22 mag or 22-250

G

galloway1711

New member
I'm just getting started on predator hunting. I am not sure what kind of gun to get. I am hung up on whether to get a 22 mag or a 22-250. I'm wanting to shoot bobcats and coyotes. Chances are there will be alot of night hunting. Any recommendations?
 
22 mag or 22.250 man thats a big jump! Ive never night hunted how close do you call them coyotes in? Close range 22 mag farther out .223 I don't think you need a 250s power but like I said never been night hunting kan't do it in Arkansas unless you have special permit. Not a big shotgun fan but that might be the best thing to use. ~marco
 
I guess one question here is do you plan on harvesting the fur? A 22-250 will tear up bobcats and do much the same to coyotes.

Most of the guys that harvest like the 17 Remington, but for close ranges the 22 mag would probably do. I don't night hunt so can't help you there.
 
Welcome to PM galloway.

Comparing a 22 mag and a 22-250 is like comparing a Ford Focus and a Ferrari F4. You might want to look at something in the middle.

A .223 is the most popular predator round (and the cheapest to shoot).
 
Why not get one of those Savage 223/12ga. rifles. I know a guy that has one he turkey hunts with.Maybe it's a 222 over 12ga., but anyway you get the best of both plus a shotgun.
 
I would like to keep the fur in pretty good shape. I'd like to get the bobcats taxidermed. The coyotes I don't care how bad they might end up. The furthest shots would be around 100 yds or so. I was jus twanting to make sure they either of the guns would have enough power to do what I need them to do. Thanks for all the advice though, I need it.
 
Quote:
You don't want to have to be looking for critters that run off.



Simple and to the point, very sensible deduction.
 
i have shot a few thing with a 22-250 and i love this gun. good range and flat shooting and i have not seen to much damage.
 
Quote:
Why not get one of those Savage 223/12ga. rifles. I know a guy that has one he turkey hunts with.Maybe it's a 222 over 12ga., but anyway you get the best of both plus a shotgun.



That's the old Savage Model 24. They came in quite a few different caliber/gauge-bore configurations as I recall. I dunno if they are still in production, but I see them from time to time at gun shows in the ~$500 range around here.
 
223 or 22-250 like stated above its no fun trying to track a animal at night. 223 will do a little less damage and still knock'em down. The ammo is easier to find if you are a ammo buyer. If you are a reloader go 22-250. You will never look back. It can also be used for some bigger game. I have shot lots of hogs and deer with a 250. When you hit'em in the neck the tend to drop. DRT
 
22mag will work for your application. Its limit is about 125 yards on a coyote.Its really not enough gun for dogs though. Its just right for the bobcat if you don't want to tear it up. However, 22 mag is marginal your gonna get wounded dogs and runners.

22-250 is way more gun then you need and costs more to shoot. If you lived in the west then yeah 22-250.

.223 is probably your best option. However there are more options to consider if you want to be different but since its hard to find ammo and expensive for less popular loads maybe not so good. some of the others to look at are the 22 hornet and .222 rem. Both these rounds can be reloaded down to 22 mag velocity for your bobcats if you really wanted.

you can pick up a 22 mag for cheap! the centerfire guns run a little more. you could get a savage 22 mag for like 220 bucks and it will probably be a tack driver. the cz is about 400. sako quad 500.

centerfire you could get the stevens for like 300. or cz and most other brands your looking at approx 600-1,000.

you could get a stevens and savage for like 500 and have both !

I personaly would rather save up and get a cz no matter what the caliber. Sako if your rich.


definently don't discount the savage 24f you can get 20 or 12 guage and an assortment of rifle calibers to pick from some of which can be loaded to 22mag speeds or run em hot its up to you.baikal also makes combo guns with 2 triggers which will allow for faster barrel selection.


soooo many choices but variety is the spice of life. ! take your time, read all you can , shoulder all you can.
 
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