Trap line gun?

[mark-edmonton]

What does everyone use as a trap line gun. I was carrying my 10/22, but I occasionally see wolves and coyotes on the line. I started taking my 223, but think it might be a bit much! Any thoughts on 17 hmr?

Thanks
Mark.

[3blade]

one trapper I met out by fox creek carries a 1022 on the quad rack, and a win 94 in 44 mag in the gun boot. The 44 was never out of reach, on or off the quad, he'd had to use it a few times. Met him in the fall, I guess he would have had something rigged up for the sled as well. Interesting character.

[Bushmonkey]

Originally Posted by mark-edmonton

What does everyone use as a trap line gun. I was carrying my 10/22, but I occasionally see wolves and coyotes on the line. I started taking my 223, but think it might be a bit much! Any thoughts on 17 hmr?

Thanks
Mark.

I've been thinking the same thing. Last season I took a tube feed iron site 22. Saw some coyotes and didn't even try to poke them due to the distance. I'd love to be able to carry a 22 revolver for dispatching and a varmit rifle.

This winter I'll probably ditch the 22 and take a small centre fire.

[NativeHunter]

3030

[moose maniac]

Originally Posted by NativeHunter

3030

Go away Chris

[catnthehat]

Not sure what others carry but when I trapped up here the majority of the native trappers I knew carried either a 10/22 and a 30-30 or a Lee Enfield
Many of them also carried 22 Cooeys but the odd one would have a Remington or Winchester bolt gun and a nice pump Winchester.
I used a bolt action 22 repeater and 30/30 single shot .
Cat

[Backwoods Runner]

Always have a varmint rifle in the quad boot. 223 or 22-250. During lynx season always have something capable of shooting .22 short for dispatch. Anything else makes a mess and a sew job.

Too many close calls. Always have something within arms reach.

[tikka250]

I dont do much trapping so feel free to ignore me if im wrong. I would have a small savage rascal 22 for dispatching and a youth model savage axis in 204 or 223 for coyotes/wolves both very lightweight and not verry bulky. If the 17wsm picks up i would choose that but the 17hmr i would not trust on a wolf.
Just my 2c

[nube]

I wish I could carry a 22 pistol. During my season I carried a Youth Raskal 22 and it was perfect but now that I have a line and could run into a wolf I am not sure what to do. I got a 22/250 but what a pain to take 2 rifles along just in case I run into a wolf or wolverine

[HunterDave]

I was carrying a 10/22 but this Spring I found it a little light for head shots on beavers so I went out and bought a 22 Win Mag. I'll still carry the 10/22 when I'm trapping muskrats but I'll carry the 22 Win Mag the rest of the time. I have no bear or wolf worries where I'm trapping though. During hunting season I'll have my 30.06 in the gun boot.

[Redneck 7]

I do very little trapping but I'm a huge gun enthusiast when it comes to pack or easily carried rifles. I bought a Rossi ranch hand and a full size stock online fire 100 bucks to me door 3 days later. Thing is great and you don't necessarily need the full size stock but it's your own set up right. Mine is in 44 mag and love it, easily slung over your back and out of the way.

But different story if it's from self defence or popping a wolf to harvest. Then you should look at the smaller calibres. I would possibly say a .243, solid varmint gun and might help you or a family member drop a deer.

I can't upload photos but my 44 mag shooting my 8 inch gong at 30 yards puts a minor dent in it compared to my .243 at 200 yards. 44 mag is 240 grain and 58 grain hornady for my 243, so who knows how big of hole the ranch hand would leave for harvesting a wolf possibly. .357 may be a better choice.

Just my thoughts, don't think people give ranch hands enough credit.

[Kittyslayer]

Cheep Savage Axis 243 for wolfs all day long for this guy & my 17 WSM for dispatching animals.
The ballistics are better for the 58 grain 243 then most grains for the 22-250, 223, 204 and it is still legal to hunt with during the November season that is why I like the 243.
The 17 WSM is half price to shoot in comparison to the 17 Hornet and about the same in comparison to the HMR. The shots never go though the animal when dispatching and it still has legs to take a lynx 150 yards down the cut line.

Cheers

[jim summit]

Carry my 22. single shot, used for dispatch mostly.

I don't carry a nice rifle on the line as they get to much abuse over the season.

[calgarychef]

A 22 mag, isn't a bad choice especially as you can get FMJ's for dispatching trapped animals, they do very little damage. They aren't a great varmint king gun but will take out a coyote to 100 yards. I guess you have to decide if you're trapping or varminting on a particular day.