What is your favorite predator/varmint rifle?

[Patriot_1776]

If I may ask, I'd just like this to be a general discussion of hunting stories anyone is willing to share, solely for the purpose and enjoyment of those who would read it.  Perhaps, if time allows, a small description on why you like it, and the best shot you've made would be welcome as well.  Thanks for sharing.   Patriot

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to ya'll.   :toast:

[Coyote Hunter]

My first varmint rifle was a Savage 110E in .22-250.  Butt-ugly but a great shooter and a gift from Dad who no longer had any need for it. Best shot I ever made was with this rifle, a 290+ yard shot at a running coyote.  Estimated the lead and squeezed off a shot.  Thought I had missed but he took another step or two and tumbled.  The 40g Nosler BT ahd caught him just left of center where the spine meets the head, and ended up in the brain cavity.  A .22 entrance hole and a single spec of blood coming out the left ear were the only signs he had been shot.

Then I got a "real" varmint rifle, a Ruger M77 MKII VT in .22-250 -- target trigger, heavy 26" barrel, synthetic stock. And another outstanding gun.  This rifle has shot its share of coyotes and prairie dogs in the year since I got it and has shot a 0.5" group at 200 yards.  

But lately I've been running with a used Ruger M77 in .257 Roberts that I picked up from a private party for $400 ($250 of which came from selling the Savage).  It came with a 4x Leupold mounted as part of the bargain.  Although the rifle was made in 1989, it was in pristine condition.  I've been shooting 75g VMAX for varmints and worked up 115g Barnes TSX loads for bigger game.  I've also been using 120g Speer Grand Slams that I buy for cheap from a local vendor.  All loads are developed to +P data, so I give up little to a .25-06, but do it in a very handy package with a 22" barrel.  It has a sporter barrel but accuracy is good enough that I shoot the centers out of clay pigeons at 200 yards, without breaking the outer portion, with amazing regularity.  This rifle is certainly easier and quicker to get in and out of the truck than the 26" .22-250, hence part of its allure.  That and the 75g VMAX bullets just seem to "speak" with more authority...

[Steelhead]

More of a predator hunter, but currently my favorite rifle is an 1894 Marlin in 25/20 with a 4x scope on board. Loaded with 65 grain bullets at 2100fps, or 75gr Speers at about 1800 it does all I need it to do.

I am not into poking holes in critters at long range so it suites my style.

[Squeeze]

This is a tough one.  I love them all so much :grin:

I guess my most favorite, in my AR-15 carbine.  It is a Armalite lower, with a NM trigger,
and has a Rock River pre-ban flat top carbine(16" Chome/moly barrel) upper pinned
to it.  It is easy to carry, swings into position like I point my finger, and it shoots tight
groups with 55 gr. Nosler BTs, driven with Varget.  It is relatively new, and has only
been used on a few varmint squirrels.  I have a new howler call on order, and when
it gets here, I am looking forward to getting out calling coyotes.   The neighbor
lady tells me she has a bunch howling by her place some evenings, and would
sure like to see me fix that problem...Done!  Snow camo, my new howler, and
this stubby AR-15 are going take the song right out of those song dogs.

Squeeze

[Lawdog]

My first varmint rifle was a Model 54 in .22 Hornet(Lord do I wish I still had that one) that I got in 1962.  Got talked into trading it off for a pre-64 Model 70 in .220 Swift because I was told that the Hornet wasn’t powerful enough.  Tried using it on Blacktail deer with sorry results so I traded it off for a custom M98 in .257 Roberts.  An absolute tack driver.  But the power craze was on me and as a teenager I got talked into trading it in for my first .25-06.  A customized M721 Remington that got me hooked on the .25-06 Niedner wildcat.  Since that time I have owned 6 .25-06 rifles(got three in the safe now).

