"Varmint" vs "Regular" Rifle in Same Caliber

[DTrain]

When is an actual "Varmint" rifle warranted vs a regular or sporter rifle in the same caliber, same .223 Rem? It seems the "varmint" rifles are often times much heavier due to the heavy longer barrel.

Seems as though a sporter style rifle in .223 will put down a chuck just as fast as a varmint rifle in .223.

Is it frequency of shots? Does the longer heavy barrel make them that much more accurate?

[crittergetter]

The longer heavier barrel is only as accurate as the shooter. In my general knowledge, the heavier barrel does two things. One, it allows more shots to be fired without heating up the barrel, and changing your point of impact. (more metal, = more heat displacement) Two, the heavier barrel will not have as much swing ( depending on the operator, and your rest) and usually stays where you have it pointed, but when using shooting sticks, it's usually the stock that sways back and forth with the user.

If your coyote or fox hunting where, you may only get 5-10 shots per day, than you shouldn't have a problem with a sporter weight rifle, and a lot lighter to carry. Now if you're prairie dog hunting, not moving around, and putting 500 rounds through it in 2 hours....well you get the point.

[QuakrTrakr]

Critters' exactly right.

[Skinner 2]

The longer heavier barrel is only as accurate as the shooter. In my general knowledge, the heavier barrel does two things. One, it allows more shots to be fired without heating up the barrel, and changing your point of impact. (more metal, = more heat displacement) Two, the heavier barrel will not have as much swing ( depending on the operator, and your rest) and usually stays where you have it pointed, but when using shooting sticks, it's usually the stock that sways back and forth with the user.

If your coyote or fox hunting where, you may only get 5-10 shots per day, than you shouldn't have a problem with a sporter weight rifle, and a lot lighter to carry. Now if you're prairie dog hunting, not moving around, and putting 500 rounds through it in 2 hours....well you get the point.

Critter well said except...WHERE are you hunting coyotes in Michigan and consistantly getting 5 to 10 shots per day???? At coyote or fox anyway.

Skinner 2

[QuakrTrakr]

Critter well said except...WHERE are you hunting coyotes in Michigan and consistantly getting 5 to 10 shots per day???? At coyote or fox anyway.

Skinner 2

You can easily get that many shots where I deer hunt. I have to move around a bit to find the packs, but there are alot of dogs out there.

[Skinner 2]

You can easily get that many shots where I deer hunt. I have to move around a bit to find the packs, but there are alot of dogs out there.

Again Where ar ethis many coyotes hanging out?

We have been calling coyotes in the SE part of the state. The only time we can get that many shots is at a runner in a large cut field. That only may happen a time or two a season. Even on the pairs we don't shoot that much LOL.

Skinner

[QuakrTrakr]

Again Where ar ethis many coyotes hanging out?

We have been calling coyotes in the SE part of the state. The only time we can get that many shots is at a runner in a large cut field. That only may happen a time or two a season. Even on the pairs we don't shoot that much LOL.

Skinner

Maybe you need to be downtown to see coyotes:lol: I hunt a few different spots and they have healthy dog populations. Most anywhere in the middle of the state, sunrise side, EUP is where I see em.

[crittergetter]

North West corner of the LP............Come on up here, I'll gladly take you out to several different spots. Each area I have to hunt the farmers are telling me they hear them every night. I just lost 700 acres though due to bow hunting leases. Shot 7 times at a pair that we called in off the ice. (amazing how fast they get out of range) Have had several days where none were called in though. This would have to be planned out well in advance do to my wife's work and or family gatherings. First 2 weekends in Oct are already taken for family trip and work seminar. I just got the new grey fox distress card for my preymaster, and am itching to try it out. So after Oct 15th, watch out Grey's!!

It would basically be you getting a hotel, and covering all your own expenses, and just me taking you to the spots and calling for you.

[Skinner 2]

Critter. My inlaws have a place in Levering. I may have to take you up on it.....After Christmas if your still willing and if you let me call some too!. Till then I'm chasing deer with my 80 year old father. I may get some fall stands done in the mean time down here.

Most of our calling spots we cannot hunt from October to January becasue of hunting leases. Some sheep ranches however we are allowd to hunt if as needed even if the deer huinters don't like it. We try to avoid that at all costs.

Quakr you may have something there. I see many cityotes as we call them. I was checked one night by the city cops when calling a city factory's field from my truck. LOL Cops said that was first for them.

Let see my high number shots.... called in three two dead four shots.
Called in two one dead four shots.
Called in two two dead three shots.
Jumps one coyote shot for time none dead.

May be a couple more I just don't remember. lol

We average about one coyote seen per 8 or 9 stands called. Had one year that dropped to about one in 5.

Skinner

[crittergetter]

Skinner, I have no problem with calling at anytime....In fact I got fired up after yesterdays post and went and checked one of the fields I hunt....The farmer planted beans this year!! Yippi...I'll be out there as soon as I can.

One of the other places I have to hunt is + - 700 acres west of the Pellston Airport, but have to reconfirm with land owner....So we could meet somewhere up there and head out.

Oh, and 7 was just the number of times I shot....My buddy fired 16 times at the same pair. Really hard to tell how much to lead a running yote when there is nothing but ice around them. You don't have any trees or bushes to gauge how far they are truly away from you.

I do know that the fur buyer I sold my fox to last year won't take yotes after Christmas. But I'll make the drive to F&T if I have to.