Long range varmint shooting

[Oneshot1Kill]

So, i got a problem starting up with ground squirrels and coyotes who don't feel like getting within bow range, so i was wondering what kind of gun i should get. Found a great deal on a 17HMR, but i'm not too sure cause its such a little bullet.. Shots can be from 30yds to 300yds. Feel free to throw out other calibers that would be good or reasons why/why not the 17 hmr would be good.
Thanks ya'll

[Gutpile]

17hmr will never kill a yote at 300 yards, probably only affective at ranges of 75 or less unless you make a perfect shot. 22 mags are regarded as 100 yard max coyote guns. You need to start with a 204 and work your way up. .223, 22-250, .243, 220 swift. 17hmr? No way at those distances. Probably fine for small vermin but 300 yards would really be pushing it IMO.

[Oneshot1Kill]

So which would be the best then? And i want it so it wont completely destroy the ground squirrels(like my 30-06 does or 7mm-08). But it still has to kill a coyote. Usually the coyotes are closer then 300, more around 200-250 but to be able to hit something out to 300yds and kill it is my goal(and i'm a good shot so i just need a good gun)

[Gutpile]

What you want doesn't exist. Any centerfire will probably blow them apart (squirrels) but no rimfire will kill a yote cleanly at the ranges you've described. .223 would be the cheapest caliber to find ammo for. So I'd probably start there if coyotes are on your A list. If the ground squirrels are on the A list then start with a 22 or .17 mag.  Arent ground squirrels protected in WA?

[Blacklab]

I LIKE THE 223 BUT FOR SQUIRRELS? YOU SHOULD STICK WITH THE 17

[Ray]

So which would be the best then? And i want it so it wont completely destroy the ground squirrels(like my 30-06 does or 7mm-08). But it still has to kill a coyote. Usually the coyotes are closer then 300, more around 200-250 but to be able to hit something out to 300yds and kill it is my goal(and i'm a good shot so i just need a good gun)

.223

[Oneshot1Kill]

I just call um ground squirrels cause their on the ground most the time i see um yet are as abundant as squirrels. And other guys call um Rockchucks, others call um marmots, others have even called um prarie dogs, so i'm calling um ground squirrels. haha, but yes, i mainly want a gun that can reach out to 300yds and knock a varmint off his stump or dirt mound. Though coyotes have been out there too, so maybe i could just buy a call and get the 17?

[Gutpile]

Nope, for marmots I'd go with a .223 or .204 to start with. I think even a .204 may be a stretch on yotes at 300 yrds but not chucks. IMO you'll be disappointed with a 17 HMR for the purpose you've described. Sounds to me like your gonna do it anyways but I'd advise against it.

[Ray]

A rockchuck is actually a marmot. A ground squirrel is not a marmot and niether is prairie dog. It's good to know what you shoot at in order to be certain what you are doing is legal. Not taking any shots at you... just speaking wisely.

If I was you I would just buy a .223 I shoot lots of ground squirrels and it serves fine with 40 grain bullets.

[Ray]

.223

A little graphic...

http://www.backcountryhunting.net/photo-gallery/albums/userpics/10002/normal_IMG_0332.JPG

[Oneshot1Kill]

Anybody got any brands or what not of .223 i should look at? My brother has a remington m700 VTR but has had it for a year and hasn't sighted it in and has it looked up so i can't use that. Looking for an inexpensive bolt-action

[Gutpile]

Here try this........

http://www.gunbroker.com

Do a search for .223's. that'll give you an idea what to look for. EVERYBODY makes a .223. You'll find one somewhere in your price range. Good luck.

[MtnMuley]

If you're only shooting out to 300yds, the 223 is a good choice.  Cheap and common ammo.  I would still choose the 22-250.

[demontang]

if i was getting a bolt gun id go with a 22-250

[Jburke]

Check the pawn shops and gun shops around your area for a used one.  You can usually find pretty good deals on them.  It's really hard to recommend any one manufacturer, it all comes down to personal preference.  I don't know of any that are actually bad guns.

