I apparently have a coyote problem.

[Antihero]

Title says it all, and my only 2 scoped guns are a 30-30, and a 22lr. Both seem unsuited as the 30-30 is way overkill and the 22lr isn't enough.

Range is 100yds max, I might be able to use my various pistol caliber carbines ( 9mm and 10mm) at shorter ranges but 100 yds open sights isn't ideal.

So....what budget gun/caliber would you recommend here?

 

[mcb]

If you don't want to spend money use the 30-30 it will work just fine on a coyote. There really is no such thing as overkill, especially on a varmint.

Now if you're looking for a reason to spend money then there are lots and lots of good cartridges and guns for coyote hunting. If you are only shooting 100 yards you can use just about any center-fire rifle cartridge that interests you, and quite a few pistol caliber carbines if that interests you. What are you interested in? Your selection options are wide open so if you can put a few more criteria on it (budget, action type etc) that would make it easier to give you a suggestion you might like.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Everything you have mentioned is enough provided the sights allow you to hit the target at 100 yds.

 

[redneck2]

Dunno which pistol caliber carbines you have, but if they allow for mounting of a scope, that would be my choice unless you’re looking to spend money. In that case, a budget friendly Savage with a 2-7 or 3-9 scope on a .223.

This may be the time to get an AR. That’s what I use for prairie dogs. Pop the scope off and a red dot on for two legged varmints

IMO, your ideal rifle could even be a .22 Hornet, but they and their ammo would be harder to find

 

[ericuda]

Nothing is overkill if you dont want the pelt. I use whatever I have handy when a yote gets within range. Ideally I'd use my 22-250 but the 06 with 180's works too.

 

[Antihero]

Of course I want to spend money

I wouldn't mind having a say.....223 bolt gun for fun. I think there's a few cheaper options out there.

Otherwise I could mount an optic on my 10mm AR, but I kinda like it as is. 30-30 is an option, it just feels ridiculous basically. I wish I had more of the 55 gr accelerator

I could also just get cheaper 223 upper for my ar

 

[edwardware]

Both seem unsuited as the 30-30 is way overkill and the 22lr isn't enough.
. . .
Range is 100yds max, I might be able to use my various pistol caliber carbines ( 9mm and 10mm) at shorter ranges but 100 yds open sights isn't ideal.

Hey, I'm as happy as the next guy to suggest a new gun, but there's no reason that .30-30 won't do just fine. The .22 will work if you can make excellent headshots. The PCCs will work if you add a scope or better irons.

But I would suggest a new M1a, National Match, in 6.5 Creedmoor, with at least a 8-20x Nightforce. . . or whatever you had in mind.

 

[Offhand McFlan]

Until recently I saw boxes of 22-250 at my local Wally World. (Hint)
A couple years ago I bought 150rds for about $25 on Gunbroker. Decent soft points that nobody else bid on. I still dont even have a rifle in 22-250, but I know a deal when I see one! When I do get a 22-250 I'll be ready for a day out.

.22-250 is a fairly common American very high velocity cartridge which trumps .223 in weight, velocity and range...and can reach out farther and flatter than 30-30 by far.. It will cause a mini nuclear explosion inside small to medium sized game. Probably among the top 3 I'd use for coyote, and IMO fills the niche between 30-30 and 22lr perfectly.

I dont know your budget or desires to upgrade, but a used savage, remington, howa or tikka in that caliber would cut the mustard as a cheap, effective entry level coyote gun. Howa and savage have models available with 10-shot mags, I believe.

If I couldn't find a 22-250 with coyote in mind I'd probably look at calibers in the 6 - 6.5mm category if all else I had was a 30-30 and a .22.

 

[Armored farmer]

I think the 30-30 is fine, but a .243 is a good varmint/ light deer gun.

 

[Poper]

If'n it was me, I'd opt for the .22-250 or a .243 Win. Tikka or Rem. preferred or Savage or Mossberg if budget minded. Ideally a 6-24x50 30mm tube scope (Leupold or Vortex Viper) or a 4-14x40 1" tube (Votex Diamondback or Burris) if on a glass budget. With the appropriate bullet, both calibers are suitable for up to deer sized game and good varmint gitters as small as prairie dogs.

BTW, If on a budget, EuroOptic has the Mauser M18 on sale for $399. https://www.eurooptic.com/Mauser-M18-243-Win-22-Synthetic-5rd-Mag-Bolt-Action-Rifle-M180243.aspx

I hope this helps.

 

[sarduy]

Get a 300 Win Mag and call it a day. Aim at the center of the chest or head.

that way you have a rifle from coyote to brown bear in case you ever get a bear problem

 

[NorthBorder]

My coyote getter is a Stevens 200 in .223. I couldn't ask for anything better. JMHO

 

[earlthegoat2]

Achilles heel of most 22-250s is twist rate for the heavier bullets that are fashionable these days.

Its generally a bit easier to find 223s so equipped.

 

[rust collector]

I'll add my voice to the 243 chorus. Right now there are many low cost options which are accurate and reliable. Focus on good glass and you'll have a 'yote smacker that will nicely fill in the gap in your long gun inventory and be pleasant to shoot as well.

 

[Frulk]

30-30 drops down to 110 grains. That should work fine for 100 yard coyote ammo. If they’re still made...I don’t know... you can go with the saboted 30-30 55 grain Rem Accelerator. I used The .30-06 version with passable accuracy in the 80s-90s. But they were pricey at the time and if still made will be today. I should note that due to the spitzer shape you cannot load more than one Accelerator round in the Mag of a lever gun to prevent accidental discharges with the point of one round resting on the primer of the other in front of it.

 

[CarJunkieLS1]

I'm not a big .243 fan and if you reloaded that's what I'd suggest. I'm assuming that you don't because you haven't mentioned that you do. I'm in the 22-250 camp for your coyote problem. Any factory loaded 55gr or heavier expanding bullet will be a death day on coyotes.

 

[mcb]

243 Win is OK but you would be better off with 6mm Remington or 6mm Creedmoor. Everyone knows metric is better.

 

[tark]

I just shoot the sons of bitches with my M-1 and hardball ammo. Works every time !

 

[CptnAwesome]

Savage Model 12FV from Cabela's. $419 and super accurate. They often run good sales on them also.
1st choice 22-250 Rem
2nd choice 223 Rem
3rd choice6.5 Creedmoor

 

[Sniper66]

With only 100 yds to cover the 30-30 will work just fine. BUT, I suggest you use this as an opportunity to buy a gun you really want, rather than settle for something utilitarian and not special.

 

[doubleh]

The coyote will never realise he has been "overkilled". Shoot it, or them, with the 30-30 and be done with it.

 

[dh1633pm]

Overkill isn’t an issue. My dad got one with his Savage muzzle loader and a big piece of lead. They die just the same.

Then there was the three who killed his cat. He isn’t particularly fond of cats. But it was his. All met their fate via a Ruger number 1 in 30-06 at 330 yards.

 

[Hooda Thunkit]

Then there was the three who killed his cat. He isn’t particularly fond of cats. But it was his. All met their fate via a Ruger number 1 in 30-06 at 330 yards.

I've never met your Dad, but I like him already.

 

[Obturation]

30-30 is good for killing critters. Use what you already have and save your money for something cooler than a varmint rifle. Just my .02

 

[WisBorn]

Get a 300 Win Mag and call it a day. Aim at the center of the chest or head.

that way you have a rifle from coyote to brown bear in case you ever get a bear problem

I have used a 300 win mag on coyotes. Just don't hit the shoulder blades. Makes a mess out of them!