tmc
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,447
|
Post by tmc on Feb 8, 2014 14:46:38 GMT -5
I'm going to be getting another gun for predator hunting. I sold my old one that I had since 1986, now to start looking and I'm wondering what's new out there, along with the old tried and true. Any advice for what caliber? I have 2 friends that shoot .17 Remington, the centerfire not the rimfires. They're devastatingly accurate and none of the coyotes I've seen them shoot had any fur damage. They're hit, they're slumped, dead on the spot. I asked about the stories regarding fast barrel fouling, they laughed and said "Yeah, we've heard 'em too!" They love the caliber, claim any larger caliber is overkill.
Then there's the various .17 rimfires, but I'm of the opinion they're not enough power to reliably drop coyotes at much distance. If I'm wrong, I'd love to hear it.
Also, what about the .204?
Then there's the guys that swear the only thing you need is a properly loaded shotgun. I agree that it's a good choice for short range, but that's not all I'll be doing and this is a question about replacing a rifle, so I'd like to stick to talking about rifles.
I know, "it's all a matter of personal preference." But personal preference isn't necessarily what I want to go by, so I'm asking -- what do you say?
Thanks, - Tim
|
|
|
Post by trappermac on Feb 8, 2014 16:12:58 GMT -5
If I was going to have only one gun for predator hunting it would be a .22-250. Widest range of bullet types. This is a great coyote caliber, any "great" coyote caliber is going to be a bit harsh on fox as far as entry/exit holes. All depends on the type of hunting you plan on doing.
|
|
|
Post by silentnight on Feb 10, 2014 19:03:13 GMT -5
well id have to go with the 22-250 myself, however im sure you know you'll want the right bullet for it if you dont want the fur damage. i bought a howa .22-250 and i personally like the gun, however the ammo i purchased when i got the gun is rough on the hides.
JMO id stay with calibers you'll be able to find ammo for, im just guessing that the "odd" calibers will be tougher to find ammo for???
|
|
|
Post by mole on Feb 11, 2014 10:38:25 GMT -5
tmc ? What do have for a rifle? A lot of calibers can be reloaded to suit different needs.
|
|
tmc
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,447
|
Post by tmc on Feb 11, 2014 11:50:47 GMT -5
Thanks, guys.
Mr. Mole, I haven't got one for varmint hunting now, I sold it (along with a few other guns and stuff) a little while ago when things were getting pretty rough for the short term. I haven't replaced it yet, but that's what I hope to do now. A friend that lives between my home/orchard and my farm (maybe 9 miles distant) belongs to a small family group that hunts coyotes every night they get a chance to during season, they use everything on them because they don't care about the fur. They got sick of seeing flocks wiped out by them, and they hunt for predator control. He uses an old .32 Winchester, it's a beaut of a gun!
As for hard-to-find calibers, I do reload so it wouldn't be a problem, ditto with using a less than ideal caliber but loading to suit the needs. I used to have a pretty nice assortment of rifles but am now down to .45 and .50 black powder rifles (both cap and flint), but not using them obviously; a Marlin 30-30, an old (1978?) .22 Marlin Glenfield Model 60 , and an old Remington .22 Remington Sportmaster Model 512, bought from my Dad, it was old when he bought it used back in the early 40's. Plus an old Ithaca Model 37, serial number is only 5-digits long, lol! It was my uncle's, he left it to me. The Remington is literally a tack-driver with shorts, longs, long rifle - doesn't care what it's fed. The Ithaca has accounted for more game than all the others put together, black powder being second.
So what would I use? The Remington means too much to take afield anymore, the black powders aren't something I'd want to use, and the Glenfield pretty much has been shot so much on woodchucks that it's more or less just a dispatch gun now. That leaves the 30-30 and the shotgun. I know we used to be able to buy the 30-30 Accelerators, using a saboted .223 but they're not available anymore. I don't want gaping holes in the pelts, either. And the shotgun won't do for range.
That's why I'd like to get a gun that'd be either restricted to predator hunting, or a multi-use gun. I also sold my favorite, a Remington Model 700 BDL in .25-06. That one broke my heart. I had it since new back in the 80's, and it was like-new when I sold it. I actually got only $10 less for it than what I paid for it new. That was a real go-to gun for me.