For a calling rifle I use a .22 Hornet(never got over using this little cartridge) in either of my Ruger rifles(No.1b or 77/22 VHZ).  For called in varmints one needs nothing more powerful and the Hornet is pelt friendly.  For longer range varmint shooting I have used/owned .223 Remington, .22-250, it ballistic twin the .224 Weatherby Magnum(which I still have), .220 Swift and the one I am using now is the .223 WSSM.  All of them have their good points and their bad but all have led to a lifetime of fun, varmint hunting.  Lawdog
 

[SAWgunner]

MY Ruger M77VT in .220 Swift.  It is a little on the heavy side, but I still use it as a walking predator rifle.  I love this rifle because it can almost read my mind.  Every shot goes where I intend it to.  It shoots 1/4" groups at 200 yards with factory V-Max's.  My handloads shoot about the same, and I haven't found a combo yet that it dosen't like.  As for the round, I love the .220.  if there are several different calibers of brass laying there, I can pick up the .220 everytime.  It is easily reloaded, and is accurate out of my gun no matter what I put in/on it.  Another thing I like about it is that not many people shoot the swift.


SAW

[IowaBuckHunter]

Without a doubt my favorite is the 204.  Very accurate and very deadly.  I like them all, but everyone has a favorite.  The 17 rem is good, but not on windy days.  The 22 hornet is a pelt saver, but a little whimpy for me.  The 223 is cheap to shoot, but also a little whimpy. The 220 swift is also a good one, but horrible on barrel life.  Then there is the 22-250 which is good all around.  Excellent long range gun, great knock-down power, and an awesome ballistic coefficeint.  I also like the 243 for dog hunting, but that is about all I use it for.

[Racepres]

Right now it is a 6mm'06 ... A dear friend left me the barrel only, when he passed away. Some sort of payback or something!!! Got a nice BRNO action to screw it to and been workin' on the stock (kind of a classic in the win. lightweight style). Puts one hole touching the other if I do my part. Gets plenty hot though so it's a good thing there aint no "dog towns" in MI... Marty

[varmit_master]

Hi my one was a Savage model 110 in a 22 250 i hated the stock on it but it would shoot good it was a good gun VM

[2520]

Racepres:  No "dog towns" in MI.  There's the pity.  Maybe we could get a no closed season on snowmobiles to make up the difference.  Not many of them this winter.  They had to haul snow to Sault Ste. Marie for the big race last week-end.  This time last year it was an adventure backing out of my drive way.  I could almost mow my lawn today.  My favorite is a G2 Contender rifle in .222 Remington.  Just got it shooting and it is a tackdriver.  Golf balls at 200 yds?  Wonder if they would let me use a cart?

[SamSpade]

It shoots 1/4" groups at 200 yards with factory V-Max's. SAW

That's the most accurate rifle I have ever heard about. :eek:

[deathray]

As of today my favorite one is my 527 CZ 221 FireBall,its light, accurate(less than 1" with every group I have shot at 100 Yds, thats about 20 groups so far) its not as loud as my bigger 22 centerfires and a can of 4198 will last a long long time. I've had the gun for just one year and have shot 2 Gray Fox and 4 Coyotes with it, like any gun you need to pick the right bullet for the job, the only ones I have tried so far have been the 50 Horn. SX and the 40 Nosler BT, the 40 Nosler BT is to explosive on the coyotes one bad hit and you have a wounded yote. Now if CZ would just put there heavy laminate stock on the 204 Varmint gun that might be my next favorite gun! GOOD LUCK And GOOD SHOOTING.

[Gregory]

For walking around:  
.223 T/C Contender Carbine 16" barrel

For long range groundhogs:
Savage 110 FP in .223

For fun:
Bushmaster AR-15 .223


I like the .223.

[fyrepowrx]

For walking around, i use either a Rem 700 Light Varmint Stainless Fluted .223, topped with a B&L 4-16. Or sometimes a 700 ADL .223 that i dropped into a stock taken off 700 Titanium Mtn Rifle, which wears a Leupold 3.5-10.

When sitting i shoot a Cooper Montana Varminter, .22 PPC topped with an 8.5-25 Leupold. Once in a while a Contender 14" .221 fireball w/7x Burris.

