Critter getter rifle

[Eric Wettschreck]

I'm thinking it's time to drop a few bucks on a new rifle for yotes and possibly a trip west river for prairie dogs. I currently use my Mauser in 7.62 but, to be honest, it's a shoulder buster and uber loud. It's a good rifle and I love the Mauser action, but heck, who doesn't want a new gun?

Not knowing too much about the different calibers out there I come to my fellow HSO-ers for some advice.

.222, .223, .22-250, etc. Good and/or bad about them? I'd like something fast and flat and will be doing most of my shooting, guessing here, between 200 and 300 yards out. I'll need something with enough smack to drop a yote and still be able to withstand the prairie winds without having to aim 30 yards to the left to compensate.

Suggestions?

[picksbigwagon]

I recommend a Savage with the accutrigger....

Now with that out of the way, 22-250 is a fast moving bullet especially with the little pills (35-40 grainers). But I have a 223 and love it. I also have a 243 that I have used on windy days with 58 grain vmax. Good luck Eric

[K_Josh87]

I traded my Savage .270 for a Tikka T3 Lite in a .243win. I love it, Howver the Savage was not a terrible gun for the money either. If and when I get myself another little critter getter rifle it will probably be a .204 ruger, or a 22-250. My .243win does not seem to drift to bad in the wind, I have been out shooting it a fair amount in 20 mile an hour winds lately trying new re loads out, and The wind does seam to move the bullets some, but not enough to affect the ability to kill a yote. Not to sure about at 300 plus yards though... I was shooting at a soup can at 320 a couple weekends ago when it was blowing 20-30 and I didn't to have to compensate much for the wind, but the fact it was below zero and blowing into my face and freezing my eyelids, i said screw it after about five shots missed either directly above, or right to each side... each shot hit plenty close to the can to drop a yote no problem though. Good luck!

[harvey lee]

Eric, I use both the .223 and the 22-250 calibers. I also use ony reloads as I can shoot a much tighter pattern. Both do a great job on the yotes.

MY 223 use to shoot pretty good with factory ammon but with the reloads, it is a much better gun in regards to accuracy.

I use to use a .243 before I got the other 2 calibers and it did get the job done.

I shoot 50 grain bullets in both the 223 and the 22-250.

I also have a Savage 17HMR that is an awesome tack driving rifle but I would not use it at the ranges you have asked about. I only shoot 20 grains bullets in it. very fun gun to shoot and inside 150 yards without any crosswind, it's deadly.

[trolloni]

204 Ruger very fast and accurate!

[Archerysniper]

For the price of bullets and varieties you cant go wrong with the .223 and they will shoot a long ways, they will however get wind drift. The 243 or 6mm is my choice I have 4 6mm's and a 243. The 243 has better selection of factory ammo available you can get anywhere from a 55 grain for ditch tigers and move up to a 85 or 100 grain for deer. With the 6mm's I have killed yotes well beyond the 500 yard mark and it hold well in the wind. I also recommend looking into the savage with accu-trigger.

[Gordie]

Eric first and I'm sure you know it but find one that fits and I guess I'm kinda looking also and am thinking of the .223. Its the most ecomical in the long run and if you dont reload there are so many bullets out there for a good deal for this caliber. I like the savage but I really want to check out the Tikas I would really like the Ar style guns but I just cant past the big dollar they want for them.

[randallt]

If you guys were buying a new barrell for a TC Pro Hunter for the same reason as Eric asks about would it be a 22-250?

I want a caliber for both prairie dogs and yotes.

[Gordie]

Eric dont forget to look at the Rugers either they are a great gun also.

Ive had a couple different caliber and they shoot really nice

[Archerysniper]

If you guys were buying a new barrell for a TC Pro Hunter for the same reason as Eric asks about would it be a 22-250?

I want a caliber for both prairie dogs and yotes.

I would go with a .243 dogs,yotes and great for deer,especially if you have a youngster it's a great youth caliber.

[Gordie]

I looked ata armiltie ar=15 style 308 today and what a sweet gun and I'm sure that the .223 model would be really nice for a critter getter if you acn handle the price

[Archerysniper]

That my next purchase after tax time a rock river bull barrel