I decided at the end of the 1st day at LBL 2016 I was tired of racking the bolt to unload my 204 & scratching up my nice Maple stock & decided it was time to make a change. I had been tossing the idea of a dedicated coyote rifle around for a couple years now because of that. So I finally made the plunge into the World of the gun safe fillers!!
I was at a nice gun shop up the road from me looking for a Ruger American in 223. They had one in 308 & I did like the feel of that one & was purdy sure I would be getting one of those. That was when I seen they had the Savage Axis on sale for $199.99. Plus another $50 off with a mail-in rebate. Kinda hard to go wrong for the purpose I had in mind. So I brought one home.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/BrightwoodTurnings/hunting%20photos/IMG_20160210_111041_753_zps2cq8p1vi.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/BrightwoodTurnings/media/hunting%20photos/IMG_20160210_111041_753_zps2cq8p1vi.jpg.html)
Keeping in mind this rifle is as basic as they get. No sights at all, 4 scope mount holes in the receiver, a purdy decent synthetic stock, & a 6lb trigger. I will be ordering the RifleBasix trigger for this setup as well.
On the plus side the bolt works very smooth. I did not expect that from a $150 rifle. It rolls down & locks smoothly & tight. Fully scoped & loaded,, 4+1,, it comes in at 8.6lbs. I can do that easily enough. My 204 is 1lb heavier. I ran all 5rds out with the bolt & can't believe how smooth this rifle really is!!
I found a tight spot about 3" from the muzzle. After plenty of solvent patches & some brushing I've come to the conclusion it was more gunk than anything else. This bore is not as smooth as Diane's CZ American in 221FB but it's darn close!! If the copper fouling is minimal then it's a win-win on this rifle.
I went with a Bushnell Banner 3-9x40 on this one. I found them on sale at the same store & decided that since the one on my ML has held up incredibly well over these past 10yrs that I needed to try another one. I went with 2 piece Weaver bases & Leupold rings. Just need the weather to turn for some range time now.
(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee217/BrightwoodTurnings/hunting%20photos/IMG_20160211_093348_013_zps1i2qi4rh.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/BrightwoodTurnings/media/hunting%20photos/IMG_20160211_093348_013_zps1i2qi4rh.jpg.html)
I'm into this rig for right close to $354 with the RB trigger.
Glen, that looks like a really good deal!! Hope you put down lots of coyotes with it!!
Jim
Good choice Glenn I own one in 22-250 very accurate it killed a lot of coyotes before I went ar15.
I fixed my trigger by cutting off a couple coils on the spring you will not regret buying it.
Sent from my BLU STUDIO 5.0 C HD using Tapatalk
Very nice! I have a Rifle Basics trigger on my dedicated calling carbine and just reading about yours evokes muscle memory of the sweet pull. My bet is that your new rifle will shoot tight groups.
Nice buy Glen, hope it serves you well. I have that trigger on two of my rifles.
I picked up one of those for dad a few years ago for Christmas for the same purpose. Shoots handloads decent. nice find hope it serves you well.
Good deal on that one Glen!! I've got one in .22-250 and it's a tack driver.
Good onya mate! I know how you feel about that maple stock getting scratched up, I hate to take my
CZ527 Carbine out because the wood is so pretty. I got a Stevens 200 in .22
3 for low money and it is an excellent rifle.
What are you shooting for a carbine Mr. O. .
Quote from: Okanagan on February 11, 2016, 10:22:05 AM
Very nice! I have a Rifle Basics trigger on my dedicated calling carbine and just reading about yours evokes muscle memory of the sweet pull. My bet is that your new rifle will shoot tight groups.
I like it. Boy that WAS a good price :eyebrownod:
I hope it lets you move ahead of Diane a little too. Shes been out doing ya :wink:
Thanks guys!! I'm sure it'll shoot something!! Being a coyote rig I only need MOA at 150yds for all the places I call them. If I can get 1" @ 150 I will be happy for sure.
This will be the 3rd RB trigger we've got here & I do like the simplicity of them. Even I can install & tweak them. RB is another great product for the money IMO.
I'll know more when it warms up about 40* around here in a couple weeks!!
