Good hunting gun for the High Desert ?
kvndrby asked:
I live in the high desert of southern california and would like to buy my first rifle (I own a shotgun for the rattlers). I'd be shooting targets, coyote and rabbit mostly. It needs to have some range on it since there really isn't much cover out here, the wind blows pretty much all the time so that should be taken into consideration. I also plan on using it quite often so the ammunition needs to be cheap.
I was thinking a .22lr or something but i really don't know if they are the best for what I want to do. A buddy of mine also mentioned to me something about a .17 hi speed bullet? Any help would be great, thanks.
I live in the high desert of southern california and would like to buy my first rifle (I own a shotgun for the rattlers). I'd be shooting targets, coyote and rabbit mostly. It needs to have some range on it since there really isn't much cover out here, the wind blows pretty much all the time so that should be taken into consideration. I also plan on using it quite often so the ammunition needs to be cheap.
I was thinking a .22lr or something but i really don't know if they are the best for what I want to do. A buddy of mine also mentioned to me something about a .17 hi speed bullet? Any help would be great, thanks.
May 17th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Since you have already stated that you need range, I would go with a 22-250 in a bolt action. they are very quick moving bullets with a low coefficient of drag (Very aerodynamic so to speak) and the ammunition is fairly easy to find. you could also go with a .223 remington they have the same type of quick moving low drag bullets and are even easier to get ammunition for. since you live in Kalifornia Most AR vaiants are not available to you. you can find a good dealer on and work with them to find a suitable rifle to fit both your needs and budget.
May 20th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
For target shooting a 22 lr will do just fine you can become proficent without breaking the bank.
May 21st, 2009 at 1:06 am
I live in the Antelope Valley. The .22lr is tough to beat for small game (though a bit light for the coyotes) and great for practice as the ammo is so cheap. There is some good hunting up in Kern County and also in the Angeles Forest. The various .17’s are flat shooters but the light bullets get pushed around by the wind and velocity drops off quick at the longer yardages. Also they are alot more $$ than .22lr’s. If you’re planning on doing alot of coyote hunting think about something in .223rem. Still not alot of $$ for ammo and you can pop coyotes out to 200yrds or more if your skills and rifle are up to it.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:03 pm
if you live in the dessert you are going to want a bolt action rifle ( they are the best in all conditions) and i don’t think a .22 lr can handle a coyote so personally i would recommend the remington XCR it it a very nice rifle and is available in many calibres know for coyote i would probably say a .223 would be perfect but that rifle does not come in a .223 but a 270win would do nicely. my step dad has that rifle in a 300 win mag and it shoots wet cold sandy and all that crap. ill give you the link to the website for it.
May 24th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
at long range, against that sort of game, my suggestions would be along the line of 22 hornet, 220 swift,22-250. i dont think a 22lr would be sufficient. and regardless of what people think, there is no such thing as overkill, so even a .222,.243 6mm or 7mm would do fine. personaly much choice might lie with something like the .204 ruger, pushing a 32 grain projectile out at just over 4000 fps. although the light weight projectile might get played around a bit by the wind. so a heaver bullet might be needed. all i can say is ask the exact same question to your local gun shop guy or gunsmith.
May 28th, 2009 at 4:27 am
The wind at long range on the high desert will be a problem, plus no doubt you will grow into and exceed whatever gun you get right now. So consider the 243. It will buck the wind a howl and a half better than any 22 with really explosive varmint bullets, and with the 100 grain Nosler Partition bullets, deliver 1000 ft-lbs of energy at 400 yards for any kind of sniping you might have in mind. But just because some experts use that combo to take Elk with broadside lung shots, doesn’t make it a good idea. Limit kills to Mule deer, which a quarter of is more than a lot of folks can lift anyway. The 25-06 also qualifies, but Elk make the cut, using the big 120 grain bullets. Regards, Larry.