Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Coyote, Small Game, Varmints => Topic started by: Straight Shooter on April 29, 2009, 08:49:10 AM

Title: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: Straight Shooter on April 29, 2009, 08:49:10 AM: Just wanted to pick the brains of the more seasoned predator/varmint hunters to see what your "go-to" set-up is... rifle, caliber, scope (fixed, variable, magnification), etc... and why.

I just picked up a Howa Axiom in .223, with the 24" heavy barrel. It's one heavy sucker and I doubt that I'll be using it for "run and gun" type coyote hunting. I also own a few other higher-end .223s, but I'm almost shame to admit that my Stevens 200 (with a cheapy BSA 6-24x42 Panther) has to be my favorite. It's darn accurate, light-weight and simple.

I'd appreciate your thoughts about what rig works best for you.

Thanks,
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: jjhunter on April 29, 2009, 09:19:44 AM: My go-to rifle is a Cooper Montana Varminter in .204 Ruger. It is topped with a Leupold L.R. 6.5-20x50. I like the 40 grain V-max in this rifle. It is extremely accurate and well balanced. Just enought weight to "sit down" in your hand and steady in windy conditions - did I mention devastating on coyotes? Love my Cooper!

The bottom picture is my new build. I want a 9 1/2 to 10 pound (with scope) rifle that is flat shooting and hard hitting to 500 yards with minimal recoil. I have pretty much decided on a 243 winchester shooting 55 grain ballistic tips @ 4000+. I chose a BAT repeater and a 26" Hart 12 twist barrel. I will have Mcmillan fully inlet a Sako Varmint Mcswirly to finish this one off. This will definitely be my go-to rig when finished.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: SpokaneSlayer on April 29, 2009, 09:24:50 AM: I don't have any pics here at work, but my go to rig is my Browning A-Bolt Synthetic Stalker in 25-06 shooting Federal 100 grain Nosler Ballistic Tips. It's topped with a Nikon Buckmaster 4.5-14. This happens to also be my primary deer rifle. My back up rig is a Savage model 111 in 22-250 shooting 55 grain Winchester Silver Tips with a Nikon 6-18 scope.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: satchel3006 on April 29, 2009, 09:27:22 AM: dpms ap4 in .223 with a leupold 2x7 im shooting 50grain jhp
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: deaddog on April 29, 2009, 09:59:19 AM: Rem-700 vssf 223, 60gr speer flat base varmit bullets, 4.5x14x40 sf Nikon buckmaster scope. Its heavy as hell at 13.5 lb but damn it shoots great, if its brushy and tight I like my rem 870, oo buckshot, deaddog choke tube, gobbler dot sights.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: demontang on April 29, 2009, 10:16:52 AM: My oly k16 is my go to coyote rig, but the .338 win is fun too.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: twisp_river_slayer on April 29, 2009, 10:52:46 AM: I have a Ruger 77/22 in a .22 Hornet. I have a Cabelas scope that has tactical turrets set up for a Hornady 35 grain v-max. I push it with 12 grains of H110 and the books says its going around 3100-3200 fps. It slaughters coyotes and splits ground hogs in half.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: mossback91 on April 29, 2009, 10:58:18 AM: 8)
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: woodswalker on April 29, 2009, 11:25:49 AM: for sit down and shoot, Sako in 22-250 with a 26" bull bbl, second for run/gun is a Savage 340 in .223. Also have a R700 Varminter with the LONG HB in 223 that is still virgin :yike: ....gotta fix that.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: jdb on April 29, 2009, 11:50:19 AM: t/c encore .223 24" barrel. weaver 3x10. thumb hole stock. I shoot 40 grain hornday v max
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: MADMAX on April 29, 2009, 11:52:23 AM: Remington VSSF in .223 with a 2.5X10 Leupold Vari X III and a bipod
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: jdb on April 29, 2009, 12:02:49 PM: this is the only pic I have of my rifle
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig
Post by: blindpig on April 29, 2009, 02:03:22 PM: Stag arms AR-15, shoot 5.56, 65 grain bullet topped with a 4x14 Burris scope.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: bowhunterforever on April 29, 2009, 05:54:21 PM: Ruger M77 ultralight .204 with a bushnell banner 4-12 and i'm shooting 32 V-max right now for chucks and varmints! Yotes i shoot 39 blitz kings or 45 hornady's.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: markts on April 29, 2009, 07:38:24 PM: Although it hasnt made a kill, or been shot by me yet, it will be my go to gun. 22-250 NEF- 3x9 Leupold- Harris bipod-Minaska M-1 Bandit. ADNAHOUNDSMAN says it is a tack driver. Hope to sight it in this weekend. Nothing high end but should do the trick. Markts
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: scroder on April 29, 2009, 08:36:48 PM: Remington model 700 220 swift topped with a nikon 6.5X20. I shoot hornady 50 gr v-max. If I set up in the jack firs I use my Remington 1187sp and shoot dead coyote T loads.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: Straight Shooter on April 30, 2009, 07:50:20 PM: Quote from: markts on April 29, 2009, 07:38:24 PM
Although it hasnt made a kill, or been shot by me yet, it will be my go to gun. 22-250 NEF- 3x9 Leupold- Harris bipod-Minaska M-1 Bandit. ADNAHOUNDSMAN says it is a tack driver. Hope to sight it in this weekend. Nothing high end but should do the trick. Markts

