This question goes to those of you who call coyotes and have occasion to shoot up close or 200-300 yards, depending on how the hunt goes. I have plenty of rifles, but most of them are too heavy and too slow for up close shooting; they're just not versatile enough. So I'm looking for your input. Please tell me what rifle you use for coyotes under these circumstances? I may decide to buy an AR style semi auto for such hunts. Also, what scope do you use? I've missed shots because my long heavy rifles with high powered variable scopes are not ideal. I can spend maybe $1200-$1500 so I have some flexibility. What do you think?? I would prefer .223 or .204, but could go with a .308.
Preferred rifle for coyotes??
- Thread starter Sniper66
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Sniper66;
I hunt coyotes here in Montana on the front range of the rockies. The wind has been known to blow a bit.
The primary coyote gun is a 6mm Remington. The handloads go about 3150 muzzle using a Hornady 75 grain V-Max. This is out of an 18.5" barrel bolt-action gun. The LOP is shorter than normal also, which is nice when wearing heavy clothing/camo. The scope is an utterly common and highly effective Leupold VX2 3-9X with a normal size objective bell diameter. I can't remember just what it is, but probably 36 - 40 mm. It's a very effective tool for the job of killing coyotes. I could care less about the condition of the pelt, I ranch & just want a dead coyote.
The back-up is a CZ527 .223. It wears a Nikon Monarch 3.3-10X A/O mil-dot scope that's no longer made by Nikon. As a side note, the replacement seems to be the Monarch 2.5-10X mil-dot, no A/O. I'm still fiddling around with handloads for it, but figure a Sierra 50 grain Blitzking using N133 powder. Things like exact charge weight and bullet seating depth are yet to be finalized. The back-up is just that, it's primary function is not coyote killing. The gently wafting breezes around here get a little too enthusiastic when pushing the smaller, lighter, lower B/C bullets around.
900F
I hunt coyotes here in Montana on the front range of the rockies. The wind has been known to blow a bit.
The primary coyote gun is a 6mm Remington. The handloads go about 3150 muzzle using a Hornady 75 grain V-Max. This is out of an 18.5" barrel bolt-action gun. The LOP is shorter than normal also, which is nice when wearing heavy clothing/camo. The scope is an utterly common and highly effective Leupold VX2 3-9X with a normal size objective bell diameter. I can't remember just what it is, but probably 36 - 40 mm. It's a very effective tool for the job of killing coyotes. I could care less about the condition of the pelt, I ranch & just want a dead coyote.
The back-up is a CZ527 .223. It wears a Nikon Monarch 3.3-10X A/O mil-dot scope that's no longer made by Nikon. As a side note, the replacement seems to be the Monarch 2.5-10X mil-dot, no A/O. I'm still fiddling around with handloads for it, but figure a Sierra 50 grain Blitzking using N133 powder. Things like exact charge weight and bullet seating depth are yet to be finalized. The back-up is just that, it's primary function is not coyote killing. The gently wafting breezes around here get a little too enthusiastic when pushing the smaller, lighter, lower B/C bullets around.
900F
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WestKentucky
Member
Same guns as for deer. .270 win for longer shots and 20 ga up close. I don't really know why I prefer 20 over 12 but I do.
Most anything can be used, but an AR is a great choice. I have a 2-8X32 scope on mine, but any 2-7X, 3-9X or even 4-12X could be used. I still prefer something with no more than 3X on the low end for the close and fast shots you get. On a general purpose AR I really like a 1-4X, but for a specific coyote gun I like more magnification for longer shots.
I almost missed an opportunity for a shot last spring because of too much magnification. We called one in but it hung up at about 300 yards right at dark, I moved my scope up to 8X, but he never gave me a shot. Just a few minutes later, and after dark one appeared 20 yards away and 90 degrees to my right. It was almost impossible to find him at 8X and so close in the dark, but I managed to pull it off.
I almost missed an opportunity for a shot last spring because of too much magnification. We called one in but it hung up at about 300 yards right at dark, I moved my scope up to 8X, but he never gave me a shot. Just a few minutes later, and after dark one appeared 20 yards away and 90 degrees to my right. It was almost impossible to find him at 8X and so close in the dark, but I managed to pull it off.
