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
What recommendations do you make for a rifle
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true_shooter
Member
If the .223 caliber is legal to hunt deer with in his state I would recomend the weatherby vanguard in .223 Rem. the new generation of this rifle garuntees sub moa accuracy out of the box. the previous generation garunteed sub 1.5 moa. the new ones can be had for under 500 and i see the used ones all the time at cabelas for 350 ish. I have owned mine chambered in .30-06 for probably 5 years now and its perfect. if .223 isn't legal for deer hunting where he lives stick with the vanguard but in .243. as for a scope. tasco's and bushnell's generally wont break your bank i can be had in various powers such as 2-7 on up to 6-25. good luck.
I personally feel the .223 is a little light for deer, but the .243 Winchester (or 6mm Remington) would fill your requirements very well. I would recommend one of the Savage rifles, depending on light or heavy barrel desired, but all are very accurate as Savage has a reputation for having one of the most accurate barrels in current mfg., and the accu-trigger is great. I would put a Nikon Buckmaster 6-18 SF scope on it to fit all the distance requirements he has. I have used this combination for Prairie Dogs out to 500+ yards.
Straightshooter2
US Veteran
If I'm not mistaken, Virginia law requires .23 caliber or greater for deer hunting. So if he is going to hunt also, then he needs to go with the .243 or similar caliber. If strictly for coyotes and other pests, go with the .223 since ammo is cheaper. Here is something to know about VA law.
LEGAL STATUS: The coyote is legally classified as a nuisance species and may be killed at anytime, except coyotes may not be killed with a gun, firearm, or other weapon on Sunday.
I guess that means if you have cows and a coyote is attacking one of your calves on Sunday, you have to wrestle the coyote to the ground and choke it to death.
CW
LEGAL STATUS: The coyote is legally classified as a nuisance species and may be killed at anytime, except coyotes may not be killed with a gun, firearm, or other weapon on Sunday.
I guess that means if you have cows and a coyote is attacking one of your calves on Sunday, you have to wrestle the coyote to the ground and choke it to death.
CW
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If your friend is not into rifles I'd get a H&R Handi Rifle combo in 20 ga and 308. Put a Tasco 3x9 on the rifle barrel and it will handle anything in the VA mountians short of Big Foot. A friend needed a pest and deer rifle to leave at his cabin. He simply bought a $90 Mosin Nagant. With the iron sights that rifle is paper plate accurate at 200 yds, which strangly enough is about the size of the kill zone on a deer or coyote.
Texas Star
US Veteran
If he has any taste, I'd get a Winchester M-70, probably in their Featherweight Classic version. Mine's a .270, but I think he needs a .243, judging from your description. Keep in mind that VA has black bears and probably feral pigs. Both can be dangerous. Deer hunting apparently requires at least 6mm/.243 caliber, and rightly so.
Also look at the CZ line from the Czech Republic, perhaps the CZ 550 American. And look at Sako rifles, from Finland.
If he lacks the artistic soul to want a fine rifle, look at Howa and Savage products, perhaps with synthetic stocks. Howa makes the Weatherby rifles, and their basic rifle is essentially the Weatherby Vanguard, which also see. My DIL traded me a Howa 7mm-08, and I quite like it. Has a black synthetic stock.She killed a deer with it and it was DRT at about 80 yards, one shot.
Good optics aren't cheap, and I suggest the better Nikon items if money is tight. Buy Leupold for really good value, durability and performance, or Zeiss or Swarovski for the ultimate! Those who haven't used the best Euro optics in the field are usually astonished by their performance!
He should have a good binocular. It is very bad form to "glass" for game with the 'scope on the rifle! I suggest the Swift Audubon 8.5X44 roof prism model if on a budget. Nikon's best are also good. Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski are again the ultimate, if he wins a sweepstakes. I sacrificed in other areas to buy Zeiss and Leica poducts, and haven't ever regretted it, but i'm very discerning in what I buy. My binoculars must also excel in birdwatching and in astronomy.
Also look at the CZ line from the Czech Republic, perhaps the CZ 550 American. And look at Sako rifles, from Finland.
If he lacks the artistic soul to want a fine rifle, look at Howa and Savage products, perhaps with synthetic stocks. Howa makes the Weatherby rifles, and their basic rifle is essentially the Weatherby Vanguard, which also see. My DIL traded me a Howa 7mm-08, and I quite like it. Has a black synthetic stock.She killed a deer with it and it was DRT at about 80 yards, one shot.
Good optics aren't cheap, and I suggest the better Nikon items if money is tight. Buy Leupold for really good value, durability and performance, or Zeiss or Swarovski for the ultimate! Those who haven't used the best Euro optics in the field are usually astonished by their performance!
He should have a good binocular. It is very bad form to "glass" for game with the 'scope on the rifle! I suggest the Swift Audubon 8.5X44 roof prism model if on a budget. Nikon's best are also good. Zeiss, Leica, and Swarovski are again the ultimate, if he wins a sweepstakes. I sacrificed in other areas to buy Zeiss and Leica poducts, and haven't ever regretted it, but i'm very discerning in what I buy. My binoculars must also excel in birdwatching and in astronomy.
