Author Topic: AR-15 Varmint rifle .223 for coyotes. Anyone using one? (Read 1371 times)

3fletch · « **on:** March 14, 2005, 08:41:40 AM »

Hi,

New to the site. Have gotten a lot of good info from here. I am considering an AR-15 Varmint in .223 for coyotes and/or P'dogs. Currently using a pre-64 Win. Mod. 70 .243 bull barrel. My concern is the military style appearance. Anyone using one?

Buford · « **Reply #1 on:** March 14, 2005, 01:15:01 PM »

Welcome to the forum. The AR-15's made a great coyote rifle - not quite the power of your .243, but the followup shots are available if you need them. Most any AR that I have had any experience with will easily shoot 1" - many will shoot 1/2" - and some with go 1/4". Good coyote rifle in my book.

Gregory · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2005, 02:58:38 PM »

I've taken mine out once, it's a little heavy for a "walking around gun" at almost 11 lbs with a bipod. Mine's a Bushy Varminter. It'd be a good choice if your not straying too far from the truck.

3fletch · « **Reply #3 on:** March 14, 2005, 04:07:08 PM »

Any pro's/con's to the AR-15 for field use versus a bolt action rig. Understanding that either can be as accurate as the other based on a lot of variables and that I'm totin' a bull barrel now (sometimes wish I had my .17 HMR after a bit of walking with that rig). Is it just personal preference or is there an advantage?

3fletch

Wlscott · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2005, 11:07:37 AM »

I hunt and call a lot of predators. In fact, I hunt more predators than I do any other animal.

My primary calling rifle is a Colt Accurized Flat top AR15. I've got a Springfield Armory 4-16X56MM Mil Dot Scope sitting on top of Warne Tactical rings. It is a little on the heavy side, but I've carried heavier in the military so it doesn't bother me.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say that in my opinion, the AR15 weapon system is the single best system for hunting predators. The pro's outweigh the con's by a looooong way.

The two single most important things an AR has to offer is accuracy and shootability. I have groups shot using 55 grain V Max's and Varget that can be covered with a dime. This rifle also just kind of seems to point itself. You can pick up a running coyote at 100+ yards with no problem.

Go buy an AR (Colt, Bushmaster, RRA, DPMS) and hunt with it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

3fletch · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2005, 02:08:52 PM »

Thanks Wlscott for the info. I friend of mine is a production manager for Sabre Defence and he can build me their XR15A3 Varmint (features listed below) for a very good price. Since handling his personal AR15 I have been very intrigued with the feel, quality and ruggedness of the gun. I was just a little concerned about totin' a military style rig in field. More than likely though I'll be totin' one this fall for coyotes and maybe get a chance at some groundhogs this summer. I 'll report back in when I'm shootin some of those 1/4" groups. HA!

3fletch

VARMINT RIFLE FEATURES:
20"” 410 SS 1/8 Twist Match Grade Barrel With Our Weighted Muzzle Contour. (Barrel Diameter Under Hand Guard Is .980)
A Sabre A3 Flat Top Upper & Matched Lower CNC Machined From A 7075-T6 Forging.
Vented Free Float Handguard & A Picatenny Gas Block
A2 Butt Stock, A2 Grip
2 Stage Match Trigger

Dogshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** March 15, 2005, 03:37:18 PM »

I have just about mothballed my heavy barrelled varminters in deference to my Bushmaster Varminter. Yes it is a little heavier, but it will outshoot everything I own and having all those follow-up shots is REALLY nice. I have had more than one dog come to a call at the same time and before I got my AR I usually watched anything except the first one run off. Now I get 'em all. You can't go wrong with an AR.

Wlscott · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2005, 05:20:17 AM »

I have often thought a 20" barrel might make my Colt even handier in the field, but I am happy with the 24" tube I have now.

I may get another one in the future with a shorter tube though.

Good luck with your (future) new rig. Let us know how it shoots.

Elwood · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2005, 10:32:16 AM »

My main predator rifle is a skinny barreled Colt SP1. It is more accurate than it needs to be. It is lite as a 22 and , who doesnt love rapid follow up shots? It points like a dream. It has thumped a lot of coyotes that would have got away using a "lesser rifle". I couldn't recommend it more as a calling rifle.

Elwood P. Dowd

I thought therefore I was