think i need a new coyote rifle

bacardisteve · November 19, 2011, 04:15 AM

I have gotten into coyote hunting this year and so far its been fun. I just found out there is a place 15miles from me that buys the pelts. I have been using a 17hmr recently but have had to pass on a few shots that were not ideal for the little gun. However it works great with a clear headshot. I also got one with a 308 and one with a 450 marlin. Yup i brought enough gun but they ruin any chance at saving a pelt. I have a 223 but i really dont wanna bang around my expensive ar15 in the mountains we hunt. Anybody have any experince with 22hornet on these critters. I want something that wont tear em to hell but give me a little security on a less than ideal shot. Probably gonna be a h&r single shot for what its worth.

MOshooter65202 · November 19, 2011, 08:09 AM

https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki...=en&country=US

Looks like the 22 Hornet would make a fine coyote gun as well as a 223.
FMJ bullets should be less destructive on hides.

603Country · November 19, 2011, 11:16 AM

Bacardi, about a year or so ago I went through just about the same decision process that you are on. The first decision was on the cartridge, and I considered the 22 Hornet and 218 Bee but decided that I wanted a bit more range. Then I considered the 204, which might be just what you need. Finally I decided on the 223 because of the wide range of bullet weights I could shoot. Then I packed up the truck and went to Dallas to shop for a NEF single shot, but wound up with a Ruger bolt gun that was on sale. Bottom line is that you might just want that 204 if coyotes are what you intend to shoot and you want to save the pelts, but the 223 does have a wide range of bullet types and weights, you already have the reloading dies and the cases, and you could load up small explosive bullets that won't destroy the pelt.

tahunua001 · November 19, 2011, 11:43 AM

have you considered a thompson center contender in 223? I know I bang my AR15 around all the time and have never hurt it. I dont know what kindof AR you have though, I would probably be less likely to take a daniel defense or armalite out hunting over a cheapo like a DPMS or M&P.

rickyrick · November 19, 2011, 01:44 PM

You already have an AR, why not use it. It was intended to be banged around, that's why its expensive.

kaylorinhi · November 19, 2011, 03:24 PM

Check out a the Stevens and Savage .223's.

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/14603

That is one example of price for the Stevens. I can tell you that my wifes shoots 1-1.5 MOA in good weather. I did not do serious testing that was from the sight-in process, only 3 groups of 3, and few other range days.

Smae ammo, but remember that the barrel on the Stevens is marked .223 rem only not 5.56.

pbrktrt · November 19, 2011, 04:38 PM

Hornady has the new .17 Hornet. Might be the ticket.

treg · November 20, 2011, 08:54 PM

You could get some camo tape and use the pretty AR.

Mobuck · November 20, 2011, 09:40 PM

I've "banged around" a pretty nice AR for two winters and it doesn't look too bad. That's what they were made for. I can understand a guy not wanting to beat up an $800+ investment, but I can safely say the advantage of a followup shot will justify a lot of dings on a working rifle.
An AR is a lot more bulky and heavier than a NEF/H&R single shot in regards to carrying in the field. The downside of the NEF rifles I've had experience with is change in zero at inopportune times. Mine sometimes require a few shots to return to zero after bore cleaning. I've also had some unexplained misses after a drastic temp change that can't be caused by optic malfunction.

603Country · November 23, 2011, 12:14 PM

If you don't want to lug around the AR, one of the small bolt rifles in 223 would probably be perfect, and are very light and well balanced. The Remington Model 7 or the Ruger Hawkeye Compact or that small CZ or something similar from several other makers would be nice to use. I've got a Ruger Compact, though not in 223, and it's a great rifle. Get one in stainless with a synthetic stock and don't even worry about it getting beat up.

