Author Topic: Dedicated Coyote Rifle Choices (Read 6911 times)

Stuart C. · « **on:** August 09, 2009, 03:55:26 PM »

What's your favorite or dream rifle set up?
Including scope or site, and caliber?

Let's see if we have any regional favorites

Oldshooter · « **Reply #1 on:** August 09, 2009, 05:27:14 PM »

Dream rifle

AR 223 with heavy freefloated barrel with two stage trigger with 4-12 or 16 leupold scope and maybe a night vision rig

I put the rifle on layaway last week cost: $1200 just rifle..............sorry I had to wipe the drool off my lips

Oh ....... southeast Texas

trotterlg · « **Reply #2 on:** August 09, 2009, 06:29:49 PM »

For Coyotes, you show no class at all unless you shoot one of the 17's. Mine is a 17 Remington on a Savage 10 action with a Swift 4 to 12 AO scope. There are nicer rifles and glass around, but this shoots light out and does it every time. Larry

Siskiyou · « **Reply #3 on:** August 09, 2009, 06:37:39 PM »

I have an accurate, bargain basement coyote rifle that is hell on otes, and jackrabbits. I bought it at the end of 1978 or January 1979. The excuse was an off season coyote rifle, that burned less powder and was accurate. It was a package Remington 788 with a 4x scope. I replaced the scope with a 3x9 and glass bedded the action. Not sure it needed bedding but I had the bedding material.

I tried a number of different loads using different bullet weights and powders. I purchased two or three different brands of 80-grain bullets for coyotes. I bought a thousand bulk 80-grain WW softpoints and they are accurate and accomplish the mission. I tried WW785, IMR4350, H4831, and H414 powders and it likes all the different combinations.

I consider it a workable 300-yard rifle. I see few coyotes at long range, and 99% of the country I hunt coyotes are seen a lot closer. At the time I purchased it I could have bought a Remington .223 in the same action. In those days the 55-grain bullet was standard for the .223. I wanted a rifle with a little more punch. I have had a small black bear make a run at my position, and I am normally hunting in bear country. When I stood up the bear did a 180 out of there. Because of that experience I have had a friend go out and cover my tail with a .44.

Before the .243 I defaulted to my .270 Winchester. A 130-grain Remington Bronze point turns a coyote into a rag. I have no interest in the hide, or handling them after a kill. I hope my efforts save a few fawns.

Would a Remington 700 make a nicer rifle? Yes, a nicer looking rifle, but the accuracy issue is up in the air. Do I wish I had spent the extra money for a Remington 700? Yes, but I would have had to get that by the wife, and I had already bought two other rifles. What is the most accurate out of the box? The Remington 788 is over a 700, and a Ruger M77.

Last week I went out a fired some of the 80-grain loads, and then Federal and Remington factory 100-grain ammunition I had bought on sale for donor brass. They are good just two inches lower. I am considering using taking in out a couple times deer hunting next fall.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #4 on:** August 09, 2009, 06:48:58 PM »

Quote from: trotterlg on August 09, 2009, 06:29:49 PM

For Coyotes, you show no class at all unless you shoot one of the 17's. Mine is a 17 Remington on a Savage 10 action with a Swift 4 to 12 AO scope. There are nicer rifles and glass around, but this shoots light out and does it every time. Larry

Did not realize that it was a question of class.

I was thinking more about personal preference!

I shoot a rem 700 varmit special in 6 mm now but I'll go with the 223 AR so's I can have less class more often!

Bigeasy · « **Reply #5 on:** August 09, 2009, 09:47:14 PM »

How about an accurized AR-15 in 243 WSSM. Plenty of punch waaay out there, quick second and third shot if and when you miss...Cammo finish, 20 inch medium weight barrel, NM trigger, 4X16 scope in detachable mounts with a night vision scope as a back up for calling them in a night, where legal. Could double as a good deer rig..

Larry

Oldshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** August 10, 2009, 05:32:24 AM »

Quote from: Bigeasy on August 09, 2009, 09:47:14 PM

How about an accurized AR-15 in 243 WSSM. Plenty of punch waaay out there, quick second and third shot if and when you miss...Cammo finish, 20 inch medium weight barrel, NM trigger, 4X16 scope in detachable mounts with a night vision scope as a back up for calling them in a night, where legal. Could double as a good deer rig..

Larry

looks like neither one of us has any class!

Bigeasy · « **Reply #7 on:** August 10, 2009, 06:01:14 AM »

looks like neither one of us has any class!

[/quote]

Then again, a 6mm/08 Kimber #84, stocked in pretty french walnut would be nice.....