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
22-250 has been the best of the bunch for me over the last 50 years.
517 yards was my longest kill.
The .223 runs out of bullet explosive steam at about 250 - 300 in my experience.
My life long hunting pard swears by his 6mm Remington.
I always kidded him about him wounding them and my 22-250 killing them for him!
I built a 25-06 specifically for long range coyote hunting.
And it doesn't kill them as DRT as the 22-250!
IMO: it's just very hard to beat a 22-250 or .220 Swift for coyotes.
rc
517 yards was my longest kill.
The .223 runs out of bullet explosive steam at about 250 - 300 in my experience.
My life long hunting pard swears by his 6mm Remington.
I always kidded him about him wounding them and my 22-250 killing them for him!
I built a 25-06 specifically for long range coyote hunting.
And it doesn't kill them as DRT as the 22-250!
IMO: it's just very hard to beat a 22-250 or .220 Swift for coyotes.
rc
TexasPatriot.308
Member
probably my favorite is a Ruger No. 1 Varminter in .22-250 with a Leupold 6.5x20x40 VXIII but I deal them (and hogs too) misery with my Springfield Armory M1A Standard Loaded....still reach out and get them with iron sights all the time.
CarJunkieLS1
Member
My preferred gun for 'yotes are whatever I'm deer hunting with. It was a .270 Win last year.
witchhunter
Member
I have hunted coyotes for 40 years. I have to agree with RC as usual. The 22/250 is the standard out here in the west. I have used either a 22/250 or a .220 Swift for almost all of that time. I tried a .17 Remington for a while, I liked it, except when you are shooting over 300 yards or the wind is blowing. We get a lot of long range shots in hay fields out here where I hunt, so I don't use the .223, lots of guys like em, but I will stick with my 22/250 or a .243 with a 58 Vmax. I just bought a .243 last year and it shoots the 58 Vmax in one hole. It should carry out to 4 or 5 hundred easily as well as a 55 out of a 22/250.
Inebriated
Member
I don't "hunt" coyotes... I just shoot them when I see them, but I have plenty of friends that do hunt them and regularly take 200-300 yard shots. Their picks are almost universally a good, accurate AR15 and a 2-7x or 3-9x scope.
With your budget, I'd be looking at some BCM 18" or 20" uppers with a good lower, and a Leupold 2-7x.
With your budget, I'd be looking at some BCM 18" or 20" uppers with a good lower, and a Leupold 2-7x.
Fella's;
You guys who tout the .22's don't hunt 'em in areas that have bumper stickers like these:
"Wyoming wind festival, Jan 1 - Dec 31". Or, "Casper Wyoming, Cast Iron Kite Flying Capitol Of The World", "You'll get blown away in Choteau Montana!", "Gone With The Wind Is Not A Movie Here", and others.
Positive reinforcement is the 6mm!
900F
You guys who tout the .22's don't hunt 'em in areas that have bumper stickers like these:
"Wyoming wind festival, Jan 1 - Dec 31". Or, "Casper Wyoming, Cast Iron Kite Flying Capitol Of The World", "You'll get blown away in Choteau Montana!", "Gone With The Wind Is Not A Movie Here", and others.
Positive reinforcement is the 6mm!
900F
MachIVshooter
Member
I use a .17 Remington. Pin prick entrance, no exit, and looks like a bomb went off inside. Only thing is, those tiny bullets are running out of pizazz at 200+ yards for a coyote sized critter. At more extended ranges, I use my .220 Swift.
Inebriated
Member
....then why would they need 6mms, if they don't deal with winds like that?
In a bolt action, I'd go with a fast .224-.243 ie .22-250, .220, .243, 6mm etc.
In an AR I'd go with .223 with a good trigger.
In reality I use a .223 bolt action with a 3-9 scope or an AR with a 1.5-4 scope. I tend to take the bolt action out more because the scope is more confidence inspiring at longer ranges and the trigger isn't great on my bone stock Colt 6920.
