hmmm... too many decisions

novaman64 · 10-21-2008, 10:27 AM

So I am looking to get a Remington 700 SPS Varmint. I am sick of watching money vanish and fattening up coyotes as they are picking off my goats. With that being said I know you cant have 1 rifle that does everything great, but I am looking for 1 rifle that will pretty much get me by with what I need to do. I know that the rifle I want is going to be heavy for deer hunting but I am okay with that.

So the questions is what caliber should I buy it in. I want something that will nail the coyotes from a good distance (300 yards) yes I can still use for the 4 times a year I go deer hunting. Now heres the twist, alot of my friends are starting to go pig hunting, which I might give a shot at. With that in mind the calibers I am looking at are .243, 7mm-08 and .308. I was initially leaning towards the .243 but I am thinkin in might be a little small if I do decide to go pig hunting. The 7mm-08 looks like a nice round but very pricey. So with all that being said, what do I get my new rifle chambered in? Maybe I should go with the 243 and just use the 12 guage with a slug for pigs????

thommon · 10-21-2008, 10:38 AM

A friend of mine out here in California is a Pro Coyote hunter. He uses a 700 BDL in 7/08 with some good Glass on it. And a bipod. He smokes them left and right. Best of both worlds for the song dogs and deer.

T

x-mountie · 10-21-2008, 10:47 AM

Go with the 243. It will do the job on both yotes and deer, and is certainly enough for porkers. As withany hunting situation, it's shot placement that is a big factor.

HEAD0001 · 10-21-2008, 11:02 AM

308 is a great choice. Personally I would not consider a sub 30 caliber if I was only going to have one rifle. I would recommend the 30-06, but it was not one of your choices. The 308 will serve you well. And you could find some surplus ammo for a pretty good price that will allow you to practice a bit if you decide you want to do that. Tom.

popeye · 10-21-2008, 11:39 AM

Large pigs are harder to killl than deer and they can have a nasty temper, go with the 308

oldelkhunter · 10-21-2008, 11:42 AM

257 Weatherby will do it all

Retaks · 10-21-2008, 01:02 PM

Out of your choices 308. I would much rather have a 30-06 though.

RugerM77.270 · 10-21-2008, 01:28 PM

Go with the 308 it will be able to pull 300 yards with ease and not leave you lacking in any other situations.

novaman64 · 10-21-2008, 02:41 PM

But will it bruise the meat on say a smaller deer that not a long shot?

JeffS · 10-21-2008, 02:53 PM

One you didn't mention that would work good for what you want is a .25-06.