Long Range Coyote Hunting - What caliber?

[2dogs]

I have to agree with Jason. My Hart 1/9 22-250 is only 25 mins to 1000 yards and is exceptionally accurate. The 75 A Max at 3300+ fps sure makes doping the wind easy too!

 

[LRPV]

I sure hate to say never, but I would think that a heavy for caliber varmint bullet would be very hard to design and actually be as effective as a lighter varmint bullet is. The extra twist that is required to spin the heavy bullet and the velocity that everyone would want to throw them would just tear the bullet apart I think. That being said, the 75 Amax launched around 33-3400 does have very explosive effects on prairie dogs.
Jason

 

[00Scot]

I am looking at the 10 predator hunter brush model in 243. I might pick that up and shoot it for a season to see how it does. If I'm not happy with it I can push it out to an AI. If I'm still not satisfied I can have it re chambered to something different.

I can also get it in the 6.5 Creedmore or 6.5-284. Any thoughts on the 6.5 Creedmore or the 6.5-284 Norma in the Savage Predator hunter? Or I should say does anyone have this rifle in either of these calibers and if so what is your opinion on it?

 

[00Scot]

I just did a search for loaded factory ammo and only found one manufacturer selling 6.5-284 ammo. But it was $65 a box of 20. That ain't gonna work.

The Creedmore was more readily available. Hornady and other manufacturers so at least I could get loaded ammo pretty easily.

Now I will be reloading for what ever caliber I choose. But I think I'd feel more comfortable with a caliber that I could at least buy some factory ammo to shoot first. Then work up my load.

Maybe I just didn't find a good place online for the 6.5-284. But the lack of available factory ammo concerns me.

 

[model 12 toby]

I'd go with 6.5x47 lapua or the 6x47 lapua.

 

[CJ6]

OOScot, 6.5-284's will require a LA unless you single feed, and there's no need for that big of case for your original needs.

 

[00Scot]

OOScot, 6.5-284's will require a LA unless you single feed, and there's no need for that big of case for your original needs.

thank you for the reminder. I forgot that the 284 was a long action. I do want to stay with the short action family for this rifle.

 

[model 12 toby]

you don't handload? i have a savage 243 with a 1 in 9.25 twist. I'm giving the barrel to my nephew and converting it to a 6.5x47 lapua. shot a juvenile ground hog not standing at 378 and missed one at 730 bout 2 months ago. with berger 90 bt's. they shot best bout 3030 fps. shot 55 blitzkings out of it. would go 4000 pretty easy but shot better at about 3900. Also shot several 70 grainers right around 3500 fps. hope this helps. used rl 10x for the small bullets and rl 15 for the larger. had trouble getting 95 smk to shoot. ended up giving up on em.

 

[model 12 toby]

also it has a hs precision fiberglass stock and a target action. barrel tapers to .85? or something like that. 55 grainers didn't kick even the slightest ;D. bout a 13.5 pound gun.

 

[00Scot]

you don't handload? i have a savage 243 with a 1 in 9.25 twist. I'm giving the barrel to my nephew and converting it to a 6.5x47 lapua. shot a juvenile ground hog not standing at 378 and missed one at 730 bout 2 months ago. with berger 90 bt's. they shot best bout 3030 fps. shot 55 blitzkings out of it. would go 4000 pretty easy but shot better at about 3900. Also shot several 70 grainers right around 3500 fps. hope this helps. used rl 10x for the small bullets and rl 15 for the larger. had trouble getting 95 smk to shoot. ended up giving up on em.

Yes I handload

 

[00Scot]

also it has a hs precision fiberglass stock and a target action. barrel tapers to .85? or something like that. 55 grainers didn't kick even the slightest ;D. bout a 13.5 pound gun.

you can almost shoot that thing free recoil 8)

 

[Dgd6mm]

I would choose a 6CM with a 115 DTAC. This gets better barrel life then a 243 AI and I've watched many you tube video's with the DTAC downing Pronghorns at over 600 yards.

 

[00Scot]

What type of construction are the DTacs?

 

[model 12 toby]

yeah. the less i interferred the better it did. I never shot the 55's very far though. I'm sure the wind would of had it's way with em. I still disliked it's lack of though because I'm used to shooting my 7mm mag. I've got a 6.5x47 lapua barrel on the way. I'm hoping it's going to be the best of both worlds. It's got a muzzle break. I'm hoping it's going to be very close to the middle of both guns.

 

[model 12 toby]

7mm has a 30 inch barrel and weighs round 16.5. I'm not fond of carrying it too far although i've carried it for miles before. lol.

 

[00Scot]

7mm has a 30 inch barrel and weighs round 16.5. I'm not fond of carrying it too far although i've carried it for miles before. lol.

Now that is dedication to hunting! A little more then I'd be willing to hump up and down a few miles of hills! That's for sure!

 

[Dgd6mm]

The DTAC is a jacketed hollow point. I sent some out to a buddy in Tennesee, and he trimmed the meplat and shot a few Deer at lengthy range. They did a great job on downing them.

 

[dennisinaz]

I have two long range coyote guns; a 260AI with a 9 twist and a 6.5-284 that I just put a new barrel on last week in 8 twist. I use 108 Lapuas in the 260AI and 130 Norma in the 6.5-284.

I can get 3150 with the 130s and 3250 with the 108s from the AI.

As for chambering an AI, get a 'go gage' and chamber it in your rifle. Then start adding tape to it and see how much headspace you have. This will tell you how much you need to set your barrel back.

I like a snug fit on the gage for an AI as this makes the brass easy to fire-form. If you have to go through the trouble of picking up a thread, setting back the bolt nose recess etc. it is just as much work to change to AI as a completely new barrel- well a little faster because you don't have to pre-bore.

I set one back yesterday about enough to get rid of all the old threads. I really like the 6.5-284.

In a short action, it is tough to beat the 260AI. I am getting about 150 fps increase over the barrel when it was a regular 260! Accuracy is easier to find as well. I don't keep coyotes anymore since the fur isn't worth the work to put it up so I don't worry about bullet choice. I just want a fast one so it expands- that is why I use the 108s. I can shoot 1/2 MOA to 500 yds with that rifle and it weighs 7# with a scope and full mag.

 

[model 12 toby]

The first few times I carry it in the spring I can barely get out of bed the next day but it gets easier. accuracy and practice and confidence are the most important aspects of shooting I think.

 

[mhiltz]

You all have some very nice rifles! I have been using my 7mmRUM Sendero this last year with excellent results. I load 168gr Berger target VLD's, and shoot them in the face. Those yotes aint worth a darn when you're calving in February or March. I am not into the pelts, I just want them dead.