Rob96
Member
I know all about "The Chart" as far as M4's are concerned. I am looking at an AR specifically for range time and for coyotes. What would be a good AR for this purpose?
AR for predator hunting
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NWCP
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I set up my Stag Arms Model 8 piston gun specifically for coyote. It wears a Leupold 2x7-33 scope. It works well for me. The rifle is accurate (well within minute of coyote), reliable and easy to maintain. The scope works well out to 250 yards and has a wide enough field of view at 2x that it can be used as a self defense weapon as well.
What's your budget? Do you reload? Does it have to be .223/5.56 or are other calibers an option? What range do you expect to be shooting at coyotes? Are you looking for an off-the-rack rifle or would you be amenable to buying an upper and lower separate? Do you have the tools to assemble an upper?
what is your budget?
If i were hunting yotes, i would want: edit: if .223/5.56
18 or 20" rifle gas, 1:8 twist, wylde chamber, stainless, hbar, Palmetto state armory has this upper.
4-6lb trigger, lower would be good, but in winter with gloves you don't want it to light. Geissele
Magpul CTR adjustable stock for summer and winter clothing
free float forend, The samson evolution is light and easy to install and not expensive
If i were hunting yotes, i would want: edit: if .223/5.56
18 or 20" rifle gas, 1:8 twist, wylde chamber, stainless, hbar, Palmetto state armory has this upper.
4-6lb trigger, lower would be good, but in winter with gloves you don't want it to light. Geissele
Magpul CTR adjustable stock for summer and winter clothing
free float forend, The samson evolution is light and easy to install and not expensive
Last edited:
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=612018
The reason for all the questions Rob96
So many different ways to approach hunting Yotes
A bench rest type AR may not be something you want to hump around all day. Where a 14.5" might work just fine depending on what kind of shots you will be taking. Both will get the job done, just some a tad bit better than the others.
The reason for all the questions Rob96
So many different ways to approach hunting Yotes
A bench rest type AR may not be something you want to hump around all day. Where a 14.5" might work just fine depending on what kind of shots you will be taking. Both will get the job done, just some a tad bit better than the others.
Kingcreek
Member
Mine is a Eagle Arms lower with fixed stock and a trigger kit and a RRA upper with 20" Hbar free floated in a YHM tube with Harris Bipod, 3x9 glass. Reasonably accurate for coyotes and P-dogs out to 300 yds. It is heavy but easy enough to tote around with a sling and a joy to shoot.
sansone
Member
this is the trade-off..
we want a "bench" type gun for accuracy, but don't want the burden of a 10 pound brick.
same with brrls, 20" bull or 16" light-profile? the lightweight may not group.
my answer: there is no answer, only compromise
My varmint rig is an AR in 6.5 Grendel with 20" barrel. I have been playing with optics; I started with a Leupold 4.5-14x40mm and currently have a Bushnell laser ranging scope on it which does a good job but I think I will go back to a traditional scope.
I've posted this before, but.....
The whole rig weighed in right at 10lbs with a loaded 20 round mag, less the bipod. The rig that I was shooting before this one had a 16" barrel with a mid length gas system. I liked it and it shot really well, but I wanted something with less recoil impulse for better follow up shots from an improvised rest. For this build, I went with an 18" barrel with rifle length gas system. It's still relatively light, since I didn't go with a heavy barrel, and it shoots very smoothly. I still got something around 2700 fps out of it with 77gr pills.
The whole rig weighed in right at 10lbs with a loaded 20 round mag, less the bipod. The rig that I was shooting before this one had a 16" barrel with a mid length gas system. I liked it and it shot really well, but I wanted something with less recoil impulse for better follow up shots from an improvised rest. For this build, I went with an 18" barrel with rifle length gas system. It's still relatively light, since I didn't go with a heavy barrel, and it shoots very smoothly. I still got something around 2700 fps out of it with 77gr pills.
Rob96
Member
I am looking in the 16"-18" stainless or chrome moly barrel length. Preferably not a bull barrel as I will have to lug this around about 2,000 acres in Nebraska. I want an A3 flat top. If it comes with a front sight will it get in the way of the scope? How would the S&W M&P 15 Sport fair for this application? I would like to keep it at a 1:8 twist.
Rob96
Member
I should clarify that I really looking the PSA rifle kit that comes with a 16" stainless barrel as well.
For what you want, I would consider choosing my 18" upper and complete lower. Maybe PSA for high quality/value or Noveske, LaRue or BCM uppers for a bit more.
ugaarguy
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The scope will focus beyond the front sight, so it's not an issue. The T/C barrels S&W is using on all M&P 15 rifles are very good (even though they're 4140, rather than 4150, which wont matter in this application anyway).
I have a friend who bought an M&P 15 Optics Ready a few years ago. He manages rural properties (the land side) for owners who live in surrounding cities. He bought the M&P 15 OR as lightweight coyote gun that he could keep slung while walking properties, and also be fairly easy to handle in his truck or on his tractor. It's provided exactly what he wanted in that role.
The Sport is the second M&P I've owned, and (as I've said many times here) the build & component quality are impressive - especially at the $600-ish price point. With the T/C 1:8 5R heavy barre (not a bull barrel)l I think it would work very well in the role of a lightweight predator rifle.
I can't speak to PSA's stainless barrels. Their chrome lined barrels are a known quantity since they're made by FN. They seem to be doing everything right though.
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