I also live in Sask and mostly use my 20 tactical and have had great success with it, I use the 39g BK and have taken coyotes out past 400 yards with it. I also have a 220 swift that also works well, I think one is just as capable as the other. If I am on a good rest and know the actual distance there is not a shot I wouldn't take with the 20 tac.
Build your varmint gun....on a budget.
- Thread starter Sic Kid
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And regardless of the cartridge/load, you still need to know the wind speed and direction, and the drift for that cartridge/load for that wind and distance.
i ve seen a lot of little calibers, for you budget, and this is what im building:
a 270 or a 30-06 left hand zastava action with a bushnell 3200 fixed 10x40 and a boyds varmint stock plus bipod ... there is a lot of money left for ammo, bullet, powders etc ....
got everything except the stock that is coming soon ...
a 270 or a 30-06 left hand zastava action with a bushnell 3200 fixed 10x40 and a boyds varmint stock plus bipod ... there is a lot of money left for ammo, bullet, powders etc ....
got everything except the stock that is coming soon ...
Absolutely, I carry a range finder and wind meter( although I don't use it often) all the time. If I ever take a shot much past 200 yards I have to be on a bipod or good rest or I won't take the shot. I keep cheat sheet elevation charts on my scope cover caps for quick reference as well, that way I can do quick elevation adjustments for the required distances. The wind is always a trick to master though...
The problem with the wind, is that there is no way to measure the wind speed and direction, all the way from the shooter to the target, and both can change along the way.
I honestly don't find wind a factor when hunting coyotes or most animals for that fact...most animals hate the wind and find shelter like you or I would. Windy days are better spent working on hides or if you really wanna hunt use a shotgun cause your gonna be in the thick stuff and its gonna be close and fast shooting.
On days when calling is good its usually 15 km winds and they are pretty easy to hold for out to 400 yards.
Ive also found the same for gophers, they arent keen about high winds but they are smaller and tougher to hold for with long shots on average winds.
P
I'll be different and go with something against the majority:
M305 with a shilen or similar .243 barrel in something like a light varmint profile, some aftermarket parts for the M305 to tune the trigger etc, and if it's still legal an AIA mag, for the scope probably a Nikon or sightron, but with a minimum mag of 2.5 or 3 power and wide field of view, the Burris eliminator scope would be a possibility too, if there was any cash left over a promag archangel would be involved but that would likely be past the budget.
Now, why the semi auto? I'm familiar with the issue with Wolves thinning out the moose population in central BC, if your hunting them your trying to thin the pack out, and your probably calling them in with a moose call or maybe howling, you may be able to get quite a few of the pack near and have the chance to knock down a few of them if your quick, plus, .243 is big enough to be legal for big game in the west.
It's hard to justify dumping $2500+ on something you can only shoot wolves and coyotes with, which for most of us is a very small part of the hunting we do, the .243 opens a few more options up, no point bringing two rifles out with you unless your past hunting season at that point.
The M305 is heavy before you put a heavier barrel and scope on it, it wouldn't be ideal for carrying for a long hike, but if your accessing the area by snowmobile or similar, or have something like an eberlestock pack to carry it for short distances the weight wouldn't be too much of a hassle I suspect.
I'll be different and go with something against the majority:
M305 with a shilen or similar .243 barrel in something like a light varmint profile, some aftermarket parts for the M305 to tune the trigger etc, and if it's still legal an AIA mag, for the scope probably a Nikon or sightron, but with a minimum mag of 2.5 or 3 power and wide field of view, the Burris eliminator scope would be a possibility too, if there was any cash left over a promag archangel would be involved but that would likely be past the budget.
Now, why the semi auto? I'm familiar with the issue with Wolves thinning out the moose population in central BC, if your hunting them your trying to thin the pack out, and your probably calling them in with a moose call or maybe howling, you may be able to get quite a few of the pack near and have the chance to knock down a few of them if your quick, plus, .243 is big enough to be legal for big game in the west.
It's hard to justify dumping $2500+ on something you can only shoot wolves and coyotes with, which for most of us is a very small part of the hunting we do, the .243 opens a few more options up, no point bringing two rifles out with you unless your past hunting season at that point.
The M305 is heavy before you put a heavier barrel and scope on it, it wouldn't be ideal for carrying for a long hike, but if your accessing the area by snowmobile or similar, or have something like an eberlestock pack to carry it for short distances the weight wouldn't be too much of a hassle I suspect.
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