your shots will be just from loss of velocity. then you have to account for wind...something you dont need to do at 100 yards.

so the short answer is no

Answer 5

Yes, it's possible. I suppose the reason you put the question in the "hunting" section is that there's no "dumb luck" category.

Answer 6

It may be possible to accidently hit the hog and kill it, but if you refuse to eat anything until you kill the grounghog, you will starve to death.

Answer 7

i read an article in rifle magazine several years ago where one of the authors went prarie dog hunting with a couple .22LRs set up specifically for long range, one with an old sheffield scope.  the 'guide' consistently rolled over dogs at 325-375 yards, and with just a little practice, the author was doing the same, getting them on the 2nd or 3rd shot. wish i could find that article, it was the only time id ever heard or read of such extreme use of the .22.

Answer 8

Read the ballistics on the cartridge you are using for the different ranges. Also look at the muzzle energy and how much energy loss per 100 yards.  I doubt that you can consistently hit a 6" target at that range with .22 LR.  Windage and elevation will make your shots inconsistent at that range. read the ballistic tables.  

Answer 9

you can shoot at 320 yards, but i would stay at a range where i can effectively kill with one shot. we dont need to flame the fires of the antihunters. 2" groups seems like your max range! use a centerfire and more magnification for those long shots.

Answer 10

No, although I'm leery about answering your question, you report people that don't agree with you.

Answer 11

Anything is possible

But the likely hood is so remote and minuscule that I would have no problem saying no

In the first place even if you were capable the rifle bullet combination is not

I don't believe that the scope could even be set low enough to get the mortar like trajectory you would need to make the shot

I'm not even sure there would enough momentum behind the bullet to kill the animal at that distance anyway