In this video, we'll be taking a look at some of the most popular predator cartridges and rifles currently on the market. From the 17 HMR to the 25-06 Remington, we'll explore the pros and cons of each cartridge, as well as the rifles that are best suited for predator hunting. Whether you're a seasoned hunter or just getting started, this video is a must-watch for anyone looking to improve their predator hunting skills.
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Who is Ron Spomer
For 44 years I’ve had the good fortune to photograph and write about my passion - the outdoor life. Wild creatures and wild places have always stirred me - from the first flushing pheasant that frightened me out of my socks in grandpa’s cornfield to the last whitetail that dismissed me with a wag of its tail. In my attempts to connect with this natural wonder, to become an integral part of our ecosystem and capture a bit of its mystery, I’ve photographed, hiked, hunted, birded, and fished across much of this planet. I've seen the beauty that everyone should see, survived adventures that everyone should experience. I may not have climbed the highest mountains, canoed the wildest rivers, caught the largest fish or shot the biggest bucks, but I’ve tried. Perhaps you have, too. And that’s the essential thing. Being out there, an active participant in our outdoor world.
Produced by: @red11media
Disclaimer
All loading, handloading, gunsmithing, shooting and associated activities and demonstrations depicted in our videos are conducted by trained, certified, professional gun handlers, instructors, and shooters for instructional and entertainment purposes only with emphasis on safety and responsible gun handling. Always check at least 3 industry handloading manuals for handloading data, 2 or 3 online ballistic calculators for ballistic data. Do not modify any cartridge or firearm beyond what the manufacturer recommends. Do not attempt to duplicate, mimic, or replicate anything you see in our videos. Firearms, ammunition, and constituent parts can be extremely dangerous if not used safely.
22 magnum underrated choice here
22-250 for wolves and coyotes here in northern Alberta.
I'm surprised .22-250 is powerful enough for a humane wolf kill even with propper shot placement. I'm still impressed.
Shaun Craig ~ In this area here where I live it is illegal (not legal) to use “any and all” 22 centerfire cartridges (including the “illlegal 22-250”) for Deer. So the “legal 243” is the very best choice for hunting Coyotes, Wolves, and Deer. Switch to full metal jacket (ball ammo) to prevent fur damage on Coyotes and Wolves. Then regular soft nose 243 ammo for Deer. The 243 is my first choice and the 25-06 second choice. I want the versatility of hunting Coyotes, Wolves, and Deer “legally” with the same rifle. Why would I use the useless “illegal 22-250” because if I see a Deer then I can “not” shoot it legally with that cartridge.
@@royjohnson465 I agree ☝️.243 Winchester is the most versatile all around caliber here in Michigan. And I would heavily favor the .25-06 if was back in Colorado where I used to live because of the open country and antelope / mule deer hunting , and I know several people who’ve even taken elk with the .25-06 using proper loads and shot placement. I like multi functional tools whether it’s a pocket knife or a rifle .
@@NorthwoodsNomad ~YES, with Deer sized animals and smaller the 243 is a number one #1 choice.
204 is gonna be my favorite. Something about that round is just amazing
Here in the southeast, 300 yards or more opportunities are rare. .223 and .243 are my choices. Reloading components are relatively easy to find for them, plus, with the .243, I can load heavier bullets for deer hunting.
Check out the 6ARC…uses an AR15 platform and you just needs the 6.5 Grendel bolt and magazine. Then buy the 6ARC barrel. Basically a .243 specifically designed for accuracy out of an AR15 platform
A 60 grain Partition in the .223 has taken many deer.
I have some pretty open farm land to hunt. 500+ shots are possible but I've sill always prefer smaller rounds. But I mainly just pick groundhog off and occasional fox or coyote. My favorites are the 17 Remington. and 204 Ruger. I have a Bushmaster V-Match in 223/5.56 if I'm strictly calling coyotes.
👍👍👍
I really want to get into hunting and I want to use my AR with a 223 deer around. I just wish I had family or friends that would take me to hunt, I don’t know what to do with the deer when I shoot it, someone told me to bring it to a processor
I use the 17HMR on everything from rats/pest birds to foxes, out to 120yrds. Devastating round for all the size of it. All the best from Ireland!☘
Are you allowed to own firearms in Ireland still? When I was visiting there a few years ago a farmer told me pretty much everything was banned except for a bolt action rifle.
@@ryane6719 Hi yea, there a restrictions and hoops to jump through. I'm up north and under one set of regulations, the South has a completely different set, the liberals are all over it trying to make it more and more difficult to own! We can have handguns here, and centre fire rifles up to 50 cal if you have a good enough reason/land to use it on. All CF rifles are bolt action over 22lr though.
@@googies12a So your overlords let you know if your reason is sufficient and then will grant you ownership based on such. I live in New York State and they’re starting to chip away at ownership as well.
@@ryane6719 the reason required is usually hunting, pest control, nothing to be proven etc.. In the North we do have very limited allowance for self defence /protection due to the troubles, usually off duty police, prison staff, politicians though. But self defence is not allowable as a defence if shit does go down. I follow a lot of 2A stuff and they are chipping away slowly everywhere.
@@googies12a 😞
A Ruger Number One in a 22-250 is a fun one
the .22 wmr is an underrated cartridge.
yes it is. I loved mine when I had it.
Nothing against the 22 mag. Dad had one he used for everything up to coyotes and down to rabbits in the winter. I enjoyed using it for squirrels when I was a teenager (head shots only). My only real complaint about it is accuracy at or beyond 100 yds (I'm VERY picking about accuracy). For a while I was thinking about getting a 22 hornet as a reloadable 22 mag, but I opted against it. Instead, I developed some extremely accurate reduced .223 loads using Green Dot with 40 gr and 50 gr Vmax that run around 1900 fps. I've shot them out of my more accurate AR uppers as well as my bolt action .223 and I consistently get under 3/4" at 100 yds with all of the loads. Some of them get down around 1/2". They won't cycle an AR, but for a coon or groundhog in the back yard on the neighbors picked bean field, one well placed shot is enough. I've taken the load with the bolt rifle on a prairie dog hunt, and it's definitely better than a 17 hmr past 100 yds and doesn't heat the barrel up enough to need to swap rifles. The noise is the same as a 22 mag or a 17 HMR, I get better accuracy than I've ever seen anyone get from a 22 mag or 17 HMR, noticeably less wind drift than the 17 HMR at 100 yds, and a LOT less barrel heat than full power .223 loads when shooting prairie dogs. Best of both worlds. I get a tack driving replacement of a 22 mag, or swap ammo for full power tack driving 300 yd varmint rifle, or swap ammo again to a 75gr Amax and have a 600 yd tack driver for shooting distance.
I love my 22. Win mag so far I've killed opposoms rabbits squirrels and a ratcoon with mine and I bought it December 16th so far Its been super amazing!
I have 2 rifles in this caliber. Marlin 25, and a CZ 457. Both tack drivers.
One of my favorite rounds. I have several rifles and revolvers so-chambered.
.204 Ruger has my vote for best predator cartridge. More power and better flight in the wind versus any of the 17s. Faster and more accurate than the ubiquitous .223 Rem/5.56mm. Easier to find brass for than the Triple Deuce. And less recoil than the bigger 22 centerfire cartridges, along with less powder used. A very neat little cartridge that can do it all when it comes to varmint & predator hunting. As a bonus, most rifle manufacturers chamber it in their varmint rigs.
And absolutely WORTHLESS in A .10 mph wind. A 300 Yd varmiter at best.
@@twolak1972 no, learn to shoot noob
@@twolak1972 i use a 204 in australia on foxes both 32g and 40 grain and out to 300-400 yards never had a issue with wind Never had a fox get up, not sure what your talking about? and head shot roos at same rangers and wind has never been an issue. its defently not WORTHLESS as you call it id say you have never used one.
22-250 is my choice
Excellent choice . . . but so is the AI version
@@martinstiastny7679 AI requires custom hand loading for a custom rifle your not buying factory loads and not aware of a standard rifle in that chambering
Me too but you need a bullet that will not exit
A fine choice 👌🏼
Me too
222 Rem and 220 Swift are old classics. 223 Rem is hard to beat due to practicality and availability. 22-250AI is great for absolute varmint performance. 243 is awesome as a do-it-all deer and varmint round.
Huge fan Ron. I started hunting a couple years ago to help feed my new family. I grew up with a hunting family and they have guided me through everything well but I have to say you have taught me things they couldn’t know and I appreciate it
I like the 22-250 and 243 for predators and varmints.
Appreciate the honesty in the introduction. Furtaking is a great way to build knowledge and spend time in the woods.
My Favorite is .222 Remington but a close second is .22 mag. They may not be the most practical or versatile choices but stay within the limitations of the round and you will get accuracy, plenty of power and very little fur damage.
I've had a ton of fun with the .218 bee
I'm with you ... .222 is my darling. Crazy accuracy in all three of mine.
@Ringo Fasho how this caliber work on coyotes, exit holes etc.?
@@malyhunter really well. Just get the rapid expansion ones and there is no exit. Clean entrance and no exit, but it looks like a hand grenade went off in body cavity
@@malyhunter only problem is that the ammo is expensive
Yes I agree the 22-250 and the 25-06 are hands down the two best calibers for predator and varmint at near any distance.
After trapping and fur hunting for over 45 years 22 250 and the 25 06 kill alot more dead than they need to be pelt damage is terrible 223 is by far a better choice.
Too bad they didn't continue to produce the .257 Roberts at any manufacturing volume. Seems like a toned down .25-06 in essence.
@@gregreinhart5928 That is the thing with the versatility of the 22-250 it can be loaded down to match the velocity of a 223. Or it can be pump up to be a long rang hunting rifle for Antelope and Deer.
@@lifted_above A lot calibers come and go because the don't really fill a void or niche that pre existing calibers already fill. Sometimes the performances are so similar it's not worth the gun and ammo makers to go to the expense to manufacture new guns and ammo. The Glock 45 GAP is another good example. I thought the 357 Maximum was going to be a really big deal back in the 80s and 90s but it never caught on.
@@wiseguy4368 .257 Roberts is a 7x57 Mauser necked down. That excellent parent case has found its way into a lot of things.
13:57 Ron, over the years I’ve shot coyotes with everything you can imagine. When I started coyote hunting at 14 years old I carried my trusty ‘06 because that’s what I had unless my dad let me borrow his 22 mag. When I got old enough to purchase my own rifle I picked up a tricked out sks and used it with great success and tons of fur damage. 15 years later I carry a 223 or 243 with light fast expanding bullets like Barnes varmint grenades or nosler varmigedon’s. But my favorite by far is still my little 22 mag for hunting the fields and edges of town.
Hi there Ron. I can't believe how much I agree with your selection of cartridges. I personally have owned a 2506 and 22 250. I'm glad you mentioned all the ballistics for all of these cartridges and you compare there weaknesses and their strengths. I love my heavy barrel Remington 22 250. Although the ruger mk2 in 2506 I nicknamed my lucky gun because it was what I thought a dual purpose gun and I took many good stags with it at 200 to 250 mt. Plus it was comfortable enough to shoot varmints without bruising your shoulder. Thanks again for the informative run down on the cartridges I always enjoy listening to your unbiased comparison.
Thanks for another awesome informative video! Really appreciate your time!
I love the 204. Lazer trajectory, zero recoil, and very accurate round normally. I keep it within 300 yards and use the heavier bullets and I kill them every time.
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Don't exaggerate. There's recoil, it's scientifically impossible to be zero recoil. 😁
Thanks for all your videos. I really enjoy listening and I’ve learned a lot, but on your predator choices, you left out my favorite, the 224 Valkyrie. Airborne arms put mine together along with a Burris eliminator three scope with a rangefinder awesome combination.
A friend of mine and I built out a Remington Sendero 22-250 and hunted with it in Wyoming for prairie dogs out to 400 yards. Fantastic rig and we lost count of how many dogs we killed. Today, that friend has sold his 22-250 and bought a 243. I must admit the 243 is impressive but I still like the 22-250.
I absolutely love this topic. I have every single one of these calibers in all the necessary bullet weights for anything I personally need. Good stuff 😊
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That sounds like fun to me! 👍
This was a very fun little video. Def a case to be made for 22-250... although price and availability factored in, you can't go wrong with a good old 223. Loved the discussion 🤓 Thanks a bunch!
Great content Ron as usual, your sayings are really for practically usage. regards from Switzerland
Thanks Ron I enjoy watching your show. My pick for this type of hunting is the 243 55GR at 3,850 FPS with 1810 ME
Thanks for the video Ron. For predator hunting I am currently using .223 on AR15/16" platform - reloads with 60 gr Vmax - around 950 mps/3120 fps during winter. Very good and precise round, keeping the pelts intact, lightweight, short rifle even with the silencer. I am able to place precise shots over 300 meters and more during night time. One of my favorite cartridges for those hunts is the Scandinavian Mauser - 6.5x55 - with handloaded 95 gr. Vmax with over 1100 mps/3600 fps. Very precise and devastating bullet.
Imagine having Ron for a Grandad. It would be awesome 👌
That would be great. Then he could help bore sight my .243 rifle. Nobody around here seems to know how. I would do it myself but don’t have the tools for the job 😢
As usual with Spomer accurate, useful analysis and information. Thanks. My own preferences were .223 for shots up to 200 yards ,.22-250 beyond that range and I occasionally used the .257 Wby mag for coyotes ( as opposed to the .25-06). I would just add that my Winchester 9422 in .22 Mag was my go to rifle for “ pest control “ from close up out to 150 yards … deadly and fun to shoot. 1000 + ground squirrels gone.
I love the 17 WSM. All the other calibers I completely agree with. Great content, keep it up.
Everyone needs to understand how wild the 17wsm is. For a rimfire it’s insane. Hits super hard at 100 yards. I love mine, just wish I could find ammo for it.
I’ve only shot 30 or 40 coyotes and not for fur but protection of our animals. I like the .223 in bolt and AR with the 55vmax. But I sure can’t find anything negative to say about any of your choices! Thanks for the video!
Hi Ron, Thanks for your videos.
I used an 85gr NBT at 3800 fps in my 2506 for a lot of years. I was surprised at how little the damage was on the coyotes. Having said that, based on your charts, .233 is the way to go. 3x more recoil, more cost, more barrel erosion for a measly 20 more yards isn't worth it to me. The older I get, the more I'm noticing that the bigger, faster, heavier recoiling cartridges really don't gain you that much in the field. If a person really needs an extra 20 to 40 yds of range, they would be much better served learning how to judge distance and use an FFP optic with a good reticle for hold overs.
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The 22-250 is a great, long established caliber. BUT, I've recently started using the 224 Valkyrie. It has rounds all the way up to a 90 gr. Bullet. It out performs the 22-250 hands down. Especially @ distances beyond 500 yards. people in some parts of the country might think that this distance is excessive. But in the rolling plains of southeastern Colorado, it's a common distance.
A 22-250 with a fast twist barrel beats the Valkyrie. Valkyrie is a good solution in gas guns but in a bolt action 22-250 is hard to beat in .22cal.
@nielrossouw7831 I'm just stating what my personal experience is. You can custom build most any rifle to perform past it's "stock" performance. Like I said, the 22-250 is a great caliber. The Valkyrie "off the shelf " with it's heavier , higher BC bullets carry the day. Especially out past 500 in the always breezy conditions on the prairie. .
IMO the folks who discount the Valkyrie haven't shot it yet.
As a fellow SE Colorado inhabitant I couldn’t agree more. The 224 Valkyrie is a wicked b****…..
The 224 Val is our caliber of choice for west Kansas coyotes. Shots can present at fantastic distances. I had to totally relearn how to spot coyotes at those distances in those rolling plains. Very different from hunting them in Texas. The Valkyrie carries the mail at distance and hits are easily spotted the the scope. Wish it had caught on better.
Fun video Ron. You picked good comparison cartridges. I am like you and I love my 22-250. My Savage has been fired so many times it needs a new barrel! And while I’m 65 yrs old I have a new found appreciation for the 25-06. My boss shoots lots of coyotes with his and swears by it. I never paid much attention to it because I enjoy my 243. But I broke down and bought a Weatherby Vanguard and put a Zeiss scope on top. I now have a fabulous deer cartridge that I can also blast coyotes with! I have not shot anything with the 25-06 yet but I love the ballistics. I like how your chart shows comparison of 22-250 with 25-06 making the 06 like the big brother of the 22-250! Neat. Good video. Thanks much.
17 Hornet is my absolute favorite at 300 and under.
I second that. 75+ coyotes later with my .17 hornet. The 20 grain v max works well but the 15.5 grain NTX bullet by far out penetrates no pass throughs with the v max but the NTX bullet will almost always exit
.204 ruger is a beast. i also like my .222 rem and .17 rem
Ron, I agree. 22-250 is my favorite as well.
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Great video thanks. Got my first coyote with a .30/06. 170yrds in South Texas
wOW - WAS THERE MUCH cOYOTE LEFT?
Shoul use the .243 with the Hornady 58 grain VMax at 3950 FPS instead of the 75g at 3500. Much faster, flatter shooting absolutely deadly on coyotes and other varmints!
I have used .223 with 55 and 53 gr vmax, prefer the 53. Also the 204, 32gr vmax, works well also. My new favorite is an AR in 6.5 Grendel, 95gr vmax at approximately 2700fps. DRT. Great vid Ron, thanks.
Great content and information. I think the 243 Win is my favorite. Really cuts down on the runners and spinners but if you hit much bone you will destroy a pelt with the 75 grain V-max. I reload all of the cartridges listed except the 25-06 and 17hmr. How about a video on prairie dog calibers? IMHO the 204 Ruger is king in that regard. Thank you for all you do and all the no nonsense practical information.
Love my Old Sako in 222 Remington, of course there are so many options like my CZ in 22 Mag and my 22 Hornet single shot, sometimes we have to many choices but its fun to play around with differant options, as for 25 calibers my 250 Savage is a fun cartridge too.
Solid video, I'm surprised an old school guy like you didn't give the .222 Rem an honorable mention.
I am pretty sure that the no longer chambered in new rifles is the only reason it was omitted just like 220 Swift.
@@garrytalley8009 you can get a new tikka or sako in 222. But in not sure if they ship them to the states.
@@garrytalley8009 Still quite common in Europe. Despite the Tikka and Sako, Bergara BA13 and Weihrauch are still available in this caliber. And most german Premiumbrands can be built in it. 222 ist more precise than the 223 up to 170 Yards, but normally limited to 50 grains bullets due to the 1:14 Rifling.
@@outdooropaholger9998 Exactly, Sauer offers their 404 barrels in .222 and .223 Rem with a uncommon 1-10 twist, but if you think about it, that might be the best compromise for hunters with those calibers, because 1-10 will stabilize light varmint bullets between 40 to 50 grain as well as heavier Partitions or TTSX for roe deer.
For all of these needs I would go with the 243 Winchester. My dad has used it his whole life for coyotes, bear, elk, mule deer, Blacktail deer. He’s never had an issue, with the exception of a couple deer getting away. Personally I think it’s the best varmint rifle out there. 22 250 would be great as well but they’re so stinking heavy!
I always thought my nephew's .243 might be a little light for deer. I think he was shooting 85 grain monos. Everything he shoots flops over.
@@JamesJones-cx5pk Thank you for the reply. I shoot 90 green all the way to 100 grain bullets. I have used federal, Barnes and now I use Sako Ammunition! I have downed many many deer, and in the last seven years everyone that I have got, hasn’t ran more than 10 yards. Some of them dropped immediately. One of the things to remember, when you have a lighter caliber rifle, it forces you to practice more and use better shot placement. Before you know it you’re a lot better shooter! Sometimes the bigger calibers provide more power and stopping power etc., but a lot of people rely on that and do not hit the animal good. I have seen my dad shoot 400 yards and even 500 yard shots On deer, and drop them Instantly with his 243. In my opinion, it’s the best caliber overall there is!
@@JamesJones-cx5pk One of Ron's videos talks about people using the 243 Win for moose!
Axel ~In this area here where I live it is illegal (not legal) to use “any and all” 22 centerfire cartridges (including the “illlegal 22-250”) for Deer. So the “legal 243” is the very best choice for hunting both Coyotes and Deer. Switch to full metal jacket (ball ammo) to prevent fur damage on Coyotes. Then regular soft nose 243 ammo for Deer. The 243 is my first choice and the 25-06 second. I want the versatility of hunting ‘both’ Coyotes, and Deer “legally” with the same rifle. Why would I use the totally useless “illegal 22-250” because if I see a Deer then I can “not” shoot it legally with that cartridge.
Used the 22-250 for decades, for the last several years I’ve grabbed the .204.
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I shot fox's back in the seventies in Australia . These were all head shots out to 200yds and the 17 Rem was the only one that would do the job . My mates had other calibres which destroyed more skin than were sold . I really enjoy your informative videos.
🇦🇺 💪🇦🇺
You would think that with the rabbit problem there you wouldn’t want to shoot predators.
@@mafirearmsafety back then we had a fur industry. Good money. On two nights my dad and a mate would moke more than they earned all week working. He was a teacher. Used a custom 17/222. Soft tissue shots only. Mouth, nose, ears or eyes. He was a crazy good shot.
I have tried most of the popular varmint cartridges except the 17 calibers. If out for fur I would have two choices, I know work. The 22-rimfire magnum with 30-grain V-Max bullets for close and the Remington .223 loaded with 40-grain V-Max bullets for shooting past 100-yards. Head shots do no damage to the fur and seldom ever make a mess of the fur.
If I was gonna choose one on the list it would be the 22-250. Used it for years and great on fur. Know I use the 6 arc with a 103. Haven't shot 1 closer than 80 yds. But in my experience, they don't exit. And the long range capabilities on the 6 arc are amazing.
I just love how you explain the difference! Your an inspiration to knowledge!
Thanks Danny.
The 40 grains are a better choice for the 204 Ruger
22-250 Ackley Improved with fast twist and 70gr copper bullets is all you need!!
I'm a Sako guy, so for walking around and calling, an older Riihmaki in 222 rem. with full length stock. Jump shooting them while driving the fields, a PPC single shot target in 6mm PPC. And the rifle that has harvested the most for me, a Custom M591 in 7mm BR shooting the old style (red and green label) 140gr Nosler Ballistic Tips. Just pokes along, but just turns the lights out and doesn't ruin the pelts.
I'm an MSR hunter through and through, and I honestly never understood the small fast calibers (although my fellow hunters always swore by them) thanks for this explanation. Now I'll consider putting together a .204 upper and a 22-250 upper
I’m not sure about the 204 but the 22-250 would have to be built on an AR 10 platform. The cartridge is based off of a 308.
Love your videos and your knowledge of rifles and ammunition, I just ordered a 22 wmr bolt rifle,, wish ya had it on this list.
Thanks Very informative
Like always, I am looking forward to this one 👍👍
Like how you arranged the comparative statistics.
I'm fortunate to own 2 REMINGTON M788s. One is in the .223 (heavy barrel) and the other is a 22-250 HB. Supremely accurate rifles for their day (and to this day).
I have that exact savage in 22-250. Handloads Groupe 5 mm at 100 yds. H380 is a great powder for this.
.222 Remington. Maybe I’m just being nostalgic due to the fact that it is the first center fire rifle I ever shot with my pop’s guidance at age 6. The ol Revelation model 225 in .222 Remington, which is a Western Auto Stores branded Savage 340, that my pop bought new in ‘65 is still a tack driver. He and then I both have taken lots of varmints and game animals with it. .22 rimfire mag is my second favorite and does a fine job as well. Great video!
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223 rem is my got to. I have taken coyotes at 400- 500 yards many different times with the good ol 60 Grain vmax or 60 grain sierra varminter at around 3050 fps. If i know im setting a stand in the sage brush ill always have my 17hmr or a shotgun, but im comfortable to stretch the legs in open country if i need too.