I shoot coyotes with a Rem 700 matte finished .25-06 that is in an HS Precision stock, topped with a 4-12 Leupold.

[SAWgunner]

It shoots 1/4" groups at 200 yards with factory V-Max's. SAW

That's the most accurate rifle I have ever heard about. :eek:

That's off sandbags with no wind.  I have a nickel that I have three holes in that I shot at 200 yards.  I wish I could post a pic of it.  I carry the nickel around on my dog tags.

SAW

[DWARREN123]

For varmints it's a CZ model 527 Varmint w/kevlar stock in 223 rem with a Caldwell bipod, for predators it's a CZ model 527 Lux in 223 rem.
The Varmint has a heavy taper barrel for fast shooting and the Lux has a sporter barrel for easier carry.

[earschplitinloudenboomer]

Would have to be my first one. Growing up on a farm, it had become part of my chores to keep crows out of the corn. This meant VERY early trips to the fields on school days. I had sold a pig and bought a Mod. 69 Win. .22. (clip fed, reciever sights). This was as fine a shooting .22 as I had ever shot...but, in no time the crows learned my limitations. It became exceedingly difficult to get a shot even though I could call pretty well just imitating the CAAAWWaaawwwAW, "C'mere guys" call, by mouth. Granted, by my continued presence, I was keeping the crows away, but darn it I wanted to shoot something! There was a huge black gum tree above Uncle Charlies spring, this is where the old "sentinel crow" always sat, it was in a pasture field, no way to get close enough to shoot him with the .22. We watched each other for two years (can't swear it was the same crow but the symbolism was the same). Then for an FFA project at school, dad helped me raise a calf to veal. That coupled with some hayfield money, berry picking money and collected pop bottle money, introduced me to the world of center fire rifles. I was able to purchase a Savage 340 in .222 for $63.00, the gun shop owner threw in a box of Rem. ammo. I shot in the open sights, using my box of ammo sparingly. One round was used on a quart motor oil can placed judiciously at the base of the black gum, shot from my new hiding place far, far away (I'm guessing about 200 yards)...dead center! Next morning, first light, I was waiting behind a hay stack, good locust fence post for a rest when I heard the first caw,caw,caw. I still feel the shiver that went up my back...theywerecoming...caw,caw,caw,...caw,caw,caw...CAW,CAW,CAW...and then there he was, the sentinel, perched on the highest limb of the black gum. Keeping my head down, sensing even then, that eye contact would alert 'ole blackie, I slowly, raised the rifle to the second rung of the rail fence around the haystack, safety off,...fine bead,no full...half bead, yep that should do it... breath...just like Jack O'Conner taking a ram across a wide ravine...squeeze...CRACK!!!!!!!! That is the defining moment of my love of rifles and shooting. 'Ole blackie exploded in a cloud of feathers. The crows around our farm never felt safe again. The rest of my waking moments were centered around the terrible financial burden that 20 rounds of center fire ammo imposed (Almost $3.00!!!). This is running pretty long, but you asked. If you'd like I can relate the story of the Braxton Co. chicken stealin' cat at another time.
Thanx for asking;
ears-

[buffalobob]

About 1972, I moved from Missouri back to Bama and I traded a custom 1903 25-06 and some $ for a NIB Rem 700 in 17Rem w/ Lyman 3X9, some dies and components.  I spent several days in the clear cuts of Talledega Nat'l Forest there in Bear Bryant Coutnry testing loads.  On the last day of testing and the last five rounds which were the hottest, I had a great group going for four rounds and had one last round to shoot.  As I lay there on the ground with the gun on the sand bags waiting  for the barrel to cool, I spotted a squirrel going up a tree at the far edge of the clear cut.  The squirrel was 200yds away and was going up head first and I had a tiny goup on paper going with only one round left for the gun.  But it was legal squirrel season, so I decided no time like the present to see if the gun would really shoot.  The gun was zeroed one inch high at a hundred.  Put the crosshairs on that squirrel's eye and blew his head off at two hundred yards.  Ate the squirrel but still have the gun.  Never changed loads since- still shoot same primer, powder and bullet.  That load worked.  