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true_shooter
Member
"This buddy is not on an unlimited budget."
Since deer are in the mix too, get a .243. If it were just the smaller stuff, I'd say .223
Maybe something like a Savage Axis and a Redfield 3-9x scope.
both have a good reputation and are budget friendly.
Maybe something like a Savage Axis and a Redfield 3-9x scope.
both have a good reputation and are budget friendly.
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LEGAL STATUS: The coyote is legally classified as a nuisance species and may be killed at anytime, except coyotes may not be killed with a gun, firearm, or other weapon on Sunday.
I guess that means if you have cows and a coyote is attacking one of your calves on Sunday, you have to wrestle the coyote to the ground and choke it to death.
CW
hit it with a tazer and tie it up till the next day.
Texas Star
US Veteran
A word about ammo: don't scrimp and buy the cheapest. If he has a .243, I think I'd buy Federal Premium with the optional Nosler Partition bullet, if he might need to kill a bear or boar with a .243.
This assumes that it shoots well in HIS rifle. The integrity of these bullets makes them worth the money. They aren't needed on coyotes and other smaller animals.
This assumes that it shoots well in HIS rifle. The integrity of these bullets makes them worth the money. They aren't needed on coyotes and other smaller animals.
Davwingman
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If you could find an older Remington 700 in 243 & a used Leupold 3X9 that would do the job very nicely! Both the Remington & Leupold have quality you can depend on!
Mickey D
Member
I also recommend CZ Rifles. Great value and excellent craftsmanship.
I have two, one in .17HMR and another in .204 Ruger that is used to dispatch squirrels and coyotes.
OP
Quality suggestions for a rifle!
As usual, you guys are great. I had advised him I thought a .243 caliber would be a suitable round but was not sure of the quality of the currently produced rifles & scopes so this will certainly give us some guidelines with which to begin our search, thanks to all! Anyone else have suggestions?
As usual, you guys are great. I had advised him I thought a .243 caliber would be a suitable round but was not sure of the quality of the currently produced rifles & scopes so this will certainly give us some guidelines with which to begin our search, thanks to all! Anyone else have suggestions?
Smith357
US Veteran
I would help him search the used racks for a old push feed Winchester M70 in .243 Winchester. Or a JC Higgens or Griffen and Howe built on a commercial FN Mauser. The post 64 Winchesters and many other 70s era rifles are much better made than any of the new plastic budget rifles. They are some of the best values going for a good hunting rifle, I found my 1974 M70 in .30-06 with a Leupold 3x9 for $450.
The new marketing strategy to tout these cheaply made plastic stocked abominations use buzzwords like "light weight" to glorify the thin flimsy hollow stocks, "all weather" for the thick paint like coatings over the rough metal work (bead blasting cures many ills). The one thing they can truly tout is the out of the box accuracy, but with a few little old school rifleman tricks like hand loading,and pressure bedding, those old girls can shoot with the new plastiques and look better doing it.
The new marketing strategy to tout these cheaply made plastic stocked abominations use buzzwords like "light weight" to glorify the thin flimsy hollow stocks, "all weather" for the thick paint like coatings over the rough metal work (bead blasting cures many ills). The one thing they can truly tout is the out of the box accuracy, but with a few little old school rifleman tricks like hand loading,and pressure bedding, those old girls can shoot with the new plastiques and look better doing it.
There are loads of suitable rifles available at most pawn shops and in the used rack at your local gun store. Hunting season is over so there are some pretty good bargains to be had. Any decent bolt action should do the trick. If cost is an object look for one with some finish wear. As long as it is mechanically sound with a good bore it should do the job. I recently bought an almost new 1980 vintage Remington 700 in 22-250 with a 3x9 Refield scope for $450 from a local pawn shop. I also bought a late 60s Remington 700 in 7mm mag with a 1x4 Redfield scope for $275 awhile back from a different pawn shop. It had some finish issues but once I refinished the stock it looked good and shot well. There were a lot of rifles to choose from. Don't forget to negotiate. They do drop their prices.
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I'm gonna take a little departure here and recommend a Marlin 336 in .30-.30. I'ts plenty accurate for game, easy to mount a scope on (I'd go Nikon 2-7x myself, or the Burris with the rangefinding reticle). Light, easy packing, easy handling, inexpensive (comparably) ammunition, easy to manipulate....
cowart
US Veteran
CDNN currently is running a sale on .243 Howa rifles for $329.99.
Comes with 22" barrel and a sand color Hogue stock with recoil pad and sling swivel studs installed.
Natchezss sells a lot of refurbished Nikon scopes at good prices. The one I got looks new except for a tiny mark on the tube.
