What determines a preditor rifle?

AZG

AZG

New member
I see people on here making comments about "what people think is a preditor rifle" and so I wanted your view on what you think a preditor rifle is and what isn't and why. Personally I could give a rabbits [beeep] about what anyone thinks about the rifles I use. I base my rifle choices on what does it take to get the job done right. Most have bolt actions which I like, I've heard of people using 22lr. and then there those that have taken a liking to the AR platform which I use BTW and wasn't considered a preditor rifle until they got popular and now they are widely accepted as hunting rifles. I have also used my Tavor with 18" barrel. It's works great! Probably my favorite to use a it's the lightest and most compact. But I know for a fact that I would get looks for using it, but to be honest, it's one of the most accurate rifles in 223/556 that I own. I have also taken a 7.62x39 ak yote hunting with me before which I thought was overkill but still acceptable as it would still get the job done. So, personally, if it's legal to use, and gets the job done, it's just fine. But what do y'all think?
 
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Originally Posted By: AZGif it's legal to use, and gets the job done, it's just fine. But what do y'all think?

That's what I think too.
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I don't think most people here care what others use, however they do try to be helpful when people ask about their experiences. Most people that have gotten into a sport that is new to them have rushed out and bought gear that isn't really ideal. Then they realize its shortcomings and have to spend more money the second time around.

No one is going to judge the guy using his .300 win mag elk rifle to call a few coyotes, but if a guy asks about the ideal gun for predators it wouldn't be on the list. I would think the biggest mistake new guys would make is buying a long range varmint rifle with the intent of calling coyotes. 26" bull barrel and 6.5-20 scope are going to get old lugging around and trying to pick up on a moving target at fast range.

The ideal predator gun IMO would be a light compact rifle in a common smaller caliber, with a low to mid range optic. I really don't think action type makes a ton of difference, an AR would be the best due to quick follow up shots but many bolt or single shots do the job. No need to over think it.
 
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A "Predator" rifle is of sufficient caliber to consistantly anchor coyotes without a follow up shot at various angles.

It will not be of excessive weight as to be a hindrance to carry on a sling all day.

It will shoulder and point quickly as our quarry shows up and disappears with the rapidness.

It will be more accurate than the capabilities of the shooter.

That's about it.


Chupa
 
Honestly, if you have a rifle that you like to shoot & it is legal in your local, then that is the one for you. For me, I loved my 30.06, my 270, and even my 30.30, but there is nothing like going to the range and shooting my 223. It is a joy to shoot, so easy on the shoulder, the ears (with protection on), and even pretty easy on the wallet & you can find ammo of a wide varity just about everywhere they sell ammo. Shoots flat, shoots straight, doesn't completely destroy small predators AND still kills em dead. So, 223 is the one that has the "most" determining qualities.

In the end, it is still a joy to shoot, in the field and at the range. That is the key for me.
 
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If your not fur hunting caliber is no issue. Ranges also play a part in the IDEAL rifle. Hunting conditions another. A guy hunting wide open windy spaces isn't going to hunt with a 17 hmr. A guy hunting thick woods and tight cover doesnt want a 30.06 with a 6x18 scope either. Its different for everyone because.of terrain conditions budgets and styles of hunting. Some guys may never go more that's a couple hundred yards from the road so weights no issue some guys hike miles in one day.while their is no IDEAL PREDATOR RIFLE for EVERY situation out there I would say there's at lI
east a few rifles that will do by adding our subtracting accessories. For me my preferance is my AR. Fast flow ups good range not to heavy an reliable and not horrible on fur.


But if you choose to let someone decide for you just about every gun maker had a coyote, predator, varmint rifle and scope.
 
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A predator rifle is the rifle you use to kill predators. If it's a 30-06 bolt gun, a 30-30 lever action or an AR in .223, as long as it's used to take a predator it's a predator rifle. Same way people throw the term deer rifle around.
 
If you are new at the game, go hunting with what you have. Just because many moose have been taken with a 30-30, I still wouldn't call a 30-30 a moose gun. My first predator rifle was a 7mm rem mag. As a reloader I used a reduced velocity powder and shot my first fox at a measured 245 yards with that gun from the prone. That gun still wasn't a predator rifle. It was a gun that I used to predator hunt.

Use what makes you happy, there is no one else that you need to please, but you. When I bought my first 243 win, I remember a guy that said that the caliber was on the small side. His perspective was for whitetail, my perspective at that time was for fox it was a true canon.

These days I hunt predators with my tactical rifle. It's main purpose is not hunting but I press the 5.56 into a predator hunting role.

We as people always compare our methods with others, again, if you are happy - life is good.
 
Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeI LMAO when I see predator spelled wrong. This is Predator Masters is it not ?
grin.gif




Atleast we aren't talking about "Varmit" rifles. That one kills me.


Chupa
 
COLD but true LOLOriginally Posted By: ChupathingyOriginally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeI LMAO when I see predator spelled wrong. This is Predator Masters is it not ?
grin.gif




Atleast we aren't talking about "Varmit" rifles. That one kills me.


