The Best Rifles for Predator Hunting: A Buyer’s Guide

Quick summary — best choices by hunting style

• Open country / long range (200–500+ yd): bolt-action in .22-250, .204 Ruger, 6.5 Creedmoor (heavy-barrel varmint/precision build). Ammo.com+1

• All-around predator rifle (0–300 yd): .223 Remington / 5.56 NATO in lightweight bolt or AR platform — cheap ammo, light recoil, plenty of options. MeatEater

• Close/wooded country (0–200 yd): .300 Blackout or .243 Winchester on a compact carbine — effective in brush and on short shots. MeatEater

• Budget / entry level: solid bolt guns (Tikka, Savage, Ruger American) in .223 or .22-250; good accuracy for the money. Gun Tests+1

Which platform and why

Bolt-action (heavy-barrel varmint or light hunting stocks)

• Pros: Generally the best inherent accuracy, wide choice of varmint barrels (heavy contour), simple and reliable. Great for long-range predator shots.

• When to pick it: You prioritize long-range accuracy, want to push a .22-250 or 6.5 Creedmoor, or want a dedicated varmint rig. Recent tests name Tikka and other bolt rifles as top varmint/predator choices. Gun Tests+1

Modern Sporting Rifle / AR-style (semi-auto)

• Pros: Fast follow-ups, modular (caliber, barrel length), lightweight predator-oriented ARs (featherweight hunters) perform well out to mid ranges. Excellent for calling setups where shots can be quick. Petersen's Hunting

• When to pick it: You want quick follow-ups, rifle customization, and commonly shoot inside 300 yards with .223/5.56 or 6.8 SPC.

Lever / pump / shotgun (niche but useful)

• Pros: Shotguns with slugs or buckshot are options for very close ambushes; lever carbines in larger calibers are handy brush guns.

• When to pick it: Very close, cover-heavy work, night predator control where short ranges dominate.

Best calibers for predators — strengths & tradeoffs

.223 Remington / 5.56 NATO — The do-it-all choice

• Why: Low recoil, cheap ammo for lots of practice, effective with modern varmint bullets to ~250–300 yd. Excellent for fast, ethical shots on coyotes and foxes at typical predator ranges. MeatEater

.22-250 Remington — flatter and harder-hitting

• Why: Faster, flatter trajectory and more downrange energy vs .223 — ideal if you need extended reach (300–500+ yd). Note: heavier barrel wear and pelts can be more damaged. Petersen's Hunting+1

.204 Ruger — very flat, light bullets

• Why: Excellent varmint cartridge with very high velocity and minimal meat/pelt damage w/ proper bullets; good for long-range precision. Ammo.com

6.5 Creedmoor — for long-range or mixed-game

• Why: If you intend to take longer shots on bigger predators or want a precision rifle that doubles for larger game, 6.5 Creedmoor offers excellent ballistics and manageable recoil. (More gun, more weight, more range.) MeatEater

.300 Blackout & .243 Winchester — brush and short-range versatility

• Why: .300 Blackout is ideal in short barrels and suppressed setups for close brush; .243 balances flat shooting and knockdown for mid ranges. Good options for tight timber work. MeatEater

Recommended rifle models (practical picks)

Bolt-action / Varmint builds

• Tikka T3x Varmint / Tikka T3x Superlite — excellent accuracy and value; easy to customize varmint barrels. Gun Tests

• Remington 700 Varmint / Savage 110 Varmint — classic, accurate platforms that accept heavy barrels and varmint stocks. Gun University

AR-style / semi-auto predator rigs

• Sig Sauer M400 Predator / Daniel Defense DDM4 Hunter — purpose-built predator ARs in 5.56 or other predator calibers, lightweight and rugged. Sportsman's Warehouse+1

Compact / brush rifles

• Ruger American Compact or Tikka T3x Compact in .243 or .308 for heavier duty (if needed), or .300 Blackout AR for brush work. Backfire+1

Tip: match a heavy-contour barrel and a proven varmint profile if you expect extended strings of firing (varmint work), because these stay cooler and produce more consistent accuracy.

Optics, ammo & accessories — small stuff that matters

Optics

• Magnification: 3–9× or 4–12× for typical predator work; 6–18× or higher for long prairie/flat work. Choose a reticle with fine crosshairs or mild dots for quick acquisition. Gun Tests

• Durability: Waterproof, fogproof, repeatable turrets if you’ll be calling from hides or making long shots.

