troutdudes

Hello, I wanted to get a new varmint gun for about 200 bucks. I wanted to choose between the 243,223, or the 17hmr, or the 17 mach 2. I wanted to shoot gophers, foxes, coyotes, and other things. Would the 243 be the best, because you could use it for any varmints plus you could take it out to deer hunt? Well I live in canada, so the 200 dollars would be canadian funds.

thanks mark

Hiawatha

Well i think you are goin to have a hard time findin that kind of gun around 200 dollars unless you look at a used one. If i recall right you are in saskatchewan also, a .243 isn't really a widely chosen deer cal for sask. Sure it will do the job if all goes well but i really can't say that i know anyone that uses one here. You can pick up a 17hmr for around 200 dollars which would make a pretty good gopher and smaller varmit gun but for yotes you probably want a little more pepper say a 22-250, 222, etc. I have shot a few yotes with my 17hmr but these were 80 yard shots or so. If your really lookin to reach out and touch them a 17hmr does you no good for coyotes. I really don't know what to tell you i guess it just depends on what you want to hunt the most, buy a good cal that suits that specific animal instead of trying to overkill or under kill several critters with one cal. I know it ain't the cheapest route but its a life long investment so you might as well buy what you want. I have a 17hmr for varmits and a 7mag for big game. I still need to pick up a 22-250 for yotes and a 300wsm for an elk dropper and then my collection is complete. Within the next 10 years i should have them all i hope. Good luck

gopher slayer

im usaly a fan of the 17hmr and it will down a yote, but its not ideal. a 223 would be a beter choise and the ammo is cheaper thena the 243 wich does lots of damage to yoet pelts. 223 is large for gophers but its fun to shoot. in that price range you might have to look at a H&R handi rifle. its a single shot break action but its cheap but sitll accurate.

SPIKEHORN11

I would think about a NEF single shot rifle. I have seen then for alittle over a $100.00 brand new. No scope of course. For the caliber that is your choice or if you like me and you can't decide you can buy multiple barrels. They are easy to change with a screwdriver and they lock tight so the scope should still be zeroed in.

Jeep4x4

There needs to be a sticky thread for such things.
What calibers are legal in what states..
What calibers are too small or too big for what game...
And so on..

aborquez18

Well if youre gonna shoot coyotes with it go with a 243 or 223. And in that price range I say a NEF single shot would fit that well.

etothepii

I bought an NEF .223 just for this purpose. I got the Survivor for $200 at Walmart.



With the scope, and shooting sticks, it's a real sweet setup. It shoots cheap winchester 45gr hp very well. Eventually I want to camo the stock.

If you don't require cheap ammo, look into the new Ruger .204 cartridge. The 32gr bullet moves over 4000 fps!! You can get an NEF in that chamber for under $200 too.

PA_BOW_HUNTER

I have been looking at getting a new gun for coyotes, fox and woodchucks. I haven't heard too many good things about the mach 2. I have narrowed my choices down to a 223, 17HMR and a 22-250. I think I'm leaning to the 223. It is accurate out to 300 yards and ammo is so cheap. I still might pick up a 17HMR, they are pretty cheap... I seen a Savage for 169. US this week on sale at the local sporting goods store.

Ks_Sniper

etothepii,

That's a nice lookin firearm you got there. I might have to look into NEF.

aborquez18

How does your survivor shoot etoth? Mine is putting up some crappy groups. Im shooting 45gr winchesters too. Mine is a handy rifle and have been taking it out hunting alot lately and Im dissapointed in it. Ill be using my 204 Ruger again. Ill take it to the range and see what the deal is.