Another new guy

[sprucansailor]

Hello,

I was referred here from the San Diego County Varmint Callers.

I am due to return from deployment soon and would like to get into predator hunting and maybe an occasional pig. The problem is I have no experience with hunting and only 22s and 7.62.54Rs. I keep bouncing between getting a 22-250 and a .223 for hunting coyotes and pigs. I just can not make up my mind. I have read many posts on this forum and am suffering from "analysis paralysis". LOL I only want one rifle for hunting these particular creatures.

My shooting experience is limited to various Navy courses, Appleseed, and a bunch of personal range time. I will be attending the Hunter Safety Course and applying for a California Hunters License when I get home. I have read many good things about Dougs wilderness Adventures; I think I will take their course.

I hope to start hunting soon and maybe meet some of Y'all!

 

[NBK]

.223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 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.223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223 .223

 

[Snake Charmer]

A 22 caliber of any size is not sufficient for killing pigs. I would suggest that the minimum bore diameter for pig hunting would be a 25 caliber and even then that requires accurate bullet placement from the appropriate angle. I have shot a pile of pigs with a 25-06 but I have stepped up to 7 mag with great results. As far a varmint rifle the 223 is a great choice because there are so many choices for ammo out there.

 

[Lungpopper]

Let me see if I can make this anymore confusing for you. The 22 calibers are great for coyotes size animals and smaller. But since you mentioned pigs that would require a bullet with more weight and energy than the 22's are capable of.

The 25 caliber is a great choice but a little to much for coyotes.So it looks like something in the middle would work for what you are trying to accomplish. Something like a 24 caliber (243 or 6mm) would really work well.

You can shoot coyotes with the Factory 58gr Hornady's or the Federal 55gr Noslers. For pigs the Federal 85gr TSX or the Remington 90gr Scirrocos would be excellent choices. They would also work well for deer. All the major manufactures make a 100gr

The 243 is a great choice for the deer or pig hunter that would also like to shoot coyotes or squirrels.


Thank you for your service

 

[wheels]

Welcome,

A 223 is what I use for Predator. You will gain a ton to knowledge from this site. I recommend to continue posting and keep learning. Doug is a great Friend and you will learn a lot from him when you take his hunter safety. There are many different rifles that can be used for hunting different game. You must be able to take that animals down cleanly without wounding them because you used to small of a caliber rifle. A wounded animal may get away and suffer. Hunters need to be able to take animals down humanely. This means proper shot placement which will mean you need to go to the range and become proficient with your rifle. Just because you go out and get a hunter safety card doesn't make you safe to hunt. You need to know how to work your rifle well. You are in a great place that is loaded with great people that can help you with this amazing journey. We are all still learning to become better at what we enjoy doing. Have fun

 

[NBK]

I concur...Doug and Michele are great people. You will learn a lot from them. I know I did.

 

[0311raiders]

Hey man I've been hunting yotes and pigs since I was a boy. Me and my Pap Pap always used our .308's for pigs and coyotes. With Winchester Silver Tips 180 gr. Trust me dude you wont mess up the the pelt on the Yotes, and you got ample knock down power for pigs. If you think about people use .308 for Bear, Moose, Elk and etc. I'm sure ure prolly with "stay plt" or something so you should know the ballistics of it.

 

[sprucansailor]

Thank you for the warm welcome! I look forward to starting and maybe meeting some people!

What do you think about a 10 year old going through the hunter safety class? Too young to actually complete it?

 

[wheels]

That is a great time to enter the hunter safety course, my kids all went through the course at that age. There is no buddy better at teaching kids than Doug. He is outstanding and he specializes in teaching kids hunter safety. At 10 they are only a couple of years from being able to take advantage of the Apprentice hunt opportunities. My boys were both hunting birds at 10. So this is why you want them to go through the hunter safety now. Teach them early how to handle a gun.

 

[NBK]

Send him through...10 years old is perfect!

 

[TopBuck]

If I had to choose a 22 Cal. For coyotes its a 22-250 hands down(compare ballistics).

As for a hog Huntin rifle, I have been to places like camp 5 in paso Robles and they won't let you hunt with anything less the a 270.

 

[BuckHunter]

What ship are you on?

 

[SoCalHunter]

Welcome!

 

[Snake Charmer]

Welcome aboard !

 

[sprucansailor]

I am on the Bunker Hill.

 

[scohen]

Welcome aboard .... 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250, 22-250 HAHAHAHAHA

 

[sprucansailor]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate the welcomes!

Thank you Papi, not making my decision any easier! ROFL

I can get one, if I do not like it sell and buy another. Hehehe.

For some reason, the 22-250 just sounds cool.