Coyote/Varmint Rifle

[imprezagm4]

I thought I had it figured out. Today I went to sportsmans warehouse, cash in hand, ready to purchase a stevens model 200... I had handled it before, and decided it was up for the job, but when I gave it another look today I felt like I was settling on a rifle that I wasn't real happy with. I left and checked out a pawn shop and another gun store on the way home, nothing really fit the bill, although I did handle and love the feel of a mini 14, probably because how nice and compact it was.

The issue is my budget ~$500, including a scope if the rifle has no iron sights.

I have looked at all the 'usual suspects', Remington 700, Savage 12 series, Howa, etc.

Can anyone help with some suggestions that I may not have considered? I prefer , .223 (due to cost), and something compact/light enough for lugging around the prairies. I love the mini 14 but I don't believe it is accurate enough. Most important is cost, college student. Used would be ideal, $500 is the MOST I would like to spend.

 

[Outlaws]

Get a lower level Savage, for as little as possible. Then spend the rest (as much as possible) on the scope. There are a few scopes for $200+/- that people here have and are very happy with. But don't buy something for under a hundred bucks, or a super cool 100x-500x zoom with red dot reticle for $200 either..

 

[imprezagm4]

Am I limiting myself too much to .223 do you think?

What about 22 win. mag? Is that an acceptable caliber? Marlin has some pretty slick 22 WMR guns.

 

[ojibweindian]

You're not limiting yourself, at all, as long as you are able to remain patient. The right one at the right price point will come along, eventually.

Best advice I can give you is to look around for a good deal on a used Savage. Should be roughly $300. Then go for a Bushnell Elite 3200 in 3-9x40. That will set you back roughly $200 new.

 

[Will Learn]

Well I settled with the Stevens model 200(.308) and am very happy with it. I highly recommend this rifle, it is capable of sub-MOA. The stock leaves something to be desired but you can always upgrade that later. I was going to post a Sub-MOA target but as usual THR won't let me attach the damn thing so whatever, get the Savage/Stevens you won't be sorry. Also, go with the .223 it has a wide variety of bullets and will get you out further than the others you mentioned.

 

[mustanger98]

imprezagm4, I see you're wanting .223Rem and a coyote rifle for as little cost as possible. There's a couple of recommendations for Savage on the board... I own a Savage Model 11GL in .243Win. It's the wood-stocked Hunter Series and is also available in .223Rem as well as .308Win. Mine came with sights on the barrel.

Contrary to what others have said, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on a scope. I say that because I personally get along with sights better than scopes. And how far out do you intend to shoot a coyote? To 200yds, .223 and .243 are shooting pretty flat. While I prefer aperture rear sights, I recall the first time I tried out my M11. I sat down at the bench and was bustin' rocks on the 100yd berm with the notch rear sight that came on it.

 

[timmyb21]

Done right you could probably build an AR for that price, used stuff in the right places, higher quality where needed. That's what I'm doing next.

 

[D&T]

You could get an H&R in 223 in either a light weight sporter or heavy barrel. Either gun could be had for less than $300.00 and since they come with a scope base, all you would need is a scope and set of rings, all for less than $500.00...

If you are looking for something other than a 223 and you reload, then look at the N.E.F. single shot in 30-30 Winchester. From a handloading standpoint and for a complete rig for under $500.00, you would have one of the most accurate rigs going. I have owned several of these guns myself and getting one to shoot 1/2" to 3/4" groups at 100 yards is easy to do. This little N.E.F. I have pictured here will shoot 1/4" to 1/2" 3-shot groups at 100 yards with relative ease and cost less than $500.00. For shooting coyotes out to 300 yards, a rig like this would be hard to beat....