Eastern calling rifle/shotgun

beagler81

New member
This might need to go in the firearms forum...

But,I thought it would be interesting to see what the Eastern hunters prefer as far as calling rifle/shotgun setups (model, caliber, scope, other accessories).

You always seem to here alot about Western setups. I am new to the predator hunting game and would like to know your preferences.
 
The rifle:
S&W M&P-15OR .223 REM 16" Barrel
CAA Rubberized Stock Saddle
CAA UPG16 6 piece interchangeable pistol grip
Winter Trigger guard
Viking Tactics Wide Padded Sling
C Products 5 rd clip
Burris XTS-135 XTREME TACTICAL SPEEDDOT RED DOT SIGHT
XTR Xtreme Tactical Ring

I like the rifle alot. It is just what I need, as I hike alot coyote hunting between setups. The front care, short lenght, lite weight it is all good. Has to be my best rifle so far. The sight: Well that has to be the best site to hunt coyotes I have used. I shoot both eyes open and the dot is just right there. I hunt in cover and it can get fast. I hunt winter weather so, that means white back ground. Red on white can't beat that. The whole setup works. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Highwaystar
 
Since here in the east about 98.5% of the call-ins are foxes, I use smaller calibers. The other 1.5% of the time is usually close enough that a well place Hornet bullet will handle things sufficiently. The past two years I've used 17 Ackley Hornet or a 22 Hornet, both Browning Micro Hunter "A" Bolt. I also used a new Remington Model Seven Predator in 17 Fireball on some stands this year, no joy though. My current project rifle for calling is an old-old Remington Model 600 in 222. Setting it up with a Bushnell Elite 4200 in 1.5x6x36 Firefly. The others all have Leupold VX-III 3.5x10x50 or their 4.5x14x50 all with the Heavy Duplex reticle.
FireballPredator.jpg
 
Here is the latest project. This one is a 222 Remington that I got from it's original owner, who bought it new back in the 1960s for $69.00. He hunted with it the first year and it has not been used since. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I love it's short easy handling feel, awesome shooter for such a short barreled rifle. I am really pleased with this purchase. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Remington600.jpg
 
Got a few, but my go-to guns are 12ga Ruger red label W/DC in 1 bbl & fed 3" BB in the other, or if its real close 1 bbl will have #2. Can't use buckshot here except during the 2 wks of shotgun deer season, and only coyotes are legal then. My other go-to's are my sako 222 w/2x7 leupold vxII,& 50gr sierra hanloads for more open country. When scouting new country, where terrain is possible, I usually carry my 1894C marlin 357 mag w/ an old weaver K3 post+ch scope.I have a bunch of factory fed 158jhp that shoot pretty well.One "what the heck" gun I'm dying to kill again with is my 07 win 351sl. It was my grandads, and was mfg in 1909.I always carry a finisher, 96 broomhandle 30 maus. or my s&w mod 34 22lr. The biggest yote I ever shot was 49pounds, shot at about 75-80 yds w/ the sako 222 when it locked up & wouldn't come any closer, an hour after I missed a 20yd shot at a hard charger, wishing I had the shotgun.......Sometimes you just can't win!!
 
I have used quite a few guns over the years for calling predators. I'll skip all the old school stuff and try to stay current. The last ten years or so I've been searching for "dedicated predator calling/hunting guns." I used an AR-15 .223 with a Wilson Combat 18" scoped flattop upper for a couple of years. I didn't care all that much for it. It was heavy, the pistol grip poked me in the kidney when slung, and the .223 occasionally left me wanting a bit more cartridge. I then used a Remington M700 .243 for a time...
18520Nice_coyote.jpg


I then began using a Browning Lwt. Synthetic BAR in .243. I like it fine...
18520BAR_coyote_and_fawn_bleats.jpg

18520000_0031.JPG



I also use a shotgun quite a bit. A 3" .12 gauge Benelli M1S90 Camo Turkey Gun with 24" barrel, Kick's choke tube, and either Federal Premium No. Four Buck or lately the Remington Wingmaster HD-BB load gets the call...
18520Winter_fun_.jpg

18520Grey_Fox_Benelli.jpg



Works pretty well on Gobblers too...
18520000_0004.JPG

18520100_0260.jpg



Another Benelli M1S90 joined the turkey gun as a predator go-getter. This one is a Tactical Model with 18 1/2" barrel and low profile rifle sights, another Kick's choke, and the HD-BB load...
Tac_foxes.jpg

Tac_coyote.jpg



Then the wife bought me a Remington Model Seven Predator in .243 "just because." She's a keeper and so is the rifle. I've killed two deer, two coyotes, this bobcat, a coon and several crows with it this fall... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Bobcat_08-4.jpg



_________________________
 
I only use a Beretta 686 o/u with a .660 turkey choke on top and .665 Trulock on bottom with Dead Coyote, 3" T shot!
A coyote within 45 or so yards is in trouble if I do my part!
 
GC, a picture speaks a thousands words. Awesome photos, thanks for sharing them with us. You're spoiled by both your wife and your hunting grounds.
 
I mostly use either a Daewoo K2000 in .223 with a 4x TC scope, or a H&K 770 with iron sights in .308 win. However about a week ago I bought a Remmington 11-87 with a 30in. barrel. Hope to use it a lot this spring and summer on coyotes, and maybe a turkey too. It shoots such a brutal pattern I've named it the "Hammer of God" Just my .02!
 
Mossberg 835 topped with an Aimpoint 9000sc red dot scope

Savage12fv in 22-250 topped with a Leupold VX-II with a heavy duplex recticle

CZ 527 in 22 Hornet topped with a Mueller illuminated sport dot
 
Great looking fur and feathers GC!!!Here in the last month or so I seem to reach for the 17 Rem,but I also use .204,22-250 and 12 ga. with 3in.BBmag.I like the 17 Rem. because it doesnt have alot of fur damage...Chad
 
Here is me and a borrowed .243.
TexasPics002.jpg


I liked the Remington model 700 ADL so much, I had to go out and buy my own. Here it is all camoed up:
243Camo003-1.jpg


243Camo001-1.jpg

I haven't killed anything with it besides deer. A buddy of mine did the camo.
 
Well, you know from my post, I had a problem with which weapon,shotgun or rifle? If I carried the rifle the coyotes blew by like grouse and when sporting the shotgun they were at the 75 to 100 yard mark. Soooo,I got a combo 12ga/.222 Tikka, now I see nothing. That will change. Get a combo.
 
Quote:
Well, you know from my post, I had a problem with which weapon,shotgun or rifle? If I carried the rifle the coyotes blew by like grouse and when sporting the shotgun they were at the 75 to 100 yard mark. Soooo,I got a combo 12ga/.222 Tikka, now I see nothing. That will change. Get a combo.


Yep. If you want it to rain then don't bring your raincoat.

It always works for me. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-006.gif
 
Quote:
Well, you know from my post, I had a problem with which weapon,shotgun or rifle? If I carried the rifle the coyotes blew by like grouse and when sporting the shotgun they were at the 75 to 100 yard mark. Soooo,I got a combo 12ga/.222 Tikka, now I see nothing. That will change. Get a combo.



Yeah,
That's why I like the AR platform rifles. They will reach out there for the longer shots. Then if you have closer runners you have multiple quick follow up shots. With my scope set on 3x I don't even loose my sight picture when I fire a shot.

Jim
 
Quote:
I'm very happy with my Remington R-15 .223 with Nikon Pro Staff 3 - 9 x 40 camo scope.

DSC00643.jpg


Jim



AWSOME set up. thats axactly what i want except i cant decide between the 223 or the new 243 remington has
 
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