New gun

[jajwrigh]

I just purchased my first centerfire rifle, a 30-06 springfield. Will 125gr loads be decent for yotes and foxes? How far of a range will I have with these light loads?

[jrbhunter]

The 30-06 is going to turn a red fox into a bloody smear. Coyotes will have gaping wounds but some of those can be sewn up for the fur market. The best thing I found was full metal jackets but it wasn't much of an improvement.


I used a 30-06 for one season, in 1998, I had trouble getting the accuracy required to harvest predators in a fast pace environment like calling... it was a great shooter off the bench though. I did well with the 06' out to 350 yards but others can shoot farther I'm sure.

Good luck with the gun and your calling adventures.

[Decatur]

Doesn't someone make a 110gr bullet for the '06? I swear I used to load them, maybe not? Also, don't forget the Remington Accelerator loads shooting a 55gr bullet out of a sabot. They are really pretty accurate. Good luck.

[jajwrigh]

jrbhunter said:

The 30-06 is going to turn a red fox into a bloody smear. Coyotes will have gaping wounds but some of those can be sewn up for the fur market. The best thing I found was full metal jackets but it wasn't much of an improvement.


I used a 30-06 for one season, in 1998, I had trouble getting the accuracy required to harvest predators in a fast pace environment like calling... it was a great shooter off the bench though. I did well with the 06' out to 350 yards but others can shoot farther I'm sure.

Good luck with the gun and your calling adventures.

I read this early this morning and laughed so hard at the first two sentences!! Man that is good writing! ;D

[jrbhunter]

LOL! I shot a coyote with the 30-06 once and found ribs almost 10 yards behind his body!

[jajwrigh]

;D ;D

Oh dear God! I am almost crying!

[chicobrownbear]

What about a .300 win mag or one of the true red fox only calibers like .416 Rigby, .375 H&H, or the perennial favorite .600 nitro express?

;D

[hornzilla]

Wait a min. don't be putting down the 300 win mag, I know for a fact that one the the front end and there down.

[jajwrigh]

I don't follow your post...

[mbogo]

If you are planning on reloading for the '06 then you can load reduced charge loads to get the velocity down to a less destructive level. Just be sure to read your reloading manual about how to safely reduce the charges and be careful. I would also suggest using tough, heavy bullets instead of lighter ones. The heavier bullet will blow right through leaving two small holes whereas the lighter bullet will do far more damage.

[songdog]

jajwrigh,
I think what everybody is trying to say is that you have way too much fire power for a fox or coyote . You should probably go with a 223 or 22-250 if you want to take fox or coyote without destroying the pelt . If you just want to shoot them to get rid of them on your property or for varmit control then I suppose that a 06 would be o.k.

[DEERTRACKS]

Nothing like gutting them on impact. HA!!!!!!!!!!!

[drs]

I would have recommended a .243 Winchester. The .30-06 is "overkill" on foxes or coyotes.

[jajwrigh]

Dead is dead...how can an animal be "too dead?" Especially when we are talking about varmints...

[jkd]

jaj,

They're just saying you're gonna have major pelt damage, but if you're not selling the fur, doesn't matter....

I will say this... be darn sure of your downrange area when shooting the 06.... no shots on yotes running a ridge line or where you're unsure of a good backstop....

I've nailed a couple with my Win .270 pushing 140gr softpoints, and these guys are right... parts is parts.... my AR-15 .223 is much easier on the shoulders and doesn't get the neighbors wound up like the Winchester cannon does....

[switchback]

I started useing the 204 rueger. That's an awsome round if your selling the pellets. Not to mention the M.P.B.R. that round has. Gives ya the best in my opinion of the .223 and the 22-250 But hey I guess the .375 h&h magnum is a close second. if your buyer is swiss.

[jajwrigh]

What are you talking about?

[switchback]

lol sorry bad joke. Meaning it was going to tare up the hide. I like 30-06 but I like the smaller rounds for the coyotes. but like it was said before. 30-03 is fine if yor just getting rid of them. If you do plan to sale the hides though I would recommend a smaller round.

[Old Ironsights]

Meh. Too lightweight for me. I figure if I'm gonna shoot 'yotes it may as well be with a .416 or .50BMG. You can never be too careful you know.

'Yote bytes kan be pretty nasti... ;D

[papohead]

I use to shoot a 55 grain 30.06 bullet with an accelerator on it and it did in the yotes but not to much damage. But if you do not want too damage just start trapping them, with a drag chain and then when you get to them just put the loop of your rope over their neck and then step on them until they suffocate.