Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Midwest calling rifle

I would get a .204

I'd look at .223, .22-250, and .204. Finding ammo and components can be a challenge right now, so it's possible that what is available in the way of bullets, brass, and ammo should weigh heavier than any difference between the cartridges.

My personal favorite is the .204. It shoots as flat as the .22-250 with the recoil of a .223. It accomplishes that by using lighter bullets. The 40 grain hornady VMAX in .204 has a better BC than the 60 grain .224 bullets. I like the .17 Remington quite a lot but you'd be building, not buying, a rifle, and again ... ammo / components.

If you're starting on the cheap and planning to upgrade as time and $$ allow, I think it is best to start with a Remington 700 simply because of market support. One of the best, coolest, most accurate ... and CHEAP ... rifles I ever bought was a 700 SPS, blued, sporter, in .17 Fireball. It'd shoot 3/8 inch 5 shot groups and after the first 100 rounds it quit copper fouling. If you could find that rifle in .204 and get ammo, I think you'd be well on your way.

Tom

I’ve been using an old Sako Riihimaki in 222 for the last few years with 50gr Vmax and saving fur. So far I have only had one exit but that shot was about 25’. Most of my shots have been between 40 and 100 yards. I think I might have to try a different rifle this year because my 10 year old thinks the 222 is his now. 😎

I just picked up a used CZ 527 Kevlar Varmint in 223 Rem (1-8 twist). Looking forward to playing with it. The wood stock CZ 527 223 has a 1-12" twist, if you want to shoot lighter bullets.

That was my first thought also. I really like the way that rifle handles and either chambering is just about perfect for minimal pelt damage and coyotes inside 300 yards imo.

22-250
I prefer the heavy barrel models

Kimber Varmint in either 204 or 22-250.

Sound thinking.

Osky

My carry/truck/fur friendly coyote rifle is a CZ (coyote zapper) 527, shooting 40 vmax's. I can't remember the last one that exited a coyote. Topped with a leupold 6x36, with a long range duplex reticle....200 yd. zero. The only thing that keeps it from being perfect, is the "backwards" safety.....but, if you can get the mindset of "cocking" the rifle, like a single action revolver...it's not a problem. The single set trigger is a great feature for any coyote that hangs up, and you have to bear down for the shot. I tend to walk quite a ways, from the rig, to my stands, and this little rifle is a pure pleasure to carry.

Mine is an older model, and after I swapped out the factory bolt handle, I was able to mount the scope lower. A more solid cheek weld helped a lot, too.

While I've killed multiple coyotes on stand with it.....my go to, UNfur friendly calling rifle, is a .243 BAR, shooting 100 gr. interlocks. I get plumb giddy watching multiple dogs coming it to this set up.....shoot the far dog first, and work over the rest. Even marginal hits typically anchors them. When fur is left behind, I take this one.

Andy3

Wht is the caliber of the rifle?

Wht is the caliber of the rifle?[/quote]


.223

Andy3

I had a 22 Creedmoor built and it shoots a 77 gn Berger like a laser. Fur damage is not too awful

It's hard to beat a 22-250 pushing a plastic-tipped 50 grain bullet at the speeds its capable of.

While I have several 223’s and a 22-250AI I absolutely love the 204 Ruger. Since it’s cat season here I use the 35 gr Berger but when these run out, I’ll switch back to the 40 grain bullets. The 40’s don’t do too bad on cats and kill coyotes as well as anything else I’ve tried.

I prefer light weight guns cause I walk a lot. Kimber Montana in 204 Ruger is a perfect calling rifle anywhere.

Like...^^^^^

If I may, I've found fox to be MUCH more "fragile" than coyotes. Combinations that work beautifully on coyotes, have blown up fox badly for me.
Out to ~ 200 yards, I wouldn't hesitate to use my K-Hornet with 40 gr V-Max. The 35's would probably be better on fox, but I wouldn't bet, re: coyotes.
Just my slightly experienced views.