Predator Call

If you ask ten predator callers what is their weapon of choice for hunting, chances are you will get ten different answers.  Since this is my blog, I am going to tell you what I shoot and why.  To properly understand why I choose the weapon that I shoot, I think that it is important to know what I am generally shooting at and the average distance that I am shooting.

While I call a few fox and bobcats, my love is daytime coyote hunting.  In my opinion, coyotes are one of the toughest critters to kill as they have a tremendous will to live.  My average shot at a “called up” coyote is 50 to 75 yards, no poke for a rifle but a little too far for a shotgun.  I know there a lot of young pups out there that pack both shotgun and rifle to every stand but I have enough gear without carrying another firearm.  I like to travel light and don’t like the additional pressure to have to choose between weapons as a coyote is bearing down on me.  I guess what I am saying is, keep it simple. 

Years ago the minimum caliber that I would shoot was the .22-.250 as I felt that I needed the extra energy for clean kills.  After the ballistic tip ammo became popular, I found that I was able to kill critters cleanly with some of the smaller calibers.  Today, my caliber of choice is the Remington .223 loaded with Winchester Ballistic Silvertip ammo in the 50 grainers.  I have found this to be an extremely reliable round for clean kills, tiny entrance and rarely an exit.  If there is no exit, this means that the bullet expended all of it’s energy in the critter.  I am very comfortable shooting the .223 Remington out to 250 yards, however a shot at this distance is rare for me in calling situations.

I am old fashioned and prefer a bolt gun, don’t need or understand the need for the firepower of a semi-auto, more importantly, neither do most of the ranchers that grant me the permission to hunt their country.  Experience has taught me that it is not the number of bullets that you put in the air that counts, it is where you put them.  There is no doubt that firearm manufacturers have made tremendous advances in the accuracy of the auto-loaders and if someone wants to carry them in the field, I certainly respect your right to do so.

Two years ago, I was able to convince Ron Coburn, Chairman, Savage Arms that predator calling had grown to point that someone should build a rifle specifically dedicated to this sport.  In my opinion, the Model 10 Predator Hunter is the closest thing to a perfect walking predator rifle on the market.  It weighs 7.25 pounds, naked and has a 22″ medium heavy barrel that balances effortlessly.  It is equipped with an over-sized bolt for quicker cycling and a straight line feed detachable box magazine for smoother feeding and safety.  Savage dipped the rifle in Mossy Oak Brush to make it invisible even to a predator’s eye.  Like most of the rifles in Savage’s great line of products, the Model 10 is equipped with the amazing Accutrigger that will adjust down to two pounds.  It’s accuracy is uncanny.  I have shot 10 different Model 10’s in .223 caliber, all shooting 3 shot groups less than .6 at 100 yards.

Well, there is my pick.  A flat shooting, low recoiling rifle that is light enough for an old man to carry all day and yet has the backbone to hold like a bench rest rifle when it is sitting on shooting sticks.  I may not have won you over to my thinking and that is okay, to each his own.  I will tell you that someone out there agrees with me for sales of the Model 10 far exceed projections.

Good luck and Happy Hunting!