wildwilderness
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 1, 2011
- Messages
- 184
It's always fun when it's time for a new rifle. My youngest is now 8 and just shot his first deer. I had him use my 22-250 but its a big gun, target barrel and I had to hold it for him. I also don't like the factory bullet options for it and with the slow twist rate can't go to a heavier bullets.
So, I am looking at options for a whitetail/antelope rifle. I would like the LOP around 12.5-13" and a barrel length 20" or less. Sitting in a box blind with a kid, or on a buddy stand its nice to have a small handy rifle to shoot at odd angles if needed.
The other use of the rifle would be a "truck" gun to shoot coyotes. I can't tell you how many times I've been driving around and see a yote off the side of the road 1-200yds away.
Now, I also want a stainless steel barrel. I know this will greatly limit my options but I like SS since I'm not the best a cleaning etc. and tend to hunt in all conditions and want a rifle that will last a lifetime. Other options like cera-kote it?
For caliber .243 win seems like the obvious choice? Is there a good alternative? If I didn't care for the performance of the 22-250 on the few deer I've seen shot with it then I don't think .223 rem will be better? Maybe with better bullet selection in heavier grains (60gr+) the .223 will be ok? I do not reload (yet) so factory ammo it is. Low recoil is also a requirement since we are talking about an 8 yr old and potential other (cousins and friends) first time shooters using this rifle.
So to summarize, A compact rifle, LOP 12.5-13, barrel <20", stainless steel. caliber .243? The only thing I can find factory is the Ruger M77 Compact Laminate with a MSRP of $999 and street price around $750. So keeping the budget in that neighborhood.
What would you recommend?
So, I am looking at options for a whitetail/antelope rifle. I would like the LOP around 12.5-13" and a barrel length 20" or less. Sitting in a box blind with a kid, or on a buddy stand its nice to have a small handy rifle to shoot at odd angles if needed.
The other use of the rifle would be a "truck" gun to shoot coyotes. I can't tell you how many times I've been driving around and see a yote off the side of the road 1-200yds away.
Now, I also want a stainless steel barrel. I know this will greatly limit my options but I like SS since I'm not the best a cleaning etc. and tend to hunt in all conditions and want a rifle that will last a lifetime. Other options like cera-kote it?
For caliber .243 win seems like the obvious choice? Is there a good alternative? If I didn't care for the performance of the 22-250 on the few deer I've seen shot with it then I don't think .223 rem will be better? Maybe with better bullet selection in heavier grains (60gr+) the .223 will be ok? I do not reload (yet) so factory ammo it is. Low recoil is also a requirement since we are talking about an 8 yr old and potential other (cousins and friends) first time shooters using this rifle.
So to summarize, A compact rifle, LOP 12.5-13, barrel <20", stainless steel. caliber .243? The only thing I can find factory is the Ruger M77 Compact Laminate with a MSRP of $999 and street price around $750. So keeping the budget in that neighborhood.
What would you recommend?