Skunk · « **Reply #8 on:** August 10, 2009, 06:14:51 AM »

Quote from: trotterlg on August 09, 2009, 06:29:49 PM

For Coyotes, you show no class at all unless you shoot one of the 17's.

A .17 hey? Just can't take the recoil of a .223 ey?

Just joshing you there Trotterlg.

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #9 on:** August 10, 2009, 06:43:44 AM »

For a while we have been told that the 204 is the best hands down. You will find your coyote deader than if you used any other caliber

Swift One · « **Reply #10 on:** August 10, 2009, 08:05:56 AM »

Mine would be a savage M11 in .243. Topped with a quality 3-9 or 3-10 x 40 power scope. Mildot recticle would be my choice for hold over shots. I think the .243 is the perfect coyote dedicated caliber. It will anchor the biggest song dogs even with a less than perfect shot. Of course this would not be a fur savers caliber, but I do not save the fur. Kind of tough to beat a .17 for the fur savers.

Silvertp · « **Reply #11 on:** August 10, 2009, 09:15:19 AM »

Ive got a "coyote" dedicated rifle. Remington 700, stainless, flutted and w/ synthetic stock. Leopold 2.5 x 8 scope. For winter I plan on a snow "camo" paint job.

Looks like Larry and I are the only guys on here with class...

Oh, its a .17 Remington, and yes, I do save the hides. I made a hat out of the last "prime" coyote I shot.

Silvertp

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #12 on:** August 10, 2009, 10:24:11 AM »

Well, for the windy plains of Wyoming a .17 isn't of much use. Nor the 204. Both see some action by those who only call, but for the most part the callers I know use at least a .223 or something in the .22-250 class. As for my dream rifles, I have them. It has taken a lifetime or experimenting to get them togther. Right now I have three rifles that do most of my coyote shooting. They are:
1. For calm days, called coyotes, or shooting around stock most of my coyotes are taken with a 700 ADL rebarreled with a PacNor barrel 27" long in .22-250 AI. On this rifle I usually use a Burris 3-9 with a ballistic plex crosshair.
Two others I often use, are a rebarreled ADL in .22-250, or a rebarreled 700 BDL in .220 Swift. Both Douglas Premium barrels # 5's. These also have 3-9 Burris scopes.

2. For longer shots, days when the wind can be kicking up a bit, my choice is a .25-06 ADL with a 27 inc. Douglas # 5 premium barrel. For a scope I have a 4.5 to 14 Burris with a Ballistic Plex scope. I really would have prefered Leupolds but at the time they were not available with this type crosshair.

3. For very long shooting, or very windy days, my favorite is a 700 BDL with a 28.5 inch Douglas Premium #5A. It has a straight 12x Leupold with dots from 200-600 yards. If I were building this scope again, I would put dots out to 800 yards, and the only change I would make in the rifle is to have a bull barrel.

Usually, when I go for coyotes, I carry two rifles, and use them as conditions dictate.

Ultra25-06 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2009, 11:39:44 AM »

My dream yote rifle would be a .223 rem over 12 guage, with fancy grain walnut natural stain and no gloss, flat tan finish, with 6x scope w/qd rings and back up ghost ring sights. Of course it would have to be accurate also with both barrels. Maybe Im asking for somthing that isnt?

My fur gun is a CZ 527 American .223 with a 40g bt load.
My knock them over is a H&R ultra 25-06 w/75g vmax load.

Any suggestions on where I might be able to find my dream yote gun???

billy_56081 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2009, 11:58:24 AM »

Coyote hunter I have to agree with half of what you say, the 17 is truly worthless in the wind. Now the 204 is better in the wind than most 22 calibers. The 40 grain Vmax has a higher bc than most .224 bullets therefore it has less wind drift. If money were no object an accurised AR15 in 204 would be close to perfect. The only issue I can see is fowling. My friends rem 700 204 fouls up after a hundred rounds and our 17s fowl after 30 shots.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2009, 03:52:37 PM »

Billy, What you say may be quite true about the .204. One of the top coyote hunters in this area had one on a hunt where I went along. He used it on one coyote that day, I got one with the .22-250 AI. I am not sure what load he had, but the AI kicked along a 50 grain Blitzking close to 4000 I believe. I would have to look back at the notes. The dog I killed was a bit farther, the the destruction a good bit more. For my use at age 62, I don't want to stock up on 20 cal. bullets, cleaning rods, patches, etc. for a caliber that I feel I can equal or better with a hot .22: AI, Swift, or Cheetah. While you may be right about the higher BC, I haven't checked, but I learned about 25 years ago, when there is wind, the .22's are best left in the pickup, and a heavier rifle taken.

Now this does not apply to all coyote hunting. Certainly not the east, midwest, and much of the west. I have come to realize, this area provides an unusually high percent of shots at coyotes going about their daily lives.

