Best calling rifle?
- Thread starter pdman
- Start date
NM Leon
New member
Welcome to Predator Masters pdman. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Some like heavy, some like light, some try to save fur, some don't, some rarely shoot past 100YDs, some rarely shoot less than 100YDs. Too many variables and too much personal preference involved to give a definitive answer.
My go-to rifle of the moment is a Dtech 243WSSM AR15, but I've used everything from a .223 to 7 mag, and lightweight sporters and lever guns to some pretty heavy guns (most of my rifles are full bull barreled).
If you are just getting into the sport, your deer rifle will work just fine for coyotes until you decide on something else. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Some like heavy, some like light, some try to save fur, some don't, some rarely shoot past 100YDs, some rarely shoot less than 100YDs. Too many variables and too much personal preference involved to give a definitive answer.
My go-to rifle of the moment is a Dtech 243WSSM AR15, but I've used everything from a .223 to 7 mag, and lightweight sporters and lever guns to some pretty heavy guns (most of my rifles are full bull barreled).
If you are just getting into the sport, your deer rifle will work just fine for coyotes until you decide on something else. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
I've been calling now for a few years with fair to good success. I'm a student of animal behavior (especially the moment that THUD sound takes place.) I am learning but need to learn more. I have an incrediable amount of access to private country with good preadator populations.
I currently use a Win 70 in 243WSSM as my calling gun. I also have a Rem 700 VLS in 22-250. Tack Driver but 14 lbs with scope.
I have on order a RRA Preadator Persuit 223 not here yet. Have not decided which optics to top it with. I am going with the Larue mounts.
I am also very interested in the new Savage Preadator Hunter.
Thanks for your opinions.
I currently use a Win 70 in 243WSSM as my calling gun. I also have a Rem 700 VLS in 22-250. Tack Driver but 14 lbs with scope.
I have on order a RRA Preadator Persuit 223 not here yet. Have not decided which optics to top it with. I am going with the Larue mounts.
I am also very interested in the new Savage Preadator Hunter.
Thanks for your opinions.
Droopyfur2
New member
DANG /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif
You mean they make a rifle that calls varmints now???
All this time I've been toating that overweight FxPro and hand calls for nothing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif (LOL)
My rifles just seemes to chase them away or lay them down , depending on my abilities as a caller or caller operator and as a shooter. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Maybe you meant a good rifle to carry with you when you go calling /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
If thats the case, anything previously mentioned from a 17 to a 308 or beyond will work if you can shoot it straight /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Later
DF2
(sorry it's early)
You mean they make a rifle that calls varmints now???
All this time I've been toating that overweight FxPro and hand calls for nothing /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smiliesmack.gif (LOL)
My rifles just seemes to chase them away or lay them down , depending on my abilities as a caller or caller operator and as a shooter. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Maybe you meant a good rifle to carry with you when you go calling /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused1.gif
If thats the case, anything previously mentioned from a 17 to a 308 or beyond will work if you can shoot it straight /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Later
DF2
(sorry it's early)
NM Leon
New member
I have a house I'm trying to sell in town out on the lake (north-side), and a couple of pieces of lake view property on the south-side.
I never hunted south of Tucumcari, and except for a couple of informal winner takes all contests didn't call (nobody did), but I've killed more there in a day just shooting "targets of opportunity" while driving to friend's places, than I've gotten here hunting them.
You'll have to get permission to even get on to lots of places, much less hunt (it's almost 100% private land), but try north of Logan on the Strebeck, Trigg, McCarty, and Libby spreads. If every man woman and child from Logan, Mosquero, Nara Visa, Armistad, and Roy was calling every day, it still wouldn't be a high pressure area, too much land and not enough people.
North of Steve Trigg's up to Roy and east of the Bell is a good area too, but the ranches are smaller so you'd need a lot of permissions. Unless they've changed ownership you won't get permission to hunt the Bell Ranch (couldn't even get it to follow a livestock killing cat), but just north of it in the river valley around Sabinoso there is (a little) public land that should be excellent.
You're in a great area for coyotes for sure.
I never hunted south of Tucumcari, and except for a couple of informal winner takes all contests didn't call (nobody did), but I've killed more there in a day just shooting "targets of opportunity" while driving to friend's places, than I've gotten here hunting them.
You'll have to get permission to even get on to lots of places, much less hunt (it's almost 100% private land), but try north of Logan on the Strebeck, Trigg, McCarty, and Libby spreads. If every man woman and child from Logan, Mosquero, Nara Visa, Armistad, and Roy was calling every day, it still wouldn't be a high pressure area, too much land and not enough people.
North of Steve Trigg's up to Roy and east of the Bell is a good area too, but the ranches are smaller so you'd need a lot of permissions. Unless they've changed ownership you won't get permission to hunt the Bell Ranch (couldn't even get it to follow a livestock killing cat), but just north of it in the river valley around Sabinoso there is (a little) public land that should be excellent.
You're in a great area for coyotes for sure.
nmleon is soooo right, way too many varibles that effect the hunt. I believe if you have an old 30-30 laying around, use it. If your 7mag is all you have that'll work too.
My place is mostly wide open and distances can vary from 20 yards to over 600 yards. I usually take one of my AR15 223's along but when the wind blows the 308 or the 25-06 comes out.
My place is mostly wide open and distances can vary from 20 yards to over 600 yards. I usually take one of my AR15 223's along but when the wind blows the 308 or the 25-06 comes out.
IDBob
New member
If you do several stands a day you've already found the heavy VLS is a pain to pack. It sounds like your setting up pretty good with what you've got.
I have two dedicated varmint rifles, a CZ 527 Varmint in 204 Ruger and when the wind is blowing a Ruger #1 in 243. Both can reach further than I can shoot and both seem death on wheels for coyotes. I've got a VLS 243 and it usually only goes out when were shooting ground squirrels where we set up a bench in the field.
I have two dedicated varmint rifles, a CZ 527 Varmint in 204 Ruger and when the wind is blowing a Ruger #1 in 243. Both can reach further than I can shoot and both seem death on wheels for coyotes. I've got a VLS 243 and it usually only goes out when were shooting ground squirrels where we set up a bench in the field.
