Opinion on survival-coyote gun and caliber

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KenW.

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I've been interested in a packable-varmint-survival rifle for a long time now. I'd like it to take dog-coyote at around 100 yds, jackrabbits closer. It needs to be packed into ATV luggage successfully and safely. I carry at least one handgun on my desert atv trips already (.410 derringer, 9mm, or .38/.357)

What do others / you think is workable? I've considered the Keltec SU-16 and SUB 2000, Chiappa Little Badger, AR-7, Springfield M-6, and others. .17 HMR, .22 mag, or something else?

It boils down to a durable compact ATV-take down rifle that will take small and medium-size game at reasonable distances.
 
No coyote that survived being a puppy in a den with two working brain cells rubbing together is going to set around and wait for an ATV to get in 17 or 22 Rim-Fire range to let you shoot him.

I'd suggest a .223, like a Mini-14, AR-15, or CZ-527 Carbine.

rc
 
No coyote that survived being a puppy in a den with two working brain cells rubbing together
Click to expand...

Yep, all the real dumb coyotes are dead.

A buddy and I had a general hunting license and went for rabbits and coyotes this spring. Got a few rabbits (they were having a off year) but never a coyote that we could shoot*.

But for some reason all the rabbits we shot disappeared by the time we circled back around to them.

BSW

*We saw one coyote. He was playing by the road in a national wildlife refuge in broad daylight.
 
A really nice GI M1 Carbine with a folding stock or an AR carbine. An AR pistol might be worth a look. An AR stows pretty small when taken down. Do a search for the Colt 608 and see what they thought a survival arm should be.

100yds is asking too much of a 22LR on coyotes for a humane kill. 22Mag would be better but not much past a 100, maybe 125.
 
.223 Mossberg bolt gun that uses AR-15 mags, or a Marlin .22 Magnum would be my choices.
Then again a M4 carbine semi-automatic would be a good choice as would a Mini-14.

I'd opt for a .22 caliber. A sub2000 would be a decent choice especially if you had a pistol to go along with the caliber.
 
I think that an AR15 is the best choice for what you are asking. Capable of taking rabbits and coyotes well past 100 yards, ammunition is plentiful, and it can be broken down for transport.
 
One of my AR's has 14.5" barrel with a welded flash suppressor and fits in my box.
Two pins and any of them will but that's to slow.
10-22 with a folder works too but as has been said , a little weak for yotes.
 
I agree that an AR would be ideal. However, I'll make another suggestion if you dont want an AR for whatever reason. Check out an H&R Handi-Rifle in .223. I love mine it is compact, accurate, and cheap. It takes down easily too. I carry mine in my combine, on the atv, and jeep. It gets abused, and will still put a hole in a pop can at 300yds.
 
Savage.

Packable survival rifle, to me, screams combo gun and one of my first picks would be a Savage 24 or a 42. The 24's can be had in several gage and caliber combinations. I have even seen one in 22 Hornet/20ga.
 
An AR15 is a packable rifle? I'd love to see the luggage ya'll have; the thing's got more corners than a ten speed bike!

For more "go" than a rimfire, I'd suggest a Handi in 5.7 Johnson or Hornet. If it's too loud, remember you'll have to pack muffs along, instead of just foam plugs.

TCB
 
KenW. said:
It needs to be packed into ATV luggage successfully and safely.
Click to expand...

What's the dimensional space inside your ATV luggage and how much of that are you willing to give up to a rifle?

An AR with a collapsible stock (32.5") would definitely fit in some of those cavernous 36" bags and you wouldn't even have to push the pins out.

The Compact Handi-Rifle comes in at 33" and would fit without take down and be lighter, too.

What would really be cool is a take down or folding stock bolt gun in .223/5.56. :)
 
well,if you already have a .357 pistol,maybe one of those lever action rifles in .357 ? there are lots of people making them and it would be good for almost anything within 150 yards
 
I don't see an AR being what I consider packable; even with a colapsing stock without being a hassle. I don't want to fumbling around with re-assembling a rifle out in the wildlands. Something more along the line of a KelTec SU-16. With my current luggage there is space for about 24" in length.

It is not like I plan to hunt from atop the ATV. That is for recreational riding and getting to a hide, then sitting and waiting. Its also for doing some plinking aside from hunting. I've taken shots at jackrabbits during rest stops out in the desert and want to reach further than a handgun is capable of in my hands. I wish there was a take-down 10/22 magnum...

I have a stockpile of .243 Winchester for my deer rifle. I'll look into a Handi Rifle in 243 if they come apart easily.
 
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barnbwt said:
An AR15 is a packable rifle? I'd love to see the luggage ya'll have; the thing's got more corners than a ten speed bike!
Click to expand...

Yep, it's no backpack gun that's for sure. :D

Since you mention luggage, below is a 16" barreled AR with A1 fixed stock. The upper assembly is 26" long.

Push pins out, put upper on lower, push pins in, clip on rear of sling . . . 20 seconds. Give or take. No screws or barrel nuts to tighten and no loose parts that fall out in the process. (EDIT: for those that don't know, the takedown "push" pins are trapped in the rifle and don't fall out.)

http://www.bulldogcases.com/case-vaults/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=16_17&products_id=95

case-9.jpg


case-8.jpg


case-2.jpg
 
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.17 Hornet is a fantastic cartridge that works at long distance, its only real flaw is that it's so small that even a slight wind affects it. But it's a hot little round (3500 fps muzzle velocity). I don't know if there are any break down/take down rifles that shoot this ammo, but it's definitely a good cartridge for shooting coyotes at long distance.
 
If you're going to look into the Handi-Rifle, you should do it soon. I hear through the rumornet that they will be discountinued, much to my disappointment. You can pretty much choose your caliber from .17 to .45-70.
 
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