What caliber do you like for predator/ varmint hunting?

[sportsmans challenge]

There are many scenarios whether it is the size of the animal, if fur is being sought after or we just want to put down some animals, but when it comes down to it what caliber do you like to use when going on the pursuit?

Below do the poll and make a post on what cartridge you run, maybe the bullet you most trust and if you want some loads and /or load data.

My go to caliber is .224
You can go way down to a 40 grain in something like a .222 rem and up to running heavies like a 75 to 80 grain in a 22 250 ai, 22 creed or 22 243 win (these I have all ran).

currently I am running a 22 grendel in an ar 15 platform with a 69 grain tmk at around 3175 fps and will be trying some 64 tgk at around 3400 soon. This is a recent group from a pressure test I was running with the 64 grain tgk, it was hot but I was very impressed with the ar at 100 yards with three shots and little load work up.

Good luck out there with the fox, coyotes, raccoons whatever your game.

 

[B23]

It won't let me pick two so I'll post it here but my two favorites are easily .224 and .243/6mm I have a couple different 20 cals and they're fun but more specialty type guns my favs are definitely .22 and 24 cals and if I was forced to eliminate them all and could only keep one it would be my 6-284 mostly because I think it's more universal and covers a wider range of uses.

Favorite and pretty much only bullet I shoot in my 223AI (9tw) & 22-250 (12tw) is 53gr Vmax. 6-284 (12tw) 75gr Vmax & 6CM (9tw) 70gr Ballistic Tip

 

[NevadaZielmeister]

None, I use a 22-250 for Coyotes. Lightweight rifle with easy to load ammunition. Pretty nice to have a laser out to 400 yards with a 50 grain VMAX going 4,005 FPS out of the muzzle.

 

[WCB]

.224 cal I guess but specifically .223. 50 or 55grain pill never had an issue out to 400. Never had a need to shoot past that anyways (not that I haven't).

However, for 300 yards and in and in areas where I more than likely will run across a fox I'm really liking my 17 Hornet with 20gr bullets. Of course I probably won't be shooting any fox as I have enough pelts tanned at the house now and they aren't worth selling.

 

[B23]

I'm really liking my 17 Hornet with 20gr bullets.

For ground squirrels and PD's probably one of the most fun guns there is. We don't have many fox where I live but if we did this would be my gun of choice as well. The 17 Hornet is like a 17 WSM on steroids.

 

[Hunter Hicks]

Too Bad it Wont let you pick more then one caliber on the poll, I like them all. I will use whatever gun i have with me to shoot yotes. 17 HMR to the 338 Lapua.

 

[WCB]

For ground squirrels and PD's probably one of the most fun guns there is. We don't have many fox where I live but if we did this would be my gun of choice as well. The 17 Hornet is like a 17 WSM on steroids.

I've shot a bunch of fox with it and Coyotes out to 250 no issues. 17 Remington would be my go to yote gun if there were more ammo options.

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Never have used a .17 cal, shot a 17 hmr a couple times, but never took it out very far. I could see how that would be a fun caliber for ground squirrels, prairie dogs and similar.

I had a 204 for 1 winter and never cared for the way it put dogs down, maybe at the time it was a problem shooting cold weather on shoulders that fast, but would get splashes, spinners and runners. That is a reason I like the .224, still crank the speed up for flat trajectory and still have a punch. Probably the most devastating combo I ran in .224 was a .22-250ai with a 1:9 and running the 75 amax at 3350. Made a couple shots 600 yards range and it would tip them right over and the ballistics where very capable to go further.

For those of you running the 6mm I am a fan too, just .224 comes 1st if ever asked. I have had 2- 243 ai and a 6-284, never could get the 6-284 to shoot great so thats when I built another 243 ai.
The 1st one I ran berger 95 grain vlds and this was the 1st gun that I really got into long range with. Longest dog was 750 and longest shots made accurately were 1250 to 1275, low recoil, cheap components and very capable whether steel, dogs or deer.

Obviously when a dog presents itself, everything changes to put that dog down. Here is a link to a video of a coyote I shot with a 338 norma while waiting for a deer to come out for my dad.

Love the discussion, sharing and talking about the small game hunting.

 

[sportsmans challenge]

I have also updated the poll to allow 2 choices

 

[B23]

I have also updated the poll to allow 2 choices

Like many of you I kinda have a varmint/predator/ground squirrel/PD gun fetish and always appreciate seeing everyone's stuff so if you wanted to start one of those threads that'd be cool too.

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Here is a thread we all can start with equipment and rifles so others can see and we maybe able to see helpful ways of using gear we may or may not have.

Lets see your go to predator/ varmint equipmemt

This was requested by a member on another thread I have going, so I thought I would get it going. For guys wanting to get into small game hunting/shooting or guys who already are well versed we do like to see what is out there, how it maybe mounted or utilized so if you would like to share post...

www.rokslide.com

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Was running some 64grain tgk bullets this last weekend at 3440fps and they are very explosive. Head shots, neck shots and others were opening up like crazy.

Will be playing with them a bit as well as just ordered some 60 grain tmk's. I really like the 69 tmk so very interested to see how the 60 does.

 

[bow_hunt32]

My main calling rifle is a 22-250 running a 50 grain Vmax around 3875 FPS.

 

[Jagermiester]

.223

 

[Smid]

I’m pretty happy with my .22 nosler. Ammo is non-existent right now, meanwhile my hunting partner is doing great with his .224 Valkyrie and can find tons of it

 

[FLAK]

.22WMR or 12ga w.#2 Hevishot.

 

[sportsmans challenge]

Some close in stuff huh? That will save some fur with those rounds

 

[B23]

My main calling rifle is a 22-250 running a 50 grain Vmax around 3875 FPS.

IMO the 22-250 is one of the best all around varmint/predator cartridges chambered. It's one of those that just kinda checks all the boxes.

 

[FLAK]

Some close in stuff huh? That will save some fur with those rounds

Actually too close/thick for my taste. I'm a Hillbilly from N.Alabama
stuck in the swamps of S. Bama. Also, the state lands I hunt restrict us
to rimfire/shotgun.
On a side note, had 2 packs of yotes howling at each other last night within
2-300 yards of the house. (no night hunting here either).

 

[Gunaddict]

223- 50gr NBT
22-250 55gr NBT
VersaMax 12 ga #4 buckshot