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Old March 13, 2007, 12:00 AM   #1
hj28rules
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AR15A3: How good for varmits?

I have property Young county, Texas and we have a coyote problem of sorts. They have apparently lost their fear of human presence and have accustomed themselves to dogs, cats, goats and garbage for prey. They are comming in close (150-200yds) at times all yipping and making lots of racket. Drives my dog into hysteria.
The question is this: How effective will my AR15A3 be with a 4X
scope? I have a Henry lever action .22, but I always considered it a plinker rather than a serious varmit killer. I'm pretty much a target shooter and I know with iron sights, my A3 is way accurate at 250-300yds.

Comments, suggestions, ideas and anathemas are encouraged.

LM...Ft. Worth, Tx.
SFC, US army (ret.)
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Old March 13, 2007, 01:09 AM   #2
ENC
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That gun will work great for your problem. You might get some hunting/varmit bullets for cleaner kills, but if you must surplus FMJ will do the job.

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Old March 13, 2007, 05:13 AM   #3
gdvan01
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Barnes came out with the Varmint Grenade bullets this year:

http://barnesbullets.com/products/ne...rmint-grenade/

I haven't tried these, not sure how they'd work on the yoddle dogs.
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Old March 13, 2007, 05:58 AM   #4
rwilson452
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I'm partial to a 243 for yoddle dog. Your AR will get it done. I would suggest at least a 55gr bullet, heavier is better. If you reload and can get something like a Sierra BlitzKing down the tube that will work rather well.
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Old March 13, 2007, 04:28 PM   #5
Scorch
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There are a lot more AR varmint rifles around now than there were a few years back. But either way, you won't see a lot of AR varmint rifles due to the price. They work fine, but just the platform will set you back over $1,000, and a lot of people won't spend that much for rifle and scope, let alone just the rifle.
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Old March 15, 2007, 09:02 PM   #6
hps1
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Works for me! While my scope is 4.5-14, I hunt with it on 4.5 and crank it up for the longer shots. Longest coyote to date was 302 yds (lasered) closest was a coyote charging the call at about 30 yds. Can't beat the AR IMHO.





Regards,
hps
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Old March 15, 2007, 09:48 PM   #7
Dave R
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How good for coyotes? Nearly perfect.
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Old March 16, 2007, 02:04 PM   #8
hj28rules
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hps1
Thanks, great pics and 'nuff said...
I know now I'm on the right track.

LM...Fort Worth, Tx
SFC US Army (Ret.)
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Old March 16, 2007, 04:35 PM   #9
NukeCop
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It'll work, but you need some kinetic energy... .338 Lapua mag might be a better choice
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Old March 16, 2007, 07:43 PM   #10
BUSTER51
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been useing Fedral XM193 (US GI BALL AMMO) works for me .
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Old March 16, 2007, 09:19 PM   #11
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I think that the 223 found its calling with coyotes. Here is mine. I tallied the cost of what you see in the picture, I have $818 in the gun, scope, and bipod. The bipod is a versa-pod 9-12, good for the bench or prone. The scope is a BSA Sweet 223, 4x12x40, calibrated for 100 to 400 yards. The 6 additional 20 round mags were $9.99 apiece. Bargains are out there if you look. Best -

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Old April 4, 2007, 06:43 AM   #12
Lost River
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An Ar15A3 is about darn near perfect for yotes. I have a 16" A3 that used to be my patrol rifle. It is my primary coyote gun. Mine has a compact 2x7 Burris on the flattop reciever and is pure hell on coyotes, badgers, jackrabbits, rockchucks etc etc.

Light and handy, a great rifle.
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Old April 4, 2007, 07:07 AM   #13
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the AR-15 is my preferred coyote gun as well. I have a 16" model that I use when I will be doing a lot of walking and a 20" heavy bull for when I plan to sit and watch for them at a distance. I can't think of a better varmint rifle myself. Well, unless you include my Tikka T3 22-250 - now that is my long range varmint buster there.
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Old April 4, 2007, 10:37 AM   #14
Art Eatman
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Opinion: A .223 is easily good to 200 yards on coyotes, with almost any bullet. 1.5 to 2 MOA is adequate accuracy. 4X magnification is plenty good on out past 200 yards...

, Art
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Old April 4, 2007, 03:09 PM   #15
JD 500
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I have an AR

And am willing to travel to help you out !
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Old April 4, 2007, 03:51 PM   #16
FirstFreedom
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Nice pics & shooting HPS!

Quote:
The question is this: How effective will my AR15A3 be with a 4X
scope?
The answer is very, if your scope is dialed in to your ammo. .223 is a good choice. I'd want more like 6-9 power for shots past 100, for extra precision (bad eyes), but 4 will work too. My 20" AR has a 2-7x32mm scope on it (Nikon Prostaff). I'd use soft point ammo though, if not keeping the hide, instead of GI surplus ball ammo, for a quick kill.
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Old April 5, 2007, 12:31 AM   #17
Lost River
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A 20" AR works too:

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