Hi,
I am new to predator hunting. I am still in the process of deciding which rifle/scope combo would be best for me. I will be hunting eastern coyote and fox in wooded areas. Yardages will probably be 0 - 250.
At the moment I am looking at a Kimber 84M Varmint in .204 cal. with a Leuopold VX-2 scope.
Would this be a good entry level setup.
Thank you.
JR97

Kimber isn't exactly a entry level rifle that's for sure ! LoL


Two recommendations;

Spend more on your scope than you do on your rifle.

+/- 4X - 16X for good range of power & +/- 44MM for good light gathering, but low enough mount to get a good cheeck weld.

Sheridan,
Thank you for reply and suggestions. I know that the Kimber is a higher end rifle, but I wanted to start with something that would last. Any other rifle suggestions?
jr97

Kimber is excellent !


This would be nice also;

http://www.winchesterguns.com/produc...p?id=535115210

All I mean to say is, to take your TOTAL budget and spend "most" of it on the scope.


+/- 4X - 16X (24X) for good range of power - 44MM (something short of 50MM) for good light gathering but allows for low mount for good cheek weld.


Something like this;

http://www.opticsplanet.net/swarovsk...iflescope.html

I tend to agree with Sheridan on this one. Quality optics with enough magnification and enough resolution to actually see what you're shooting at will go a long ways.

In general, since most predator calling is either dusk or dawn, I'd also agree with the 44mm recommendation, or a 50mm with a raised cheekpiece (not hard to make your own, or several quality aftermarket models are available). I run 50mm scopes on as much as I can, plus a couple 56mm Nightforce scopes. Yes, you can tell the difference in light transmission! 30mm tubes count for a lot in the way of light transmission as well. I'm a leatherworker, so I made my own cheekpieces, but some of my buddies just use those elastic buttstock shell holders ($10) plus a few shims of trimmed foam rubber, leather, etc etc to allow proper cheekweld for these taller optics. (Or you could just shoot a scoped A2 a lot like I used to and get used to shooting heads up with a "lower jaw weld" instead of a "cheekweld", haha).

Great rifle choice. Personally, for that rig, I'd look into a Leup VX-3 LRT 6.5-20x50mm. Scope runs about $900, well worth it. The OTHER option I'd recommend would be the Bushnell Elite 6500 4.5-30x50mm, about $850, but has fantastic versatility. A 4-16x44 or 6-24x44mm are also good options, but these are hard to find with enough internal adjustment for my tastes. However, since you're limiting your shots 0-250yrds, you'll be able to easily estimate proper hold over, rather than dialing in your turrets. You could pick up a $500-600 scope like a Vortex Viper PST 4-16x50mm, Nikon Monarch 4-16x42mm, Leupold VX-2 6-18x40mm, etc etc, but ultimately, you WILL notice a difference. The Leup VX-3 LRT is a very hard scope to beat, especially if you're strapping it on top of a heavy barreled Kimber pushing .204 Ruger.

In wooded areas with shots within 250 yd's I would stay away from high power scopes.A 2-7 is more than enough.I have a Leupold VX II 1-4 on one of my deer guns.Slipping through the woods I keep it down on 1.I'm certain that's gotten me three deer I wouldn't have had a chance with otherwise.IMO it would be a great choice here as well.

Savage fan with Nikon Monarch 4X16X50 ur choice in model and for the ranges ur describing .223 or .243 might be easier to get variety of ammo unless you reload then whatever caliber works best for you. Also consider AR platform where the sky is the limit in choices. The Savage and Monarch price about 1K, an AR with good optics about 2K.

Hi All,
Thank you for your replies and suggestions. A lot of choices to be made by a young first-time hunter such as myself.
jr97

Most 2-300 hundred guns can already shoot better than you can, spend the money of the glass.

The Kimber is a very good choice on a really nice Rifle/Gun,and the .204 Caliber is going to do very well on taking down Coyotes,Bobcats and Foxes and not do as much damage on their Hides/Pelts!


I answered Your other question on which Caliber to choose from so I'm kinda adding to this Post too!


I would also check out the CZ-USA Model 527 Rifles,the Savage Light Weight Hunter Rifles in I'm thinking Model 11,111 or 25?The Coopers would be great but very pricey to say the least.....Remington Varmint Rifles are sweet looking too!