I'm looking for a dedicated coyote/bobcat/fox rifle.Those calibers are my choices but not sure which one.My shots are going to be max 400yrds but most within a 100yrds.I'm thinking the lightest and shortest barrel possible because I'll be walking distances in snow.I do reload.Thanks for any input.
New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
- Thread starter 20Incher
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Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
To me it depends if you want to keep/sell the pelts or if it's purely for extermination.
To me it depends if you want to keep/sell the pelts or if it's purely for extermination.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
I've owned all three, if you want to save pelts the 204 with 35-40gr bergers. If your just reducing predators and dont skin them the 22-250 would be my choice. If you want a rifle that will be dual purpose for deer/predators the 243 is a great choice.
I've owned all three, if you want to save pelts the 204 with 35-40gr bergers. If your just reducing predators and dont skin them the 22-250 would be my choice. If you want a rifle that will be dual purpose for deer/predators the 243 is a great choice.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dylan in AZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To me it depends if you want to keep/sell the pelts or if it's purely for extermination. </div></div>
This.
243's are hard on fur, 22-250's not a lot better but you can do it with a non expanding/fragmenting FMJ. Some people have had luck with the lighter fragmenting bullets but not me. The last coyote I shot with a 22-250 was a 40gr vmax and you could stick your fist in the exit hole. You may be able to get it done with a solid 243 but I'd never tried. Out of the three the 204 is the easiest on fur with the right bullet.
IMO you can't beat the 223 for fur. Not so fast it tears up a lot of stuff but fast enough you have flat trajectory to 300 with the light bullets and 400 can be done with a little hold over.
If you're not hunting for fur pick either of them. For me it would be between the 22-250 or 243 for ammo and component availability.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dylan in AZ</div><div class="ubbcode-body">To me it depends if you want to keep/sell the pelts or if it's purely for extermination. </div></div>
This.
243's are hard on fur, 22-250's not a lot better but you can do it with a non expanding/fragmenting FMJ. Some people have had luck with the lighter fragmenting bullets but not me. The last coyote I shot with a 22-250 was a 40gr vmax and you could stick your fist in the exit hole. You may be able to get it done with a solid 243 but I'd never tried. Out of the three the 204 is the easiest on fur with the right bullet.
IMO you can't beat the 223 for fur. Not so fast it tears up a lot of stuff but fast enough you have flat trajectory to 300 with the light bullets and 400 can be done with a little hold over.
If you're not hunting for fur pick either of them. For me it would be between the 22-250 or 243 for ammo and component availability.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
Thanks for the replies guys.I'll keep the bobcat/fox pelts.Now you have me thinking maybe another .223 but in bolt.I want it to be flat out to say around 350 yards.I reload for my AR so I have the equipment.So what do you think 1/12 twist 36/50gr or 1/9 twist 50/up?This is so sad and maybe a little paranoia.Dont really want to bring my AR out anymore.I live on the border of NY and Ct about 20min from Newtown my daughter actually goes to a dance school in Newtown.In my paranoid state of mind I'm afraid to bring it out in fear of people calling the police and saying there is a crazy guy with an evil black rifle running around.So hence the new rifle purchase.I walked out of B&N with Tactical Operator mag yesterday and received dirty looks.I really think it's time to move to a new state!
Thanks for the replies guys.I'll keep the bobcat/fox pelts.Now you have me thinking maybe another .223 but in bolt.I want it to be flat out to say around 350 yards.I reload for my AR so I have the equipment.So what do you think 1/12 twist 36/50gr or 1/9 twist 50/up?This is so sad and maybe a little paranoia.Dont really want to bring my AR out anymore.I live on the border of NY and Ct about 20min from Newtown my daughter actually goes to a dance school in Newtown.In my paranoid state of mind I'm afraid to bring it out in fear of people calling the police and saying there is a crazy guy with an evil black rifle running around.So hence the new rifle purchase.I walked out of B&N with Tactical Operator mag yesterday and received dirty looks.I really think it's time to move to a new state!
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
.223 for availability, .204 if you want fast and flat. I love shooting .204 Ruger.
