heavy barrell or regular barrell

For Coyotes, I like a short , manuverable barrel. Easy to swing and point. Then again, most of my shooting is inside of 200 yrds.
 
It depends on how much walking you plan on doing. I chose a sport barrel because I didn't want to be lugging around a lot of weight when hunting all day. It doesn't sound like a few pounds would be a big deal, but when you hunt for 8 hours walking through snow and up hill both ways a few pounds can make a big difference.
 
For calling I would definitely recommend a lighter rifle, thus a sporter weight barrel. The long heavy barrels common on "varmint" rifles are not very handy on a coyote stand. My Browning Vamint is like lugging around an 8 foot 4X4 compared to my handy little CZ527.
 
Tikka T3 hunter regular barrel. Even the T3 tactical model with a heavy barrel feels better than those long varmint models.
 
I like the lighter barrels, I have a fluted regular barrel that's light and acualy fun to carry. Light and easy to carry considering a scope sling, bi-pod (possibly a bi-pod) and bullets even a lightweight rifle can get heavy.
 
I have both for my Encore...26" heavy barrels for the 25-06 and 22-250 (my'yote gun) and the standard 24" barrel for the 223.
 
Skinny barrel. You're just up the road from me, and I know the types of terrain you are probably going to be calling in. Use that 22-250 and that's all you'll ever need.

BTW, leave that .22WMR for the coons.
 
I shoot a Browning Varmint Stalker in 204 and I like the heavey barrel it has, With Scope Bipod and fully loaded and Sling it tips the scales at 8 pounds 7 ounces I don't think that is to bad. anyway it don't seeem heavy to me, and I can shoot PD's and shoot enough shots to work up different loads with out worrying about barrel heat and taking for ever to do it. a heavy barrel on a 204 it quite different than a heavey barrel on a 30 cal rifle, or even a 22 cal rifle. the smaller the cal the lighter the heavy barrel is.
 
Like anyone will tell you, it depends on your terrain and style of hunting. If mouth calling in wooded hills the heavy barrel could be a liability. If you want to make 350 yard shots across relatively flat desert terrain the heavy barrel can be a plus. Out here in Nevada some of us prefer the heavy's because we can often see a yote approaching at a quarter mile ...sometimes more with decent eyes/optics. When he stops to look...say 350 yards out...we shoot. It's all about the longshot out here. Since the heavies are our range guns (The ones we practice and feel comfortable with) it gives us added confidence for those types of shots. But in relatively heavy cover the heavies don't swing fast and the hunter - sporter types are king. As for the weight...yeah the heavies ARE heavy...but if you pick your stands right (out here) you don't have to move that much, particularly if you are using a remote caller with a 150-200 yard offset. 2 cents P.S. Savage 12 VLP .204 Ruger
 
Last edited:
I use a regular 223 barrel on my Encore. I wouldn't want to lug around a heavy barrels extra weight, my Encore is already over 9 lbs with the sling, bi-pod and shell holder with 6 shells. I was thinkin about gettin a heavy 308 barrel for deer, but I aint completely decided yet.

t/c223encore.
 
alot of times i carry my savage12bvss 22-250 with a 6-24 burris signature. it is a tack driver. big and heavy. when im havin a good day on coyotes it doesnt bother me. but when i call all day and get skunked it really sux. i dont use bipods i shoot off my knee most of the time. its wide open around here in most situations so we get alot of long shots. if they are still or running directly away from me they usually die. not so good on the swing shots.
 
I have one of each. When the snow gets deep or I'm gonna hike aways I'll pack my Remington 700 LVSF .204. My Remington 700 VSSF .223 gets used when there is no snow. Just depends on what you are comfortable with.
 
For most of my hunting around here, I can drive within a half mile of where I plan to set up. I live for the long shots across these crop fields. Heavy barrel with strong optics. If I plan to make a stand with close terrain, I will take a light barrel gun. I carry both with me at all times when hunting coyotes. That way I can decide as I get out of the truck.
 
Most of my rifles are heavy barreled, I like the extra weight, it help me steady the gun for the shot. However I usually carry my 20" Bushy AR for predator hunting. My type of hunting here in South Texas I usually dont walk very far from stand to stand so the heavier rifles dont bother me.
 
Definitely a lighter weight rifle for calling, etc.

Save the heavy barrels for PD's and bench shooting where you don't need good manuverability - that word doesn't look right! - use one with quick handling ability that points easily for calling.

And, don't overscope it. A good 3X9 is all the power you'll ever want/need for calling purposes. You'll probably find you use the lower powers more. I personally like a fixed 6X if not a variable scope.

- BCB
 
I have a couple of varmint rifles and use them for different types of hunting. My primary calling rifle is a HK 630 .223 w/2x7 Leupold. It has a 17.7" regular barrel, with the scope down on 2x its very quick on moving targets and 7x is plenty for coyotes out to 250-300 yards. I call east of the Mississippi and terrain varies from thickets to hilly coal mine spoils to flat open farm fields. I have a 700VS in 220 Swift w/6.5x20 Leupold, I use it when I am hunting late in the season and no agriculture, shots are sometimes 400+ and I like the heavier barrel and cartridge for that better.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top