I need a thorough education on rifles

[X-Rap]

My two cents. A 22-250 is tops for coyote use HP bullets that shoot best for you. I shoot 40gr Bal.Tips. Reload its not that hard and gives some pride and satisfaction of doing it yourself + it saves money in the long run.Search want adds, pawn shops,gun stores,and even the neighbor for guns for sale. Just one case in point I bought an early model 788 rem in 22-250 and an old 3x9 weaver micro trac scope about the same era for $250.00 at a pawn shop they shoot three shots under 3/4" at 100. and it doesn't hurt me to get it dirty or scratched. 25-06 is also a good caliber especialy if you will be pushing range.Take the rest of your budget and get the ART OF THE RIFLE a rockchucker reloading package,bipod, and an assortment of mouth calls plus a good quality electronic. You might have to kick in a little extra to get it all or just put it on your christmas list.

 

[SShooterZ]

I'm going to look this weekend and see if that Savage MKII is still around. Might just have to buy it just because.

In regards to the .243, I think the SAVAGE 12BVSS might be a nice gun to shoot.

Next, scope-age... Burris, Nikon, Weaver... Decisions, decisions, decisions...

 

[adobewalls]

The .243 is what you get when a .308 mates with a .223.

Seriously, the .243 is a .308 Winchester necked down to 24 caliber. It is considered a bit heavy for varmints in general, though not for coyotes. It would be a good choice as it still has a good bit more punch left at ranges where the .223 and 22-250 become marginal.

It is probably worth the money to get the "varmint" version of whatever you decide, particulalry if that means a heavier profile barrel that is free floated. Generally those hold their accuracy better when shooting multiple shots in a short time.

 

[BigFatKen]

wind drift

Since you will be shooting infrequently compared to prayie dog shooting, you must make the first shot count. Recoil should be of no concern to a few shot a day shooter. A 12 ga recoils at leasr 2X a 30 caliber.

Use the .308 for accuracy or .30-06 for versitility and load with the excellent 168 gr holllow point boat tail pointed bullets by various makers. They have monster balistic coifecents (BC) of around .620 and a cross wind will effect them about 20% of what it does to a 55 gr .223

I have a Savage with the old trigger. The trigger sucks. A new model with the accu - trigger is $349 at Wal-Mart with plastic stock. Put your big money into the scope with a sun screen

 

[SShooterZ]

Handled the SAVAGE 12BVSS and that MFer is heavy!! In fact, way too barrel heavy for my tastes. I think it weighs in at 10 or 11 lbs.

Handled the Savage 14 American Classic and it felt really good. I think that's what I'm going to do. Still stuck on the .243 too.

Also, scope wise, the sun screen was brought to my attention from a guy I work with. Thanks for the heads up.

Now, just need to pull it all together and figure out how to reload.

 

[phrozenlikwid]

Rimfire on coyotes seems a little small unless you are shooting close, and very picky about your shots.

338-378 Weatherby would probably fit the bill nicely, however.

 

[Froggy]

338-378 Weatherby would probably fit the bill nicely, however.

Coyotes up your way must be a little bigger than ours. Down here they seldom get over about 35 pounds. That much bullet wouldn't leave behind much more than the feet.

 

[X-Rap]

The 243 is an excellent choice check out the 55 gr nosler balistic tips for your coyotes. I have it in a old mod.ruger 77v with 4x12 vxIII. It will kill a dog.

 

[BigFatKen]

The 243 is an excellent choice check out the 55 gr nosler balistic tips for your coyotes. I have it in a old mod.ruger 77v with 4x12 vxIII. It will kill a dog.

While the above is true and will give string straight "no hold over or under" shooting, I would use no less than the 85-87 gr bullet for wind drift. Stick to the pointed BT designs. A longer bullet = higher BC. Hollow points make a bullet of any given mass longer.

 

[X-Rap]

The original post requested info for keeping coyote in check for area farmers. This will require active hunting/calling to be effective in farmland. The nature of this type of hunting somewhat negates the need for maximum bc bullets since shots coming to a call will likely be under 200yd probably more like 100 I believe the flater trajectory and faster speed (just under 4000 fps) would better serve the shooter. Its important to remember that his job is to kill coyotes not train them so calling in close is important imo. Another hunter with a shotgun will probably prove to be useful in brushy country. I have no disagreement with the qualities of longer high bc bullets I just think that they all have applications that serve specific purposes. Plus I think that the balistic tips are designed with maximum expansion and high bc to bullet weight ratio. Personally that is the reason that I prefer the 22 center fires for shooting fur. I have fair experiance with coyotes in the west and have found that 55gr bal.tips in 223. rarely have nasty exits and steping down in weight to 4ogr. in 22-250 helps keep damage confined to the insides. I have seen many shots at under 50yds with 223 that simply blew up inside and only had fragments perferate the off side.

 

[SShooterZ]

For general rifle education I'd recommend reading "The Art of the Rifle" by Jeff Cooper. Its primarily about general technique, for specific caliber recomendation's, I've always liked Jack O' Connor's books.

Just got finished reading this and I think I have to read it again. VERY informative and exactly what I was looking for. Thanks again for the tip!