Author Topic: ar-15 for coyote (Read 2962 times)

popknot · « **on:** July 29, 2007, 03:55:57 AM »

I was wondering how many people use a ar-15 in 223 for coyote hunting. I am ready to purchase a rig and am curious about the ar-15 as a coyote rifle. I have narrowed my choices to two rifles, a heavey barreled ar-15 from rock river or a cz550 kevelar 22-250. I would really appreciate any input on this subject. How often do you get a chance at a double? This is one reason I am seriously considering the ar-15, that and the fun factor.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2007, 03:28:40 PM »

Several people in our group use AR15s for coyote hunting. Most have the 16 inch heavy barrel models by DPMS. All the guys that have them love them. Most of our coyotes are shot on the run and an auto lets you concentrate on the shooting not working the action. The 22-250 gives you a little flatter trajectory and the 223 gives you the advantage of cheep ammo.

Gary paugh · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2007, 04:55:20 PM »

I use an AR15 in .223 or 6.8spc for coyotes great for doubles or runners , a low power scope or reddot sight work great.

Gary

manofthe45 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2007, 12:49:35 AM »

God I wished we had that option in PA, but unless I wanna lop my arm off I can't blast anything but paper with mine. If its a option for you I'd go for it.

popknot · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2007, 01:24:31 AM »

Would a flat top be the best choice in a ar-15 or would I want the option of open sights?

manofthe45 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2007, 07:11:46 AM »

IMO if you plan on mounting a scope buy a flat top. They make after market rear sights that attach via a weaver slot. Anything else is gonna put the scope to high

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:27:31 AM »

I have a Bushmaster Varminter with the 24" barrel. I really like it. It shoots all kinds of ammo very well. I would like to get a shorter one for hunting though. Wanna get a 16" with a light barrel.

My other go to gun is a heavy barreled 700 in .22-250. The gun shoots great with handloads, but it is on the hefty side.

My ar will shoot just as good with handloads as my .22-250. I have a quick follow up shot with almost no recoil. The .22-250 does shoot flatter, but if you consider how far you will actually be shooting 90% of the time, the .223 is just fine. That is why I use my AR most of the time.

Catfish · « **Reply #7 on:** August 02, 2007, 07:59:53 AM »

I pick up a Heavy Barreled Rock River and while a tack driver 16 + lbs. is just to much for packing around and I bought the gun for hunting with dogs. I bought another Rock River upper in standard weight and took out the front sight and mounted a 3 x 9 Leupold scope. It is now just exactly what I was looking for. I not worked with it for accuracy to see what it will do, but just loaded up some of the Mid South supper cheap 55 gn. bullets with some 2230-c powder and zeroed the scope. With these cheap bullets it was grouping abt. 3/4 moa and since I can`t shoot that good off hand I never tried to get it to shoot any better.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #8 on:** August 02, 2007, 08:59:50 AM »

I shot my first Bushmaster last month, it is my brother's. I've fired the M-16 a lot in the service so figured this would be about the same, wrong. He had a 3-9x scope on it and to see thru the scope required lifting my head off the stock. Then it made funny noises I haven't heard for years. I admit it shot well but then so do all of my rifles. I wouldn't own one of them. Very uncomfortable to shoot, for me anyway.

manofthe45 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 02, 2007, 10:40:45 PM »

Quote from: Don Fischer on August 02, 2007, 08:59:50 AM

He had a 3-9x scope on it and to see thru the scope required lifting my head off the stock.

Flat top ? Just curious as I have never had that problem with a flat.

Don Fischer · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2007, 06:38:03 AM »

Quote from: manofthe45 on August 02, 2007, 10:40:45 PM

Quote from: Don Fischer on August 02, 2007, 08:59:50 AM
He had a 3-9x scope on it and to see thru the scope required lifting my head off the stock.

Flat top ? Just curious as I have never had that problem with a flat.

I'm at a disadvantage here. I don't know what a flat top is. I would assume the top is cut off that the rear sight sit's on. In that case, no, it wasn't a flat top.

popknot · « **Reply #11 on:** August 04, 2007, 09:29:11 AM »

Pick up my rock river predator pursuit tomorrow!!! Can not wait to mount the glass and get to the range

sscoyote · « **Reply #12 on:** August 28, 2007, 11:23:28 PM »

I've been using an AR for coyotes for about the last 4-5 seasons, and it's about as good as it gets for maximizing #'s. I'm not as concerned with hide holes as much as i used to be, therefore my system gets me from point blank to about 500 yds. or so. I'm using the 65 JLK Low Drag @ 3050 mv, with the old DPMS VLD magazine, and a 3-9X Rapid Reticle PFI scope.

onecoyote · « **Reply #13 on:** August 29, 2007, 02:57:25 AM »

I've been using bolt actions for years predator hunting, needless to say I've killed alot of coyotes, bobcats, fox and badgers with the old bolt actions........BUT, in my old age I'm beginning to like the idea of fire power lol. Not that it kills any better, but I'd think it could be alot of fun. I got the money in my pocket, so I'm buying an AR-15 this weekend.

