Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

I have a situation where I need to do some coyote and groundhog control on a horse farm. For obvious reasons the report cannot be too loud and for obvious reasonsthe bullets do not need to richochet as I don't want to kill or wound a high dollar horse. Shots will be max of 200 yards and I will be calling the yotes in. Houses in this area are spread out and seems like everyone has 50-100 acre lot. Any cartridgesuggestions? I just don't do any varmint hunting anymore and have never dealt with coyotes in this type situation.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

22 Hornet. Tom.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

The report is the problem !! If you are calling a 12 gauge would work well but it is loud.22 hornet or if less then 100 yards a .22wmr will work.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

How bout a 17 Remington? Are they noisy?

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

I got a 17 Fireball awhile back, and I really don't think there is any more report withit than you would get from the Hornet.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

A guy I know bought a 17 remington about 30 years ago and it shot well but he used it for woodchucks. I don't recall how loud it was . Would that work on Coyotes the 17 Fireball ?

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

Are silencers/suppressors legal in your state? If so, that would be your best best, even though they are pricey.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

I haven't checked but I doubt they are ...I would just like to go with a stock gun of some sort maybe a Rem LVSF in a tiny caliber...I don't care if the yotes run far I just want to make sure that it's their last run.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

Even if you silence it you will still have the crack of the bullet breaking the sound barrier. It would be quieter than a normal rifle, but still noisy. The big difference being it is very hard to locate the sound like you would with a normal rifle report. Plus they are a pain to get, if you can get one, expensive and may not even be legal to hunt with. You have to get a permit to own one I think.

Keep in mind short barrels tend to make more noise. As would anything with a ported barrel, so stay away from that.

I would suggest a .223 with a varmint bullet that is very frangible in something you can shoot well for a second shot. A semi auto would be nice if you could afford it, but not needed. This would easily cover the range you want, works just fine on that size game and smaller, inexpensive to shoot, shouldn't be overly loud and would reduce ricochets with the right bullets.

My opinions and nothing more.

Paul

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

oldelk - my friend gets predator magazine and I get to look in them once in a while. I did see in there several times about a 50 cal air gun that is supposed to be pretty potent on coyotes but range is limited to 50 - 75 yds I think.The company that makes it is Quackenbush Airguns.
Some may say that its too small but from a good rest and the accuracy of the 17HMR, I don't think someone who shoots as much as you shouldn't have any problem poking them in the ear out to 100 yds. And the noise problem would be minimal.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

Another vote for the hornet. I had a Ruger 77/22 in the horne and it was a great gun. It accounted for a few yotes and groundhogs. Worked very well out to 200 yards. And the report isn't much louder than a 22 mag.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

what ever caliber you like with a hollow point bullet.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

Elk, check out the 17HMR. I had a chance to play with one in November and I was impressed on what that little gun will do. It shot sub MOA at 200. Marlin makes a rifle / scope combo that's pretty reasonable. Stainlessheavy barrel and all. It comes witha cheap BSA scope but the optics aren't bad at all. Plus the scope is calibrated to the ballistics of the 17HMR so the elivation turret has yardages printed on it. I checked it out at 100 and then shot it at 200 and the POA was pretty darn close. Plus it won't rattle anybody's windows. Much quieter than the 22 hornet and much cheaper to shoot. Plus, out of the box (unless you handload the hornet) it's more accurate.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

From what I read, I would think the 221 Fireball would be a good choice for this application or the 22 Hornet. I will say that I shot a 222 at some raccoon's this fall for pest control and was surprise on how load it was. My wife could here it from 1 mile away , so I would think anything from a 222 and up would not be a good choice for a noise factor. I was considering getting a 22WMR for pest control around my yard being that it’s probably allot quieter and I don’t have to worry about picking up spent brass for reloading... Just my 2¢...

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

My cousin bought a Ruger 77/22 Hornet a few years back, and its about ideal for the situation you are describing. After a trigger job the gun prints sub 1" groups at 100 yards (thats all he tries for).

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

.22 K hornet or ol .222 would bea excellent.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

I've whacked dozens of woodchucks and 2 yotes with Aguila 60gr. subsonic 22LR. Range is a limited (for my 39A 100yds or less). The 60gr. bullet hits hard and there is very little noise.

RE: Specialized Varmint Rifle
 

I think I am going to end up with some easy carrying centerfire variant in either 20 caliber or 17 caliber. AT least that is the plan