Varmint Cal opinions wanted

Cal for Varmint hunting

  • Total voters
    5
GILLY said:
Very good info and advice boys, thanks a million. I plan on shooting for the hides but not to sell, I want a couple of good ones for wall hangers, one in my den and one in my ice fishing hut. I think too, that I am pretty much sold on the .223 for cost and ease of reloading. I would also use this cal on the vast herds of wild gophers we have here on the prairies. I think that the shear knock down power and long distance shootability would be my safest bet. The last thing I want is a wounded buck gopher charging at me, I've heard stories of what a wounded gopher can do.................to the cuffs of your pants :D :D :D
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AR15 or some other "black rifle" type of stopper is advised when going close range with rut-crazed buck gophers (or so I am told! :lol: )
Cat
 
Well since I have not been gopher hunting I would say the 223 is a good choice for your Encore. Recoil will be less noticable. As for me I have a 243 and 6.5x55 in case I get the urge to go.

As for those charging gophers, all the more reason to carry a 1911a1 45ACP as backup. :lol: Just in case they get too close.
 
when I was looking at getting a varmit gun I thought of getting something big enough :D for hunting deer as well, this way I have th option of going out later and getting a varmit only .22x centerfire.

I ended up setteling on getting a 25-06 for a bunch of reasons. Originally I was looking at a savage 112fvss but ended up with a tikka 695. I found it works really good on deer :D
 
1899 said:
The record books don't measure the body on a wolf.
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That is true.

This is how I feel and theres nothing wrong with it.
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And that is true

I was 10 yards from a wolf this year that made my 100lbs Rotti ##### look like a puppy.
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I find that they look bigger than they are because of their long legs and long, thick hair. My wolf was really big, so I can't imagine adding another 70+lbs onto him. His body looked like it was similar in size to the 4pt Whitetail my buddy shot that same day I got the him. There is only one way to find out: each of us should go and shoot a wolf (or two) this winter! The moose will thank us. :lol:
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I'm trying not to hijack here but can't help replying once more.

People on this site have actually posted pics of wolves that big and larger(someone actually posted one that weighed 230 if I remember correctly). Talk to trappers in the north who've trapped countless wolves and they'll tell you how big they can get.

Do you think I'm assuming this? I think your the one assuming.

Todd, the size of the wolf you shot is the size I most regularly see myself. Young wolf probably. I've seen 3 or 4 this last year that would have broke 100lbs and one I think may have been 150lbs. Theres one up at the rut spot that is this big at least.
 
I agree with whoever said that wolves look bigger than they really are. There's a lot of fur on them and their legs are long. People seem to think they weigh way more than they actually do. Same with coyotes.

I'd certainly believe the weight for that ##### wolf of Tod's was 75 lbs and I've even seen some big bodied ones that would easily push 125. I'd believe 150 too for a real big porker, but I sincerely doubt any wolf weighs 230. A wolf that big would be bigger than a great dane.

Getting back on topic my cartridge choice for coyotes and wolves would be 6mm Rem (cause it's what I got!) or even the 243. Since you said you wanted flat shooting and fast these rounds are what you need - plus they don't get pushed by the wind as much as the 22s. The 22 calibers would work for the predators but are better if you're doing mostly targets or gophers. Wolves and coyotes are pretty tough for their size.
 
People on this site have actually posted pics of wolves
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This almost sounded like a challenge so here it is:

Wolf.jpg


I shot him up by Lone Prarie (near Chetwynd). It is 7' 3" (87") from tip of the nose to tip of the tail and scored 17 9/16". When I took him into Gander Taxidermy Eric immediately said it was huge. And it weighed under 130lbs. I guess I am skeptical.
 
I was hunting for deer in 7-21 in late October. I had been watching a seismic line all morning and had seen a couple of Whitetail does. I went back around 1:30 in the afternoon and saw a few more does. Then at around 3:00pm I saw a movement around +75 yards or so down the line; a head was poking out of the brush, and my brain wasn't sure what it was. I checked with my binos and saw it was a wolf. As I brought my rifle up he had started a fast trot across the opening. I put the crosshair on the front of his chest and touched of the shot. He responded by dropping his hind-quarters, putting his tail between his legs and kept going. I waited for a few minutes and went over to where he entered the brush. He had gone a short way and expired. The 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip had entered right behind the shoulder. It didn't look like there was much if any expansion, as the exit wound was quite small.
 
Re: varmints

arch1965 said:
What no mention of the 22 Hornet ? Just because it's not going at 3500 fps takes it out of the running ? :lol:
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We'eve used the Hornet lots around grazing animals when the coyotes are in there with them, and when calling close.
I have a KHornet that I am going to use for beavers this fall, loaded down.

The biggest problem with the hornet is reloading and case life.
With a very thin case it is hard to reload, and case life is limited.

There are other cartridges on the market now that are vastly superior to the Hornet in many ways.....

Cat
 
I got a 204 this year, and I love it. If your shooting for furs they seen to be the ticket. The Yotes I have shot with mine have very little damage to theme, were the 22-250 can make a mess out of them. If you reload, the 204 case holds less powder than the 22-250 so it is a bit more economical too shoot.
 
I guess a 100lb and 130lb wolf would look big if you havent seen many wolves..... :roll:

I would take the .22-250, and .222 for coyotes. a nice savage .222/20gauge over under would do the trick when they come in real close.

.22 hornet is sweet for gophers and such. its capable of dropping coyotes as well.

Ask a trapper and he will tell you the perfect rifle and load for:
A) various ranges
B) pelt damage
C) noise (whats that? how many wear ear protection when hunting anyways?)
 
Just so you know, Walmart has some sweet rounds for the 22-250 and 223. Winchester CXP1's. FMJ. around 19-21 dollars for 40 shells! They are good on gophers out to 200-250 yds. I'm not sure what kind of damage they would do on coyotes. We will find out this christmas break. They dont take kindly to you shooting them while at college.
 
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