The only issue with the 30-30 is that it's picky with what you feed it. For factory loads, it loves the heavier (170 grain) bullets. For reloads, it does best with 125 and 130 grain bullets. And while it takes deer down just fine, I don't consider it a fur-friendly gun/caliber.
I'm open to all advice. And if anyone's using/used the .17 variations, are they worthwhile, and if so, which ones?
Thanks again, - Tim
|
|
|
Post by mole on Feb 11, 2014 16:51:39 GMT -5
A 30 06 is an option simply because of the wide selection of bullet weights. which can include cast bullets. I am loading some 25 06 now. I got some 270 brass and have reshaped it to 2506. simple to do. run through full length die and trim to length. Good luck in your quest.
|
|
tmc
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,447
|
Post by tmc on Feb 12, 2014 8:40:01 GMT -5
hmmm... I posted a reply here yesterday, maybe I didn't hit the right key. Anyways, thanks again. My old predator gun was a 22ppc, but I couldn't reload anything that it liked. Factory ammo, it'd shoot the same hole all day long. But I don't want another one. Fortunately the guy that bought it couldn't wait to get it. I think I'll be looking more closely at the 22-250 and 204 calibers. Maybe even go to the classifieds and post a Want ad. Again, thank you! - Tim
|
|
|
Post by erict on Feb 12, 2014 22:23:26 GMT -5
I'll assume "fur friendly":
For coyotes only - .223
For fox only - .22 mag or .17 win supermag rimfire
For coyotes and fox - .17 Fireball or any other .17 handloaded to appropriate velocities with proper bullets. Not sure that you'll find one-size-fits-all, but I hear plenty of good things about the 20-grain .17 caliber bullets at about 3900 fps being a one hole proposition even on fox.
I think many people want to have a rifle good to 300+ yards but realistically how many really shoot that far? Even the flat shooting calibers have a fair amount of drop at that range and a rangefinder is almost a necessity then. Most shots for most people are well under 100 yards and you'll hear some guys swear by the .22 mag for everything. Really tough to argue with shotguns for close quarters, fast action.
Good luck.
|
|
|
Post by andyt on Feb 13, 2014 6:14:51 GMT -5
I use a 22-250 for coyotes. If you want to preserve the pelt on a fox then a 22 mag or most any of the 17's will work. I'm not crazy about the 17's on coyotes but then I've never use one. For close range I like 12ga 3" mag #4 buck.
|
|
tmc
#2 Newhouse
Posts: 2,447
|
Post by tmc on Feb 13, 2014 8:30:47 GMT -5
Where (and I guess, how) I hunt, most shots would be within 100 yards, if that helps? Thanks.
|
|
|
Post by trashydog on Feb 13, 2014 12:34:06 GMT -5
22 hornet,204,220swift,222,223,22-250,22-243,243 all work great. all can be reloaded to suite your needs. i personlly use a 243 because its my deer gun also.factory ammo i use a heavy bullet and it doesnt do much damage but i like the 55gr nosler ballistic tips when hand loading and just back the powder down.never used one myself but one guy had a 17 fireball and never dropped a yote, dogs had to still run them down he said.i would use any of these with confidence on factory ammo to stop a yote yet not destroy a fox but would be better handloading.hope this helps.
|
|
|
Post by wannabegood on Feb 14, 2014 19:50:42 GMT -5
I have a 22 hornet have had great luck with it.Not bad fur damage at all.100 yard shoot's all day.
|
|
|
Post by king368m on Feb 15, 2014 8:47:26 GMT -5
I have used a .243 with 100gr soft points for a few years now with large exits on Fox. Only been able to call in one coyote while carrying it and dropped it with an exit about the size of a quarter. If targeting coyote only I would say that is the way to go. It even makes for a nice deer rifle. If I am in an area just for Fox I carry my 17 HMR with great results but am limited on range. In an effort to have a more friendly Fox load/caliber my friends have tried the 17 hornet with great results on Fox but lost all 5 coyote they shot all under 150 yards and these guys are hitting them square in the chest. Another friend shoots a .223 with great luck with most rounds not exiting with a 55gr v-max but when they do it is BAD. He also hasn't lost a coyote yet. My self (a lefty) am limited on the calibers that are available. All the major manufacturers have discontinued all caliber s smaller then .223. Remember.223 is a military round short of so they will always be available. Bullet selection is great and ammo is cheaper. This I why I picked up a .223 about 2 weeks ago.
|
|