I do wish I had not  been poor and could have kept the 25-06.  As I remember it Kenny "the Snake" Stabler was quarterbacking the Tide.

[longwalker]

No doubt .22 rimfire. Saying that there are limitations next up 22 hornet I like it because it is relatively quite. Then the versatile .223. It is cheap to shoot and will reach out there. But when having to go long I like the 25-06 With 100 grain bullets I find them much better in the wind.

My longest shot was a praire dog at over 500 yards. Lucky for me I had my son witness the shot nobody would belive it. My 25-06 is a ruger m77mkII with a cheap 3-9 scope. The 22 rimfire all out favorite because of the fun factor. If I have to pick a gun to get it done the 25-06 get the nod.


Longwalker :grin:

[wink_man]

Well, mine's a little different, and well, I always did do things a little differently, but my gun of choice is a Savage 24V, in .223 over 20 gauge, topped with see-thru rings, and a Simmons 4X12 scope. I like a 55 grain bullet in the .223 barrel, and a load of high brass 4's in the shotgun barrel. Not particularly a fan of see_thru rings, but I feel they are necessary on a combination gun. This gun can pretty much cover it all from running wildly at 10 yards to standing still at 300, works for me.
Sincerely,
 Garry

[DannoBoone]

This is a tough one for me. The .17 HMR is my favorite for everything up to
and including raiding coons. But then, the Tactical 20 is also a favorite from
coons to coyotes. Both are lethal on crows, just depends on the distance.
165yds was the longest crow shot with the HMR. Just love these rifles which
have such a low recoil that the scope can be kept on target.

It's fun to line up on starlings raiding feed pans with the little .17 rimfire. The
little 17gr pills exploding off the nearest one with "flack" flying into others
has netted me up to four birds with one shot!

Suppose the most fun I've had though was a couple winters ago with the
Tac 20. A coyote was in the area, and I feared it getting into our exotic
animals. I sat up in the hay mow one very cold evening and waited. Just
after sundown there was a shadow moving through the woods headed for
our pasture west of the barn. OK, great, it'll go into a perfect direction for
a good shot......then it appeared. Oh, NO, what is THIS? I have hunted and
killed many a deer over a 35yr span, but never a coyote. And NEVER had
I experienced buck fever of the type that had just set in at that moment!
CALM DOWN!! It went up to a small knoll about 125yds away when I had
recollected my nerves and fired. The temp and humidity was such that
it appeared smoke had obscurred the target. When it was blown by the
wind, I saw nothing. No coyote kicking, and no animal high-tailing it out
of the pasture. What happened? Go check where ya last saw it, but get
a flashlight first. She was on the other down-side of the knoll. The snow
revealed she had not so much as twitched after falling. It was a rear lung
shot......hmmm, trotting a little faster than I realized. But to me it was
awesome the critter had died so fast and not even kicked....good, no
pain. More awesome still, was that I had just taken the largest buck of
my life a month previous with no buck fever whatsoever experienced
while that little coyote gave me the biggest case of my life! Such as are
life's experiences!    :?

[lilabner]

This appears to be one of those deals where east and west don't exactly meet. Varmints mean coyotes where I hunt, and if the wind ever stopped blowing, people would fall flat on their faces.  A .243 Win. with 85 gr. spitzers is good medicine on the wide open high plains or deserts.

[Dogshooter]

I am fortunate enough to have a big selection of calibers and rifle types to choose from. I used to try to grab a different weapon each time I went out but I have noticed that in the last year or so I have pretty much narrowed down my choices to a few favorites. When I am sitting and calling I use my Bushmaster Varminter. When walking varmint hunting I use either my A-Bolt with Ziess 3X9 in 204 or my Browning Low Wall with Leupold Compact 3X9 in 223. I could actually get by with just two but don't tell my wife  :wink: ........

[ABaker]

I used to have a Savage in .223 but with the bipod, scope, and choate thumb hole stock it weighed 13 pounds. I sold it off for an Encore in 22-250. I love the Encore. It is light enough to hike with, and mine is plenty accurate. I have also started reloading the 22-250 with excellent results.