I have not run into an area like this anywhere except near Albany, Tx. They didn't shoot at coyotes very much on that ranch.

For calling I think the .17, 204, .223 or big 22's would all be fine as shots are usually fairly close.

I am sure it seems strange to many to have a .300 for coyotes, but my pal and I use bigger rifles from Sept. though the spring hunt. He usually has a 26 inch barreled 6mm, and a 27 in. barreled 7mm Mag. in the truck for spot and stalk hunting. I usually use a .25-06, and my heavy .300. When I hunt near ranches, or a lot of stock, I take the Swift, .22-250 or AI. But here ranges will be short, due to the stock in the fields. I have come to find this coyote hunting we enjoy is rather unique in the coyote hunting world.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2009, 04:16:51 PM »

What I say about the 204 in an AR and what I use are 2 different things. I use a Savage 110 in 220 swift most of the time. I was just dreaming about the almost perfect coyote rifle being a 1/2 moa 204 AR15. Would be flat shooting, hard hitting and you can keep the dogs in the scope after the shot. I have to say that the naysayers who say the 204 is to small for coyotes needs to come to MN in the winter and shoot some of htese big Easternss will thick prime coats.

Oldshooter · « **Reply #17 on:** August 12, 2009, 04:48:07 PM »

This is my "rabbit" its a poor boy AR

This is why it is called "rabbit" this is a 3 shot group at 100 yds, notice two in the same hole!

Until I can get the new AR outa hock it will be my dedicated coyote/varmit shooter!

trotterlg · « **Reply #18 on:** August 12, 2009, 05:13:08 PM »

I do have a nice Savage 24, 30-30 over a 20 Gauge, and number 4 buck would do a good job on a close coyote, but for getting some fir and hitting where you shoot my 17 is just the ticket. Larry

securitysix · « **Reply #19 on:** August 12, 2009, 06:32:49 PM »

Quote from: Siskiyou on August 09, 2009, 06:37:39 PM

I have an accurate, bargain basement coyote rifle that is hell on otes, and jackrabbits. I bought it at the end of 1978 or January 1979. The excuse was an off season coyote rifle, that burned less powder and was accurate. It was a package Remington 788 with a 4x scope. I replaced the scope with a 3x9 and glass bedded the action. Not sure it needed bedding but I had the bedding material.

From my experience with 788s, I'd say bedding it was probably totally unnecessary, but like you said, you had the bedding material. My dad's 788 in .22-250 will shoot 5-shot groups at 100 yards that can be covered with a dime. My 788 in .308 will shoot 5 shot groups not much bigger than a quarter at that same distance, and I'm still playing with loads. Neither has been modified from stock other than to put scopes on them (dad has a 4-16 Tasco and I have a 3-9 Bushnell).

sachel.45 · « **Reply #20 on:** August 13, 2009, 05:49:57 PM »

i like my dpms ap4 with a leupold 2x7 thats my dedicated coyote rig

Ladobe · « **Reply #21 on:** August 13, 2009, 08:17:07 PM »

Guess I must have a lot of class.

Eighteen! That's how many 17 caliber rimfire to wildcat rigs I got up to before I stopped buying/building them a couple of years ago, and all of them are for varmint and predator hunting. They retired almost all of my other P&V rigs from 22 to 26 caliber and some of them are single-shots. So I guess I have more class than all of you combined.

The 17's ARE my personal preference, not just to prove that I have a lot of class.

BTW, just how much class does it take to use an AR with a 20, 30 or 90 round magazine to kill a little coyote?

Oldshooter · « **Reply #22 on:** August 14, 2009, 12:53:03 AM »

Quote

BTW, just how much class does it take to use an AR with a 20, 30 or 90 round magazine to kill a little coyote?

Legitimate Question!..................... I'm fixing to find out!

Cant say that i'll use a 90 round mag tho! It will prolly hit the ground before my shootin sticks(and throw me off balance

, not to mention the fact that I cant afford to buy that much ammo!

Seriously, I've decided on the AR platform cause I like the versatility of the gun, not to mention the accuracy of the free float heavy barrel and the 2 stage trigger that mine is gonna have. I know that it will be hard to resist multiple shots at a running yote! but I have very good will power! Its been weeks since I thought of going semi auto for a varmit gun and I just recently fell prey to its beguiling attraction!

I'm very strong willed with very little class but if I start feeling guilty I'll bust out my little 17 Mach ll and just go fer ear hole shots.

Forgive my pic posting I Just figgered out how to and I'm enjoying the thrill of it all!............Did i tell you about my grandsons?