I have a similar set-up, but in .223. I haven't put a lot of ammo through it yet, but it will shoot 1 MOA.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: firecrotch on April 30, 2009, 10:02:59 PM: this is the only picture i have of it up close, but it is a .222 remington mag shooting 55 gr. bt with 21.9 grains of IMR 4198 at 3,350 fps. i love the gun its a tack driver, but the downside to it is that they dont make ammo for the gun anymore.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: firecrotch on April 30, 2009, 10:03:59 PM: o i forgot to add that it has a leopold VXII 3-9x40
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: JB on May 01, 2009, 09:39:33 PM: I keep going back to my Stevens 200 in .223.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: MHWASH on May 02, 2009, 07:23:02 AM: Ruger All Weather 22-250. Bushnell 3200 4-12.
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi4.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy126%2FMHWASH%2Fcoyotes1-31-09005.jpg&hash=340d7d008604fefae10d1a96ea150061d6bc960b)

Allthough my Rem 799 in .222 is quickly gaining poularity.

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi4.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fy126%2FMHWASH%2F799002.jpg&hash=29a1b242c0bd112ecbd78336d8a08ee02c3d5ea4)
Title: Ivar's Varmint Rig
Post by: ivarhusa on May 02, 2009, 01:01:40 PM: Mine isn't much to look at... ;)

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fpages.pocketinet.com%2F%7Eivar%2Fphotos%2FIvar%2527sCoyoteRifle_bw.jpg&hash=55b8e3ef9b32de923a25cf8a4b9a3acd2acf9586)

Savage Model 10 Predator in .204 Ruger, Leupold 4-12x scope (then there is the optional 3X Bulzeye eyepiece). There is a Primos mouse squeaker attached near the front swivel.

I keep my cartridges "on board", never absent and always rattle-proof.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: big ed on May 02, 2009, 07:45:53 PM: 17 REM. JUST HALF TO HAVE GOOD SHOT PLACEMENT.IT DOES THE JOB FOR ME.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: woodswalker on May 02, 2009, 07:59:19 PM: Quote from: firecrotch on April 30, 2009, 10:02:59 PM
this is the only picture i have of it up close, but it is a .222 remington mag shooting 55 gr. bt with 21.9 grains of IMR 4198 at 3,350 fps. i love the gun its a tack driver, but the downside to it is that they dont make ammo for the gun anymore.

The ammo is available from Hornady in 40 gr VMax and 50 grain VMax, from Winchester in 50 gr. Super-X® Pointed Soft Point and from Remington in 50 grain PowerLokt HP and PSP.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: firecrotch on May 04, 2009, 10:28:20 PM: Quote from: woodswalker on May 02, 2009, 07:59:19 PM
Quote from: firecrotch on April 30, 2009, 10:02:59 PM
this is the only picture i have of it up close, but it is a .222 remington mag shooting 55 gr. bt with 21.9 grains of IMR 4198 at 3,350 fps. i love the gun its a tack driver, but the downside to it is that they dont make ammo for the gun anymore.

The ammo is available from Hornady in 40 gr VMax and 50 grain VMax, from Winchester in 50 gr. Super-X® Pointed Soft Point and from Remington in 50 grain PowerLokt HP and PSP.

you can buy bullets for it just like its the regular .222 remington, but they dont make casings or even factory loaded ammo for it anymore. they discontinued the .222 mag. i have been handloading with the casings i have.
Title: Re: What's Your "Go-To" Varmint Rig?
Post by: saylean on May 05, 2009, 09:39:58 AM: A .223 Savage Model 10, camoed out, with a Leopold VXIII 6.5-20X40 on it.

I need to throw a bipod on it however.