I'll even nail a groundhog or 2 with it Jim!! Just enough to get the lead then watch it "slip" away AGAIN!! :innocentwhistle: :innocentwhistle:
Quote from: nastygunz on February 12, 2016, 04:45:08 AM
What are you shooting for a carbine Mr. O. .
Quote from: Okanagan on February 11, 2016, 10:22:05 AM
Very nice! I have a Rifle Basics trigger on my dedicated calling carbine and just reading about yours evokes muscle memory of the sweet pull. My bet is that your new rifle will shoot tight groups.
Remington Mohawk-600 in .243 with a bargain 2-7 Bushnell Firefly scope with RainGuard water/fog repellant lenses. Love it. It fits perfectly in the short little soft side case made for a Ruger 10-22.
Glen, that does look like a nice rifle at a great price. But I have to ask. . . do you think that the .223 will have the knockdown power that you need? After all you were looking at a .308 at the start. :wink:
Jerry
Actually I was fondling the RA in .308 because they didn't have one in .223 Jerry. I just wanted to get a feel for that stock again. I hadn't handled one in almost 2 years & thought I should at least get a feel from it again. :eyebrow: :eyebrow:
Over on "another predator forum",, back when the .204Ruger came out,, a lot of those "that never shot a coyote let alone a .204R" experts said that caliber wasn't enough for coyotes as well. I'm guessing they're holding to their ignorance yet to this day. :eyebrownod: :eyebrownod:
I do have a lot of confidence in the .223. I know it will knock the snot out of them. Gonna wreck a couple groundhogs this Spring with it tho just to make certain. :eyebrow: :eyebrow:
Gotta like those carbine rifles Ok & nasty!! I think they have a real cool factor to them!! I'll have to look up that Mohawk!!
If this is the same rifle Ok I see why you like it!! That's a nice looking rig with a decent scope for a darn good price!! You need another one?? :eyebrow: :eyebrow:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=540239670#PIC
Glen,
I know that the .223 will be more than enough for anything in Ohio - even that occasional black bear that comes across the border from PA. :holdon: I was just giving you a hard time about the .308. I have a .308 that I bought a few years ago and have shot it about 10 times getting it sighted in. Since then it has enjoyed the inside of the safe. Maybe this spring when the young (terrifyingly vicious) baby groundhogs are out I will take it out for protection.
Jerry
good looking rifle...
how does that 204 work for you?... watching "the Furtakers" sponsored by FoxPro they had a bunch up in VT, and the ole fat dude, I think his name was Al, whacked a couple dogs right off the bat that ran off never to be found... after that he had the other guys back him up and every one he shot after that needed to be hit again with a bigger rifle, Steve Dillon, one of the owners had a 22-250 , not sure about the other, but that 204 didn't impress me at all...
It's all good Jerry!! :biggrin: :biggrin:
Thanks Dale! I wouldn't be without the .204!!
I never watched that show so I can't comment on the shots taken. I do know I used to see a lot of pics over on predator masters,, FP's personal forum,, of gut shot coyotes. Never understood the theory of just throwing lead to kill a coyote then bitching a certain caliber was too small. Of the 4 I shot with the .204 only one made it to the 50yd mark. It was my fault. She was trotting at an angle & I couldn't get her to stop. So at about 60yds she was starting to get to my downwind & I had the crosshairs on her shoulder & not far enough in front of her. Hit about 4 ribs back & blew her open on the exit with a 40gr Berger at the back of her ribs. Bad shot on my part. The other coyotes died quickly enough. Including this years at 30yds.
Shot placement is key with any caliber or gauge as well as a lot of shooting time.
Les Johnson,, I'm purdy sure that's his name,, shoots coyotes all the time with a .204R. He shoots hogs with it as well.
Quote from: HaMeR on February 13, 2016, 07:56:13 AM
If this is the same rifle Ok I see why you like it!! That's a nice looking rig with a decent scope for a darn good price!! You need another one?? :eyebrow: :eyebrow:
http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=540239670#PIC
Good link! That's the same rifle, though the.243 in the link has been tricked out a bit from original. At $440 that is a good buy from what I've heard. They made it in several short .308 length type calibers, with the 350 Rem. magnum now a collector's item in Model 600. I don't think any of the originals came with synthetic stock like the one on gunbroker, and I don't know what to make of the shiny bolt (stainless?). Mine is blue in scratched up wood, 37" overall length including a needless recoil pad.
