Which caliber to complete this trio
10-08-2008, 10:16 AM
#22
Spike
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: South Dakota
Posts: 28
RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
no, no group missing. While shooting coyotes with a 12 ga. could happen around here while hunting pheasants and what not, odds are you won't get that close. This is wide open farming territory, rifles rule the roost.
10-08-2008, 10:38 AM
#23
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: E. Washington State
Posts: 1,045
RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
I had to choose when I bought my coyote rifle but I went with a .223.
If you are shooting them just to shoot them your 25-06 is more than good enough (heck so is your 7mm). I've taken more with my 7mm RM during deer/elk hunting that I have with my .223.
But if you prefer to have a predator-only rifle you just can't go wrong with the 223. Ammo is very affordable, especially lately, and mine shoots so well I can't imagine a need for anything better. If you wanted to hunt predators (coyote, bobcat, as well as groundhogs or marmits) all the time you may be better off with a 22-250 or 220 swift as they are slightly flatter shooting. But much more expensive too. And as mentioned, the 204 may be a little light for song-dogs, especially at longer ranges. I've never had to shoot a coyote more than once with my 223 so it works plenty fine for all my encounters.
Good luck and congrats on the new rifle no matter what you get!
If you are shooting them just to shoot them your 25-06 is more than good enough (heck so is your 7mm). I've taken more with my 7mm RM during deer/elk hunting that I have with my .223.
But if you prefer to have a predator-only rifle you just can't go wrong with the 223. Ammo is very affordable, especially lately, and mine shoots so well I can't imagine a need for anything better. If you wanted to hunt predators (coyote, bobcat, as well as groundhogs or marmits) all the time you may be better off with a 22-250 or 220 swift as they are slightly flatter shooting. But much more expensive too. And as mentioned, the 204 may be a little light for song-dogs, especially at longer ranges. I've never had to shoot a coyote more than once with my 223 so it works plenty fine for all my encounters.
Good luck and congrats on the new rifle no matter what you get!
10-08-2008, 01:56 PM
#24
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 4,264
RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
If you hunt in open areas that shoot long distances, then I would say either 22-250 or .220 Swift.
If you hunt in woods, I'd go with a .223 Ruger Carbine or, if you'd rather keep bolting, then get a CZ bolt-action 10-rounder in 7.62x39,don't remember the model name of it.
Ordinarily, I'd recommend the .243 Winchester, but, seeing as you've already got a 25-06,a .243 would exactly add muchvariety to the mix, now would it?
One last thing, and I know this might begoing toofar, if you can find a Ruger 10/22 in .22 WMR, then get it, it's not made anymore, and it'dmake a fine varmit gun, may not be the best for coyote, but I think you could use light 25-06 ammo just fine for coyotes, couldn't you?
If you hunt in woods, I'd go with a .223 Ruger Carbine or, if you'd rather keep bolting, then get a CZ bolt-action 10-rounder in 7.62x39,don't remember the model name of it.
Ordinarily, I'd recommend the .243 Winchester, but, seeing as you've already got a 25-06,a .243 would exactly add muchvariety to the mix, now would it?
One last thing, and I know this might begoing toofar, if you can find a Ruger 10/22 in .22 WMR, then get it, it's not made anymore, and it'dmake a fine varmit gun, may not be the best for coyote, but I think you could use light 25-06 ammo just fine for coyotes, couldn't you?
10-09-2008, 05:43 PM
#26
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Orange county, NY
Posts: 2,949
RE: Which caliber to complete this trio
http://www.savagearms.com/40Varmint.htm Id go with the old 22hornet(40gr/2800fps) which is making a comback latley. Good yote gun out to 200+yds and just as cheap as 223 which I believe is, or may become in short supply due to global war efforts.