.223 for availability, .204 if you want fast and flat. I love shooting .204 Ruger.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
have you considered a 220 swift. iv got mine about 12 years now as my dedicated fox gun. with 55gr ballistic tips its like a laser out to 400yards.very flat very accurate and just plain lethal .the ballistics chew up pelts beyond salvage but with a different bullet selection you would be ok.I wouldnt trade my swift for any other calibre for foxes.
have you considered a 220 swift. iv got mine about 12 years now as my dedicated fox gun. with 55gr ballistic tips its like a laser out to 400yards.very flat very accurate and just plain lethal .the ballistics chew up pelts beyond salvage but with a different bullet selection you would be ok.I wouldnt trade my swift for any other calibre for foxes.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
The 220 is a good round but its just as hard on fur as 22-250 if not a little worse. Good luck finding a box of 220 swift ammo locally as well, the only place I've ever seen it was gander mountain once which it was way overpriced and then at cabelas.
With 223, 22-250, or 243 you can find a good selection of loads in any store in the country that sells ammo. Even walmart and dicks stocks it. I buy rifles based on ammo availability even though I reload most of mine so 220 swift wouldn't even be an option for me.
One other thing to keep in mind is barrel life. 220 swift is bad, 22-250 is pretty bad, and 243 is just as bad.
The 220 is a good round but its just as hard on fur as 22-250 if not a little worse. Good luck finding a box of 220 swift ammo locally as well, the only place I've ever seen it was gander mountain once which it was way overpriced and then at cabelas.
With 223, 22-250, or 243 you can find a good selection of loads in any store in the country that sells ammo. Even walmart and dicks stocks it. I buy rifles based on ammo availability even though I reload most of mine so 220 swift wouldn't even be an option for me.
One other thing to keep in mind is barrel life. 220 swift is bad, 22-250 is pretty bad, and 243 is just as bad.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
A 223 bolt gun is obtainable for $500, but so is a 243. A 243 can also double as a hunting rifle in CT.
A 223's trajectory is similar to a .308. Assuming a 100yd zero your drop is appx as follows (assuming MOA):
100 yds: 0
200 yds: -1.4
300 yds: -3.8
400 yds: -6.5
IMO, a 243 is a bit much for these critters, but it will be easier to land clean shots. 6mm bullets are more wind resistant as well.
I would go for the 223.
A 223 bolt gun is obtainable for $500, but so is a 243. A 243 can also double as a hunting rifle in CT.
A 223's trajectory is similar to a .308. Assuming a 100yd zero your drop is appx as follows (assuming MOA):
100 yds: 0
200 yds: -1.4
300 yds: -3.8
400 yds: -6.5
IMO, a 243 is a bit much for these critters, but it will be easier to land clean shots. 6mm bullets are more wind resistant as well.
I would go for the 223.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
Another reason to go with .223 is it's pretty efficient with a short barrel.
Another reason to go with .223 is it's pretty efficient with a short barrel.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mws2000</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another reason to go with .223 is it's pretty efficient with a short barrel.</div></div>
and you can hand load 40gr vmax bullets and get near 204 speeds
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mws2000</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Another reason to go with .223 is it's pretty efficient with a short barrel.</div></div>
and you can hand load 40gr vmax bullets and get near 204 speeds
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
Funny you say that MT I was looking at those last night and they look really sweet.
Funny you say that MT I was looking at those last night and they look really sweet.
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.223 for availability, .204 if you want fast and flat. I love shooting .204 Ruger. </div></div>
While temporary. the only bullets left around here are .20 caliber.
I would give the .204 a shot. Its a noticable step up from a .223
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: tylerw02</div><div class="ubbcode-body">.223 for availability, .204 if you want fast and flat. I love shooting .204 Ruger. </div></div>
While temporary. the only bullets left around here are .20 caliber.
I would give the .204 a shot. Its a noticable step up from a .223
Re: New rifle choice 22/250 .243 .204
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 20incher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Funny you say that MT I was looking at those last night and they look really sweet. </div></div>
I think the CZ is the best shooter for the money, and their American model is a nice lightweight packer.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 20incher</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Funny you say that MT I was looking at those last night and they look really sweet. </div></div>
I think the CZ is the best shooter for the money, and their American model is a nice lightweight packer.