The Models 600 and 660 were a small package many years prior to the Model 7. They were known for having a strong very stiff action and some bench rest shooters built target rifles around the 600 action. The early 600's had a ventilated rib on top of the barrel. The bolt release is an odd one, requiring a smallish screwdriver (or flattened chopstick in my rifle case) to poke a bolt release inside the action--FWIW if you ever buy one and can't figure out how to get the bolt out. :biggrin:
Somebody here should buy that one in the link! My grandsons have killed four deer with mine and one of them will likely wind up with it.
Ditto to shot placement. Well said! I've seen coyotes run off after hits from a 300 Win mag in the hands of an excellent shot (using full metal jacket bullet); 6mm; 30-06; 22-250 etc. Ironically, I have never lost a coyote out of several that I have shot with a .22 long rifle, though that is too small for intentional coyote hunting. I got flamed for saying this one time so will add that I am not advocating the .22 rimfire as a coyote round, merely stating historical fact. We were teenagers and it was the only firearm I owned, plus sometimes it was the handiest rifle when a critter was raiding chickens.
Thank You for the history lesson Ok!! :biggrin: :biggrin:
There was a guy on another Forum that killed coyotes with the 17M2 when it 1st came out. Like/unlike yours,, these were targets of opportunity as well. He kept his shots under 30yds & always waited to put the tiny little pill in the ear if I remember correctly.
WWWest said he ripped one apart out west with his 338Lapua & never found it!! :shock2: I'm quite sure Doug can shoot better than reasonably well. So I don't think it needs to be said just how tough coyotes are & what their will to survive truly is like. I just know that if get the 223 up & running quick enough I'll only have an opportunity for a run off with the 204 while groundhoggin with it. Otherwise the ol OT4 has shot it's last coyote!! :biggrin: :biggrin:
My cousin has a 600 Mohawk in .308 win. My lil brother killed a few deer with it till he got his own. Nice little gun. that one is a accurate shooter. The local gunshop has a few in 350 rem as well but I never figured it to be worth the money to buy one.
Quote from: HaMeR on February 14, 2016, 03:33:18 PM
Thank You for the history lesson Ok!! :biggrin: :biggrin:
Thanks for being nice about it. Embarrassed here for my verbal over abundance. We need a blushing emoticon but this will have to do for me :doh2:
Re coyote toughness: I believe that pound for pound, coyotes are one of the toughest and most tenacious of life of any critter in North America; including grizzly bears and mountain goats, two of the grittiest, never-stop animals out there. There are always individual exceptions but in general if you don't put a coyote down or shut down vitals quickly, it will get back up and go and go and go. An example of that I could tell is too gruesome to post.
I did enjoy the lesson Ok!! I didn't know about the 600 til you posted about yours. I found it informative.
Brad,, yothuntr here,, blew some internal organs to the outside of a coyote when we were hunting together at the LBL. Did a real number on it with the 22-250. It made the trek around the other side of the finger it was on before expiring. Prolly a good 40yds. Nice blood trail for ease of tracking. I shot one with the 50cal ML during seer season a couple years ago. A LOT of blood out both sides & he still made the den a long ways off!!
Groundhogs can be damn tough to kill as well!! I've seen 20yd heavy blood trails into the hole before.
That's a crazy good deal on that rifle Glen! I'm guessing with the trigger you're planning on getting for it it'll be rough on the coyotes. I've not had great luck with the lighter bullets (40gr) seems to be a big difference just stepping up to 50.. that's just with my limited experience. All that to say I think the 223 will be a better rifle on the coyotes than the 204 is.
Yeah that was a blood trail that could be followed from the 50 yrds away shot! :laf:
Thanks Brad!! I wanted to load 60's in it but decided to stick with the 55's. I'm sure I would have much better luck finding off the shelf 55's easier then anything else. I have some Hornady 55gr SP SX I picked up the other day & am thinking about a Berger HP. So many decisions yet so little time!!
You sure were missed at the LBL Brad!! Hope to see you next time!! :yoyo: :yoyo:
Hornady 45gr SP @ 30yds on a chest shot. :biggrin: :biggrin:
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LOL that had to be tough to follow! :huh: Yeah I hated missing it, will make sure to plan better next year. The Berger's sure shoot good in anything I've put them in in that weight they should be awesome!
