Perfect Predator rifle?

[mao0720]

6mmAR out of an AR15. Loaded with 95gr Berger classic hunters. Plenty of hit on even larger predators. Lighter rifle than any of my bolt guns.

 

[Quinc]

AR15 with 458 Socom upper. Uses AR mags so you have 5+ rounds ready to go in a semi auto with similar ballistics and all the same bullet choices as a 45/70.

 

[tdoyka]

6.5 creedmoor would work, or the 6mm remington, or my favirite the 257 bob ai

long range work i'd say 6mm-284

i'd use a rifle in encore(my favorite), or in savage model 12 with a shilen barrel.

 

[Steve3]

In my neck of the woods, NJ a 243 is the favored choice. If I were out west I would most likely be using a 25-06. I like shooting both.

Not sure what I would use for wolfs or mountain lions, I would have to read up on that.

 

[MrMajestic]

AR15 with 458 Socom upper. Uses AR mags so you have 5+ rounds ready to go in a semi auto with similar ballistics and all the same bullet choices as a 45/70.

Q, you sure got some tough Predators in your area! I guess there ain't no sense for a man to feel under-gunned! ;D

 

[Quinc]

AR15 with 458 Socom upper. Uses AR mags so you have 5+ rounds ready to go in a semi auto with similar ballistics and all the same bullet choices as a 45/70.

Q, you sure got some tough Predators in your area! I guess there ain't no sense for a man to feel under-gunned! ;D

Some of the Squirrels might be rabbid, you cant be too careful!

 

[Barlow]

I like my Marlin X7, 6 Dasher for that kind of hunting, but like has been said, a lot of rifle cartridge combo's will work as well. Barlow

 

[Dan Hall]

I would also suggest the 6.5 Creedmoor for a cartridge but unless you go custom you may not find it in a rifle you like. As for rifle, not sure what your budget is, I'm fond of the Dakota Varminter or the earlier version the Predator. You can get them both in the 6 BR which will easily handle everything you mentioned. Or you can rebarrel them to the Creedmoor. The more I shoot the Creedmoor the more I like the cartridge. Super accurate and easily loaded. I'm on my 3rd creed moor and this last one is BR accurate. Savage makes the little 11 in an ultra-lite 6.5 Creedmoor I think.

 

[StingerDan]

I would have said a standard AR in .223, but since you added "wolf" and "Cougar" to your list I will say an AR in 6.8 SPC. Very accurate, lots of knockdown power out to 400 yards or so, on small to medium sized game.

 

[endurokids]

A or X Bolt in .308 or 7mm 08. These will take all the critters that you have described and then some.

 

[xswanted]

To me the lighter the better in a walking varmint rifle.

I built mine to be a calling gun I take anywhere and have minimal weight, and tried to keep it affordable as well as be a shooter.

700 Action
Douglas Barrel #4 at 24"
Chambered in 20BR (changing as we speak to 20-250 for feeding issues)
Leupold VX-3 4.5-14 Varmint reticle.
High Tech Specialties lightweight stock.

The whole gun with a Harris Bi-Pod on it and sling weighs in at 8 pounds

Shooting the 50gr Berger at 3700fps, the recoils very little and I can watch impacts in the scope....bang flop dead on a pickup load of coyotes last year. Very little fur damage on any.

THats my pick! If i did anohter one I would keep the 20-250 and finish it at 22" in the same setup. Love the light ones.

 

[DCRYDER]

No mention of a Remington Model 7 yet?

 

[Stormbringer]

I have a few.

17 Remington, Interarms mini-mark 10, Shilen barrel 25" long sporter taper, trigger job and stock bedded. Nikon Monarch 4-12 with AO. I shoot the 30 grain Berger for predators. The 17 is the ticket when keeping pelts!

\

On a budget? $300.00 new, TC Venture 204 Ruger, Sightron SII 4.5-14 with AO. Has only been used on chucks but does come with a 10 twist so should be great for a 45 grain bullet and maybe a 50. This rifle is amazingly accurate and I have worked up a good predator load for it with 40 grain Bergers.

But for the perfect Predator Rifle I think the semi-auto is the way to go (especially for the times you get lucky and call in doubles or more).

Rock River Coyote rifle. Older Japan made Simmons V-Tac 4.5-14 with range finding reticle in the first focal plane. Works well on pdogs also.

 

[wlsnmike]

My favorite!!!! 243 1st choice sako finnlight! 2nd tika t3 lite. My sako is so sweet.

 

[BigDMT]

I'm surprised a fast twist 22-250 shooting 75's or 80's hasn't been mentioned??? (I did notice the old 250 savage )

Make it with a 22" #4 barrel barrel, lightweight McMillan or Manners stock and a good wide magnification range scope. Of course all metal in stainless for the weather conditions.
Guaranteed to do the job outlined by the OP at extended ranges.

All other cartridges mentioned so far are very good as well.

 

[alf]

I'm surprised a fast twist 22-250 shooting 75's or 80's hasn't been mentioned???

Like this one?

700, 23" Rock 8 twist, McMillan Classic, 3.5-10 CDS Leupold.....

 

[BigDMT]

Yep, that's exactly what I'm talking about

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

For those of us that do a lot of walking to get to remote areas what would you choose as your perfect predator rifle and cartridge combination? Coyotes, bob cat, lynx, mountain lion, and wolf could all be on the list of predators to hunt?

My 6.5/06 that tips the scales at 6.2#...very deadly performer on critters within that size range, though you sometimes need to get creative with the needle/thread on some of the lighter critters.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I'm surprised a fast twist 22-250 shooting 75's or 80's hasn't been mentioned???

Like this one?

700, 23" Rock 8 twist, McMillan Classic, 3.5-10 CDS Leupold.....

Nice picture

 

[Dan Hall]

It looks like alf has got you covered for the perfect rifle. Now just figure out what caliber you want and put one together. His idea is as close to perfect as I've seen for the rifle.