What caliber gun should i get?
 

Ok so i want a gun good for just about anything. I have a 30-06 that i use but when i want to shoot a fox and its runnin that 30-06 blows it to shreads and i want the skins. So i want something that would be smaller than a 30-06 and good for hunting predators and wild boar i go boar hunting but alot of times im hiking alot when hunting so i want something thats a little lighter wait. But what im trying to get at is whats a good caliber gun thats smaller than the 30-06 for my uses. THanks

.243, .223, 22.250, it's hard to choose one for all types of hunting.

Seeing that you did not say if/what you would be hunting other that yotes and hogs and hiking alot, I would have to say the .243 would be a great choice for you. Something in a synthetic stock and shorter barrel would cover your mentioned bases. I would look at the Remingtons or Rugers.
If only varmints, I would say 22-250 would carry you greatly. My .
02 cents.

Hard to answer,you have a .22? IF not you could look at a .22 mag. Likely not good for hogs but you would have something then for small game and target shooting. If you have a .22 then a 243 would be good or a 22-250. I think a 243 is one of the most rounded guns there is. Can get shells from 65 grain for coyote and 80 or 100 grains for whitetails. 243. likely a little heavy for fox. Good luck in your search.

.243 or 7mm08 would be my suggestion. Hogs are tough...I wouldn't go smaller than that for them. Are you possibly shooting hogs when you are predator hunting? If so, then one of those calibers. If not, and you are only shooting hogs when you are hunting exclusively for them, then just use the alt6 when you are hog hunting and get a 22-250, .223 or .204 to do your predator hunting with.

There's no point in buying a gun for both boar and predators since your 06 will handle the boars just fine and anything else good for boar will tear up predators just as bad as the 06.

i think ur best bet would be to stay either .223 or .22-250 since u want to keep the pelts the .243 is a little big IMO

The .223 will be perfect for foxes and coyotes but a little light for hogs. I'd get a .223 and reserve your 30-06 for the hogs.

im usually hunting boar and predators at the same time well i meen i go boar hunting and often times i see a yote or fox when im hunting but i do think i am going to go with the .243 i mean as long as i can get good at shooting the gun i can just shoot the predators in the head

ok so a buddy of mine said i should get a lever action 30-30 is that a good idea

+ 1 for the .243

Now at least you'll have a gun for medium game and big game.

The 30-30 would be great for the hogs but worthless for the predators. It would tear them up and you won't have much range with it. Do like everybody else said and get the .243! It be fine for both

I'm notta 243 fan but I'd say in your case it would work only thing is it's kinda light for boar what about 25-06 it shoots a lighter bullet than your 3006 but heavier than a 243. If you wanna light weight rifle look at the Tikka T3 light great guns light weight and extremly accurate

I say .223
It's a great caliber for fox and for boar.
You can also get it in a really light gun.

You shoot lots of boar with a .223?

I guide hog hunts in North Tex, A lot of my hunters come in with 22-250 and .223's, these are experienced shooters and do well with these calibers. It is shot placement...
I myself use a T/C Encore, 22-250 for small stuff and .300 Win. Mag. for the larger. Otherwise the 7mm.08 is a good all around caliber, it will put a smaller hog down in vitals, neck or head shot, but a larger boar would be doubtful unless you can hit 'em in the boilermaker every time.

With all the wonderfull guns out there, there is no need to try to do it all with only one. "Honey, I really need this one to do this and that with." If I were going to choose a gun for nothing but Yotes and fox, I'd look hard at .17 Rem out to about 200 yards. (Yes, I know the .17 rem will shoot plenty farther but wind drift is a bitoch) If I was going to include other critters with it or longer distances, a .223 or .204. I would definately separate my big game stuff from my varmint stuff gun wise. Plus it more fun that way.

I had a .22-250 I was using for varmit and hogs. It was a wonderful caliber unless a 250+ hog or deer showed up. While a .22-250 can kill them with a perfect shot, I felt way undergunned. I sold it for a .243 Rem 700 mountain rifle. You can shoot 55 grain (flatter than the .22-250) and up to 100 grain bullet works great on deer and hogs.

It is an awesome caliber. However, for your .30-06 you can purchase 125 gr bullets (from Remington) for varmit and use 150gr+ for hogs. If you own a .30-06, you really don't need any other rifle for any game. If you need something other than the .30-06, it's just becuase you want one, not need one.

I finally decided to get a savage model 25 in .223 for the varmits and save the 30-06 for larger game. here is a picture of it. ive been shooting it whenever i get a chance. Its very accurate at 100 yards im looking to sight it in a 250 if i can.

243.you can shoot anything from squirells to deer.also a very flat shooter

Use the 30-06 they make sabot 55 grain bullets called ecelerators for varmints and leave the mussle at 4,200 fps its a 22-250 bullet with a 30-06 shell casing

Get a 12gauge man and be done with it. You'll never need another gun...

Guys he said he went with a Savage in .223 which will be great for what he wants.Once you go to larger cals the fur starts taking a beating and he wants the fur.

220 swift, use the 06 on hogs

Dano,

The .223 is an excellent choice !

The ammo is available everywhere and inexpensive.


Have a ton of fun and be safe.


I hope you got a shooter !

Hard to beat a .223 for a predator gun. Congratulations on your hunts!