Yeah it was Brad!! He rolled down the hill about 20'!! I was very happy with that blood letting!! :biggrin: :biggrin:
The 40gr Berger in my 204 shoots great too. It's knocked a couple coyotes out hard too. Especially that big male at Redbird.
Already looking forward to next year!! :yoyo: :yoyo:
I have had good luck with sierra gamekings in 55gr PSP. They have knocked down every critter I have shot a DRT and they do not seem to blow up fox very bad. Usually small hole in 1" exit. Plus they shoot well out of my tikka
5 shot group at 100yds
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Thanks for the tip Ben!! I have a handful of those coming from my Brother. Gonna give those & some Hornady 55gr SP SX's a try once the weather breaks & I get the 222 finished up!! :biggrin: :biggrin:
That load is lake city brass over a rem bench primer and a max load I believe of h4895 25.5gr rings a bell but I don't know for sure. I do not know how far off the lands the bullet is. I don't think I even played with that. I do know the rem bench primers shrunk the groups a .125 alone.
More good info Ben!! I'll start the OAL from the book & go from there. I'm ASSuming this Savage has a big jump to the lands.
I have the Rem 600 in .308 but no rib, plain barrel. The one on GunBroker is sold, don't like the "plastic stocks" metal and wood for me.
RB trigger shipped outta Minnesota this morning!! I bet it can't wait to get to warmer weather!! :biggrin: :biggrin:
55gr Winchester b-tips at 40yds. 10-15mph winds with 20+ gusts yesterday. 3 shot groups. The scattergun pattern is NOT me OR the .223!! :nono: :nono: :innocentwhistle:
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2nd cloverleaf at 40yds. The wider group was Federal 55gr SP's. With the new trigger I'll try those again.
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Went back & picked up 3 more boxes of the 55gr B-tips this morning. Got the same lot # too.
good shooting
Thanks Ben!!
Got it all wrung out & ready to roll yesterday. I may have to keep this one close to me. I'll have to show Diane the target with the 55gr SP's & tell her that's all the better it shoots!! :alscalls: :alscalls:
55gr Winchester Varmint factory rds @ 100yds. Nearly zero wind & plenty of time between 3 shot strings to simulate a coyote scenario of cold barrel shooting. Should make for some "creative" ideas when I miss!! :alscalls: :alscalls:
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After setting the scope +1/2" @ 100yds I decided to shoot one last 5 shot group with very little cool down time after the final zero grouping. I took careful aim with each shot yet got them down range as quickly as possible. The little barrel heats up quickly & as expected it walks a bit. Shouldn't be a problem on coyotes.
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Do you usually set your rifles 1/2" high at 100yds?
also I do not remember if the axis is like the model 10 and 110 savages but if they are floating the tang of that gun will help more then you realize. Depending on how you grip the gun you could be throwing your shots left to right and do not know it. I have a 116 in 25-06 that shot a group .5" wide but a couple inches tall. I relieved the tang and made sure there was plenty of room for the float on the barrel. the Axis dad has is really flimsy and was very close to the barrel and it doesn't take much to make it touch the barrel when shooting from a bench.
My .204 is +1". That puts me back at zero around 350yds. My HMR is +1/2" for 135yd shots which is my personal limit. Point & shoot with these 2 rifles.
I don't know the actual velocity on these rounds so I went +1/2" at 100yds for groundhogs. I'm gonna knock one or two off with this rifle just to get a feel for it away from the bench. That is if I don't shoot a coyote with it 1st. :laf: :laf: I tried not to lay on the stock too heavily on the bench for that reason. I won't have the bench under the rifle in the woods. I did my best to think this all thru from a coyote hunt perspective. I don't grip a rifle all that tight either. I've seen a heavy hand flex these stocks like you mentioned.
Gotcha. I would guess real world FPS on a round that heavy would be 3100-3200fps. I typically sight my guns in 1.5" high at 100 and I'm good to 250yds which is pushing my limit in the fields at night in pa. 300 on my handloads are 6" low if I remember correctly.
Yeah I may be a tad under that velocity with the short barrel. But either way I'm gonna take a crack at something out to 200+ with it!! :biggrin: :biggrin: