What's a good coyote/plinking gun?
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BADUNAME37
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Ruger Stainless Mini 14
rcmodel
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A "few hundred yards" completely rules out the .22 WMR / .22 Mag cartridge.
It is at best a 150 yard coyote cartridge, and then only with head or chest shots.
A "few hundred yards" also rules out the Mini-14 due to accuracy issues with most of them.
Your only choice for that kind of distance and making sure killing shots is a good scoped bolt-action in .223 or bigger caliber.
Based on 50+ years hunting coyotes, I consider the .223 good out to about 250-275 yards max for clean one-shot coyote kills.
rc
It is at best a 150 yard coyote cartridge, and then only with head or chest shots.
A "few hundred yards" also rules out the Mini-14 due to accuracy issues with most of them.
Your only choice for that kind of distance and making sure killing shots is a good scoped bolt-action in .223 or bigger caliber.
Based on 50+ years hunting coyotes, I consider the .223 good out to about 250-275 yards max for clean one-shot coyote kills.
rc
I'm Kilroy
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Something in .223 Remington.
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=9935_13987_14246_14248&page=1&sort=5a
-Kilroy
P.S.-Perferably in a bolt action.
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=9935_13987_14246_14248&page=1&sort=5a
-Kilroy
P.S.-Perferably in a bolt action.
Abel
Member
If I had 700 to spend on a setup like you want, I'd get a Howa Ranchland rifle in 223 with a Nikon Pro-Staff 3-9x40mm. Add bases/rings, sling, & ammo all for very close to $700.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/280/products_id/54803
http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-riflescope-prostaff-3-9x40.html
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/280/products_id/54803
http://www.opticsplanet.net/nikon-riflescope-prostaff-3-9x40.html
sarduy
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AK47, ak74, delton ar15, stevens 200 .223 or .308
LeontheProfessional
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Ruger Mini 14 either the ranch rifle or the tactical. CDNN has the best prices $590.
tango2echo
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I like the .243 for Yote's. I handload, and light loads in the .243 are perfect for coyotes out to 300+. As a bonus, lighter loads in the .243 are quieter (perceived) than the .223 with full house loads.
My dedicated coyote rifle is a $200 Savage 110E bought from a pawnshop. It wears Nikon glass and a composite stock. I load the 75gr V-Max with 38grs of Varget for 3400fps. I usually do not get exit wounds with this load, and it shoots .8 inch groups at 100 yards from my rifle.
The Howa Ranchland is a great gun also, but it is heavy.
t2e
My dedicated coyote rifle is a $200 Savage 110E bought from a pawnshop. It wears Nikon glass and a composite stock. I load the 75gr V-Max with 38grs of Varget for 3400fps. I usually do not get exit wounds with this load, and it shoots .8 inch groups at 100 yards from my rifle.
The Howa Ranchland is a great gun also, but it is heavy.
t2e
TexasPatriot.308
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anything in .22-250.
Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow
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Kinda depends on how far you'll be toting the rifle to hunt said yotes. Just 50 yards from the pickup or 4-wheeler, or humping it a ways? If the latter, then a lighter rifle.
As for chambering, .243 win and .22-250 are popular large varmint chamberings for good reason. But a .223 rem rifle is a good choice, too, and there are dozens and dozens of choices in this caliber.
Does the $700 include or not include scope, base, rings, tax, FFL, shipping, sling and/or ammo? Willing to buy used, or new only? I can think of few better "yote rifles" than my T/C Icon "Original" in .243 Win, but with optics and mounting hardware, it came in a ways over $700, even used.
As for chambering, .243 win and .22-250 are popular large varmint chamberings for good reason. But a .223 rem rifle is a good choice, too, and there are dozens and dozens of choices in this caliber.
Does the $700 include or not include scope, base, rings, tax, FFL, shipping, sling and/or ammo? Willing to buy used, or new only? I can think of few better "yote rifles" than my T/C Icon "Original" in .243 Win, but with optics and mounting hardware, it came in a ways over $700, even used.
tactikel
Member
If you don't handload a .22 Mag or .17 HMR are good for 100-125 yards. Many consider the .223 an ideal 'yote round (cheap, accurate, and with decent bullets, deadly). For longer ranges 250-350 yards a .22-250 or .243 is good for plinking or varmint. For longer ranges get a 25-06, 260, or 270.
rifles:
.17 hmr- CZ
.223- Savage, AR, or Kel-tec SU-16.
.22-250 or .243- Savage, CZ, or Remington.
rifles:
.17 hmr- CZ
.223- Savage, AR, or Kel-tec SU-16.
.22-250 or .243- Savage, CZ, or Remington.
Your plinking area must be a lot different than mine. I plink with light loaded .357 rounds so I don't have to always have my paranoia meter running, wondering about where my round might go over the horizon. 100 inches of drop at 200 yards is comforting for me 
and the cows. Cheap cast bullets are always a plus too.
Would all depend on your situation though. Then again, if you hand load, you could always download .223 for plinking loads and keep some cranked ones handy for when you see a coyote on the horizon.
and the cows. Cheap cast bullets are always a plus too. Would all depend on your situation though. Then again, if you hand load, you could always download .223 for plinking loads and keep some cranked ones handy for when you see a coyote on the horizon.
