dan brothers
New member
FairChase93 said it all above... can't go wrong with the 243... it covers ALOT.
The Ultimate Predator Rifle
- Thread starter Phillip Howard
- Start date
Theshedhunter
Active member
Double barrel 12 ga with a .223 barrel on top and grenade launcher underneath ( for wolf packs
)
Last edited:
The Famous Grouse
New member
The ultimate predator rifle, depending on where you live, is often a shotgun.
Don't buy into the fantasy that it's like what they show on TV. Big coyotes running in across wide open country just begging to get shot at.
The reality for a lot of us east of the Mississippi is ultra-wary dogs in thick brush country and often the shot comes at bayonet range, not rifle range. When I call in a coyote, it's more likely that I'm going to have to push him off my lap than it is that I'll have a standing shot at 200+ across an open field.
I have stands where I carry a rifle, but the shotgun gets the call 80% of the time.
Don't buy the hype, buy the reality of your situation. Using a rifle at shotgun ranges is a disadvantage, not an advantage, believe me. Bottom line is don't buy the tool for somebody else's job, buy it for yours.
Grouse
Don't buy into the fantasy that it's like what they show on TV. Big coyotes running in across wide open country just begging to get shot at.
The reality for a lot of us east of the Mississippi is ultra-wary dogs in thick brush country and often the shot comes at bayonet range, not rifle range. When I call in a coyote, it's more likely that I'm going to have to push him off my lap than it is that I'll have a standing shot at 200+ across an open field.
I have stands where I carry a rifle, but the shotgun gets the call 80% of the time.
Don't buy the hype, buy the reality of your situation. Using a rifle at shotgun ranges is a disadvantage, not an advantage, believe me. Bottom line is don't buy the tool for somebody else's job, buy it for yours.
Grouse
The Famous Grouse
New member
Originally Posted By: TheshedhunterDouble barrel 12 ga with a .223 barrel on top and grenade launcher underneath ( for wolf packs
)
Cue the thread on fur friendly grenade loads...
Grouse
Cue the thread on fur friendly grenade loads...
Grouse
FairChase93
Active member
Grouse really nailed it, the most important factor is what your hunting situations usually are. I stand by the fact that I believe the 243 to be the best all around caliber but nothing fits every situation, if I could have only one rifle it would be in 243 win.
Having said that when I leave town for a full day of hunting there are 4 rifles with me and 1 shotgun, each gun has a very specific purpose and I try to match the gun to the stand. Now there are always variables and no matter what you are going to run into a situation where you wish you had something else.
Having said that when I leave town for a full day of hunting there are 4 rifles with me and 1 shotgun, each gun has a very specific purpose and I try to match the gun to the stand. Now there are always variables and no matter what you are going to run into a situation where you wish you had something else.
tripod3
New member
Originally Posted By: FairChase93Grouse really nailed it, the most important factor is what your hunting situations usually are. I stand by the fact that I believe the 243 to be the best all around caliber but nothing fits every situation, if I could have only one rifle it would be in 243 win.
Having said that when I leave town for a full day of hunting there are 4 rifles with me and 1 shotgun, each gun has a very specific purpose and I try to match the gun to the stand. Now there are always variables and no matter what you are going to run into a situation where you wish you had something else.
4 rifles Wow, I know a guy that did this. He came upon a cougar and on deciding which gun to use, the cougar gave up and left.
Having said that when I leave town for a full day of hunting there are 4 rifles with me and 1 shotgun, each gun has a very specific purpose and I try to match the gun to the stand. Now there are always variables and no matter what you are going to run into a situation where you wish you had something else.
4 rifles Wow, I know a guy that did this. He came upon a cougar and on deciding which gun to use, the cougar gave up and left.
I would want a fairly lite weight gun to start with. It would have a DBM and a 20"-22" barrel and I would probably go with a camo dip finish of some sort. I like a large bolt handle as compared to a smaller one. Make sure that the trigger guard is big enough to use with gloves. Although I like the look of a nice wood stock I would go syn. As to cal. many will work but when shooting at an unknown distance a flatter shooting round is best. I would go with a 17 centerfire, 20 cal like 204, or maybe a 223, I would stay away from larger cals. For a scope I would go with a 3x15 with ballistic ret. or a target type turret. Lastly I would practice a lot with it in different positions. Good luck. Repete is onto also with his rig - very nice.
FairChase93
Active member
Originally Posted By: tripod3Originally Posted By: FairChase93Grouse really nailed it, the most important factor is what your hunting situations usually are. I stand by the fact that I believe the 243 to be the best all around caliber but nothing fits every situation, if I could have only one rifle it would be in 243 win.
