Varmit Rifle

[LSmith]

I need help on an important Christmas present decision. My present that is. I am looking for a good rifle for larger critters mainly coyotes, feral dogs, and wild hogs on our property. I want to be able to reach out and touch them from a distance when necessary. I also want a compact weapon that is easy to carry in the truck or on the Mule. I have narrowed my choices down to either a Winchester lever action 30.30 or a Ruger Mini-14. Both of these guns come in a shorter version "Ranch Rifle". I'm trying not to stir brand passions as these type of posts are wont to do, but I really want advice from folks who have these guns or have experience with them.


Thanks

Lane Smith

 

[InlineDieselFan]

IMHO, a 30/30 is not the choice to reach out and touch them. My cousin has the mini-14 and it worked real well. we never had any troubles with it.

Have you thought about a .243 bolt action?

just my 1/2 cent worth.

steve

 

[BillyP]

Lane

Steve is right about the 30/30. Although it's the most popular center fire rifle ever produced, it's only good for about 100 to 125 yards.

If you really want to reach out and touch em, get yourself a bolt action .22-250.

Whatever caliber you choose, you should be able to get a short barreled version.

I guess you know you're gonna get more than a few recommendations on this /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Slamfire]

For the smaller stuff the .17 HRM seems to do a good job, and is available in several inexpensive brands like NEF. It would be inadequate on feral hogs. A .30-30 would be good for them but the problem is range. If they wouldn't be seeable beyond say 150 yards that would work ok. Otherwise there are dozens of cartridges that will reach out to 300 yards and or more. Given the sizes hogs come in, I'd not recommend anything under a .25 caliber.

 

[TresCrows]

The Ruger Mini 30 is a good choice, so is the Mini 14. I like the Mini 30 because it is sufficient for deer and similar critters. The thing is I am not totally sure a Mini 30 would stop a hog. I know a Mini 14 would not. The "hog" thing to me means you need serious firepower. I have seen hogs take a hit from a 44 Mag and not even slow down. They eat 22 rimfire, heck, it bounces of them. Thing is hogs need a bullet that gives penetration, something the typical varmint round is not designed for. A 30-06, Winchester or a 270 and things like that will stop a hog with a good bullet choice. I have thought a Mini 30 might be a good choice also with the proper bullet but since I have not shot a big hog with one as of yet I can only speculate that it might be OK but then again it may not have enough oomph. Handguns, something like a 454 Casull or a 50 caliber Desert Eagle unless your "hogs" are just really little piglets /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. I have also seen shotgunners go after them with buck shot and slugs, I have not been impressed with the results. Feral hogs and boars are not to be taken lightly, just a warning, perhaps I exaggerate or perhaps not. J

 

[Thomas]

I agree w/BillyP..22-250 w/a good scope sighted in couple hundreds plus you should have the upper hand on the dog problem.

Hogs..not sure how big your hogs get,but around here lot of guys use 30-06,270,280 because of the thick ground cover,and the hogs can weight up to couple hundred pounds or so.

243 is a flat shooting all purpose rifle,and I do believe better than a 30-30 lever action in which 30-30 is a great heavy brush rifle w/open sights.

I have 22-250,30-30,280 and I always grab 280 when heading out..Redfield 3x9,bolt action,160 grain silver tips,sighted in 250yards.

What ever you pick for a firearm do practice & practice..know how it shoots and the best grain ammo to do the job.

My pennies worth. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

I don't know if they'd have the range you'd need, but you might look at an SKS or AK style rifle. Neither are tack drivers, but are cheap to shoot. 7.62 x 39 ammo is plentiful and powerful enough for those critters.

 

[EdKing]

I would recomend something in a .25_06, loaded with 120 grain bullets. It shoots flat enough for 300 yard + shots, and hits hard enough to stop the animals you mentioned.

 

[Egon]

30/30 or Ruger mini 14 ???

I'd go for the mini 14.

Might not get varmit quality accuracy out at 300 yards but moving targets and freehand shooting are a different situation.

Egon

 

[Dozernut]

I have a bolt action Winchester, model 70, .300 Win. Mag. This will really "reach out and touch them". Nice rifle, fun to shoot, but there is a down side. Ammo is very expensive! If you go with this caliber you will need to learn to reload if you don't already.
Even though a gun can shoot far, it still takes skill and practise to be able to accurately place the bullet. Once you get past 100 yards this gets harder to do! I have a Thompson Center in-line muzzel loader, with a scope, that I have sighted in for 100 yards. It takes the proper mental attitude and trigger controll to put that slug in the ten ring consistantly.Being able to shoot two or three hundred yards is one thing, hitting what you are shooting at is another.
One of those Ruger rifles that are set up to shoot the .44 pistol cartridge would be a nice brush gun. Not a lot of range but effective to around a hundred yards. I wouldn't discount a rifle just because its accuracy is limited to 100 yards. Bow hunters consistantly take large game at much closer range. A little thought, planing and some good camo will bring the game within those 100 yards.
Good luck hunting those coyotes, I hope you thin them down. I declared war on them when they killed my dog.