Panfisher · November 23, 2011, 04:57 PM

NEF Makes the Handi-Rifles in .223 also, although the .204 Rguer is interesting. Would be handy though to have the other rifle in .223, mine is short light and a joy to pack around. It gets more carry time now than my Ruger 77H in 22 Hornet because my Hornet is my "pretty" rifle. Don't care how many scuffs the little Handi-Rifle gets, a quick second shot would be nice but not gonna happen with the handi-rifle. One thing to think about if you do ding up your AR how value will it have lost? $200-300, another rifle and scope will cost more than that, plus you get to play with the AR more and will be that much more at home with it.

bacardisteve · November 23, 2011, 11:27 PM

Thanks for the replies guys. I decided to go with 223 over the hornet do to ammo availability. As for the rifle i just orderd a saiga 223 that was on sale for $299. Couldnt pass it up and it should do nicely for what i need. Several mentioned just taking the ar but my girl would kill me if i rough up the finish on the lwrc she bought me last christmas.

Bamashooter · November 24, 2011, 05:06 AM

I use sierra varmiter bullets in my .223 for yote loads. It does a good job of killing without damaging the pelt too much. Pretty much what they were designed to do.

rickyrick · November 24, 2011, 08:07 AM

Let us know how the rifle does, I have been eyeballin one of those for my wife.

ritepath · November 27, 2011, 02:13 PM

Take the AR....best part is you can rattle off another 10 or 15 shots if you miss. Nothing like making them run faster. I always carry 20's just because....

Buzzcook · November 27, 2011, 04:38 PM

Look at the Savage Model 12 in .204 Ruger. Good rifle fun cartridge.

rickyrick · November 27, 2011, 06:02 PM

On second thought I dinged the mini pretty good last night... I withdraw my suggestion on taking your pretty AR out LOL.

mdd · November 28, 2011, 01:01 AM

If your new rifle will shoot them straight, I will strongly suggest 40 grain vmax bullets. I have shot many coyotes with them & have only had one ever give an exit wound. Also only had one ever run on me but that was a 259 yard shot right into the boiler room on the biggest coyote I've ever taken.

November 19, 2011, 04:15 AM	#1
bacardisteve Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Location: West virginia Posts: 653	think i need a new coyote rifle I have gotten into coyote hunting this year and so far its been fun. I just found out there is a place 15miles from me that buys the pelts. I have been using a 17hmr recently but have had to pass on a few shots that were not ideal for the little gun. However it works great with a clear headshot. I also got one with a 308 and one with a 450 marlin. Yup i brought enough gun but they ruin any chance at saving a pelt. I have a 223 but i really dont wanna bang around my expensive ar15 in the mountains we hunt. Anybody have any experince with 22hornet on these critters. I want something that wont tear em to hell but give me a little security on a less than ideal shot. Probably gonna be a h&r single shot for what its worth. __________________ Kill em all and let God sort em out! USAF

November 19, 2011, 11:43 AM	#4
tahunua001 Senior Member Join Date: July 21, 2011 Location: Idaho Posts: 7,839	have you considered a thompson center contender in 223? I know I bang my AR15 around all the time and have never hurt it. I dont know what kindof AR you have though, I would probably be less likely to take a daniel defense or armalite out hunting over a cheapo like a DPMS or M&P. __________________ ignore my complete lack of capitalization. I still have no problem correcting your grammar. I never said half the stuff people said I did-Albert Einstein You can't believe everything you read on the internet-Benjamin Franklin

November 19, 2011, 01:44 PM	#5
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	You already have an AR, why not use it. It was intended to be banged around, that's why its expensive. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

November 19, 2011, 03:24 PM	#6
kaylorinhi Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2010 Location: The brown eye of america Posts: 463	Check out a the Stevens and Savage .223's. http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/p...ducts_id/14603 That is one example of price for the Stevens. I can tell you that my wifes shoots 1-1.5 MOA in good weather. I did not do serious testing that was from the sight-in process, only 3 groups of 3, and few other range days. Smae ammo, but remember that the barrel on the Stevens is marked .223 rem only not 5.56. __________________ Buy your guns by Yardline, Not Looks.

November 20, 2011, 08:54 PM	#8
treg Senior Member Join Date: November 26, 2006 Posts: 1,102	You could get some camo tape and use the pretty AR. __________________ .44 Special: For those who get it, no explanation is necessary. For those who don't, no explanation is possible.

