Need help with a 400yards rifle choice

F

Foxer2373

CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Rating - 100%
27   0   0
Location
Jasper ON Zone 66A
Alright this is a weird one for precision but it's the type I like and I need better than traditional hunting accuracy.

I have a coyote problem and baby horses in my field. The length of my field is 400yards with heavy brush and tree line. I have been looking at Cadex and MDT platforms. So looking for advice and caliber options? I would also like to dual purpose this as a deer rifle (weight not a big issue). Number one though is accuracy at 100-400 yards!!! I know my guns and my calibers but I am struggling with this decision as it's a buy once senario. L

Wish budget was higher but looking at $2000 optic included.

Front runner at this time was Savage Stealth 6.5CM with Vortex 1-8 strike eagle $2200ish
 
I think you are on the right track, the 6.5 should be flat enough at those distance that you don't need to worry too much about holds. You've chosen a zoom range that won't have you overscoped. Any caliber that'll drop a deer, is more then adequate to take a yote. I don't do any hunting, but I assume a 6.5 has enough oomph to drop a deer.

I don't think you need to replace the stock, but if you do, Having seen a couple Cadex's and MDT's, I'd argue the Cadex's are superior, but they also cost more. I Don't believe you'll need to change the stock, but if you want to, I would encourage you to consider the Cadex strike nuke mini.

You are on the right track.
 
If you have known distances no greater than 400 and are concerned about overpenetration, why not choose one of the 6mm benchrest cartridges? They are optimized for 300yds and have sufficient velocity to put enough hurt on a coyote. And, there is a lot of free advice within the bench' community, as well as parts and gadgets.
 
My tikka took an elk at 400 this fall. But .270 may be more hitting power then you need. They will produce 1 moa accuracy or better, or you simply return it. But I also really like the idea of the rpr in 6.5, I'm looking at getting one myself.

Anyways, is there a reason you'd like to limit yourself to a 1-8? Personally I'd have something like a 4-12 for the distances mentioned.
 
I'd go a 243 for what you want to use it for, I'd also step it up to a 4-16 scope also.

If you lived closer I'd happily take care of that yote problem for you ;)
 
Alpheus said:
I'd go with a 6mm. The good old .243win fits the bill.
Click to expand...

I would take this one step further for one reason only. He mentioned horses in a pasture. Suggest 22-250/220 Swift/22 PPC/22 BR, and all fed with varminter HPs instead. Young horses can be easily hurt by a stray richocett IMO.
Used to control gophers/coyotes on an Arabian horse ranch.
So I tend to err on the side of caution.
my 2 bits only
 
Alpheus said:
I'd go with a 6mm. The good old .243win fits the bill.
Click to expand...

I have to whole-heartedly agree. I hunted coyotes and deer for years with .243s. Gobs of factory ammunition offerings and easy to hand load with plenty of available components. Near 4,000 fps with 55/58 grain bullets if you want to push it that hard and an easy 3100 with 90-100 grain pills. All very nice & flat to 400 yards. Pretty tough to beat 85-ish grain bullets for a do-all. Something like an 87 V-max for coyotes and the 85 GMX or Interbond for deer and you're giggling.

Rooster
 
Hmm have never really looked at the .243 before.... I was always a 223 or 308 guy but both of those didn't seem to hit the mark for the role I was trying to fill.

I will also add I don't reload but also not scared of quality ammo prices as I've gone down the dark 338LM path before.
 
Foxer2373 said:
Alright this is a weird one for precision but it's the type I like and I need better than traditional hunting accuracy.

I have a coyote problem and baby horses in my field. The length of my field is 400yards with heavy brush and tree line. I have been looking at Cadex and MDT platforms. So looking for advice and caliber options? I would also like to dual purpose this as a deer rifle (weight not a big issue). Number one though is accuracy at 100-400 yards!!! I know my guns and my calibers but I am struggling with this decision as it's a buy once senario. L

Wish budget was higher but looking at $2000 optic included.

Front runner at this time was Savage Stealth 6.5CM with Vortex 1-8 strike eagle $2200ish
Click to expand...

You have a great budget but you may need to change your priorities. Chassis can be great fun but they are expensive. Given your current option, you are spending heavily on the rifle but very little on the scope. I would suggest you consider another approach.

how about a Rem 783 in a 243 with a Sightron SIII or STAC scope mounted on a quality base and rings. You can be at or under your budget with a the ability to SEE the target and adjust confidently to put that bullet exactly where you want to go.

8X at 400yds on a coyote in and out of trees and brush... I doubt you will be taking as many shots as would be possible with better glass and more mag. And if the options arrive early in the morning to after dusk, you are going to be begging for a better scope.

https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/for...quot-75-quot-all-day!-Really-Prove-it!/page34

I have been super impressed with these rifles. Yep, nothing much to look at except the core engineering is superb. Properly bed, swap on a better bolt knob, touch up the factory trigger, swap in a Wolff firing pin spring (if yours dies), maybe give the factory mag a bit of TLC (they do work )... voila, sub MOA capable rifle that will run and feed very nicely. The action is a gem.

IF budget is tight, I would put my money into glass. Any sub MOA rig will get the job done... but only if you can see and engage the target with confidence.

YMMV.

Jerry
 
Eh, I'm rocking the 223 rem with a Weatherby varmint and a fixed 10x Bushnell elite.

Not saying its the best, but it works. I dropped it in a B&C stock.
 
Foxer2373 said:
First year here, used my bow last year, but pretty sure 243 is min. Wouldn't used 223 on anything larger than a yote anyway.
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking when people were suggesting .223 when you wanted dual purpose, I run a .223 chassis gun for coyotes but it is for varmints and target use only.
 
I have the Sightron STAC 4x20 on a Savage 10 223 bench setup and I must say I am very impressed with the scope. At 200 yards I can clearly see every hole it makes on the paper.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom