Quote:
Originally Posted by smitholdtimer
A buddy is looking to find a suitable rifle to help control the predators & varmints on his land in the Va. Mountains. Coyotes etc. May even be used for deer hunting. What manufacturer produces a quality rife suitable for suggested game, what caliber & please suggest a good scope too. This buddy is not on an unlimited budget. I'm not educated on the long guns and associated hardware so we need your help, Thanks
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With the thoughts of hunting deer along with predator control, I will steer to the .243 over the .223. I have seen several really big bucks in Va. and a .223, though lethal, would likely result in more work tracking the animal and possibly losing it. The .223 simply does not have the KO power that I look for in a deer rifle. The .243 is barely there; a .308 is a better choice still.
I choose the .243 because you can hit flies on a **** at 200yds with them. Beavers making nuisance dams, 'yotes, and other unwanteds will be easily in the rifles' covered range.
With cost being a factor, I will vote for the Savage, or the Howa 1500. Slightly more expensive are the Remington 700 and the Winchester 70.
I own the Howa 1500, and the rifle is brutally accurate. Using box Federal 100 gr ammo, I regularly see.75MOA, and carry this to 200yds. At 300, I am seeing 1MOA. The Savage has the accu-trigger, and it is a fantastic rifle, with very good accuracy. I bought my son one, and he has been very successful- his is 30-06. The trigger is superb, and the rifle is very accurate.
Crazy as it sounds, check Wal Mart for prices. And, Dick's Sporting Goods had some awesome prices in Fredericksburg 2 weeks ago.
Good luck!!