243 Winchester or 260 Remington caliber will do just fine. I own a cabin over in Rockbridge County and I hunt with a 7mm-08 but I wouldn't hesitate to use any of the three mentioned. Dick's Sportiing Goods occasionally runs sales on Remington 700's. They have the cheap "tupperware" stock with is admittedly not real good but he can always find a better stock later. Otherwise as previously suggested find a good used 700.
amazingflapjack
US Veteran
In the mountains of Virginia, or west Virginia, it is a rare thing to get a realistic shot of more than about 50 yards, with a typical max of 100. What works there, and has for a long time, is a short barreled lever gun in 30-30, the quintesential brush gun. If he likes bolt guns, the .243 is a great choice, and as Richard suggested, it's hard to beat the Savage with an accu-trigger. Having said that, there are good reports from Mossberg rifles, and the new Ruger "American" as well. As for a scope, I like a long eye relief 1 1/2 or 2 power scope on a forward mount on any of these guns, there's just a lot of advantages to that set up. A forward mounted red dot is another good option, in my view. If he can't but a new gun, it might be a good idea to look around for something locally, hopefuly establishing a relationship as well. Flapjack.
Badquaker
Member
It's too bad that the 257 roberts fell out of favor. It's a wonderful chambering.
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
The things have been getting rave reviews on the websites I visit. The general consensus is that they are probably the best bang for the buck going. One guy who knows rifles claimed it might be the best production trigger being offered.
My local Turner's often has a rifle/scope combo for $500-$600-ish in a number of calibers.
Unless he'll be hunting in farm fields or huge meadows or similar wide-open spaces, he'll be much better served with a relatively low magnification scope such as the Leupold 1-4 or 1.5-5x. A wide field of view is way more important for hunting coyotes than high magnification. A four power scope is plenty of magnification for any ranges at which he ought to be shooting at deer size animals with a .243.
mwtdvm
Member
Remington 7600 in 270
I picked up one very cheaply several years ago and it is surprisingly accurate. For some reason they do not hold their resale value as well as a bolt gun. With 90 or 100/110 gr bullets they are humming along and mine shoots a 1" group at 100. I have read that some people have cycling problems with the 7400/7600 but when mine is worked with "authority", it cycles fine.
I picked up one very cheaply several years ago and it is surprisingly accurate. For some reason they do not hold their resale value as well as a bolt gun. With 90 or 100/110 gr bullets they are humming along and mine shoots a 1" group at 100. I have read that some people have cycling problems with the 7400/7600 but when mine is worked with "authority", it cycles fine.
GatorFarmer
Member
A 22 magnum should suffice for coyotes and most nuisance animals. Ammo is cheap. Rifles aren't that expensive either. Marlin sells a stainless bolt action model that comes with a scope already on it and bore sighted. These are what 250 ish, maybe 300, haven't priced one in a while.
For deer any centerfire rifle will suffice. Military surplus bolt actions will work well and are cheap. Carcanos, Mosin Nagant, a sporterized Enfield, a Mauser, even a Yugo SKS... any of these will do. You don't really need optics if the range is close, but a Centerpoint Scope from Walmart will do fine. The best of them runs 70 bucks or so. Keep the receipt in case you get a bad one. You'll need a mount or to have a gunsmith rig one, but still not that hard for most mil surplus rifles.
The pair as a complete package will cost less than what an expensive optic, let alone a rifle, will cost. Maybe 500 dollars total invested, give or take.
For deer any centerfire rifle will suffice. Military surplus bolt actions will work well and are cheap. Carcanos, Mosin Nagant, a sporterized Enfield, a Mauser, even a Yugo SKS... any of these will do. You don't really need optics if the range is close, but a Centerpoint Scope from Walmart will do fine. The best of them runs 70 bucks or so. Keep the receipt in case you get a bad one. You'll need a mount or to have a gunsmith rig one, but still not that hard for most mil surplus rifles.
The pair as a complete package will cost less than what an expensive optic, let alone a rifle, will cost. Maybe 500 dollars total invested, give or take.
Mickey D
Member
I latched on to this CZ 527 Varmint with Kevlar stock chambered in .204 Ruger.
Straight across trade for a S&W M19 non pinned barrel.
Bushnell Elite 4-12 and home made stix. Not a deer rifle but great for coyotes and ground squirrels.
Straight across trade for a S&W M19 non pinned barrel.
Bushnell Elite 4-12 and home made stix. Not a deer rifle but great for coyotes and ground squirrels.
The .223 and smaller calibers are marginal on coyotes --- sure, it's possible to kill them with a .223, and I've killed plenty with .223s, but competitive predator callers prefer more potent calibers. The .223 is not adequate for ethical and humane use on deer.
In Virginia, a deer rifle must be .23 caliber or larger.
Depending on where he is in the mountains, shots can be 25 yards to 250 yards or more.
I'm right in the heart of the Blue Ridge and own 20 acres. It is about 300 yards from my back door to the edge of my property, which is where the treeline starts. The deer come out of my neighbor's woods and feed in my pasture.
This is a good time of the year to haunt gunshops and pawn shops for a .243, which I feel is a good comprimise rifle for your friend's needs.
Depending on where he is in the mountains, shots can be 25 yards to 250 yards or more.
I'm right in the heart of the Blue Ridge and own 20 acres. It is about 300 yards from my back door to the edge of my property, which is where the treeline starts. The deer come out of my neighbor's woods and feed in my pasture.
This is a good time of the year to haunt gunshops and pawn shops for a .243, which I feel is a good comprimise rifle for your friend's needs.
