NJ Predator Rifle Recommendations

[Haskell_Hunter]

I have yotes in the back woods where I deer hunt, and because of the rolling hills in Northern NJ, it's a pretty good place to set up and shoot into the small valleys.  I was thinking about doing the winter season after winter bow.  Something to do during Feb and March.

 

I'd like to shoot a centerfire rifle, maybe a 22-250, but am interested in what other people are shooting and to get some good opinions on predator rifles and calibers that I can use in NJ.

[Bearcrazy]

I prefer my AR for shots less than 150 yards. It's accurate, and fast on the second shot. However, .223 is a little light for the wide open fields where 300-400 yard shots are possible. For those, I'd choose .243.

[spltlim]

If you hand load, then go with a 25-06, this way you can use it for yotes here in NJ and deer or pronghorn out of state, some guys even use this caliber on elk .  You can load down to 75 grain bullets and up to 120 grain bullets, with a bunch of choices in between. I shoot 75 grain Hornady HP's for yotes and 115 grain Nosler partitions for deer....Now granted if your worried about pelt damage on the yotes, you may want to go with something else cause those little 75 grain projectiles traveling at the speed of light explode on impact 

[CJ3a]

Any thing will work that meets NJ regulations. A .223 will be easy to find and cheap to feed.

[username]

Any preference to semi or bolt?

 

I like my Rem 700 or Howa 1500 in 223.  Both are tack drivers. 

 

I agree with BearCrazy above.  The 243 is a nice round, more popular in Europe where guns are difficult to acquire and have to do double duty.

 

My next rifle will probably be a Tikka T3.  Here's one for $800.  I like the option of a drop free magazine in a bolt rifle.  

 

Have a look at some of the Howa deals out there.  Here's a Howa rifle, rail, rings, and scope for $658.  The Hogue stock isn't much - not floated, but, the triggers are nice.  Niko Stirling's aren't going to have Schott glass either, but for that price, nice 22-250.

 

Here's a Howa in 223 with scope hard to beat for $520. You may even get one for $485 if no-one bids it up.  

 

Have to stop searching gunBroker or else I'll start buying...

Edited November 20, 2015 by username

[Heavyopp]

Any thing will work that meets NJ regulations. A .223 will be easy to find and cheap to feed.

 

And a lot quieter than a 22-250

 

Big question is -- Do you reload?

 

 

 

Wish I had a place to shoot yotes...

[Silver Belly62]

All depends on distance you will be shooting but I have been using my 204 Ruger

Edited November 20, 2015 by Silver Belly62

[SxSshooter]

i'm going to be using my M&P 15 in .223.  i worked up some nice hand loads shooting 60 grain hornady v-max bullets.  Also in the mix is my savage heavy barrel varmint rifle in .204 ruger.

[Haskell_Hunter]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I don't reload, so I'll be using factory.  I figure I'll be shooting from 60-130 yards, longest shot I would take would be 200 yards.  I plan on sitting on the top of a ridge looking down.

 

Last yote I took was at about 100 yards with my 11-87 and a slug.  That was one shot and lights out.

 

I bought a Remington 700 XCR II chambered in .30-06 last year and really love that gun.  I put a Leupold VX-3 on it, but I don't want to pay that much money for a varmint gun setup.

 

Not familiar with Howa, but it's priced to sell.  I was looking at the Rems and Savages, but every time the gun has "varmint" in the name, it starts at $800+.  I've bought a few guns from Gunbroker and had an excellent experience.

[redneck]

A 223 will be the easiest on the fur if you want to keep the yote. and can find loads with ease.  My 243 with vg 62g is ok  100 yards and beyond but 40 to 50 well there is a hole. I am going to try the Winchester Varmint x       My buddie has a 204  just plain hard on the pelt under a 100 yards.

[bob kudile]

 i use a 204 now, i was big on the 22-250 for 25 years. farmers are under pressure from neighbores about shooting woodchucks. i have been told i would love to let you go but.......  with the 204 you can see the bullet hit. if you are concerned with pelt damage use a 17m4 one entry hole bullet explodes dumpa all energy in side no exit hole.

[Haskell_Hunter]

Pelt damage isn't a concern, but I should probably consider it. If I get hooked on predator hunting and have too many pelts, it would be a shame to have ones that aren't in good condition.

[Silver Belly62]

As for pelt damage, it all depends on bullet selection as with any rifle. The 22-250 is usually considered "king" for most of the hard core predator hunters but without the correct bullet type for the situation you can damage any yote, fox, etc  Many more fur friendly bullets for predator hunting than what there was, especially if it's someone that's going to be reloading

Edited November 21, 2015 by Silver Belly62

[Stevo]

Perfect round for saving fur. .17/223  .17 Remington is almost the same round.

 

 

 

 

Does a nice job on the Chucks too

 

[Haskell_Hunter]

I'm now leaning toward the .223.  Thanks for the suggestions, I appreciate everyone's experience and wisdom.  I'll post the gear I pick up in this thread so someone else benefits from it too.