Having said that when I leave town for a full day of hunting there are 4 rifles with me and 1 shotgun, each gun has a very specific purpose and I try to match the gun to the stand. Now there are always variables and no matter what you are going to run into a situation where you wish you had something else.
4 rifles Wow, I know a guy that did this. He came upon a cougar and on deciding which gun to use, the cougar gave up and left.
Only one leaves the truck at any given location, I scout my areas well and generally know ahead of time what each stand offers for shooting opportunities. I take what I believe will give me the best advantage at any given stand. Does it always work? No, but it has worked very well for me over the last few years many times. Other times I wished I had something else.
Having said that when I leave town for a full day of hunting there are 4 rifles with me and 1 shotgun, each gun has a very specific purpose and I try to match the gun to the stand. Now there are always variables and no matter what you are going to run into a situation where you wish you had something else.
4 rifles Wow, I know a guy that did this. He came upon a cougar and on deciding which gun to use, the cougar gave up and left.
Only one leaves the truck at any given location, I scout my areas well and generally know ahead of time what each stand offers for shooting opportunities. I take what I believe will give me the best advantage at any given stand. Does it always work? No, but it has worked very well for me over the last few years many times. Other times I wished I had something else.
AWS
Custom Accessory Maker & Retired PM Staff
One of these with a 1.5x6x40mm scope in 5.6x50R Mag over 3" 12ga.
http://www.blaser-usa.com/index.php?id=280&L=1
I can't think of anything that would cover close, far and just about any situation, you can even get them with a double rifle on the top and a single shotgun under.
http://www.blaser-usa.com/index.php?id=280&L=1
I can't think of anything that would cover close, far and just about any situation, you can even get them with a double rifle on the top and a single shotgun under.
tripod3
New member
Quote:Only one leaves the truck at any given location, I scout my areas well and generally know ahead of time what each stand offers for shooting opportunities. I take what I believe will give me the best advantage at any given stand. Does it always work? No, but it has worked very well for me over the last few years many times. Other times I wished I had something else.
Yeah I sometimes wish I could have a gun tote.
Yeah I sometimes wish I could have a gun tote.
Varminterror
New member
For Coyotes: 223rem 20" AR-15 heavy barrel with 0.750" gas block, fluted under the handguard if you find a barrel you like, free float tubular handguard, 2 stage match trigger (RRA or bushy on a budget, Gieselle if you're flush with cash).
For Coyotes + cats + Fox: The same, but up to 24" barrel, and in .204Ruger or .17Rem.
For Coyotes + cats + Fox: The same, but up to 24" barrel, and in .204Ruger or .17Rem.
rainierrifleco
New member
Been through a bunch...I built a long barrel 6-284 on a sako action with a synthetic stock thinking it would be the ultimate predator rifle. The barrel length was just too much and recoil and noise was too much. It was actuall all wrong.. I'm too old to see over 300 let alone shoot much further than that.
Now I use a rem 700 tactical with 9 twist . Traded the houge for an hs stock and have a tactical bolt knob on it. For me the little short 223 gets it done and is much easier to handle. With the heavy barrel it is pretty stable off shooting sticks. And the 52 gr tsx really kills.
I still use the 22 250 and 220 swift some but the rem tactical has become my fav..
Now I use a rem 700 tactical with 9 twist . Traded the houge for an hs stock and have a tactical bolt knob on it. For me the little short 223 gets it done and is much easier to handle. With the heavy barrel it is pretty stable off shooting sticks. And the 52 gr tsx really kills.
I still use the 22 250 and 220 swift some but the rem tactical has become my fav..
rainierrifleco
New member
Somthing no one ever considers is the 88 winchester. Pretty darn accurate fast habpndeling Cary extra mags. Chambered in 243..
I have one and have used it but mine is really to nice and collectible for an every day gun but just thinking .....
I have been tempted to chamber one in 22-250 and mpi make a stock for it. If I ever find a beater I might just do that..
I have one and have used it but mine is really to nice and collectible for an every day gun but just thinking .....
I have been tempted to chamber one in 22-250 and mpi make a stock for it. If I ever find a beater I might just do that..
.243 is very versatile, but how do you explain the need for more guns to the wife if you tell her the reason you're buying the .243 is because it pretty well covers all the bases? My wife thinks the .223 will only shoot 50 yds, the .22-250 will go 100, the .220 swift 150, 25-06 to 200... I hope she doesn't find out any different because I need a 250 and 300 yard rifle for those pesky yotes....