New rig for coyotes

[hidn45]

I've been saving up & spending time in the forum here, & it's time for a carbine.  I presently have Super 14's in 30-30 & .223, which do all I have asked of them, but the coyotes here in Northwestern PA are eating all the grouse, so that seemed like a good excuse for a new Contender rig.

My hunting is all fairly close, 50 - 150 yds, never over 200 (I can't see any further than that), & is a mix of brush, open woods, & fields.  I was thinking of a factory 7-30 barrel, rynite stock set, & maybe a 2-7x scope.  Will this do for 'yotes, as well as occasional use for deer as a rifle alternative to the 30-30, or when someone needs to borrow a deer rifle?  I don't even own a "deer rifle", I've hunted the last 12-15 yrs with either my Contender or my .41 Blackhawk.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?  Keep in mind that I don't buy gun stuff often & I want to spend the dollars I have efficiently.  I love reading about all these wildcats & custom rechambered barrels & such, but, unless I happened upon a screamin' deal on a 6.5 JDJ or whatever, the factory rounds in the factory barrels will have to do.  I'll have to have enough left for new dies & brass & bullets & all, too.

Speaking of reloading, what bullets & velocity range have you folks found effective on coyotes that aren't rough on the hides?  Is light/ fast/ no exit the way to go, or heavier/ slower/ no expansion?  (Hey, I wonder how many hides it would take for another new barrel?  Now I'm thinkin'... maybe a muzzleloader barrel so I can hunt deer in New York...hmmm)

Well, let me know what you think.  If anybody's got a stock or barrel lyin' around that I could adopt, let me know that, too.

Thanx for the help,
rand

PS- Please support the re-instatement of the West Virginia University Rifle Team as an NCAA sport at WVU - go to www.wvurifle.com

[skb2706]

I have a 14" 7-30 Waters "Hunter" barrel w/factory brake that might work for you. I kinda got out of the TC handgun thing for awhile so most of mine are now carbines.....this rig sits in the safe. It has a 2x Burris LER scope on it and has proven very accurate. In fact I have used it for antelope and mule Deer here in CO with much success. Let me know if you are interested and maybe we can work something out.
Sorry I can't recommend any decent loads for coyotes as this is much bigger than my coyote gun setup. For BG I used the Sierra 130 gr. SSP if I recall...extremely accurate.

[SD Handgunner]

If I read you post correctly, this new aquisition is to be a Rifle and not a Handgun. Is this correct?

If so there are some options available from Fox Ridge Outfitters, T/C's Custom Shop. Since I am partial to 6mm Bore Cartridges I would suggest the 6mm T/CU. I have worked with a 15" VVCG 6mm T/CU Barrel, and am have just ordered an On Target Technologies 6mm T/CU Barrel. I think this is a very versatile cartridge, with lots of options in bullet weights.

In the VVCG 6mm T/CU Barrel I had, I used 55gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips at 3000 FPS (Fireform Load) for Varmints, and 80gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips at 2716 FPS ( Fireform Loads) for Whitetails. (also tried the 80gr. Remington PLHP on Whitetails but found it way to hard and it didn't expand on the one Whitetail I took with this bullet).

In addition I have also used the 6mm-223 in Handguns for years (the 6mm T/CU is just an improved version of the 6mm-223, ie less body taper and a sharper shoulder). In the 6mm-223 I mainly used 60gr. Sierra HP's, 70gr. Hornady SX's, and 70gr. Nosler Ballistic Tips for Varmints. All with good results. Velocities in the various 6mm-223 Handguns with the above bullets were 60gr. Sierra HP at 2950 FPS, 70gr. Hornady SX / 70gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip at 2800 FPS.

Considering all of this, I am not sure what kind of an increase in velocity you'd get with the 6mm T/CU in a Rifle Length Barrel. However I do think you could find a load that would do what you wanted for Coyotes. If Whitetails were also a consideration from this cartridge in a Rifle, I'd probably find the best load I could find with an 85gr. Nosler Partition.

With the 7-30 Waters, I'd probably use the same bullet / load for Coyotes that I'd use for Whiteails. I have had good luck with the 120gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip in the one and olnly 7-30 Waters I have had. However I have also heard good things about the Sierra 130gr. SSP and the Hornady 130gr. SSP also in this cartridge. I'm just afraid that if you went with one of the 100gr. 7mm Hollow Points on Coyotes they'd really mess up a hide.

Enough of my ramblings. Hopefully someone else will have some insight to share.

SD Handgunner

[Duffy]

For saving the hides most of the fellas around here used 223's & 22-250's with FMJ bullets. In the larger calibers or ones that don't offer a FMJ a few even used Sierra match bullets because they wouldn't expand much but were very accurate. If you use ballistic tips better slow them down or you'll have a mess unless your good at head/neck shot's.  Sounds like your ranges could offer those shot's though. Around here ole Wyley usually starts out at 200+ yards and tries to keep about 400+ between you and him while doing about 50 mph.

[Deaf Smith]

Whats wrong with a 30-30 or 223 carbine barrel? Eds has both in a variety of styles lengths and steels (blue or stainless) these 2 calibers seem to be the most popular as the most variety of barrels are avaiable in them. and if you wish you can buy a 14" and have a (2" or longer) muzzle break perminate fixed to the barrel to make a 16.5" carbine barrel that will be legal with the shoulder stock Eds also has the chote folding stock and forend so as to make the whole unit compact and easy to carry. and the set is only $99. If its just for coyotes then the 223 is the way to go but if you want it to dul duty then get the 30-30 you already have brass and dies you will just have to invest in the time to make the varmit loads for the caliber. It would be the most cost efficent and easiest to get set up and running. You can get the stock forarm and barrel of your choice from Ed and he can have the whole thing to your door in a little over a week.
Jim L

[BCB]

hidn45,
Either caliber you already have will work quite well.  Although the 223 will probably do more damage than you are asking for!  Since we can’t use nonexpendable bullets here in Pennsylvania, the FMJ’s are legally out of the question.  (As quick as the game commish changes the laws, I ain’t certain of that last statement…Har, har, har!).
I have the calibers you mention plus I also have the 7-30 Waters.  All are Super 14” barrels.  You might want to consider the Waters.  I have taken several Western PA whitetails with it and the Hornady 120 SSPSP bullet.  Extremely accurate and it performed well on deer.  It may not be the bullet of choice for coyotes.  You might want to consider a cast bullet for your 30-30 or even for the Waters if you get that barrel.  I shoot cast in mine and they are very accurate, especially the Waters.  And if bullets are cast hard enough, they would punch straight through a coyote.  I was just shooting my Waters this morning with the Lyman 287346 cast bullet and I can honestly hit ½ liter plastic cola bottles at 150 yards from my shooting bench.  That is more than accurate enough for coyotes.  The 30-30 with the Lyman 311041 will almost do as well.  Just a couple of thoughts.  Where are you at in NW PA?  I’m near Clarion.  Good-luck…BCB

[deerstalker]

Have ya thought about the 7tcu in a carbine? I got one in the ryinite stock, and is handy to carry. Haven't shot any coyotes with it, but does a number on deer out too about 200 yards. and a good selection of bullets, if your are going to re-load.  :-D

[BCB]

hidn45,

You have a PM...BCB