When fur prices are up there’s no reason to put bigger holes in a valuable pelt or spend a lot of time sewing them up. Karen Lutto of Leica Sport Optics used a Remington Model 700 LV SF in .221 Remington Fireball to hammer these bobcats on a recent hunt.
The bobcat had approached the calling site with caution. Slowly the feline advanced to within thirty yards of my companion. Then during the sudden eruption of his .22-250 Remington the cat flipped end over end into the air. Tufts of fur fluttered in the breeze as the cat lay motionless. There was no question in my mind the bobcat had instantly met its ancestors in the hereafter.
Instantly, my partner was on his feet. This was the first bobcat he had ever taken, and he was excited—until he saw the gruesome exit wound. My companion had not taken into consideration of what his combination of gunpowder and lead would do to flesh. It would take a lot of skill and sewing thread to produce a mount of the cat. Like many hunters today, he had overpowered his game
Predator or Varmint
Unlike the varmint hunter, predator hunters prefer not to dismember their targets. The pelts of predators (coyotes, bobcats, foxes and others) can be of value. Therefore selecting the proper cartridge and ammunition is important in reducing pelt damage.
The .22-caliber centerfire family of cartridges is the most popular for predator and varmint hunting. Among the most popular of these are the .220 Swift, .22-250 Remington and the .223 Remington. Years ago, the .222 Remington and .221 Fireball were leaders in this field, but many of today’s hunters opt for the highest velocity they can find when purchasing a varmint rifle. The basic difference between these cartridges is case capacity, which determines the powder charge; hence the velocity the cartridge produces.
 Predators are almost always furbearers as well, and even if you don't sell your hides, you may want to have one mounted someday. Cartridges like (from left) the .22 Hornet and .221 Remington Fireball have plenty of power for these animals within the rages they will likely respond to a call, yet do little or no damage to the pelt More powerful cartridges like the .204 Ruger, .22-250 and .220 Swift are great for varmints or if the country you are hunting is wide open and shots are usually taken at 200 yards or more. |
In the past most .22-caliber centerfire rifles were designed for benchrest shooting, and this style of rifle is still dominant among varmint hunters—those who primarily shoot animals such as prairie dogs, ’chucks, crows and other vermin. These people generally practice their craft from stationary positions. In most instances they only carry their rifles a short distance from their vehicle to a bench.
However, the predator hunter may pack his rifle all day or night. Obviously, the weight of the gun matters a great deal to the predator hunter. The same can apply to the mobility of the rifle. Unlike the varmint hunter a predator hunter may have to act quickly to zero on a moving target. The weight and balance of the rifle can influence the outcome of a shot. Rifles that are light weight and well balanced are those generally preferred by the predator hunter.
Only in recent years have commercial gun builders recognized the predator hunter’s needs. The reason for this is simple. More and more sportsmen are discovering the challenge of predator hunting. It is one of fastest growing aspects in shooting sports today. Not only is predator hunting fun, but its one of the few sports were you can make money while doing it.
Slimming Down
Today there are rifles specifically designed for the predator hunter. These rifles are lighter and more compact than their varmint rifle cousins. Some of these rifles feature barrel lengths of 20 inches or less and weight less than 6 1/2 pounds. They are the instruments the predator hunter has sought for decades.
The most common actions found in modern predator rifles are the bolt-action, semi-automatic and single shot. Choice of an action type is more of a personal preference than anything. In most predator hunting situations the hunter will get just one shot. I like a single shot, as they generally are lighter, more compact and quick pointing. However, when I feel there is a possibility of multiple targets—such as coyotes—the bolt action is my pick. Coyotes are notorious for hunting in packs. Hunters can easily find themselves encountering two or more targets when calling coyotes.
