Author Topic: Washington Coyotes (Read 625 times)

bikered · « **on:** May 17, 2004, 05:39:10 AM »

Gents, I'm looking for some suggestions with regard to a good coyote gun. I live in SW Washington and have given some thought to hunting coyotes and cougar this season. My thoughts are running along the lines of a .223 (cheap ammo), but my question is in regard to a bolt vs a semi-automatic (AR style)? Scope power? Thanks in advance for any info.

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2004, 03:42:45 AM »

I really like the bolt actions and am seriously considering a single shot such as the Ruger #1 or the Browning model 1885 high wall.

I did read a report on the semi-auto Bushmaster. Said four different brands of the .223 ammo shot into 1" at 100yds

oso45-70 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2004, 04:07:46 AM »

bikered & Glanceblamm
Being from the old school you might know i'm going to say bolt action in
a 223 or 22-250 or even a 222 whitch is not as popular any more. And for a scope i would go with some thing like a good 3/9 one of the better ones.
There is nothing wrong with the A/Rs as i have had and used them its just a matter of choice. You will always be able to find plenty ammo and it will be priced to where you can afford to shoot a lot. Its kinda like ford & chevy. Its what ever trips your trigger,, Have a good day......Joe........

bikered · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2004, 05:31:54 AM »

OSO45-70,
I too believe that the bolt guns are the more accurate of the two rifles. However, a secondary reason for thinking about the AR style is because in the Mt. St.Helens area there is also a cougar population which is growing. My thought there is that a quick second, OR, quick first shot might be needed. A friend of mine did get one in Oregon (when dogs were allowed) with a .22 WMR out of a pistol. I think that the .223 should suffice, since its original intent was for something larger than cats and dogs. Thanks, Ed

scruffy · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2004, 10:34:21 AM »

If I were to start fresh now (or replace what I have) I'd get a savage with the accu trigger in 223. Then I'd top it with a Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9x40. Get a couple of good shooting sticks, maybe a harris L or BR bipod for prone/hood shooting, and the coyotes will be in serious trouble.

If you have you heart set on an AR then by all means get an AR. Just more expensive than the Savage. I hunt coyotes with both a bolt, semi, pump, and single shot and they all work. The semi is nice, but I can't remember a situation where I couldn't wrap the bolt fast enough for a finishing shot. But I've had three occasions now in the last year where I pulled the trigger, missed, and the coyote looked at me. On two occasion I moved to reload, cycle the bolt, and he made tracks. On the third occasion it was with a semi and I just pulled the trigger again.

But those situations are far and few between. I'd rather have the better savage with accutrigger and a few bills in my pocket verses quicker (instant) followup shots. But that's just me.

later,
scruffy

persistentprogrammer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2004, 10:47:16 AM »

I don't want you to give away your secret hunting spots, but do you plan on hunting St Helens area primarily, lots of nice land there? I use 700vs .308 with Sierra match bullets, hollow point bullets that are legal for hunting, but they don't expand much. I still need to hit something with them to prove this point though.

varmit_master · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2004, 01:59:54 PM »

Hi i am a 22 250 man but i got a Rem 700 223 some time back and if you dont reload and how farare you going to be shooting coyote if i was going to be shooting pass 275 to 300 yrds on i would go with the 22 250 i got the 223 for fox and some coyoye hunting if you dont reload gowith the 223 they are alot of factory 223 good ammo out there and some 22 250 VM

Doc T · « **Reply #7 on:** May 20, 2004, 07:57:42 AM »

Let me stir the pot a little. How about a Contender carbine in .223? I bought one of the new G2 23" barrels and experimented with bullets ranging from 40gr to 70gr. My particular barrel likes the 50 grainers the best and will shoot a group at 100 yards that you can cover with a dime! Be careful, though, about getting a Contender if you don't have one already. Contenders are more addicting than crack cocaine!