I want me a coyote gun

[bluerider450]

So i stopped by sportsmans warehouse today, just to take a look around. After fondling a GSG-5 and a couple 10-22s I noticed a real sharp looking H&R Ultra Varmint Handi rifle in .223. It had the synthetic stock and fluted barrel and was marked down to $259. I have been thinking about buying a handi rifle for a while and I kinda liked the way this one felt. I have never been coyote hunting but I want to break into it but I think my 7mm mag is kind of overkill. So my question is this should I buy the handi rifle or go another route. I currently own a CMMG bargain bin M4, a DPMS .243 complete lower, and a saiga 12. Now the M4 would need some customization to become a coyote slayer. .243 Uppers are hard to find and expensive when you do, I could go the .308 route but they aint cheap either. I was considering getting a Savage .223 bolt gun as well. I have also been toying with the idea that a keltec SU16 would make a pretty handy coyote gun. Any opinions from experienced yote reapers?

 

[Dr.Rob]

Honestly the H&R needs work to be accurate, but it's not expensive. Don't expect match grade accuracy from cheap 55 gr blasting ammo. You need a trigger job and to float the forend to really get it to sing. Varmint Hunter magazine had a detailed 'how to' on the H&R Ultra Varminters when they first came out and it took a bit of fiddling to get those things really dialed in. They also aren't so handy with a high power scope and bipod on them.

If I was going to build a dedicated varmint rifle I'd have ONE question. Are you going to 'walk around with it' (or ride with it on horseback) or shoot it off a bench or stand/fixed postition?

Because most people get REALLY tired of hauling around a 14 -16 pound 26 inch bull barrelled 'target' gun with 4-16 optics and a bipod. Though thats just fine for shooting from a bench/truck/stand/blind. That Savage 112 FV is a fine rifle to start with if you want a heavy rifle.

If you want a real walking around gun, look at the CZ 527 carbine. I don't think any US comany has made a rifle quite like it. Put a decent 3x9 variable scope on it and a real shooting sling and get to practicing.

Or, you can buy a high power scope for your M4gery and call it good.

223/5.56 is plenty of gun for coyotes.

 

[viking499]

I usually keep a 243 with me. Nice shooting and easy to pick up ammo if need be. Sometimes take the 223 if I am in the multiple, quick shots mood.

 

[HunterBear71]

The Savage bolt gun in .223 would be an excellent coyote rig. They make a predator version that is already camo.

 

[mshootnit]

my dad was death to coyotes: 6mm Rem Ruger M77V Weaver K6W glass. He would get it out each year and place a cross made of black tape at 220 yds. It had to put all three shots inside the intersection of the tape. One year it wasn't shooting good so did he mess with the gun? Hell no he went and got new glasses. Problem solved. Now thats faith in your equipment. I suppose we had several christmas's paid for by sewn, washed, stretched coyote hides.

 

[nulfisin]

How long are the shots going to be? Your .243 could do the job at about any distance. If you are going to take closer shots, that Saiga would be perfect. I use my AR (.223) for the most part.

I've also used a 22 Win Mag and a .17 HMR. Tiny bullets that work very well if you don't push the distance too far.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Yep, what Dr. Rob said - spend just a smidge more and get a Savage or Howa - lookie:

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/

http://www.savagearms.com/firearms/models/


http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_ranchlandcompact.html

http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_hogue.html

http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_hogue_scopepkg.html

http://www.legacysports.com/products/howa/howa_ranchlandfullcamo.html

The Handi is OK, and should shoot pretty accurately, but it may need tweaking, it may need chamber polishing to keep brass from sticking, and it's a pain to shoot from the bench, being a break action.

But if the budget is maxed out, the Handi can be made to work.

 

[nobugs]

You dont need a tack driver for yotes. Call them, they will come...

 

[tactikel]

I have a SU-16C (folding stock). I have taken my "Charlie" Coyote hunting 3 times and really love it. I weights in a 4.5 lbs (yes 2.1 kilos) is a joy to lug from blind to blind, and willl shoot 2 MOA all day long. The 16" barrel is easy to handle in brush (I hunt NE Wis.). For open areas I have a .22-250 Mauser. Anything over .243 at least hunting east of the Mississippi IMHO is overkill.
The .223 is thought by many to be the ideal 'Yote caliber: Accurate, economical, deadly with proper bullets, and all with light recoil.

