Hog Rifle for my father

[Erni]

My father is looking for a rifle for coyotes and hogs in California. He is 70, tough and strong, and a bone cancer survivor, so he needs something soft shooting. His 308 kicks too much. Since it is in CA getting an AR would be problematic.

Looking for suggestions for a rifle and caliber, and pros and cons of bolt vs semi.

Thanks.

[Great-Kazoo]

There's no issue buying an AR in CA. Bullet buttoned AR's line a good portion of CA gun shop shelves.

For an option being able to retain the AR platform
ARES SCR. A web search will get you to a few forums where it's been discussed. Seems to have good reviews across the board.
http://www.aresdefense.com/?page_id=729

Our daughter is buying one. This way she has a CA legal "AR" style rifle for pest control. She has something now, but wants a CA specific legal one for walking the property. Suggested she wrap it in that mossy oak tape for complete distraction.

[J]

If close, 300blk, if further, .223 or even .243. .243 is ballistically a fantastic round, and would have plenty of energy for a coyote even 600+ yards down range.

For a semi-auto, Maybe a Remington Woodsmaster in .243. The new versions are known to have reliable cycling, and between the gas system and the new model recoil pads they are using it should be pretty soft shooting for sure.

A bolt will kick a bit more, but cost less. Can't go wrong with a trusty Rem 700. Between being slightly lighter and not having a gas system to pull any recoil, it won't be quite as soft. But any of the above calibers with a proper recoil pad will be pleasant to shoot.

[Dave]

I'd go with J's recommendation of a .300 blk or .243 win depending on the range he wants to shoot at. Bot should be readily available in bolt or different semi auto options online.

[Zombie Steve]

I was thinking .257 Roberts, but I doubt you could find anything chambered in that any more. Sweet little quarter bore.

So (because they haven't been mentioned yet) - 6.8SPC, 6.5 Creedmoor, 6 (or 6.5)X47 Lapua come to mind. Nothing wrong with a bolt gun for those purposes...

[hghclsswhitetrsh]

Have AKA-Spook put you together a 25 Grendel, shoots .257 projectiles. I have it in a semi auto set up and he's currently working on a bolt action for me.

[fly boy]

What about a 6.8 SPC II? pretty light re-coil, and 10 round mag's available.

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

As has been mentioned, there are no issues getting an AR in CA as long as you don't mind being hindered by the bullet button. If he is an iron sights guy an SKS would work. Low recoil, semi auto, and as reliable as can be. The 7.62x39 is very capable for coyote and hog at the 150-200 yard mark. Other semi automatic options are Mini 14 if you want 5.56 or Mini 30 if you want 7.62. If you're under 150 yards there is no reason a tried and true 30-30 lever action is also an option. If you want bolt there are tons of common options because there are basically no limitations on those in CA. Lots of cartridge options too. The .243 mentioned above is nice commonly available option of you want to get out past the 150 yards the 7.62 and 30-30 will comfortably give you.

[Great-Kazoo]

A big issue when recommending calibers other than off the shell 223, 308, 22-250 & 243. Is availability. Guns are plentiful in CA, ammo.................I can pull up in the van open the doors, sell 500 rd case lots of wolf all day long for $300+ and be OOS within 30 minutes.
The cheapest ammo we saw last trip was 22 LR CCI, going for the same $28ish per 3 pack of 100 per pack, it was here.
Off calibers (for CA) not exactly plentiful , if so $$$$$

[ColoradoMinuteMan]

A big issue when recommending calibers other than off the shell 223, 308, 22-250 & 243. Is availability. Guns are plentiful in CA, ammo.................I can pull up in the van open the doors, sell 500 rd case lots of wolf all day long for $300+ and be OOS within 30 minutes.
The cheapest ammo we saw last trip was 22 LR CCI, going for the same $28ish per 3 pack of 100 per pack, it was here.
Off calibers (for CA) not exactly plentiful , if so $$$$$

It's a valid point. I grew up in CA, continue to own property there and travel back multiple times a year. Ammo is priced a littler higher there but actually not much more in my experience. Then again I'm in the San Joaquin Valley and not in any of the big cities. I see 30-30 there in the shelves as well at 7.62x39. I usually am armed with an SKS when I'm in CA because I don't feel like retro fitting my AR with a bullet button. BTW if you do get an SKS be careful buying a Yugo. If you do you'll need to remove the stock "grenade launcher" muzzle device as it is banned in CA.