Ammo

• Varmint bullets: V-Max, Hornady Varmint, Nosler Varmageddon — designed to fragment and deliver lethal, fur-friendly hits at distance. For fur hunters who want to preserve pelts, choose bullets designed to tumble/fragment less. Outdoor Life+1

Suppressors & muzzle devices

• Suppressors lower blast and recoil and are especially useful in semi-auto predator setups; check local laws. Muzzle brakes help with recoil but increase blast noise—consider environment and fellow hunters. Petersen's Hunting

Bipods / rests

• Bipods or front bags provide steadiness in open country and increase first-shot success.

How to choose — practical buying checklist

1. Decide your primary scenario: open prairie? farm fields? timber?

2. Pick a caliber to match effective range: ≤300 yd → .223 or .243; 300–600 yd → .22-250, .204 Ruger, 6.5 Creedmoor. MeatEater+1

3. Choose platform for pace of shots: need follow-ups → AR/semi; need ultimate single-shot precision → bolt.

4. Test trigger and ergonomics — good trigger, cheek weld and stock length are night-and-day in accuracy and comfort. Gun Tests

5. Factor ammo availability and cost — practice is cheap with .223; high-velocity varmint rounds cost more. MeatEater

Common buyer mistakes to avoid

• Buying a “tactical” rifle without testing the trigger or ergonomics.

• Choosing a high-velocity varmint round for thick brush work (overkill and pelts ruined).

• Ignoring weight and barrel profile — long, thin barrels heat and lose accuracy with many shots; heavy barrels are better for strings of shots. Gun University

Quick setup recipes (by scenario)

Calling coyotes on farmland (move & shoot)

• Platform: AR in .223 / 5.56 (16″ barrel) or light bolt in .223.

• Optic: 1–6× or 2–10× for quick target acquisition.

• Ammo: 55–62 gr Varmint V-Max for fast expansion at 100–300 yd. MeatEater

Long-range prairie/field work

• Platform: heavy-barrel bolt in .22-250 or .204 Ruger or 6.5 Creedmoor for 300–600+ yd.

• Optic: 6–24× with precise turrets and ballistic reticle.

• Ammo: matchbrand varmint loads (light, fast bullets) for explosive terminal performance. Ammo.com+1

Timber / close quarters

• Platform: short-barrel AR in .300 Blackout or compact bolt in .243.

• Optic: low-power (1–4× or 1–6×) or red dot for speed.

• Ammo: heavier bullets (.30–.308 family or 110–120 gr .243) for penetration in brush. MeatEater

FAQ

Q: Is an AR good for predator hunting?
A: Yes — an AR in .223/5.56 or a predator-oriented caliber gives rapid follow-ups, modularity and light weight. Many purpose-built predator ARs exist. Just fit barrel length and ammo to your expected ranges. Petersen's Hunting+1

Q: Will a .223 reach out far enough for most coyote shots?
A: For the vast majority of coyote work (.223 effective 200–300 yd), yes. If you routinely take long, prairie shots beyond 300 yards, consider .22-250, .204 Ruger or 6.5 Creedmoor. MeatEater+1

Q: Do I need a varmint-specific barrel?
A: Heavy-contour varmint barrels improve heat management and accuracy during long strings of shots. They’re ideal for prairie/predator work where multiple shots may be fired in a session. Pew Pew Tactical+1

Q: What about rimfires (.22LR/.17HMR)?
A: Rimfires can be fun for small predators at very close ranges or for pest control; they aren’t ideal for coyotes at distance. For serious predator hunting, centerfire varmint cartridges are preferred. MeatEater

Final thoughts

There’s no single “best” predator rifle — but there is a best choice for your hunting style. Bolt rifles with heavy varmint barrels dominate long-range work, ARs excel at quick, close to mid-range calling scenarios, and calibers from .223 through .22-250 and even 6.5 Creedmoor each have roles. Match the rifle platform to your typical range, carry weight, and desire for follow-up shots; choose quality optics and varmint-specific ammo; and practice. That combination puts ethical hits on predators and keeps you hunting efficiently season after season. Gun Tests+1

If you want, I can:

• compare 4 specific rifle builds (budget vs premium) with prices, or

• create a short checklist for your first predator rifle purchase (caliber + optic + ammo + accessories). Which would you prefer?