Love the content you put out. Bang bang bro.
I'm stunned you left out the 17REM. That cartridge dominated the Australian fox fur industry when it was alive. The results in the real world were outstanding. I don't know how so many negative myths stuck to the 17REM but they usually seem to be regurgitated by people who haven't used it.
Truth!
Im running 22-250 shooting Hornady Superformance 50gr Vmax and absolutely love it. 4000fps at the muzzle and really flat shooting. Not a problem to take a coyote out to 400yds.
For me I've always liked the 250 3000 Savage.
I used a 250 Savage in a Remington 700 Classic bolt action as my coyote rifle when I lived in Oklahoma. Actually, it was my everything rifle for quite a while. I shot a 100 gr. Sierra bullet at only about 2660 fps and it was fur friendly, accurate, and would still handily take deer in spite of not screaming out of the muzzle at top speed. Later I went to the .22-250 for coyotes.
Great choices Ron
I am going to have to agree with Covey on this one - 22 Hornet and 218 Bee. Honorable mention would be 22 WRF for fox in very close. Keeping the classics alive.
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Great video Ron I use the 222 for foxes found it very flat shooting thanks from Ireland 🇮🇪 🍀🍀
My first varmint rifle was a 700 ADL 22-250. Great for coyotes but I loaded it down to Hornet level for fox. Speaking of which, I wonder how Covey would do on a hound hunt for fox? Great vid, Ron, thanks!
Everyone's talking about outer limits but the close shots can't be ignored either. I took a raccoon that was destroying turkey nests with my 22-250 @ 60 yds. At first I thought I missed somehow. But I kept looking and found that the impact had flipped him almost 4 feet off the trail and that bullet never left his body. Don't remember what bullets I was using other than they were Remington, but they were rated at 4100fps and were totally absorbed in a small critter like a coon. I was impressed
Thank you!
All great calibers. I use a 17 fireball for close stuff and a 224 Valkyrie for longer shots Great articles. Keep it up
Love my Valkyrie.
Same here the valkarie is a rock chuck slayer for me out too 500 yrds.
I would definitely add the .224 Valerie as it has really impressive numbers with a 60gr pill in an ar platform
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Love the 22-250👍
I like the 220 Swift best but it’s getting so hard to find brass for it, i think a person would be better off with a 22-250.
Don’t say that !! We can’t let the swift die my friend. 😊
22 swift doesn’t offer anything over the 22-250. Maybe 50fps with less barrel life and the necessity to reload.
I have both of them and I agree with you
Shot and loaded a lot of 22-250. I built a custom 220 Swift. Had a reamer made for a 60gr vmax and Winchester brass. 27 1/2 inch barrel. Reaps the velocity out of that 60 vmax. I shoot mostly groundhogs. It is reserved for the long shots and has been taking a long rest with 204r being my favorite.
The one issue with the swift is getting a faster twist barrel than 1:14 so you can shoot the 53 gr vmax. Fast twist .22-250 aE EASY TO GET, THE swift, not so much. I also found the swift and .22-250 pretty destructive inside 100 yaRDS, if shots were behind the diaphragm. The .204 39 gr and 40 grain bullets also have high BCs - higher than most .22s. A 40 gr Vmax can be driven about 3800 fps, and has a .275 BC so drift is pretty low and energy retained is good. A heavier construction 45 gr bullet is also available that won't blow up on the surface like the 32 gr. I have heard good things about the 40 Gr Nosler aND THE 39 GR sIERRA bLITZKING TOO.
Just in time before a big coyote hunt! Thanks Ron!
This is good stuff to know (for me anyway), as the only experience I've got in fur & varmint is in the very old school 6mm Remington
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brilliant as usual, how doe the 6mm ARC fit in ?
Thanks, Ron 😁
Ron: got a question, what about the 22 magnum at close range out of my Taurus pistol { six inch barrel )and the 22 Hornet? As usual, thanks for your informative videos!!
Great video Ron. The 17 hmr will absolutely kill predators especially fox and bobcat but I would caution folks using it on coyotes. It’s not very forgiving.
Great video Ron!
I like the 22LR, 222 Rem, 243 Win and .25-'06.
