Semi-auto rifle options

Status
Not open for further replies.
S

stevetford

Member
Joined
May 18, 2007
Messages
57
Location
Wickliffe Kentucky
Hello guys, new member here. I really love the site and the fact that no questions ever seem to be dumb ones that end up in total bashing of the topic starter. Anyways, with that said I need help in choosing a semi-auto rifle. I have recently moved here to Kentucky and meet many farmers that have coyote problems that I would like to help them address.
I am looking for a rifle in the .223 semi-auto range. I currently have a Remington Speedmaster 552 on loan from a co-worker that I have used just once. I was able to drop 2 coyotes both from inside 100 yards and I was not happy with the stopping power of the .22lr stinger rounds used. While I appreciate the use of my co-workers rifle, the .22lr round and fixed power scope are just not to my liking for what I am doing. I am looking for more power and I think a .223 will do what I want. I am currently not calling in the coyote, but with a larger round I would like to use some calling sounds and get them at 200-300 yards. My question is, will the .223 have enough stopping power at say 300 yards against a 40-50 lb coyote?
My next concern is I would like to have semi-auto operation from the rifle. I have my heart set on the Bushmaster Varmiter, but with the price of the rifle and and good scope I am looking at a $1500 purchase. Is it possible to find the rifle I have described under possibly $1000 with a scope? I am open to all suggestions,maybe I am thinking too much or not enough. Either way tell me what you all think. Thanks for the help.
 
The Bushmaster Varminter is a good choice. I have seen them used in the $750-850 range.
I have a "varmint" AR that was put together about 10 years ago and I use a $99 Simmons scope: Scope link
It's not a Leupold but it performs great for me.
 
The AR's are great rifles but they are expensive and they require a lot of upkeep.

Look into a Mini-14, they are ranch rifles in 5.56 (.233) and they hold up great. They are also a lot cheaper then an AR15. However they are not as accurate at long distances as the AR15 rifles. If you are looking into Coyote shooting under 100 Yards I think the Mini-14 may be an ideal choice, but I will let some other people chime in after all its just one mans opinion.
 
There is a SS 18" barrreled AR-15 for sale in the Rifles and Shotguns section of this forum that seems to be a good deal.

It's not mine.......I've got three and won't sale one for at least another month.
 
Welcome to THR StevetFord. The mini is a good cheap coyote gun inside 200 yards. Don't pay more than $500 for one used in very good shape. The AR is better and be had in the $700-800 range and is good to at least 350 yards with the right bullets.
 
Hey, what part of KY are you from? If you're shooting out to 300 yards, I'd rule the Mini-14 out. If you have to have a semi, looks like the AR-15 platform is what you need. I have both. In fact I'd like to sell my Mini because I never shoot it anymore. That said, if you poke around here http://www.ar15.com/ and learn a little bit about the AR, you'll find that if you buy a lower receiver, either whole or stripped, and then stick the upper of your choice on it, you can pull this off for under $1000 with a nice scope. You don't need to get fancy with the lower, the upper is what does the job. There is a lot of stuff for sale on the Equipment Exchange section. If you don't get caught up in the “cool” accessories, you might pull this off for around $600. Go with a flat top receiver for a scope gun. The only thing I hate about the AR-15 is, the trigger. That can be replaced. But it ups the price.
 
 
If you check around you can find a good deal on an AR15 on the many auction boards they turn up if you browse and wait.
If you intend to scope the AR15 one with the detachable carry handle is easier to do so.
Another alternative to the Mini 14 is a Browning BAR or Remington 7400 or the older Remington 742 rifles in .270 .308 or .243 these rounds can be used for varmits and deer something the .223 may not be legal to hunt with.
Triple K makes a decent 10 round magazine for the Remingtons.
Check the following:
www.auctionarms.com
www.gunsamerica.com
www.gunbroker.com
Local gun shows and pawn shops also turn up good deals from time to time.
If you need to find what a gun is worth pick up a firearms blue book or have your local library order one if they are willing.
Good luck
 
Wow, thanks for all of the reply's and links to some great stuff. Just after I made this post I went to some of the local gun shops looking at what they had for used rifles. I am suprised at how many different opinions you will get about what round to use for coyote hunting. I heard every thing from the .22 magnum up to 30-06.
Anyways, given my beer for a budget and a champaign eye I think I will settle for a bolt action to get me going for now. Of all my deal searching today I think the best deal I found was a new Remington .270 bolt action with a 4-9X40 scope mounted on clearence for $300. I do not like the synthetic build, but again I don't have the budget to be picky. I have not bought it yet, so I will continue to search the for sale ads here and the links you all have provided before I make my final decision. Thanks again to everyone for the help. BTW, tkcomer I am located in western KY just to the west of Paducah
 
We live on opposite ends of the state. 270 is a good caliber. As long as the gun is a 700, you'll do just fine with that setup. I'm not sure if they are in that area, but you could shoot elk with that gun. Might start looking on E-bay for a used reloading setup if you plan to shoot it much.
 
