I'd go with an AR with collapsible stock in 6.5 Grendel if I could afford it.

I voted .22-250 initially, but saw your circumstances were different than I had figured...

Used .22-250's may need a new barrel.....beware before buying!!

 

I think I would go for the .223, gives the option of using cheaper ammo
for "fun" shooting.
I have a 22-250 with a Douglas barrel and some trigger work,
love the gun but it gets expensive.
If you are going to use it only for "work" then ammo price isn't an issue.

 

223 is my choice for small but potent at moderate distance. Around here the Yotes come up close and want some petting before they steal another cat. 9mm does fine on them up close.

 

Still haven't made up my mind yet.

Thinking maybe there might be some good boxing day sales happening.

Handled a Savage model 16 in .204 Ruger the other day, Quite liked it.

 

Savage quality and accuracy has really come up in the last several years. Their barrels and triggers are some of the best over the counter you can get. The Accu trigger is pretty good, and nothing helps on long shots like a light crisp trigger. My Jewell trigger on my prairie dog outfit is set at about 8 ounces.

If you are a non-reloader kind of guy a .223 will get the job done and ammo is going to always be available. If you want a "hot-rod" cartridge that is still very popular then a 22-250 will smoke em at a little greater distance but on most shots you won't notice the difference. The
.204 is a cartridge that is coming on strong and will get er done, but just remember, as you go down in caliber and bullet weight, you gain short range velocity and explosiveness, but you give up long range and wind deflection. If you are not going to go out past 300 yards it would be fine but at the longer distance in the wind, those little bullets will be moving around out there quite a bit.

I shoot a 6BR but it is a custom outfit that I built and I load all my own ammo and make my own bullets. McMillan stock, Jewell trigger, Left Port-Right Bolt-Stolle aluminum action, Krieger Barrel, Leupold 4.5x14. It's a Prairie Dog Lawn Mower! 300 yard is a gimme with it! Good Shootin

 

Savage is made the next city over from me. They have done a large amount of upgrading to their manufacturing. great choice in my opinion.

 

I voted for the .223. Ammo is cheap and plentiful. any AR platform will reach out to 300+ yards. For lots of continuous shooting I would go with a piston driven platform. Keith

 

I've always liked the 300 Win Mag with a 110gr hollow point for little critters. Those 500 yard shots are fun.

 

LOL, haven't looked at prices in the past few days, have you.

.223 of about any type is getting darned close to a buck a round.......insanity prevails.................

 

I think the AR guns are restricted here in Canada?

Not totally sure but their are some extra rules surroundiung buying and owning "Black Guns"

Magazines I believe are pinned to 5 rounds?

But 25 round rimfire Mags are no problem, IE for my Ruger 10/22

So for those reasons I will be staying with a conventional hunting rifle style gun.

 

Anybody have a Ruger Mini 14 Ranch Rifle?

Thinking this could be a good option.

 

if you want take your round out that far your gonna have to pick up your bullet weight and powder count. 300yrds is at the end of the bullet arc for the calibres you listed. if your not worried about mess, id just use your deer gun, maybe in a lighter grain, say around 125 to 150, maybe down to 110.
In those bullet weights we are looking at a "medium" caliber, say .24 to .30. there are lots of common, easy to find, choices in this group that are cheap to shoot. 25-06, 243, 6mm, .257, .260, .270, .280, some 7mms and your fav 30cal. i think the popular choice up here is .243 or 6mms for wolf pelts.

 

.204 - seems as flat as the .22-250. smaller bullet, doesn't tear up the hide as bad
.22-250 - shoots flat, good choice. does some damage to the hide.
.223 - availability is its best attribute.

 

Yes I would just use my .270 as I am not really concerned about Pelt dammage, but I don't for 2 reasons.

1. It has a really nice walnut stock that is always getting dinged in the tractor cab and tha bothers me.

2. I would like something with a little less noise and muzzle blast as it is often operated in close quarters.

 

A buddy has a AR chambered in .204. Add a suppressor to that and you're golden.