The Ultimate Predator Rifle

There are many rifle and caliber combinations with there with their own pluses and minuses. Each caliber has a max effective range that might depict what you're wanting. In my own opinion the AR platform would be the best place to start. They are the most versatile platform. They are usually lighter, shorter, and in turn make a good brush gun. With the right setup can be just as accurate as your typical bolt gun. I built a 223 for $800 through Model 1 Sales with a 16" barrel. It shot 1/2" all day. As far as caliber, It depends on what how far you want to shoot. 17's and 204's are great pelt savers, but for distance you might want to get up in the 22-250 range. Some would argue that if you're going to the 22-250, then you might as well go with a 243. But I find that the 22-250 is the happy medium. The main issue with the AR that I find, is the AR is a high maintenance rifle.
 
Quote:The main issue with the AR that I find, is the AR is a high maintenance rifle.


Yeah, I hate that. I have to clean mine at least once or twice a year.
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223, you can practice as much as you want and it won't break the bank. It's stupid easy to reload for, and it will kill yotes DRT. If you want a little more power, can't go wrong with a 22-250 or 243 either..
 
Originally Posted By: LeadbellyI'll second the .17 Remington !


Nice!!!!
I knew you'd like that round.

Seems that most of the replies to this thread think Coyotes are the only "predators" and that simply getting em kilt is the only objective.
For those guys the 243 or 223 or 30/06 for that matter are fine, but in my mind "ultimate" means do it all from Fox to Coyote. And since they're "fur bearers" it also means being able to harvest the fur whether one chooses to or not. When you throw all of that into the equation I still say a handy little bolt gun in 17Rem is about as close to "ultimate" as it gets.

Now,,, if you take Coyotes out of the picture then a handy little bolt gun in 17FB is pretty "ultimate".
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Originally Posted By: Yellowhammer Quote:The main issue with the AR that I find, is the AR is a high maintenance rifle.


Yeah, I hate that. I have to clean mine at least once or twice a year.
blush.gif


I have absolutely no clue how an AR is high maintenance...can't figure that one out.
 
Originally Posted By: pahntr760Originally Posted By: Yellowhammer Quote:The main issue with the AR that I find, is the AR is a high maintenance rifle.


Yeah, I hate that. I have to clean mine at least once or twice a year.
blush.gif


I have absolutely no clue how an AR is high maintenance...can't figure that one out.

LOL! Sorry, I meant "higher" maintenance than bolt guns as far as the cleaning aspect. There is more to clean. Carbon seams to find it's way into more of the gun. I guess if you only shoot a few rounds here and there then it wouldn't matter as much. But I like to shoot a lot. So I clean A Lot. I guess I should have proof read that. Lol
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Originally Posted By: NYyotekillerI would have to say a .223AI in an AR platform.

Right on, brother! I didn't know anyone else used one.
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Of course, now I'm getting a 20 Practical AR so it will be the Super Ultimate Predator Rifle!
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Originally Posted By: FairChase93The often overlooked 243 win may be the ultimate in standard factory offerings. With bullets in the 55-65 weight it's basically a 22-250, bullets from 70 to 87 and you get a happy mix of speed and balistic coefficient, and then with 90 - 105 gr bullets you have some very high BC bullets easily capable of reaching way out there consistently. What I'm getting at is its very versatile. Said it all there....the Sierra 60gr Varminter loaded to 3575 fps. in the 243win will put the hurt on any critter way out there...and can be loaded up to 100r plus for deer...what else is that versatile in standard rounds? That round been around long time and the selection of bullets available in factory ammo and handloads has never been better and too many plus's for it when you compare to most all others.
 
I have 2 or more of each chambering:

223
243
22-250

All will do the trick. All but one of the 22-250s have taken deer as well.

I also have a wonderful little Sako Vixen "Deuce Mag". This is my second Vixen, and I really haven't toyed with it much, but it shot very well.

That said, if I had to pick "the ultimate" for coyotes, cats, fox, my feeling is much the same as Charlie's. That said, I have never owned a .17 anything. So I would opt for my Model 7 in 204 Ruger....
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Originally Posted By: RePeteOriginally Posted By: LeadbellyI'll second the .17 Remington !