I use a 25-06 with the 115vld's. MPBR on a 4" circle is 285yds. I hold on vitals out to 300yds and hold on hair out to 400yds. We don't hunt for hides so I like something that will wack the snot out of them without having to dial.
Started bringing my 6.5creed topped with a primary arms Apollo with 1000 yd reticle. Just range, find the number on the reticle, and squeeze the trigger. Have kills out to 650yds so far. So much fun.
Ive got a 222 Remmington over 12 gauge thats my go to predator gun. Best of both worlds. 222 for anything that comes in 60 to 250 yards. 12 gauge with buckshot for anything within 60 yards.
I think the .17 Hornet is a much more viable 17 cal option than 17 HMR or WSM (though the scarcity makes WSM not worth talking about up here in Canuckada)
Just bought a CZ527 in 17 Hornet Can t wait to try it
@@danygaudreau3050 I own this rifle- it's great :)
you gotta do a video on the .30 carbine round.
22-250 for coyotes and whitetail for me. Different bullets for course.
Head Carter ~ In this area here where I live it is illegal (not legal) to use “any and all” 22 centerfire cartridges (including the “illlegal 22-250”) for Deer. So the “legal 243” is the very best choice for hunting both Coyotes and Deer. Switch to full metal jacket (ball ammo) to prevent fur damage on Coyotes. Then regular soft nose 243 ammo for Deer. The 243 is my first choice and the 25-06 second. I want the versatility of hunting ‘both’ Coyotes, and Deer “legally” with the same rifle. Why would I use the useless “illegal 22-250” because if I see a Deer then I can “not” shoot it legally with that cartridge.
Great choices. My only 17 HMR experience is on ground squirrels with my Contender. No experience with 20 cal, but it is intriguing. Can't help but wonder about barrel life though. The 223 has always seemed a good middle of the road choice with 50-53 gr bullets. If i can get my Savage Edge to extract reliably. Been wanting a 25-06; the versatility of it and the 243 are attractive. A 32 Hornet rifle (Savage 25) to go with my Contender would be fun too. Been wanting to go over to NV and go after some rock chucks. Need to talk to my probable hunting buddy.
Thanks Ron.
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I agree with rifles that are compact , quick handling and well balanced both in the hands and ballistically. Quick shots are more often the case than any other situation. The .243 is my choice here in Michigan. When I lived in Colorado, the .25-06 was a very popular deer/ coyote cartridge, and even plenty of elk hunters used it . For a lot of folks like myself, having a rifle that can serve many purposes is practical and affordable, so .243 and .25-06 get the nod and that .22-250 would certainly be a top choice if it were specific to only fur harvesting as you’ve addressed here .
Ron, We don't hear much about the .22 TCM anymore. It was pretty popular in Wyoming for prairie dogs and coyotes.
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Left out 220Swift. My swift has a 1 in 9 twist, which puts a 62 to 69 grain out there around 3400 to 3500 fps. Great for coyotes.
6mm creed is my jack of all trades rifle. Light loads for varmint shooting on those longer range areas and heavier bullets for taking mid size animals like cougar and deer. If I'm in a tighter area though, with less reaction time and not much over 100-150 yards, a well setup .223 is hard to beat.
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My favorite is the obsolete cartridge that the 22-250 made obsolete. The 225 Winchester with a 55 grain bullet. Maybe a video on velocity vs pelt damage vs bullet size next???
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Been using 22 250 with a 55gr sp hand load for years with excellent success
Good content, the.243 Win. is ageless.👍
I just turned fifty and bought my self a beautiful brand new o/u 20 shotgun. It was that or a new 22-250. After scratching my head for a few weeks I decided that the 22-250 can't do a whole lot more than my .223.
Gasp! Sacrilege! Lol
@@carfvallrightsreservedwith6649 Im so happy with my purchase.👍
Love the 243 Win for groundhogs to deer. It will launch some 55 gr Nosler BTs hard and accurately and turn around and send some 100 grainers just as well for deer.
17HMR is a great Red Fox 🦊 round, I use it regularly inside 100 yards and it's never failed to do the job.
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