[cal sibley]

I don't hurt for varmint rigs, have a half dozen.  Yet, since the day I got it 15 years ago my favorite has been the Sako Varminter in .222Rem.  It's rare I have to reach out beyond that rifles range.  It's a joy to shoot, and oh sooo accurate.  If I'm shooting at something larger than a hefty woodchuck I may dig out the .222Rem. Mag. or a .22-250Rem., but that's not often.  This little rascal does it all.  Best wishes.

Cal - Montreal

[UtahMike]

I'm 57yrs. old now and don't get around very well but it hasn't stopped my varmint hunting, on the contrary, since I can't do much else, I shoot.  I've hunted most all my life, my first true Varmint rifle was a Ruger #1 with the Bull barrel and a 3.5x10AO leupold on it.  It had an inscription on the barrrel "Made in the 200th year of our American Liberty". I lived in Eastern Utah and it took many PD's and coyotes, I hated to get rid of it.  Then a Remington 700 bdl in 243win, with the same power scope on it, I still have it and it's shoot more animals than all the others combined. I have several others.   I bought an ETRONX when Remington decided not to suppport them.  Price dropped and I picked one up cheap, really like it alot, I wish they had stayed with the Rifle, maybe price supports on the rifle till it had a following.  I re-chambered it to 22-250AI, It's a ball and very very accurate, I shoot 2's and 3's, the rifle shoots better. I put a Bushnell Elite 5x15x50 on it. my eyes aren't to good now, thats what really hurts.  They were 20/20 all my life, a couple of months ago I went blind in the right eye. It's good I'm left-handed! It happened over night.  Anyway, I like reloading, fireforming, etc.  I have another 700LH in 270win loaded with 90gr. I reachs out and touchs them.  Although there is much left, usually at Jacks and PD's, not much left but fur.  A few months ago I bought a Savage 12FLV  308win varmint rig,  I put another Bushnell Elite 4200 Elite on it, this time an 8x32x40AO. I didn't like the rings and bases I put on, so I just ordered Farrel Bases and Rings with 20moa bases.  The higher power scope is very hard to handle right now, but Im getting the hang of it and right now I'm shooting just under an inch at a hundred.  Not good, give me some time.  Any way these are my varmint rigs, I wouldn't trade them for the world, or the sport.          

[kudzu]

Utah Mike, You got to love a man that can adapt to adversity.

God Bless and Carry On.  DM

[mjbgalt]

gotta be my encore in .204. it can shoot way better than i can, and will put a whoopin on anything up to coyote size.

the 26" bull barrel keeps me from wavering too much, and so far anyone who picks it up has shot well with it. we shot bottle caps at 65 yards with it and i taught a new shooter to shoot with it. he had never shot a gun before in his life but on our way back to my house his eyes were still lit up and he was hooked. we shot powerade bottles with it and even though the bottles were empty they didnt budge when the 40 grain hornady zipped through at 3,900 fps.

what a blast  :grin:

-Matt

[oso45-70]

Buffalobob,

I bought my 17 rem in 1999 when they first came out with the classic 700. I wasn't aware that any one had built a 17 before that, There were or sill is a group of fellers in Montana that have been playing around with the
17 cal & 19 cal Rifles but to my knoledge there hasn't been a factory chambering in 17 cal before 1999, If someone has built one they sure slipped one in on me. If i have missed thee boat on this i would sure like to know about it.  If you could sir please let me know, Thanks........Joe.......

[mmsb27]

Once had a boos who advised me
"Lifes too short for cheap beer, and good gas milage as well as "one" favorite!"  Have to agree at least when it comes to rifles.  Really like the hornet -- and really like CZ/BRNOs.  Having said that I shoot a Ruger M77 22-250............  a reall tack driver.  Warren Page I think said it best " only accurate rifles are interesting".  
If I could only really have one favorite and one rifle....  it would be a BRNO Model 1 or 2, in 22 LR
regards

Mark