what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

Probably the most popular question, what gun would people recommend using for fox,coyote and deer. I want a rifle that does not destroy the fox or coyote hid but strong enough to kill a deer-i would make sure my shot is clean in the head or neck. I could care less about shooting a deer, the people around by me can be pricks sometimes and it makes the youth in our area not want to hunt or just like them. I would not reload. I thought about the .223 because of such a variety of cartridges and $. In our state the lowest caliber for deer is a .22 centerfire. When I go up north deer hunting I would also bring the shotgun so I wouldnt need such a big caliber like the .30-06 even though they carry a very light unaccurate load for it. Thanks

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

A .223 will do the job great for varmints, but it is a little on the small side for deer. Not saying it won't kill a deer, because it will, but there are better rifles out there. If you've already got a shotgun, I'd say go with the .223and stick withthe shotgun on deer. A .223 is definitely not a long range deer rifle, and if the deer is out of shotgun range, it probably is out of .223 range as well. If I shoot anything bigger than a coyote with my .223, I am nearly always within 20 yards. Most of the time, within 20 feet. If you want something that you can take deer at longer ranges than the shotgun with, look at a .25-06. It isn't as easy on hides as the .223, but it is a much more capable deer rifle.

One more thought to consider: be aware of bullet selection. There are very fewfactory cartridgesin a .223 that are loaded with a bullet suitable enough for use on bigger game. And just because they offer it, doesn't mean it will shoot well in your gun. I handload for my .223, and I am still not very satisfied with my results with the bigger game bullets yet.

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

Well since you said that you didnt really care much for killing deer with this gun i would say a .243. But if you change your mind and would rather have a gun that would be able to kill a deer easier i would definatley say the 30-06.

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

i would go w/ the .308, you can buy 125 grain bullets for coyotes or hand load your ow, and still shot 160+ grains for deer

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

I would use a .243 or .270 because other than that you won't be under or over powered

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

.22-250 at least...prob a .243

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

personally, .308 win. You can control hide tearing with the choice of bullet.

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

Since you threw fox into the mix, I'd say a .243 loaded up with 100 gr. roundnose bullets to keep from blowing large holes in the fox hide. JMHO!

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

I am buying a Savage .223 for my coyote hunting & p.dogs. I love my Winn. model 70/ 270 cal. for deer. Very accurate.

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

Depending on the laws in your state, you could use a .223 or 22-250 or anything the like for fox, coyote and even deer sized game (there are people who hunt whitetails with .22 diameter calibers and harvest deer)

If the laws do not permit you being able to use .22 calibers for deer, then you could use a .243without it being too large for fox and coyotes. (anyone that claims the 243 is not sufficient for killing deer, is selling themselves short of what this cartridge has done for decades) Take a look at the hunters that have harvested deer for almost a century with rounds such as 30 rem, 32 rem, 35 rem, 250 savage, 300 savage, 243, and 6mm. Not the largest of bullets, but all proved worthy of harvesting countless whitetails.

Another thing, what round for the 30-06 is in-accurate? I can pick fly sh!# out of pepper with my 06. I assume that you are talking the 30-06 accelerator rounds , which are much lighter in weight than the 150 gr. bullets.I have shot these and found that they are not too in accurate. But thats just my experience.

In my opinion I wouldn't use the 06 anyways, seeing that you have a shot gun and it would probally be a bit too much for the fox? I hope you find what you need and good luck.:):)

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

Thats funny, my .338 Lapua and my .308 Win. can do the same. And here, I though I was the only one....

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

All I was wondering was what load he was talking about that was un accurate. I am well aware that there are many others on this forum that can shoot their rifles well.

Just what was so funny about me saying that anyways?

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

He may be talking about those accelerator loads, where Reminton tries to make a 30 caliber rifle shoot a light bullet. I tried them in my 30-30, and I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn from inside with them.

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

You reacted the wrong way my friend. I thought it was a funny saying, not a comment made in a sarcastic manner. It was a joke, correct, which I made a comment agreeing with your joke. Lighten up!!!:D

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

i would choose the .243. there is a wide variety of loads. use the 75 gr vmax for foxes and cyotes and the 95-100 gr for deer. ive seen deer killed 250+ yards with the .243 so they are not as weak as everyone suggests. with a good placed shot they are wonderful.

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

them 50 grain bullets i think your right about the accelerator i just heard their in accurate

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

Here in Wi. you'll be happy with a 243 for an all around rifle. Later on when you can afford it you can add a 223 and a 30-06. Then get a bigger gun safe... etc ...:)

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

257 wby. mag.

RE: what rifle for fox,coyote,whitetails
 

I have a savage 243 and love it. It is awesome for yotes and will definetly get the job done on a deer.