Contrary to some beliefs, a predator rifle does not have to be fitted with a varmint-type scope. Most varmint scopes are variables, usually with a higher magnification range, and are larger and heavier. Great magnification is not really needed by the predator hunter. In most predator hunting situations the animal will be responding to the sounds of a caller. The average shot should be within 100 yards or less. Therefore a 3x9 or even a fixed-power scope should handle the job.
Predators are generally more active during low- or no-light conditions. So in a predator-hunting scope I look for clarity, durability and light-gathering capabilities. Some hunters even prefer an illuminated reticle.
Better Fodder
Today’s hunters have faster and more accurate ammunition than ever before. This is a result of better propellants and more effective bullet designs. However, I feel the predator hunter’s needs have been somewhat been forgotten. Most of the new varmint bullets are designed for explosive results. Combine these bullets with higher velocities, and small animals hit with one will come apart—often rather spectacularly. So what can the predator hunter do to reduce pelt damage? To answer this we need to evaluate the shooting conditions.
First and foremost, the size of the primary animal you will be harvesting. The smaller the game, the less energy is needed to effectively and humanely kill them. Hitting a small, light skinned fox weighing 6 to 15 pounds at fifty yards with more than 1,300 foot-pounds of energy from a fragile bullet is going to be messy. This is what a .22-250 loaded with a Remington 50-grain V-Max produces. However, a coyote weighing 30 or more pounds can take this kind of load without flying to pieces.
 Testing a particular load’s terminal performance will allow the predator hunter to evaluate whether that load is the best one to use. The author shot a Bullet Test Tube with Remington’s 50-grain Premier AccuTip in a .221 Fireball, and as the Tube clearly demonstrates, this is one bullet that probably will not exit the animal with a solid hit. |
Smaller is Better
In a perfect world a hunter would never miss a shot or have big, ugly exit wounds. There would only be one self-sealing entrance wound and the animal would drop in its tracks. Unfortunately, the world is not perfect, nor is hunting. However, in predator hunting things are better than they use to be. This is especially so of our guns and ammunition. Much of this is due to the increase in obtainable accuracy found in the marketplace.
An increase in overall performance of today’s ammunition has found me changing with the times. Today my .22-250 Remington is semi-retired. Only during windy conditions does the old powerhouse see action. Technology has increased the performance of smaller cartridges.
Today the.223 Remington and .221 Fireball are my workhorses. In fact, I rely on the .221 Fireball even more for pelt hunting. My load of preference is a factory loaded Remington 50-grain AccuTip. It performs beautifully on almost any predator inside 125 yards. In most instances the bullet never exits and stops the critter cold. The key is putting the bullet into the animal’s vitals. Hunters who wait for the correct shooting position, i.e. frontal and broadside, will skin more predators than those who don’t.
The .223 Remington only replaces the .221 Fireball when coyotes are the primary game or hunting in open terrain. The .223’s extra punch pays off when predators become call-shy and stubborn in response to the caller.
 Predator hunters are finding that a light, maneuverable rifle like this Remington Model 700 LV SF with a relatively low power scope often puts more fur on the stretcher than a traditional heavy barreled varminter pushing its bullets to near 4,000 feet per second. Since most predators are shot at less than 125 yards, all that extra power does is tear up the pelt. |
SUMMING
THINGS UP…
Today there are numerous cartridges available for the predator hunter. Many hunters are discovering the .204 Ruger and Remington’s new .17 Fireball to be the ticket. Some of us old timers still enjoy shooting the .222 Remington and the .22 Hornet, among other classic .22-caliber cartridges. The key is to enjoy what you are shooting, and shoot it well. Practice regularly with what you are shooting and learn its strengths and its limitations. Know what to expect from a specific cartridge and bullet. This can be determined by shooting into testing media such as the new Bullet Test Tube. In short, technology has aided us greatly, so use it.
Today’s predator hunters have the finest firearms and ammunition ever known. The manner in which we use them will influence the future of our sport for many years to come. Modern predator hunters are an elite society of sportsmen. These people are proving the age-old expression that “Man is the ultimate predator.”