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Old January 29, 2013, 01:13 AM   #1
TexasDuckHunter
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Coyote gun?

I recently watched a youtube video regarding "the perfect coyote hunting gun" the guy in the video appeared to own a gun store because in the background you could see a display of guns behind a counter that was the size of one of Cabelas displays. The guy said he had spent something like 20,000 looking for the perfect coyote hunting gun, As much as I love hunting, spending that kind of money sounded crazy to me! anyway long story short he decided that the best coyote gun to him was the AR-15. what do you have to say about that? what do you think is the best coyote hunting gun? Pictures are welcome! Oh and also on a scale of 1-10 what would you rate a Ruger Gunsite Scout for a coyote gun, and why? Im just wondering because I have NO plans on spending 20,000 on finding which gun is the right gun, I will spend about a thousand maybe alittle more for one gun and four or five hundred max on a scope and i will be done. (guns you name do not have to be in that price range, by all means if you find a gun that is great for coyote hunting and is 200-300 PLEASE ENLIGHTEN ME! Im not rich!) thank you for your time and please follow all forum rules.
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Old January 29, 2013, 01:41 AM   #2
alex0535
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Savage B.Mag comes out this year. Its the new .17 WSM, a brand new rimfire that drives a 20 grain 17 caliber bullet at 3000fps. MSRP:$350

I think it would knock a coyote as dead as a doornail. I think it would be perfect for coyote, an entrance wound so small it will be hard to find, unlikely for there to be an exit wound so if you want the pelt it will be very intact.

My advice is to find a gun you are comfortable with. An AR-15 might be a good option if you want to try and hit more than one before they scatter and be able to keep shooting as they scatter. If your fine just going out and shooting one and maybe two, a bolt action will do the job just fine. The ideal coyote gun should be light enough to carry comfortably.
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Old January 29, 2013, 02:01 AM   #3
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Depends on how you hunt. I can see the AR platform being very good for coyotes, even though they are kind of heavy. I always used a bolt action, I hunted pelts for several years and my coyote setup was my varminting rig, a Mark X Mauser in 22-250 with a 27" #5 profile barrel and a 4-12X scope. As much as I like it, I think a 22-250 may be a little much for coyotes. I have shot them with a 223 as well, and they were just as dead and I was not quite as tired humping the rifle. For pelt hunting, a friend of mine used a 17 Remington, and the entry holes were almost invisible and he had plenty of reach. My guess is that a 204 Ruger would work about the same (and would bark less than a 22-250 as well). So decide what you want to shoot them for, then gun up accordingly. If you want pelts go small, it will damage the pelts less and cause less work for you. If you just want to get rid of them and reach way out, get a little more rifle, lots of folks use their deer rifles on them and just leave the pelts where they fall.
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Old January 29, 2013, 09:57 AM   #4
L_Killkenny
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The AR's are very good yote guns and about the only complaint you'll see on them is their weight. They handle well, are accurate, use a good cartridge and have fast follow up shot capabilities without losing sight picture. The gunsite on the other hand is a horrid choice. Absolutely none of the features it has over traditional bolt actions are a benefit in the field and the .308 will kill em deader than needed. Excessive recoil for the job, excessive damage, unneeded features.

1- 10 scale? AR = 9 (only because nothing is ever a 10), traditional bolt action in appropriate caliber = 8, Gunsite Scout = 2.
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Old January 29, 2013, 11:13 AM   #5
Rmart30
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I picked up a Savage Axis 223 in stainless for under $325 ..... works great for coyotes around here where a quick 2nd shot at one is rare with the limited visibility.
If I lived somewhere with wide open spaces and possible multiple coyotes a semi auto might be a more viable option.
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Old January 29, 2013, 11:26 AM   #6
Keg
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Quote:
If I lived somewhere with wide open spaces and possible multiple coyotes a semi auto might be a more viable option.
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I kinda think an AR would be a good option...One of the better uses for a 223...I see them use AR's on the predator hunting shows....I don't normally hunt only them..but I do shoot yotes on a regular basis with whatever I deer or hog hunt with....
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Old January 29, 2013, 06:10 PM   #7
TexasDuckHunter
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where I hunt is at the edge of a forested area, I sit in some brush that overviews a flat field of about 700 yards in length. Currently I am using a Remington 700 bdl in 30-06, I have been hunting for a LONG time so guns are not in any way new to me, I just want to get a new coyote hunting gun that is a little more flexible one that possibly holds more than 5 rounds, one that is very accurate and a caliber that can really reach out, that is why I suggested the ruger gunsite scout, because .308 has a decent range, and 10 round magazines are better than four. based off the information I have shared what are your opinion?
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Old January 29, 2013, 06:21 PM   #8
jason_iowa
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You can use about anything for cyotes. I know plenty of guys that use shotguns and 22lr. Some guys use up to 308 or 30-06. Depends on your area and calling abilities. For 20k you could buy 30 solid cyote guns.
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Old January 29, 2013, 06:25 PM   #9
shootniron
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I presently use a .22mag as most of my shots are under 100yds and it does fine, but I am eagerly awaiting the 17WSM rimfire arrival.
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Old January 29, 2013, 06:45 PM   #10
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I'm with SHOOTINIRON, as soon as RUGER offers one based on their 10/22/22mag platform I will sell my Mini 14 and a new truck gun will have arrived!
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Old January 29, 2013, 06:47 PM   #11
Keg
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Quote:
that is why I suggested the ruger gunsite scout
U really think the gunsite scout..in 308..would be a good long range varmint rifle? Lookin over 700 yds....
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Old January 29, 2013, 07:03 PM   #12
colbad
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Ruger 77 bolt in .223. Works great and ammo cheap. Dont need a whole lot to kill a dog.
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Old January 29, 2013, 08:21 PM   #13
Rembrandt
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I have no doubt someone could spend 20K trying to find the right gun....know people who have spent quarter million on vehicles before they found the car of their dreams.

Come to think of it, my AR varmint gun is well over 3K.
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Old January 29, 2013, 09:34 PM   #14
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I use a Remington 700 BDL in .22-250 for coyotes. There generally down in 1 shot and a semi auto isnt needed for follow ups, although theres no denying it would be faster i just dont see the need. My areas dont have sight lines past about 300 yds but its got plenty of reach to go that far and im sure more. Plus i take it out to SD to do some prairie dog hunting, and i dropped a whitetail with it 3 years ago.

If i had to choose a 2nd round it would be the .17 Remington, the rimfires can stay at home in my book. I wont deny they are adequate in many situations but why not have a round that is good in all scenarios? Bottom line is take em how you can, there yotes after all... Also i think the .17WSM will be less than expected. I can smell hype from a mile away, its case is based off a nail gun blank after all...
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Old January 30, 2013, 01:16 AM   #15
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AR,pump,lever,bolt?? I think the best coyote gun is the one you have when you see the D--- things.
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Old January 30, 2013, 10:25 AM   #16
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Quote:
AR,pump,lever,bolt?? I think the best coyote gun is the one you have when you see the D--- things.
^^^^^^
Very true.


I have several rifles I use for shooting coyotes depending on the situation.

I use an AR a lot when I'm calling, especially when my shots will be 200 yards or less and there's a good chance I'll call in mutiple yotes.
On mutiple targets I'm quicker with the AR then I am with a bolt gun.

When I'm calling from the edges of bean fields and there's a chance the shots may have to stretch to 350 yards I take my 22-250.

If I'm hunting and I think I'm going to have shots past 350 I take my bull barrel 243.
This rifle is a sweet shooter but it's not one I care to pack very far anymore.

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Old January 30, 2013, 11:21 AM   #17
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When checking traps, I use my Ruger Single Six .22 LR.

On nice calm days early in the season when the coyotes are not call shy, I use a .204 ruger.

On calm days when we have a good call location, I use an AR in .223.

On calm days when the dogs are a bit more weary and the shots are further, I use my .220 Swift.

On windy days I use my .270 or .30-06!

All guns are good for coyotes!
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Old January 30, 2013, 12:14 PM   #18
JohnO
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There are calm days in WY?
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Old January 30, 2013, 12:28 PM   #19
Wyoredman
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Alas, my .270 gets quite a workout!
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Old January 30, 2013, 11:58 PM   #20
TexasDuckHunter
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I know that the gunsite has a small barrel so it won't be the most accurate but from experience I also know that .308 is a straight shooting round.
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Old January 31, 2013, 10:37 PM   #21
reynolds357
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.22-250, .220 Swift
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Old February 1, 2013, 02:41 AM   #22
JD0x0
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Bolt: .270 or .220 Swift
Semi: 7.62x39 or .223
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Old February 1, 2013, 07:17 PM   #23
pbrktrt
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270 Win, 100gr soft points. They don't go anywhere but down.
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Old February 1, 2013, 11:35 PM   #24
BIG P
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AR-223,On the move.
7600 pump in 270,Love to see that Red mist
Ruger MKII SS IN 25-06,Over bait if legal.makes a good mess its self.
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Old February 2, 2013, 12:35 AM   #25
kilotanker22
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I know that the gunsite has a small barrel so it won't be the most accurate but from

I agree the gun site scout may not be the best but a shorter barrel should have little to no effect on accuracy.

To the op. I have killed many coyotes with my 22 at close range. For anything past 100 I would recommend any rifle in 223 or 204. If you are selling pelts. If not it is fun to shoot them with a 25-06 with 85 grain ballistic tips they really make a mess.
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