Starter rifle

[ebagwell]

Looking for a good starter rifle for predator hunting. Looking at the savage predator model but not sure I want to go with the 243 or 223. Any thought?

 

[ntg]

More info would help. If you are talking coyotes and smaller the 223 is good out to 3-400 yards roughly. Can be shot further, but doesn't have much poop left in it. If you are talking longer shots being the norm a 22-250 or the 243 are a better bet. If you're talking wolf...I'd say the 243 is good...but I'd even go bigger than that for them.

Also another variable is if you're planning on minimizing pelt damage.

 

[FEENIX]

More info would help. If you are talking coyotes and smaller the 223 is good out to 3-400 yards roughly. Can be shot further, but doesn't have much poop left in it. If you are talking longer shots being the norm a 22-250 or the 243 are a better bet. If you're talking wolf...I'd say the 243 is good...but I'd even go bigger than that for them.

Also another variable is if you're planning on minimizing pelt damage.

+1! Reloading also is a big plus.

 

[roninflag]

rem 700 varmint from dicks. or rem 700 from SW. not sure where you are. more fox (.223 ) or more coyote (.243).

 

[JOHNNIE WALKER]

I have a savage predator max 1 in 260 rem. I love it. Reloading really helped me fall in love with this rifle. A 243 is (IMO) is more versatile than a 223. It's strong enough for deer, and flat enough for varmints. Just about every ammo company makes loads for a 243.

 

[ebagwell]

Coyotes and fun des mostly. No wolves around here. It would be n further than 400 yards. Reload will be next after I get started.

 

[wbm]

Have a Savage Axis in 22-250. Only thing I altered was the trigger....easy to do. Other than that it is "standard issue" and shoots 55gr Sierra Blitz over CFE-223 extremely well. This is the third Axis I have bought. The other two were "tricked out" with Boyd's Thumbhole stocks and target trigger springs and also shoot well.

 

[ntg]

Coyotes and fun des mostly. No wolves around here. It would be n further than 400 yards. Reload will be next after I get started.

With that in mind I'd seriously look at the Ruger American with the newer stiffer stock and get it in 22-250. It has a 1-10 twist and would be great with most any bullet you'd ever want to reload in it. The only down fall (albeit a small one) of most 22-250 is that they've been 1-14 twist for ever.

There's also nothing wrong with the 223, but the 22-250 will be flatter out at 400yards edge...it'll be a bit easier dealing with the drop out at that range.

 

[FEENIX]

With that in mind I'd seriously look at the Ruger American with the newer stiffer stock and get it in 22-250. It has a 1-10 twist and would be great with most any bullet you'd ever want to reload in it. The only down fall (albeit a small one) of most 22-250 is that they've been 1-14 twist for ever.

There's also nothing wrong with the 223, but the 22-250 will be flatter out at 400yards edge...it'll be a bit easier dealing with the drop out at that range.

I too am interested and have been hearing lots of good reports on them. The one I was looking at comes threaded for MB/suppressor for $419 at my LGS.

 

[6mm06guy]

I shoot alot of 22-250 and 243, both are very flexible calibers. Nosler has there e-tip in 55 gr that works well on deer in my 22-250. Another rifle you may consider in your list is a howa 1500. The new ones have ajustable triggers great shooters to boot. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.