Chupa
 
I use several different guns for my "preditor" hunting. My go to rifle is a Savage 16 Weather Warrior in 22-250. It's lightweight and the 22 inch barrel makes it very handy for hunting on the ground. When I'm in the high rack where weight is not a big issue I will sometimes switch to my 270 with 130 grain VLDs. I'm not hunting fur but hunting contests so DRT is more important to me than worrying about blowing fist sized holes through them. I recently acquired a Wby Mk V Accumark in 257 Wby Mag and can't wait to try out my 100 grain TTSXs loads on a yote. That gun will be designated to the high rack only bc it is like lugging around a sack of concrete.
 
Well, I have only been hunting predators for one year now. I think of my predator rifles as my small caliber high velocity rifles. I use a Savage 204 Ruger, Remington 700 Custom Build 222 Rem, and just bought an AR-15 to shoot predators with.

I hope to kill some with each of the rifles. The best bobcat I ever killed I shot with Browning BAR 30-06 with 165 Win BST bullets - I wouldn't call that a predator rifle though...
 
Originally Posted By: Aggiehunter03I use several different guns for my "preditor" hunting. My go to rifle is a Savage 16 Weather Warrior in 22-250. It's lightweight and the 22 inch barrel makes it very handy for hunting on the ground. When I'm in the high rack where weight is not a big issue I will sometimes switch to my 270 with 130 grain VLDs. I'm not hunting fur but hunting contests so DRT is more important to me than worrying about blowing fist sized holes through them. I recently acquired a Wby Mk V Accumark in 257 Wby Mag and can't wait to try out my 100 grain TTSXs loads on a yote. That gun will be designated to the high rack only bc it is like lugging around a sack of concrete.

My younger brother has the 257 Weatherby in the Fiber mark I think. It is very accurate and brutal on coyote. He likes to use the 90gr Sierra BlitzKing on them. He has sent me a few pictures and to say they are devastating is an understatement. He likes to hit the shoulder since he doesn't hunt for fur.


As far as what I use for predator hunting, it's pretty much dictated to where I am going to be going and what the terrain is like. Most often anymore it's a shotgun with 3.5" mags and my AR-15 with 55gr Nosler Varmageddon.
 
For me the term PREDATOR RIFLE turned into an excuse to buy more guns. Lol. It started as lets see if this one works then it turned into i love the .204 so lets find it in camo!! I know have designated yote guns in my savage predator (desert camo) my rem r 15 (desert camo) and lastly my 870 shotgun (wrapped in camo tape). So id say the ideal predator gun is your favorite caliber in camo!!
 
Originally Posted By: Tim NeitzkeI LMAO when I see predator spelled wrong. This is Predator Masters is it not ?
grin.gif



lol, oops. my hands type what they want sometimes. I am a master of none at the moment. Thats pretty funny though. good catch. Pay attention, more spelling errors to come.
 
Originally Posted By: Gatorgrizz27I don't think most people here care what others use, however they do try to be helpful when people ask about their experiences. Most people that have gotten into a sport that is new to them have rushed out and bought gear that isn't really ideal. Then they realize its shortcomings and have to spend more money the second time around.

No one is going to judge the guy using his .300 win mag elk rifle to call a few coyotes, but if a guy asks about the ideal gun for predators it wouldn't be on the list. I would think the biggest mistake new guys would make is buying a long range varmint rifle with the intent of calling coyotes. 26" bull barrel and 6.5-20 scope are going to get old lugging around and trying to pick up on a moving target at fast range.

The ideal predator gun IMO would be a light compact rifle in a common smaller caliber, with a low to mid range optic. I really don't think action type makes a ton of difference, an AR would be the best due to quick follow up shots but many bolt or single shots do the job. No need to over think it. Ahh, well put. I agree with that.

Originally Posted By: ChupathingyA "Predator" rifle is of sufficient caliber to consistantly anchor coyotes without a follow up shot at various angles.

It will not be of excessive weight as to be a hindrance to carry on a sling all day.

It will shoulder and point quickly as our quarry shows up and disappears with the rapidness.

It will be more accurate than the capabilities of the shooter.

That's about it.


Chupa
Also good points. Thank you for your response. Originally Posted By: BrownieIf your not fur hunting caliber is no issue. Ranges also play a part in the IDEAL rifle. Hunting conditions another. A guy hunting wide open windy spaces isn't going to hunt with a 17 hmr. A guy hunting thick woods and tight cover doesnt want a 30.06 with a 6x18 scope either. Its different for everyone because.of terrain conditions budgets and styles of hunting. Some guys may never go more that's a couple hundred yards from the road so weights no issue some guys hike miles in one day.while their is no IDEAL PREDATOR RIFLE for EVERY situation out there I would say there's at lI
east a few rifles that will do by adding our subtracting accessories. For me my preferance is my AR. Fast flow ups good range not to heavy an reliable and not horrible on fur.


But if you choose to let someone decide for you just about every gun maker had a coyote, predator, varmint rifle and scope.

You are right about that. Thanks
 
Times are tough,so for me it's what I can afford to get at the time,also afford to shoot.
I like to be able to upgrade (New stock,barrel,etc) when I'm able to. Have an availability of aftermarket items,but also shoots accurate every time I go out. I'm not a happy person if/when I miss lol
As for optics. I've used the "cheap" scopes before in a pinch. And I killed a lot at various ranges.
Just me I guess
 

designated predator rifles are mostly small calibers 204-220-223-243
but it might be said its a predator rifle -
if its capable of killing a predator
IMHO a 7twist 223 with a 4-16 mildot scope is just about perfect
 
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