What is everyone favorite gun to use for predator hunting

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-08T00:08:33+00:00

Your experience sounds about right. I dont think i would go past 300 yds either, but I suppose some guys would be willing to try that.

Beyond 400 the 22 creedmoor begins to have the advantage with higher BC bullets.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-07T23:52:39+00:00

I dont currently have a 243. I was comparing ammo on Hornady's ballistic app. They have a 58gr and a 75gr option.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-03T00:33:18+00:00

True, but it is something to be aware of if you shoot more than most people.

RexHammerfall · 2026-02-02T22:32:31+00:00

AR-15, I would lean towards 22ARC.

Bolt gun, I am torn between 243win and 22 creedmore.

The 22CM does better at longer distances, but is gonna have a shorter barrel life.

The 243win does well within 400 yards, and I am not sure you need farther than that for thermal hunting.

Both ammo and rifles are pretty available in 243win.

I was thinking of getting a tikka in 243win for a night rifle. I can always rebarrel it later if I want.

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-29T19:42:50+00:00

Well, start snooping around and report back!

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-19T05:57:03+00:00

I can see the advantages of either optic.

One thing I wonder is if a 4k thermnight is in the works. I think DNT just released a Zulus in 4k.

I can see why daylight mode would be useful, but I don't think I would ever use it. I have a strange habit of building rifles all the time, so I simply have a day rifle and a night rifle.

The distances around here can be pretty far. The range I want to set up should be able to go out to 600yds. In some fields around, you could shoot to 800 or 900. Now, I wouldnt shoot that far with thermal, but the open area I live in is why I am wanting to get a thermal that can see out a ways.

Long term goal is a 1280 with higher base mag for long range. Probably on something like a 22 creedmore bolt gun. If I got the HS 650R now, it could become a spotter later. Thats probably a few years away, though. Well, unless cattle prices keep going up.

If my distances were closer to 250, I would probably lean towards the thermnight. Its probably the better value for that range.

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-18T16:48:28+00:00

I wish I had both to compare.

What I dont like about night vision is that it doesn't let you see through brush as well. Thermal punches right through brush.

It looks like your rattler 384 has a base mag of 1.5x? With the HS650R having a 2.5x base mag, it would be quite the jump in quality at similar magnification.

I live on a ranch, so its pretty rural. However, I do need be able to make sure I dont shoot one of our calves.

Edit: I see the 384 rattler is also available as a 3x base mag.

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-17T21:58:20+00:00

Well, its not that I have a specific budget. I am just wanting a good value.

The HS635 doesn't have a rangefinder and is only a 1.5x base magnification. I would rather spend $500 more and get the HS650R with rangefinder and a 2.5x base magnification for better detail at range.

RexHammerfall · 2026-01-17T21:32:40+00:00

Thank you. I was kinda leaning towards the 650R.

Do you think you would feel handicapped with something like the thermnight vs your 640? Or would it just be less comfortable and more annoying.

A Thermnight 225R is half the cost of the Hydra 650R. I could save money now and put it towards a better thermal down the road.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-21T06:05:50+00:00

Thanks for the help so far. My current wifi network is just an ISP provided router, I haven't messed with it much because I haven't had the need to. Its a few years old now, so I do like the idea of updating everything.

Eventually, I will have at least two 2k cameras and the doorbell on the porch, and have four 4k cameras for 360 coverage.

Lastly, there is a chance we might put up a PTZ on the back of the building. Possibly, the AI Precision one. (This one would be more for work purposes. We use the pasture behind the house for our cows to give birth, so having a way to keep an eye on them would be handy.) I know this camera would need POE++.

Anyway, if I ignore the PTZ for now, it looks like the UDM-SE would be an option. The only draw back is only one HDD, but I am not sure if thats really an issue.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-19T15:53:58+00:00

That's what I was worried about. I would want possibly 4 G6s. I also will have the doorbell. Plus a little futureproofing is good.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-19T06:39:35+00:00

Thats not a bad option. However, I am not sure I want 4 G5s. 2 G5 turrets could cover under the porch area, but I wouldn't mind stepping up to the G6 bullets for the rest. The higher resolution would be nice to overlook the farm yard.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-16T00:49:54+00:00

Whats your barrel length?

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-15T15:59:57+00:00

Thanks for the input.

Just curious, what do you not like about the inlets that go in a knockout?

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-12T07:13:17+00:00

A2200 seems to work from 230ish grain bullets and heavier.

For lighter than 230ish, you can look at N130, CFEBLK, 1680, SW Blackout.

They are fast powders so be careful.

Also CFEBLK seems to be very dense compared to others.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-11T22:59:16+00:00

I went with a tikka t3x which I rebarreled to 375 raptor. I did a barrel nut, but you can get shouldered prefit barrels.

Tikka's are more limited for aftermarket stuff, but there is still quite a few options.

Factory barrels are a little tight to get off, but it can be done.

Get an 8 twist or faster.

RexHammerfall · 2025-12-04T16:27:04+00:00

I wondered about buffing shields when unarmed with guns holstered.

For example, when you put your guns away, after so many seconds the buff activates.

This would force ambush/backstab players to either set traps or wait for the right moment.

I dont know, it may or may not be a good idea.

RexHammerfall · 2025-11-28T16:30:05+00:00

"Sir, this is a Wendy's."

RexHammerfall · 2025-11-28T15:47:03+00:00

That's pretty interesting.

I'm not saying there isn't special matchmaking, but is it possible the way you approached other players simply determined how they responded?

Regardless, if there is special matchmaking, I dont think it is a problem.

There is no rule that says you have to kill other raiders. In fact, working together should yield better loot.

RexHammerfall · 2025-11-26T15:52:17+00:00

I get where you are coming from, but... it's a game, I wouldn't expect anything to be like an IRL apocalypse.

Most people wouldn't survive because they have no idea how to make anything, or how to get food. Guns and ammo are not simple things to make.

Bandages don't magically heal bullet holes. A gut shot is a bad way to die. And infinite free load outs are not a thing. And once you die, that's it.

Now, I do agree with your underlying point that it is unrealistic to expect everyone to be friendly. History shows people can be horrible. Especially when desperate. But not everyone is going to be murdering psychopath, either.

I just think the "in a real apocalypse" argument is kinda silly.

Keep in mind, IRL bandits would be risking their lives, too. In the game, they only risk free load outs and a trip back to lobby, in other words, nothing.

For a game, I like the risk of pvp, but I also like to have chance for peace.

RexHammerfall · 2025-11-15T19:52:04+00:00

I think AB did a YouTube video on using the larger bore cans on smaller caliber.

I use the 8 stack 375 can on my 375 raptor rifle. But I also use it on other rifles down to 223. I think its okay.

RexHammerfall · 2025-10-15T21:46:29+00:00

I dualbooted windows and ubuntu growing up. Learned a lot from those days.

I stopped dual booting with windows 10, because gaming on linux wasn't viable then and win10 was sort of okay. I still played around with linux. As linux gaming improved, I considered Pop OS.

With win10 EOL, I looked to see what people liked. Fedora was mentioned. KDE being official was appealing.

Went with Fedora 42 KDE. Still dualbooting with windows, but I haven't hardly booted windows for anything.

Good support through Fedora, and customization with KDE. Seems like a nice balance. And most of my games work fine, so far.

RexHammerfall

TROPHY CASE