Author Topic: What caliber and action would you want to have in a new rife (Read 2990 times)

coyote trapper1929 · « **on:** December 01, 2005, 02:07:22 AM »

Hi:

I have been looking at the various rifles on the market these days and there sure is plenty to chose from!! I already have a new Winchester Model 94 30-30 rifle and that will take care of just about all of my big game hunting requirements, but I do like to hunt Fox and Coyote. The only small caliber rifle I have for that is the Marlin Model 60 in .22 Long Rifle. A bit under sized for Fox and I know it is definitly too small for Coyote. So, I have been searching for a small caliber rifle that would be good for shots no further than 200 yards and still not damage the pelt too much. I also shoot left handed.

Here is what I have come up with so far:

1. .22 Hornet (Savage Model 40 Single shot.)

2. .204 Ruger ( Ruger No.1 Single Shot.)

3. Charles Daley Left hand Mini-Mauser in the .223.

4. Browning Model 81 lever action rifle in the 22-250.

5. Browning Micro Medallion rifle left hand in either the .223 or the new .223 WSSM

6. A Savage Package Series rifle in either the .223 or 22-250. :eek:

7 Or, should I spend the money for a Custom left hand rifle? Don't really want to do that.

How are the Charles Daley Mini-Mauser rifles? They look like they have a really nice grade of Walnut for their stocks. But, how do they shoot? What is the average price on a Mini -Mauser?

Thanks,

PaulS · « **Reply #1 on:** December 02, 2005, 11:38:10 AM »

I think I would choose something in a 22-250 as it provides the most potential. Not being left handed I don't keep track of whats available. A bolt action will probably deliver more accuracy than a lever gun but new bolt guns are pricey. Go to different dealers and fondle what they have available to see what fits you best.

dunwerkin · « **Reply #2 on:** December 02, 2005, 01:58:43 PM »

Trapper
Given the requirements that you posted, such as 200 yard max shots and not much pelt damage, the .204 would do just fine. It is really a very accurate and fun gun to shoot.. It will surprise you.

Good luck.

longwalker · « **Reply #3 on:** December 12, 2005, 12:00:04 PM »

I would have to go with a 22 hornet. Nice round plenty of power and relatively quiet. If you reload this is the answer to your prayers. Even if you don't reload it is a very nice old caliber that is still around because it works so well.

You will have plenty of time to figure out which bullet weights and what bullets to use. But I recommend a 50 grsin sp. They do a fantastic job without the extream damage to pelts that 22-250 and 223 routinely do.

longwalker

Mikey · « **Reply #4 on:** December 13, 2005, 01:27:54 PM »

I would like to see a small but accurate, inexpensive semi-auto in various pistol cartridges with interchangeable barrels. Sort of a cross between the Ruger (?) er whatever or the Beretta carbines, and the AR-7 survival rifle. Make it accurate to 75-100m and use it for most anything you would use a pistol caliber for.

Heck, for that matter they could make'm in two sizes - small, and not so small for magnum pistol cartridges. Just a thought. Mikey.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 16, 2005, 03:29:00 PM »

It doesn't sound to me like your a reloader so I believe I'd go for the 223 Rem. You can have it in a NEF handi rifle, a Ruger #1, Ruger #3 and probally a few others. 22 Hornet ammo can be hard to find, 22-250 ammo fairly expensive and a more violent cartridge and the 223 is great to 200 yds, lot's of cheap ammo and if you start handloading, lot's of cheap cases. From your post action type doesn't seem to matter, you mention several. A single shot can be about as inexpensive or expensive as you want and doesn't care if your left or right handed. Doesn't sound like cost is a big factor either as you use a model 94 and mentioned from a Savage kit gun to a custom left hand rifle. If that's the case, treat yourself to the custom job. Your wife finds out how much that costs and you'll maybe never get another chance!

NoKness · « **Reply #6 on:** December 16, 2005, 06:16:49 PM »

M77 MkII in 358 if they won't work maybe a 338 federal.

NoKnees

kenscot · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2005, 02:01:02 AM »

A left handes M77 in 280 or 338 win mag

358Win · « **Reply #8 on:** March 22, 2006, 01:16:46 PM »

As a fellow lefty I feel your pain about the lack of bolt guns. If I were just going to dream and leave reality out of it, I'd want a Sako 75 SM action in left hand (which they don't make) and I'd chamber it for the 325 WSM necked up to either .358 or .375. With that much powder capacity I'd lean strongly towards the .375. Some rough estimating makes me think that I should be able to get 2400 fps with the 300 grain and about 2550 with the 270 grain. This duplicates the performance of the 376 Steyr in a short action with a fairly standard bolt face.