[Bigbuckhunter_1996]

the 17HMR is good for yotes out to about 200 yards (i no because ive shot one at that range with my 17) but if you wanna reach out further try .204 22-250 243 any of those are good long range coyote guns

[Big10gauge]

Anything a 223 can do a 204 does it better  ,  Check the ballistics a 204 actually runs really close to a 22-250

[Bofire]

204 have teensie bullets, neener neener.
Carl

[whacker1]

I usually shoot Coyotes with my .270, but am changing my tune after a run in with a Game Warden.  Didn't happen to me, but did to a hunting partner of mine.  I just happened to be hunting another area, when he got checked.

He had filled his deer tag and continued looking for coyotes, while others were hunting.  Gun in use was a 6mm.  Gave him a $271 ticket for hunting coyotes with too large of a weapon.  I had to go look to the regs  to see.  For those thinking it, he should have had a bear tag, well you are right, because he didn't have a bear tag.

Page 64
10. Hunting during modern firearm
deer or elk seasons:
You may not hunt wildlife during any modern
firearm deer or elk season, with any firearm
24 caliber or larger or containing slugs or
buckshot for big game, unless you have a valid
license, permit and tag for one of the following:
deer, elk, black bear, cougar, mountain goat,
bighorn sheep, or moose

I am not chastising, but I did not know this and wanted to make those aware that hunt coyotes with .243's and larger.  Make sure that you have a valid deer or elk tag.

[Gutpile]

the 17HMR is good for yotes out to about 200 yards (i no because ive shot one at that range with my 17) but if you wanna reach out further try .204 22-250 243 any of those are good long range coyote guns

Thats terrible advice. One rediculously long lucky shot means nothing. 17hmr is a BAD choice for yotes at any range.

[carpsniperg2]

man you guys shooting yotes at 200 yards with 17 that is somthing special wait lucky is what i meant you must hunt were there is no wind 17 in 10 20 30 mile wind lol doin circles stick with the 223 22-250 do everything you are wanting and more lots of loads to choose from to

[Big10gauge]

204 have teensie bullets, neener neener.
Carl

Less wind drift at 4150 fps than a 223

 A 223 is so slow they have to use a calendar instead of a chronograph when trying to measure it's velocity  

[rasbo]

call them in close use a 22mag...

[dontgetcrabs]

Anything a 223 can do a 204 does it better  ,  Check the ballistics a 204 actually runs really close to a 22-250

What are you smoking man?  DO NOT compare a 204 to a 22-250!   

I think a 22 mag would be your best choice for long range grey diggers (ground squirrels) and close in coyotes.

[Big10gauge]

Anything a 223 can do a 204 does it better  ,  Check the ballistics a 204 actually runs really close to a 22-250

What are you smoking man?  DO NOT compare a 204 to a 22-250!   

I think you better look at some ballistics

[dontgetcrabs]

Anything a 223 can do a 204 does it better  ,  Check the ballistics a 204 actually runs really close to a 22-250

What are you smoking man?  DO NOT compare a 204 to a 22-250!   

I think you better look at some ballistics

The 204 pushes a 32 grn bullet at about 4150 fps. The 22-250 pushes a 40 grn bullet at about 4150 fps. Ballistics don't lie! 

[Big10gauge]

In your statement

The 204 pushes a 32 grn bullet at about 4150 fps. The 22-250 pushes a 40 grn bullet at about 4150 fps. Ballistics don't lie!

What are you comparing? That a 22-250 can push a heavier bullet than a 204 at the same speed? If so you are not looking at the downrange drop,wind drift etc. 204 has a superior BC, downrange velocity and more energy when comparing the opitimal varmint bullets (what I consider optimal)of each caliber.

[dontgetcrabs]

That's a convincing chart "IF" you could get a 204 up to the velocities you claim with a 40 grn bullet (4000 fps) probably closer to 3600-3700fps.

[Big10gauge]

Ok Here's 3900 fps which is fairly easily obtainable without running a hot load. Take it down to 3800 and it's about almost down to the 22-250. Granted 4000 fps is quite warm but doable. The hornady advertises 3900 fps which actually shoots 3917 fps out of my gun. In any case I guess we can agree to disagree. I've shot a 22-250 for over 25 years but I'm a 204 shooter now in case you haven't guessed 

[dontgetcrabs]

10-4  Big10    

[Gutpile]

You two boys need to stop right now.      The question was concerning the mighty 17hmr.   

[Big10gauge]

Jeez, I just wanted to clear up any misunderstanding about the 204. 

[Gutpile]

Those 204 thingy's are worthless too.    Stick to the 17hmr.  Actually I'd sure like to play with a 204 for a season.