 

[Jubjub]

The last coyote that I killed succumbed to a single high velocity hollow point .22 long rifle bullet fired from a Remington 514. Scale up from there.

 

[mljdeckard]

I have been listening to podcasts from the pros lately, and the consensus is that 22-250 is the round. It bucks the wind better, and gives you more distance.

MY dilemma is, there aren't any AR-10 uppers in 22-250. I am on a bit of a quest to use EBRs for all my hunting, which pushes me back to .223 and .243.

 

[Art Eatman]

I've always figured the .223 to be an easy 200-yard coyote cartridge, and if you can make a head shot, good to 300, anyhow. Unless you really figure on reaching out toward 400 yards, there's no real gain in going to a .22-250, great cartridge that it is.

 

[Jackal]

Just put a 3-9x scope on that M4. Problem solved for any practical coyote hunting use. AR15 is a great choice for yotes, due to the fast follow up shot and the ability to take one animal, then his buddy thats standing in front of him.

 

[jpwilly]

Yip, I'm with you Jackal, unless you want a good excuse to purchase a different rifle the M4gery you have should work fine. Scope it and test out some loads. 200yrds should be a piece of cake. Work on calling them in and your in business.

 

[ThePunisher'sArmory]

I use a Savage 10FP in .223 and then just ghillie it up with burlap. Kills um dead, very accurate.

 

[Whitman31]

My vote is a Savage in either 223, 22-250, or 243. And since we're showin' off...

 

[Jefferson Herb]

yote's

In my area the pelts are'nt worth much,not cold enough.There is a guy who hunts the ranches,uses a 6.5-284 or something like that.His personal is just over 1,000 yds [ 3rd shot].I got my first coyote w/7mm mag and a nosler 140 ballistic tip,left it by the road for the Rancher to see.
Accuracy is required if going several hundred yds,otherwise use what you can shoot.My last yote kill was at 125yds w .22mag.

 

[NWCP]

My rig is a CZ 527 American with a Weaver Classic V series 4x16x42 AO. I'm a big fan of the CZ rifle line. They manufacture accurate well finished rifles at a good price. A H&R is inexpensive and as such would be attractive, but for predator/varmint hunting I prefer a solid bolt action allowing follow on shots if needed. JMHO

 

[Zorro]

223. Coyotes just don't need much more than a .22 Magnum to do in.

223 Remington is both common and cheap with a quite good ballistics properties.

Hard to beat the .223 for general varmint use.

 

[brianr23]

Savage-Stevens 200 in .223 and a Nikon Prostaff. Under $500 total and does the job just fine.

 

[dls56]

I have both the .223 and a .204 Ruger, either will work. Mine are both Savage model 14's and I have to say that the 204 out performs the 223.
Food for thought. I also have an old 6mm Remmy that likely tops them both. If you're saving hides that throws another bit of complexity into the equation and a .17 centerfire comes to mind also bullet selection can help save hides.
Best wishes with whatever you decide upon.

 

[Dr.Rob]

Whitman that might be the coolest mounted yodel dog I've ever seen.

 

[sprocket3]

CZ just came out with at light .223 with synthetic stock. Set trigger, around pounds. Can't beat that with a stick.

 

[Whitman31]

Whitman that might be the coolest mounted yodel dog I've ever seen.

Thanks. I'm still debating if I should put it into a glass coffee/end table or a glass top poker table.

 

[AutumnsDad]

Stevens 200

I picked up a Stevens 200 in .223 on sale for $200. It ended up being cheaper than the break open so I pounced on it. I haven't been able to take it out yet(scope base came in the mail yesterday). All I can say so far is that the trigger will need some work. It is usable but far from ideal. If you look around you may find a deal on a bolt gun.

I like the break open guns as well. I have a H&R in .17 hmr that I really like.