358Win · « **Reply #9 on:** March 22, 2006, 01:19:20 PM »

When you start talking about bolt guns having an accuracy advantage that is true with the exception of the Browning BLR with it's rack and pinion drive and rotating bolt head.

scout34 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 26, 2006, 06:22:38 AM »

You will start to have problems getting the Mini-Mauser because Remington has outbid Charles Daly for the rifle production at the Zastava plant. They are now marketing the Remington 798 (Mauser 98) and 799 (Mini Mauser) on their website. Charles Daly has an apology up on theirs saying that all production has ceased.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #11 on:** March 29, 2006, 09:24:23 AM »

Wow, some of you guy's must not have read his post.

Quote

So, I have been searching for a small caliber rifle that would be good for shots no further than 200 yards and still not damage the pelt too much. I also shoot left handed

Cheesehead · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2006, 04:34:10 PM »

Try an Encore rifle in 223. The Encore is ambidextrous and 223 ammo is plentiful and cheap. The Encore has many options for future concepts.

Cheese

358Win · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2006, 04:27:03 PM »

Out of the list you mentioned, I'd personally go for the BLR in 22-250. This is a great rifle, basically a bank vault tight bolt action with a lever drive. The 22-250 is a great cartridge almost as fast and accurate as a 220 Swift and much more flexible due to a better ratio of bore volume to case volume..

flintman · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2006, 02:27:55 PM »

A Remington 722 in .222 Remington caliber is right for me!I love the .22 cartridge!

Don Fischer · « **Reply #15 on:** August 13, 2006, 09:04:28 AM »

I'd have gone 222 Rem also but I don't know who makes one any more. A Rem mod 788 in .222 was the most accurate rifle I've ever owned!

Broom Rider · « **Reply #16 on:** August 15, 2006, 01:20:28 PM »

The Encore would be my choice I think. Probably in a small caliber like 17 Remington, 222 or 223. Second choice would be a leftie bolt action...........who makes a nice one?? Cooper?

azmike · « **Reply #17 on:** August 15, 2006, 04:55:04 PM »

C.T. 1929,

Being a lefty as well, I just solved a similar problem by buying a Contender G2 Carbine (mine goal was to replace my 7mm mag with a more whitetail-friendly cartridge). I bought the 30-30 first, with plans for a .223 a ways down the road, as it is such an inexpensive round to shoot. I have been frustrated for 20 years, seeing all the cool new bolt guns that come out, usually right-hand only. Got tired of it, and decided to do the single shot thing for a while.

I was looking at Ruger #1's, and the Encore as well, but the Contender just feels better to me, plus it'll shoot rimfire as well. It was also over 300 bucks less than a Ruger #1. That's a lot of ammo.

So I guess my suggestion isn't on your list-- a Contender Carbine in .223 rem.

RaySendero · « **Reply #18 on:** August 16, 2006, 12:08:44 PM »

Quote from: coyote trapper1929 on December 01, 2005, 02:07:22 AM

..... I have been searching for a small caliber rifle that would be good for shots no further than 200 yards and still not damage the pelt too much. I also shoot left handed.
.....

ct1929,
I think I would pick a 22 hornet first- Maybe even ream it out to a K-Hornet.
Second - a 223 or 204 are about tied.

joshco84 · « **Reply #19 on:** September 16, 2006, 08:17:24 PM »

i have always been interested in getting a 17 remington. from what i have heard it is a rocket and have heard about people hitting coyotes on a run a three hundred with them (i dont know if it is true, but i have heard that). you put an eek next to the savage rifle, but it is a very good rifle, i would however go with a either stevens 200 or model 10 in .223 (depending if you want acutrigger or not) the stevens is 250 to 300 and i dont know about the 10 series. By the way these are both the same gun just the stevens has a cheaper stock and is not acutrigger. i also would stay away from the package rifle, you would be better of buying a rifle and putting a decent scope on it. at least something like a bushnell banner or a nikon prostaff. you can get a prostaff 3x9x40 for 129 at optic zone

pascalp · « **Reply #20 on:** September 22, 2006, 05:09:28 AM »

22Hornet or 243W for the caliber.

Savage for bolt action.

Gregory · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2006, 12:14:05 PM »

I bought a left hand Browning Micro Hunter in 22 Hornet recently and I couldn't be happier. Looks good and shoots real well.