Catfish · « **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2007, 02:01:54 PM »

I bought a heavy barreled Rock River last year and did not like it for coyote hunting. It shot great but was way to heavy to carry when your hunting with dogs. I bought a lite weight upper for it, turned it into a flattop and mounted a 3 x 9 Leupold scope on it, now it what I want. I bought 2,000 of those cheap 55 gn. bullets, $125 including shipping, and loaded some up with some of my $ 9 per lb. powder and put 5 shots into a .700 group at 100 yrds. Didn`t work up a load as that is better than I can shoot off hand. If you going to be hunting over a call a good bolt gun in .22-250 would reach farther. I do alot of just setting out an watching and built a .22-6mm for long range I`ve taken 1 at 350 with it and missed a running coyote 3 times between 500 and 700 yrds., I really did not expect to hit him when I shot, but do not expect to miss one at those yardages setting.
If you`ll be dogging and calling go with the Rock River. I think they are the best out of the box shooters of any of the AR`s, but you don`t need the heavy barrel for accuracy.

6mm06 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2007, 11:00:50 AM »

Popknot,

I use an AR for most of my predator hunting. I have two - one is a Bushmaster 223 with 16" barrel. It's a collapsable stock model, M4A3. It is plenty accurate enough for basic predator hunting. I have taken three bobcats with it, but no coyotes.

My most recent coyote-getter is a Dtech 6x45, which is a 223 necked up to 6mm. It has a 20" barrel. I love it. It packs a punch with 75 gr. Sierra HPs. I shot two coyotes back in January with it, and it worked great. I have also taken three bobcats with it. All bullets exited, but left only about quarter-size holes in the offside. Only one bobcat was ruined.

Where I live and hunt - in the mountains of Virginia, an AR is all I need for predators. Rarely are shots over 100 yards, though I could get longer shots in many places where I hunt. So far, all shots have been under 100 yards at predators here, and that includes 8 bobcats and two coyotes. So, for closer distances, they are fine rifles.

The scope on my Dtech is a Mueller 3x10.44 illuminated dot reticle with the German post crosshair. One coyote I shot was in a dead run at about 80 yards. I honestly believe that the dot reticle helped me get that dog. The dot is easy to use and quick on target.

ARs, in my opinion, are great calling rifles and I love hunting with them. Hope this helps.

I will post some pictures once I find out how to do that - I'm new to this forum.

Good Shooting.

6mm06

william_75 · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2007, 07:27:52 PM »

this is generally what people refer to as a flat top

http://www.model1sales.com/catalog-list.cfm?Category=02&Subcat=Varmint%20Upper%20Halves&storeid=1

a45gunslinger · « **Reply #17 on:** December 01, 2007, 04:22:00 PM »

I've got a heavy barrel flat top in .223. if I were to change I'd go with a standard or fluted barrel . The heavy is good to have or high volume shooting (prairie dogs) but not a necessity for coyotes

Dogshooter · « **Reply #18 on:** January 04, 2008, 03:52:36 PM »

I have a Bushmaster Varmint Special wih a heavy 24" barrel with a 4200Elite 6 X 24 scope on it that I bought for coyotes. The only thing I use it for now is prarie dogs because of the weight. For coyotes i use a Wilson Combat UT-15 Tactical Carbine with a Trijicon ACOG TA31DOC . It is shorter, lighter, and much easier to handle and carry. It is just as accurate (1/2" groups) as the Bushy. If I could oly buy one, I'd get a short, light one, they will usually shoot as well as the heavy barrel ones do. The heavy barrel only has the advantage if you are going to shoot a lot of rounds in a short time, like you do with prarie dogs.

outdoor_sportsman · « **Reply #19 on:** January 27, 2008, 10:45:32 AM »

Here is my coyote rig. Nothing super expensive or special. DPMS upper in .223. Weaver K6 mounted in Leupold rings. I added a 3-way picatinny rail for addition of a light someday but probably not given the $$$ of a good tactical-light. Plus I really don't "NEED" one I would just like to have one. It has a 16" heavy chrome-lined/stainless steel barrel.

I added camo tape to the barrel and scope to break up the profile and hide the glare.

saltydog · « **Reply #20 on:** February 14, 2008, 01:43:36 PM »

Quote from: outdoor_sportsman on January 27, 2008, 10:45:32 AM

Here is my coyote rig. Nothing super expensive or special. DPMS upper in .223. Weaver K6 mounted in Leupold rings. I added a 3-way picatinny rail for addition of a light someday but probably not given the $$$ of a good tactical-light. Plus I really don't "NEED" one I would just like to have one. It has a 16" heavy chrome-lined/stainless steel barrel.

I added camo tape to the barrel and scope to break up the profile and hide the glare.

Nice rig - I was not aware a chromed lined stainless barrel was an option offered by any company.

mookster79 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 01, 2008, 02:13:18 AM »

I have never used one for varmint hunting, other than ground hogs or muskrat about 60 yds off my porch here in PA. At the same time the AR I have is preban and I will not chop anything or modify the uppers and lowers. All of the numbers match and I like it just the way it is. Plus there is the issue of hunting with it, I live in the middle of nowhere, so I don't worry about it here at the house. I wouldn't leave my property though.