Predator Hunting Rifles - What's yours?

Matt W.

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Curious as to what folks are using and how they have them set up.
I am setting up a S&W M&P 15 (Magpul Edition) in 5.56/.223.
Currently working up a 55gr load with the Nosler Ballistic Tip bullet. Its a bit light for Wolves, but should be ok to reasonable distances.

Looking to add the Leupold Mark AR MOD 1 4-12x40mm scope with the Mark 2 IMS mount
 

T43

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Apr 13, 2012
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Either my 220 Swift or 243 both Remington 700. I bought the 220 just out of high school and its barrel is starting to go. I figure as soon as it does it will be build up time.
 

5MilesBack

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Depends........but mostly my RRA .223 Predator 20" stainless with a Vortex Viper HS LR 4-16 in a Larue QD mount. Also working on some 4000fps loads in .22-250 with the CFE-223 powder.
 

Browtine

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Tikka T3 Light in 243 with a Vortex Viper 4-16x50 or a JP15 18" AR in 556 topped with a Burris XTR 1.5x6
 

digger

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Whatever rifle is in the truck with me. Lately mostly a 6.5x284 savage.My son and I have taken 23
coyotes since june 1.All here in sunny California and all targets of opportunity.
He uses a tikka 22-250 or and old 788 in 223.
 

Justin Crossley

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It's .223 (you have to get the R25 if you want .243)
I don't remember the weight off hand.
Mine has a Geisele (spelling?) match trigger installed.
I've had no trouble with it at all.
 
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Matt W.

Matt W.

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It's .223 (you have to get the R25 if you want .243)
I don't remember the weight off hand.
Mine has a Geisele (spelling?) match trigger installed.
I've had no trouble with it at all.
Forgot that little nomenclature.. : ) I would like the R25 in the .243 at some point. Good to hear your R15 is working well.
 
Last edited:
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Either my Marlin .17HMR or .243 in a Remmy 700 action once I figure out the scope situation.

Do you shoot Coyotes with your 17HMR? I shot one between the eye with my HMR and ended having to finish it off with a 22-250 after he bucked around in circles for about 30 secs. I know he would have died but I did not want to prolong his death. I have not used the HMR on Coyotes since, if you are using it, are you using a 20grn bullet and what is your preferred shot placement with such a little round?
 

bbrown

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I have taken 3 yotes with my .17HMR - all less than 100 yards and I typically shoot the 17gr poly tipped. 2 were in the base of the neck and both dropped right there granted they were fairly close (less than 60 yards each). One was a chest shot and he made a good run before he died but he was closer to 100 yards.
I do not take head shots because I feel the bullet has too much chance to break up before doing enough damage.
I much prefer my .243 for yotes (those lil 58gr V-Max bullets at almost 4000 fps drop them quick) but if I am out shooting prairie dogs and get the chance I will take it.
 

tstowater

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I used 17 Remingtons, 204's, 22-250's, 220 Swfts and have settled on a 25-06 for coyotes. I have a Mini 14, but I let my brother use it for the time being. I'm not terribly concerned about fur damage at this time. I use a 6mm for prairie dogs, but the heavy barrel is more than I want to drag around in the snow. Everything has from a 3-9 to 6.5-20 scope on it. Just picked up a 22-250 in a Model 70 with an 8.5-25 Leupold. Other than checking to see how it shoots (damn good), I haven't had time to play.
 
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Just threw a scope on my old patrol rifle, and plan to use it for coyote hunting. It's a Bushmaster chambered in .223/5.56. It's got a 14.5" chrome lined barrel. It has Surefire rail system on the front (from it's patrol days) and a Nikon Coyote Special 3-9 mounted on top.

One of these days I'll throw a match grade stainless barrel and a new trigger in it, but that isn't in the budget yet.

 
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I have taken 3 yotes with my .17HMR - all less than 100 yards and I typically shoot the 17gr poly tipped. 2 were in the base of the neck and both dropped right there granted they were fairly close (less than 60 yards each). One was a chest shot and he made a good run before he died but he was closer to 100 yards.
I do not take head shots because I feel the bullet has too much chance to break up before doing enough damage.
I much prefer my .243 for yotes (those lil 58gr V-Max bullets at almost 4000 fps drop them quick) but if I am out shooting prairie dogs and get the chance I will take it.

Gotcha.. I will stick to my .243 for yotes from now on. Although the 17 HMR is my favorite gun.
 
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