new to this forum......question?

[daddywpb]

I have begun to see an increasing number of coyotes while deer and hog hunting in our local WMA, so I have been thinking about a rifle in an appropriate caliber. I have never shot a coyote. I was looking at a Ruger M77 Target rifle in 22-250. Shots would be under 300 yards - not that much open ground here. I am not concerned about pelt damage, just killing them on the spot. I am interested in hearing comments about this rifle and caliber.
Thanks.

[highwayman]

go with winchester silvertips very deadly bullet

[SDS-GEN]

IMO you couldn't choose a better varmint round.  As for bullets try a bunch between 40 and 55 grains with either hollow points or polymer tips and use the one your rifle shoots the best.  Ruger makes a good, durable product, my only concern with ruger is you might get one that isn't super acurate (doesn't mean it won't work for hunting), Weatherby, Tikka, Remington and Savage are more likely to be tack drivers right out of the box.

[Glanceblamm]

Excellent choice for predators. The 40gr bullets will shoot well enough in the .22-250 but the best ballistic uniformity will be with the 53 to 55gr bullets.
One thing that I really like about my M77 is the long action with the hinged floorplate. Bullets can be seated out near the rifling and still cycle well.

[daddywpb]

Thank you for the replies. I'm pretty much sold on the Ruger M77 because I already have two Rugers that shoot great. My concern was in my choice of calibers, but it seems like the 22-250 is going to be ok. How is the recoil with this caliber?

[bigjeepman]

I am not sure how much walking you'll be doing with that rifle but it weighs 9.75 lbs w/o a scope. That is going to be mighty heavy if you have to walk anything like I do hunting coyotes. I hunt with a Ruger M77 Mark II all weather in .243 and it weighs 7 lbs. I wouldn't trade that rifle for anything as it is easy to carry, easy to care for, and shoots sub-moa with several different bullets.

[daddywpb]

Not too far of a walk to the area where I've been seeing them. Also, they look scrawny and in poor health. I'm planning to put a variable scope in the 18x or 20x upper power range on it - probably 50mm obj. - maybe a Nikon Buckmaster. I'm using a Buckmaster now, and it's a great scope. I'm really looking forward to reloading for this caliber.

[oso45-70]

daddywpb.

I think you will be pleased with your purchase. You need not worry about the accuracy of your Ruger, I have one in 223 and it drives tacks and is tough as a boot. The only thing i did to mine was put a Jewel trigger in it and never looked back. Good luck Steve and come by and say hello some time........Joe.......

[daddywpb]

The Ruger trigger is it's only weak spot. I have replaced both of mine with Rifle Basix triggers.

[Cecil]

I own a 22-250 target Ruger the two stage trigger is quite good , With 55 gr bullets it will shoot groups you you can cover with a dine at 100yds

[SDS-GEN]

Think over your choice of scope carefully.  I used to hunt with one of the 50mm high magnification scopes but chucked it for a smaller lower powered scope.  I still have no problems hunting day or night with a scope that has a low power of 3-4x and a top end of 9-14x.  My big scope added weight and got dinked around a lot.  You can't mount a smaller scope lower as well.