I'm think, for the price ($550ish), you would be hard-pressed to do better than a Remington M700 SPS Tactical, or an SPS Varmint. The Tactical models have 20" barrels, and the Varmint models have 26" barrels. I have one of each, and they are both exceedingly accurate!
The best group I have fired through my SPS Varmint in .223 Rem at 100 yards was 0.182", and the worst groups were in the range of 0.50" to 0.70". The "poor" groups were with a bi-pod, no sandbag, and lot's of gusting winds, using factory loaded ammo. The SPS Tactical .308 Win has turned in 0.25" groups, and averages 0.5", with military surplus ammo, and other factory loaded hunting ammo. Like I said, for the price, you will be hard-pressed to do better.
Let us know what you decide.
Geno
The best group I have fired through my SPS Varmint in .223 Rem at 100 yards was 0.182", and the worst groups were in the range of 0.50" to 0.70". The "poor" groups were with a bi-pod, no sandbag, and lot's of gusting winds, using factory loaded ammo. The SPS Tactical .308 Win has turned in 0.25" groups, and averages 0.5", with military surplus ammo, and other factory loaded hunting ammo. Like I said, for the price, you will be hard-pressed to do better.
Let us know what you decide.
Geno
wankerjake
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I'd have to agree. I shoot a winchester model 70 in .243 win. It's fun to shoot, no recoil to speak of, and it flattens coyotes.
BHP FAN
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.223 Handi-Rifle with scope and bi-pod.
AzBuckfever
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Up to $700, you may be able to find a used AR-15 as well. I'm sure you could.
NWCP
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Find yourself a good bolt action rifle in .223. Cheaper to plink with than other centerfire rifles and works great on coyote and smaller furry critters.
BADUNAME37
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I would have suggested a bolt action, however the OP stated he also wanted it to be a good PLINKING gun.
You can't have as much fun loading every single round with a bolt, compared to merely squeezing the trigger each time.
Yes, I realize one must FIRST load the magazines, however there are magazine loaders out there which make short work on 30-round "fill-ups".
You can't have as much fun loading every single round with a bolt, compared to merely squeezing the trigger each time.
Yes, I realize one must FIRST load the magazines, however there are magazine loaders out there which make short work on 30-round "fill-ups".
SleazyRider
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What other critters are appropriate prey for the .223 at these ranges?
CZ 527 in .223, .222, .221 Fireball, .204 Ruger, .17 Rem.
Lots of options, with weights starting with the 5.75 lb. 527 M1 American and Ultralight Predator up to the Varmint Kevlar at 7.5 lbs. You can have your standard American style stock, in walnut or lightweight synthetic, traditional European style or full length Mannlicher type stocks, or a Kevlar stock with an aluminum bedding block.
The single set trigger that's fully adjustable for creep, overtravel, and weight is also an added bonus.
My 527 Varmint in .223 even had a decent set of scope rings included, which was a damn good thing. Finding rings to fit the 16mm dovetail can be difficult.
I'm happy with it, and it was about $600 NIB.
Lots of options, with weights starting with the 5.75 lb. 527 M1 American and Ultralight Predator up to the Varmint Kevlar at 7.5 lbs. You can have your standard American style stock, in walnut or lightweight synthetic, traditional European style or full length Mannlicher type stocks, or a Kevlar stock with an aluminum bedding block.
The single set trigger that's fully adjustable for creep, overtravel, and weight is also an added bonus.
My 527 Varmint in .223 even had a decent set of scope rings included, which was a damn good thing. Finding rings to fit the 16mm dovetail can be difficult.
I'm happy with it, and it was about $600 NIB.
cal74
Member
It's nice to have various .20's or .22 centerfires, but if you were limited to just one a .223 is still your best bet. Ammo isn't as cheap as it once was, but you can still pick it up pretty reasonable compared to the other stuff.
I have a Featherweight .223 that loves the cheap wolf stuff and it can still be found for 5.50-6.00 per 20. Anything else if you don't reload is going to be about 15.00 per 20 on the low end.
On the cheaper side a Handi-rifle or a Stevens 200 in .223 would suit you pretty well. Ruger Mini's aren't the most accurate and the good ones will usually only do 2-3" at a 100 yards. The poorer ones are usually about twice that.
Want to spend a little more, take a look at the various auction sites and pick up a nice used Remington or Winchester. Tikka Lites get lots of good reviews and the Ruger Hawkeyes aren't a bad option either. The Hawkeyes are a little bit on the heavier side for a standard sporter.
Budget 400-500.00 on the rifle and leave at least 200-300 for a quality scope.
I have a Featherweight .223 that loves the cheap wolf stuff and it can still be found for 5.50-6.00 per 20. Anything else if you don't reload is going to be about 15.00 per 20 on the low end.
On the cheaper side a Handi-rifle or a Stevens 200 in .223 would suit you pretty well. Ruger Mini's aren't the most accurate and the good ones will usually only do 2-3" at a 100 yards. The poorer ones are usually about twice that.
Want to spend a little more, take a look at the various auction sites and pick up a nice used Remington or Winchester. Tikka Lites get lots of good reviews and the Ruger Hawkeyes aren't a bad option either. The Hawkeyes are a little bit on the heavier side for a standard sporter.
Budget 400-500.00 on the rifle and leave at least 200-300 for a quality scope.
DFW1911
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I agree.
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