223Shooter · « **Reply #23 on:** September 10, 2009, 03:21:39 PM »

My coyote rifle is my 223 Handi rifle w/a 3-9x40 scope. It is simple and very accurate. It has never let me down..........

SD Handgunner · « **Reply #24 on:** October 13, 2009, 07:09:46 PM »

To me that Rifle is my 16" Bushmaster M4 Optics Ready Carbine. I have added a few parts to the stock Bushmaster to make it a bit more user friendly to me, JP Enterprises Adjustable Trigger & Speed Hammer, SOG Slip On Recoil Pad for the 6 Position Adjustable Stock, DPMS Aluminum Free Float Tube (that replaced the standard plastic M4 Handguards), KNS Detachable Sling Swivel Studs and a Badger Tactical Charging Handle Latch.

I have my Bushnell Elite 3200 1.5x4.5x32mm Firefly Riflescope mounted using the Yankee Hill Machine 1/2" Scope Risers (that came with this Bushmaster) with Weaver 1" High Extension Quad Lock 4x4 Scope Rings. This set up puts the scope at EXACTLY the right height above the comb of the stock so when I throw this Bushmaster up to my shoulder it fits me perfectly.

Prior to this acquiring this Bushmaster I have had numerous Rifles that I used for Predator Hunting. A previously owned DMPS Panther Bull 20 Fluted was the Rifle that showed me what AR's are capable of. That DPMS put about every handload I ever tried in it into groups running from 3/8" to 3/4" at 100 yards. I quickly discovered the ergonomics of the AR were suited to a variety of shooting positions. However fully equipped with a 4.5x14x40mm Nikon Buckmaster Rifle Scope in an Armalite One Piece Scope Mount, with a 20 round magazine with 15 rounds in it, sling & swivels and a Harris Bipod it tipped the scales at 12 pounds. For this old man it was a bit heavy for me to tote around calling Coyotes.

I am also putting together a T/C Encore. I currently am working with a Bergara 24" Stainless-Steel Barrel in .30-06 for my Deer Hunting needs but will be adding a Bergara 26" Stainless-Steel Heavy Barrel in .22-250 Remington after the first of the year so I can use it for Varmints and Predators when I am not using the .30-06 Barrel. This way I can use this Rifle Frame year round. While the Encore has a different feel than an AR, it does indeed feel good to me and about as natural to shoulder as the AR.

Larry

Catfish · « **Reply #25 on:** October 14, 2009, 05:03:18 AM »

I have 2 of them. For up close and personal use ( out to abt 275 yrds) I have an AR with a 3 x 9 Leupold on it. I carry this one most of the time and do 95% of my shooting with the scope set on 3x. The reach out and touch them gun is a .22 TTH ( 6mm case necked down to .22 cal. ) It wears an 8 1/5 x 25 Leupold on it. If your a hide hunter I would recomand the .17 Rem. as it does no damage to the hides 99% of the time.

gube · « **Reply #26 on:** October 15, 2009, 08:09:42 PM »

I use two dedicated yote rigs. A grey laminated 204 T3 lite with ss barrel and for those really windy days I pull out my camoed 243 T3 lite with SS barrel.
I would love to be able to use an accurized 204 on an AR platform but our Draconian Canadian laws only allow them to be used on an approved rifle range.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #27 on:** October 15, 2009, 11:08:10 PM »

Just picked up a CZ .204 Ruger, the varmint model. A lot lighter then my Remington 700 Varmint rifles, and shoots 1/2 inch with factory Winchester ammo. Love that set trigger. Might be I found my new PA coyote rifle. Those 700's are a little heavy for a lot of walking, better as chuck guns. Like my AR's, but no semi-auto rifles allowed for hunting in PA.

Larry

btracker1 · « **Reply #28 on:** October 25, 2009, 05:45:07 PM »

Mine is a AR-15 that I built in .223 I've been making up loads with 55g. Hornady V-Max, but so far have not been able to get a place to shoot any coyotes,so I have just been range shooting til I find a place to go.

My AR is one I built its got a Stag lower with two stag RRA trigger,RRA upper built with a bull 20"SS Varmint A4 ,Wylde chamber,hogue forarm Topped with a Bushnell 3200 Elite 5x15x40 and an A.C.E stock.Man I love this thing

3" target at 100yds 5 shot group

Also have my T/C Encore HB 223

Drilling Man · « **Reply #29 on:** October 26, 2009, 12:25:40 PM »

I've had mine since the 70's. It's a Rem. 700 action with a bbl. P.O. Ackley made and installed for me. It's chambered for 240 Wby., and shoots VERY good. The scope is a 3.5 x 10 Leupold.

If i was doing if over, it would be chambered 6mm Rem., and of course, it couldn't have an Ackley bbl. today, so i'd have top pick another maker.

DM