No doubt the model 710. An excellent rifle. but a plain jane when it comes to looks.For about the same money you might look into a Saiga in .223...A real Russian AK sporting rifle.
 
stevetford,

Welcome to THR.

I would get and have a Mini-14 or AR-15 in the .223 caliber.
 
Unless Ruger's made some serious changes in the Mini 14 design to correct the lousy accuracy caused by the gas system you're going to be disappointed.They've got a "target" model out now with a bull barrel and dampener but it's still got the same rotten gas system clamped to the barrel. It's also got an MSRP (no one stocks it around here) comparable to what An AR would run.
 
If you do not have one ... buy the AR-15 and enjoy being an American!

For the coyotes and other varmints and for the money you could also look at a T/C Encore and buy you a .223 barrell and if you dont like it put on the 25-06 barrell. for the coyotes at 300 yards the .223 woud do the job and in a 24" barrell is very nice, ...I love the 25-06I love the .223 ...and if you get an Encore your options will be endless anyway.

And these firearms produce some of the tightest groups you will ever see or imagine.

www.tcarms.com

But if you do not have one......Buy an AR-15HBAR or Ruger Mini 14 however I agree the accuray sux on the mini 14 std. I like an HBAR (heavy barrel) the minis are fun but at 300 you will be sick and watching coyotes run away most likely.
 
go on the cheap and buy an sks. reliable and accurate and will kill a coyote.
cheap, decent scopes and accessories are available. i snobbed the sks until i bought a ruger mini 30. the sks is far superior even without a removable clip.
 
I know, the AR's are ubercool but i think it will be hard to find the rifle and a decent piece of glass for $1000. My advice is, get a good bolt action like any Savage with the accutrigger and that should leave you with enough cash for a nice scope (something like a Nikon Monarch, check out Natchez Shooter Supply). This setup in .223 is very easy to shoot accurately.
 
You can easily get an AR new for under $1K, even less used, if you stick to the standard 20" A2. Don't overlook a used scope either. If you go with a used Burris Fullfield, or Leupold VXI or VXII (or any used Burris or Leupold for that matter) you'll usually get it for much less money than a new one, and both companies will service the scope for free should a problem ever arise.

Otherwise a bolt action like a Savage/Stevens M200, or a Remington 700 SPS are great new rifles that are inexpensive. Any good used Remington, Ruger, Savage, or Winchester will also do fine.

Just remember to put some money into good glass so you can take advantage of the rifle's capabilities.
 
Depending on your desires, the SKS can be a great varmit/truck gun, at under $150.

Before I would bother with a mini-14, I would spend the extra $200-300 bucks and get an AR-15. A basic Bushmaster AR-15 can be had for $750 or less. Mags are cheaper than the Mini-14, accuracy is better and options/accessories are more plentiful. The AR comes with a flash hider, which is nice for night shooting.

Happy hunting
 
Ok guys, I made a purchase today. Please be honest and tell me what you think. I have not fired it yet but I am very happy with it so far and think I found exactly what I was looking for but cheaper.
Anyways, I picked up a SKS with a Tapco adjustable stock, rail cover with Picatinny mount and a BSA 6-24X40 scope and sunscreen and a bipod. I was also given the original rail cover if I ever decide to shoot the rifle with it's own sights.I paid $400 for this setup. I am sure I could have built this cheaper myself, but having no experience with the work involved I feel more comfortable having a gunsmith who performed all the mods do it. Anywho, please tell me if I got a good deal or not. This may be a bit much for someone who is simply looking to hunt coyote and I know certian things like the scope may be cheap equipment but I think between the gun range and hunting I am really going to have fun with this thing. Thanks again guys.
 
$400 dollars for any serviceable rifle with a serviceable scope is not unreasonable. There's always going to be someone who knows where you could have gotten a better deal yadayada who cares. 400 bucks for a rifle you're happy with is a good thing.

I would not worry about the scope being cheap. A cheap scope is more than good enough for 99.9% of shooters. The coyotes won't care much about your shot groups.

If you're enjoying it and being safe your doing it just right.
 
I like the SKS though I have never shot one past 100 yards. Im not a fan of the BSA scopes but if it works then its good to go. Go out, shoot it and tell us how she runs.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

J
  • Locked
.223 compact semi auto
2
Replies
31
Views
2K
crazyivan
C
A
  • Locked
PC4 for coyote hunting
Replies
5
Views
628
Jackal
Jackal
S
  • Locked
Preferred rifle for coyotes??
2
Replies
39
Views
6K
Cee Zee
C
F
  • Locked
Advice needed on semi auto rifle
Replies
0
Views
356
FMarlon
F
S
  • Locked
What type of scope?
Replies
2
Views
329
elmerfudd
E
Back
Top