[whacker1]

Big 10 - do you have 22-250 you would like to get rid of since you are a .204 shooter now?  Or are you saving it for a rainy day?

[Ray]

The coyote, squirrel or whatever doesn't care if it died from a 4001 FPS or 4002 FPS bullet. It's just going to die. 1/10th of  a second or less aint gonna matter much.

The matter of shooting a critter with either .204 .223 or 220 at some speed over 3000 FPS aint gonna make a difference to me when it comes to charts and graphs. Although I do like looking at them wince after being hit with a .204. I find that there are tons of places to get brass and ammo for the .223 and it seems fairly cheap as well. I am not a fan of any one over the other except in practicality of getting ammo off the shelf and abundant reloading materials being available for the .223. It is definitely a suitable piece for taking down any coyote or squirrel.

[bowhunterforever]

If i was you i would get a .204 i have killed many yotes with mine and rockchucks.I have killed them with 39gr,40gr,45gr and 32 gr bullets and i have yet to have a runner.The best part is you get to see the critter your shooting flop in your scope.Farly cheap to shoot too.

[Bofire]

 :)I am going to get a 204 and like the cartridge, however I have killed over 200 coyotes with a 22-250, in my oipinion the 22-250 has no viable competitor. I use the 55 or 60 grain bullets, at range, over 350 yards the 22-250 kicks ass. I like the 223 also but it aint a 22-250. I have killed a lot of coyotes with one. I will like the 204 but it will never replace the 22-250.
the 17hmr is a plinker or a 100 yard coyote gun if you get PERFECT shots.
With the 22-250 on yotes ANY angle works with the 204 at long range 300yards plus, calls for perfect placement. All this said, if I were to pick a LONG RANGE 22 caliber TARGET rifle I might choose the 223 over the 22-250 due to tighter twist for the high BC bullets. It aint the numbers in the books it is CONSISTANT/PREDICTABLE  performance. That is why the 308 is a sniper rifle, it aint cause of speed or trajectory.
Carl

[spur_ride]

AR lower .50 cal upper 

[jdb]

ive shot several coyotes with a 17 hmr and will not recomend it at any range yes it will kill them but not consistantly. same goes for a .22 mag ive killed them with it and it works under ideal conditions which almost never happen. everything other cartrdige mentioned here will work just fine. personally I shoot a .223 for coyotes because it works fine to the range I am comfortable with. If I ever buy another coyote rifle it will be a .243

[Gutpile]

in my oipinion the 22-250 has no viable competitor.  Carl

220 swift trumps the 22-250. Sorry.

[wastickslinger]

Another vote for the .204. I love my VTR so far.

[Big10gauge]

Big 10 - do you have 22-250 you would like to get rid of since you are a .204 shooter now?  Or are you saving it for a rainy day?

I'm saving them so when I feel like shooting a old caliber just for nostalgic purposes, kinda like saving a old flintlock and bringing it out of the closet every now and then.   

[Sidewinder]

Another 204 fan here. I have 2 Savages that will shoot under a dime at 100 yards right out of the box. I was making 200 yard head shots at ground squirrels this summer. They will take coyotes well at your 300 yard range. Try some 35 grain Berger's if you want less pelt damage, no huge exit holes.

[Bofire]

22-250 is a far superior designed cartridge, smaller case less powder longer barrel life, but I can understand  :chuckle:OLD GUYS HANGING ON TO THE PAST  :chuckle:by using the 220 swift.
Carl

[whacker1]

I'm saving them so when I feel like shooting a old caliber just for nostalgic purposes, kinda like saving a old flintlock and bringing it out of the closet every now and then

It just so happens that I am looking to trade my flintlock for a 22-250, so if you want some real old school nostalgia.  let me know...

[Straight Shooter]

personally I shoot a .223 for coyotes because it works fine to the range I am comfortable with. If I ever buy another coyote rifle it will be a .243

 

Dead is dead... whether you're hot-rodding a bullet over 4000 fps or shooting a "slow-poke" at around 3000 fps.  Part of the "romance" of coyote hunting for me is the challenge of tricking that animal in close.  If I'm able to do this, a .223 (or shotgun) will do the trick.  I'm not going to take a shot at a range that I'm not comfortable with... for me, it's inside of 300 yards... and if you know your .223, it's more than capable at that range.