Need Input for my next rifle

price

price

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Once this predator season wraps up Ill begin acquiring parts for the new gun if I build, or I’ll buy a factory rifle. I’m partial to bolt guns but open to ARs…. Currently shooting a Ruger American 223, which is sub-MOA.

I’m intrigued by the 224Valk… I doubt I will ever shoot more than 300 yards, it’s just not possible here. I’m usually 100-150 yards. Threaded barrel is a must… lastly, I’d prefer not to blow them into smithereens, I like to keep the nicer furs

I’m at a crossroads, do I build a “nice rifle” or do I get something proven like a Howa 1500, Ruger American or Tikka and drop it in a Bell and Carlson type stock? (or an AR for the same price point)….

I’ll be shooting factory ammo only

Flat shooting, fur friendly and economical to shoot are my focuses
 
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Do you handload or only buy factory ammo? Do you want fast and flat or want heavies with high BC? 224 Valk is the latter.

AR15 platform with current brass offerings
handload fast and flat: 22×6.8
Factory fast and flat: 22 nosler
heavy high BC : 22 ARC

Bolt gun:
Bergara 243 1-10 twist
 
The Howa Mini is coming out in 22 ARC. It might be an option, should be threaded from the factory, nice two stage trigger that can be fine tuned to wonderful. I like mine in 6 ARC and 6.5 G.
 
53 years ago my first calling rifle was a 243,after 22-250s and a 223 guess I am in my second childhood with another 243.My cousin still has my original 243,would like to get it back but that will never happen as much as he likes it.So as you can see I like a good 243
 
My main calling rifle for daytime is a 243. And as much as I love it, one thing it is not, is fur friendly (I don't save fur). It checks most of your other boxes. Fast and flat, hits hard, very available for someone who shoots factory ammo. Not cheap, but not expensive either.

Trying to take all of your requirements into consideration I would probably say just get the old tried and true 22-250 if you are sticking with a bolt gun. It is fast and flat, but if you are careful and choose your bullets wisely it can be fairly forgiving on fur. It will reach good distance when needed. Lots of ammo choices. Not as cheap to shoot as a 223, but not bad at all. Inherently a very accurate cartridge. Zero at 200, and anything from 0-230 is point and shoot. 22-250 is really at home with a 55 grain bullet. There are newer flashier things than a 22-250. But in a bolt gun, pretty hard to really be any better for a guy who shoots factory ammo.

Mostly I prefer a bolt gun, especially in daytime. At night I do shoot an AR quite a bit but that is because our hunts are combo pig/coyote hunts and we can run across either. For pigs I shoot either a 6.5 Grendel or 300 HAMR. Specifically night calling I shoot a CZ 527 in 223 with 50 grain Blitzkings.

Rifle choice is very personal. Kind of depends more if you have the more utilitarian "rifle is a tool to do a job" mentality, or if you are a rifle looney like me. Lots of good factory guns that will kill coyotes all day long and not miss a trick. And if not factory, well, then that opens a whole Pandora's box of discussion. That is more a matter of personal taste.
 
May be announced at SHOT show but it appears that Bergara will offer factory 22 Creedmoor rifles. I have one of their 22-250's and it's awesome. Very tempting for a factory option that is Remington 700 platform, 20" barrel (stainless or carbon), and threaded.

BERGARA 22CM HMR PRO.JPG

BERGARA 22CM MGLITE.JPG
 
Are you going to be mainly calling in coyotes or are you going to be shooting fox and bobcats as well? If I was where tons of foxes are I'd be shooting a .17cal of some kind. Especially if foxes are going to be far more likely to come in to the call than a coyote.
 
OKRattler makes a good point. I was assuming primarily coyotes, but bobcats and fox tear up a lot easier from bullet damage. Knowing what part of the country you are in and what your primary species are would help.
 
I do call up a bunch of fox, but it’s always in the first part of my sequence when I’m playing distress. I don’t target fox, I think they’re boring to hunt and stupid. I do hunt Bobcats though…. Im a coyote hunter with 1 bobcat tag per year

Northeast Pennsylvania location
 
price said:
I do call up a bunch of fox, but it’s always in the first part of my sequence when I’m playing distress. I don’t target fox, I think they’re boring to hunt and stupid. I do hunt Bobcats though…. Im a coyote hunter with 1 bobcat tag per year

Northeast Pennsylvania location
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price, sorry about your limitation on bobcats. Look at the thread started by Murl B, titled "been busy". It may help quench a thirst for bobcats.(y)
 
22Creed is surely at the top end of what I would want to spend for ammo, I just can’t justify any more than that for something like a coyote. It’s absolutely possible that I just lack the ballistic knowledge and maybe the creed is worth it… But for 300 yard max distance and a dedicated coyote rifle, I just can’t see myself doing more than $2 per round

Especially when something like a 243 is only $.65/round or so
 
I use a .243 and a .223 for my dedicated coyote thermal rigs.
I'm confident using either out to 300, further with the .243 is situation presents itself.
I think the .243 is an excellent all around choice.
 


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