In an AR I'd go with .223 with a good trigger.
In reality I use a .223 bolt action with a 3-9 scope or an AR with a 1.5-4 scope. I tend to take the bolt action out more because the scope is more confidence inspiring at longer ranges and the trigger isn't great on my bone stock Colt 6920.
As usual the suggestions I get from you guys on this site are helpful. Witchhunter shoots a .243 with 58 gr V-max. I have a heavy barreled Rem 700 VLS .243 and also shoot 58 gr bullets..a very accurate set up for long shots. I have a Leupold VX III 4.5-14X on it. So, I actually don't have to buy anything. But.....it is a heavy rifle that does not maneuver easily. Same problem with my Rem 700 VSF .223 and my Ruger #1 .204...all nice rifles, but not very maneuverable. So, what to do, what to do....As my dad would say, I'll study on it for awhile and get back to you. Tom
rcmodel
Member in memoriam
You ever been to Kansas?
There isn't anything between here and Wyoming to slow the wind down, except a couple of barb wire fences.
And the wire is down on them!
I'll still take a 22-250 with 55 grain bullets in the wind then a .243 with 58 grain bullets!
rc
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
200 to 300 yards? A .223 or a .243 has always been plenty good for me. A Ruger 77 Mk II in .223, or my little Sako carbine in .243.
redneck2
Member
I have an AR Varminter. The 9 twist handles 64 grain Winchester SP's quite well. Scope is too much, a 6.5-20x40, but coyote hunting is pretty limited for me so that's typically what i take because of accuracy, range, and punch
YMMV
YMMV
bhk
Member
I call coyotes a lot and I use either a light Sako 75 .223 bolt gun or an AR in .223. I bought and started using the AR because I thought it would be better on the many running shots I am presented with. It works well, but I still shoot running coyotes better with the bolt gun. Too many decades shooting traditionally stocked rifles and shotguns I guess.
My long shots are generally around 300 yards and I almost always get DRTs using Hornady 55 grain V-Max factory loads. My zero is at 200 yards for both rifles.
My long shots are generally around 300 yards and I almost always get DRTs using Hornady 55 grain V-Max factory loads. My zero is at 200 yards for both rifles.
Nom de Forum
Member
I have never used anything but a .22-250. More out of inherited tradition and habit than any other reason. It does everything a .223 does except fit in an AR.
Skylerbone
Member
The Kansas State tree is the phone pole as I hear it. Up here in corn country the favorite coyote killer seems to be a full choke 870, mainly because there's no rifle season on whitetail save muzzleloader.
I do like the idea of a 2-7X atop a carbine for what the OP requested and I'd skip on the AR for reason of personal taste.
I do like the idea of a 2-7X atop a carbine for what the OP requested and I'd skip on the AR for reason of personal taste.
Regardless of caliber, if your rifle is too heavy and too long, switch to something lighter and shorter. I grew up using a 6mm Remington with a sporter weight 22 inch barrel and either a 4x or 3-9x for jackrabbits and it was perfect. I know jacks aren't coyotes, but ranges varied from busting out at your feet to way out yonder and jackrabbits can really run and turn on a dime. A fast handing rifle really pays dividends.
Find yourself a rifle with a good balance that points fast and a smooth swing in your favorite caliber. I like bolt action rifles with sporter weight or lighter barrels at 22 inches or less, or an AR with a lighter weight profile barrel at 20 inches or less. A scope of about 3-9x or so with good optical clarity will work just fine.
My uncle was a rancher in North Dakota and killed plenty of coyotes with a 22-250. The 243 is also an excellent choice. Lots of coyotes are killed with the 223
Find yourself a rifle with a good balance that points fast and a smooth swing in your favorite caliber. I like bolt action rifles with sporter weight or lighter barrels at 22 inches or less, or an AR with a lighter weight profile barrel at 20 inches or less. A scope of about 3-9x or so with good optical clarity will work just fine.
My uncle was a rancher in North Dakota and killed plenty of coyotes with a 22-250. The 243 is also an excellent choice. Lots of coyotes are killed with the 223
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