Nice!!!!
I knew you'd like that round.

Seems that most of the replies to this thread think Coyotes are the only "predators" and that simply getting em kilt is the only objective.
For those guys the 243 or 223 or 30/06 for that matter are fine, but in my mind "ultimate" means do it all from Fox to Coyote. And since they're "fur bearers" it also means being able to harvest the fur whether one chooses to or not. When you throw all of that into the equation I still say a handy little bolt gun in 17Rem is about as close to "ultimate" as it gets.

Now,,, if you take Coyotes out of the picture then a handy little bolt gun in 17FB is pretty "ultimate".
smile.gif



Yes, 17 Rem., 17 Fireball, or 17-204.
 
Ultimate would be 22-250 Ackley with a 1 in 8 Hart,HSprecision stock with a leupold 6.5 by 20 Varmint reticle this rig will shoot light weight bullets scary fast and 75 a-maxs hit like a sledge hammer--I hunt really open country---my ultimate.
 
Originally Posted By: Phillip HowardI know that you veteran members have seen this post 1000 times but I'm new the forum, ultimately predator hunting and need your help. My target species are coyotes, foxes and bobcats - I know there will be 1000 different answers for your favorite caliber but it will at least give me some ideas to start researching. Thanks Since foxes are included in the list of predators, I'd say that disqualifies the 17 Rem. Every fox I drilled with my 22" 17Rem put big holes in the fur. While it is true you could download it, or cut the barrel to reduce velocity, it remains true that the typical 17Rem is too powerful for foxes. Add to that the difficulty of finding expensive factory ammo or components and that rules it out for a lot of folks.

Adding foxes into the equation greatly complicates things if you gotta pick one caliber...

I'd have to say a short(er) barreled 223 works on all 3 predators and is easily had in an AR-15, America's most popular rifle. Reduced length barrels reduce the velocity eliminating the need to download. Add to that the economy and wide availability of ammo and components, and 223 seems like an obvious winner. Recoil is very low, trajectory is relatively flat to reasonable hunting distances. The lowly 223 does it all and does it well. Add a silencer to make it "ultimate".
 
I challenge all who voted for 17 Remington to post photos of fox kills and tell us personal accounts of how it works for fox. I'll wait...
 
I've been itching to make my first post, here it is....

My name is Clancy, btw...

The perfect predator rifle, from my experience, lives with me.
It's a CZ 527 chambered in 6 WOA with a 21.5" Krieger and Hollands brake smithed by Kevin Weaver.
Also has an HS stock and a 4.5-14x40 Leupold M4 PMR (precision marksman riflescope.)

I would love to share pictures if someone would PM me how.

I shoot a variety of loads from FMJs to the berger 88 and Sierra 95 MK.

Wildly accurate, in a sub 1/4" kind of way.

Thanks for letting me join!!

Clancy
 
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Originally Posted By: DiRTY DOGI challenge all who voted for 17 Remington to post photos of fox kills and tell us personal accounts of how it works for fox. I'll wait...

Well,,, since you claim the 223 does a better job on Fox I'll issue you the same challenge. Put up or,,,,,,

Funny how the 17Rem was the best caliber known to man a couple years ago when you were bragging about yours to any and every one that would listen, but now that you've "evolved" it's junk.



I still say a 17Rem loaded with good HP's (NOT V-MAX) is about as easy on fur as you can get while still having the ability to knock the stuffing out of a Coyote.
Truth is,,,, everything short of an MB550's hard on a 5-10 pound Fox.




 
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With all the chicken houses down here everyone hunts predators, guns used mostly what ever they have at the time mostly deer rifles! I don't know anybody that uses a 17Remington! I see lots of 22 250s, 243, alot of 223! If I had to guess for center fire rifles its mostly .223! Rim fire its 22 magnum every body has one loaded and ready to go!
 
There's no such thing as a perfect gun. Different scenarios require different weapons. To me, the perfect one is the one that puts a nose in the dirt. One day that might be a .204 and that afternoon a 12 gauge with dead coyote. The next day it might be an AR In .223 or a 6.5 Creedmoor. Just depends on what, when and where.
 


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