November 19, 2011, 08:09 AM	#2
MOshooter65202 Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2011 Posts: 471	https://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki...=en&country=US Looks like the 22 Hornet would make a fine coyote gun as well as a 223. FMJ bullets should be less destructive on hides.

November 19, 2011, 11:16 AM	#3
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	Bacardi, about a year or so ago I went through just about the same decision process that you are on. The first decision was on the cartridge, and I considered the 22 Hornet and 218 Bee but decided that I wanted a bit more range. Then I considered the 204, which might be just what you need. Finally I decided on the 223 because of the wide range of bullet weights I could shoot. Then I packed up the truck and went to Dallas to shop for a NEF single shot, but wound up with a Ruger bolt gun that was on sale. Bottom line is that you might just want that 204 if coyotes are what you intend to shoot and you want to save the pelts, but the 223 does have a wide range of bullet types and weights, you already have the reloading dies and the cases, and you could load up small explosive bullets that won't destroy the pelt.

November 19, 2011, 04:38 PM	#7
pbrktrt Senior Member Join Date: January 9, 2008 Posts: 313	Hornady has the new .17 Hornet. Might be the ticket.

November 20, 2011, 09:40 PM	#9
Mobuck Junior member Join Date: February 2, 2010 Posts: 6,846	I've "banged around" a pretty nice AR for two winters and it doesn't look too bad. That's what they were made for. I can understand a guy not wanting to beat up an $800+ investment, but I can safely say the advantage of a followup shot will justify a lot of dings on a working rifle. An AR is a lot more bulky and heavier than a NEF/H&R single shot in regards to carrying in the field. The downside of the NEF rifles I've had experience with is change in zero at inopportune times. Mine sometimes require a few shots to return to zero after bore cleaning. I've also had some unexplained misses after a drastic temp change that can't be caused by optic malfunction.

November 23, 2011, 12:14 PM	#10
603Country Senior Member Join Date: January 6, 2011 Location: Thornton, Texas Posts: 3,998	If you don't want to lug around the AR, one of the small bolt rifles in 223 would probably be perfect, and are very light and well balanced. The Remington Model 7 or the Ruger Hawkeye Compact or that small CZ or something similar from several other makers would be nice to use. I've got a Ruger Compact, though not in 223, and it's a great rifle. Get one in stainless with a synthetic stock and don't even worry about it getting beat up.

November 23, 2011, 04:57 PM	#11
Panfisher Senior Member Join Date: July 30, 2010 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,337	NEF Makes the Handi-Rifles in .223 also, although the .204 Rguer is interesting. Would be handy though to have the other rifle in .223, mine is short light and a joy to pack around. It gets more carry time now than my Ruger 77H in 22 Hornet because my Hornet is my "pretty" rifle. Don't care how many scuffs the little Handi-Rifle gets, a quick second shot would be nice but not gonna happen with the handi-rifle. One thing to think about if you do ding up your AR how value will it have lost? $200-300, another rifle and scope will cost more than that, plus you get to play with the AR more and will be that much more at home with it.

November 23, 2011, 11:27 PM	#12
bacardisteve Senior Member Join Date: September 5, 2006 Location: West virginia Posts: 653	Thanks for the replies guys. I decided to go with 223 over the hornet do to ammo availability. As for the rifle i just orderd a saiga 223 that was on sale for $299. Couldnt pass it up and it should do nicely for what i need. Several mentioned just taking the ar but my girl would kill me if i rough up the finish on the lwrc she bought me last christmas. __________________ Kill em all and let God sort em out! USAF

November 24, 2011, 05:06 AM	#13
Bamashooter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2010 Posts: 1,860	I use sierra varmiter bullets in my .223 for yote loads. It does a good job of killing without damaging the pelt too much. Pretty much what they were designed to do.

November 24, 2011, 08:07 AM	#14
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	Let us know how the rifle does, I have been eyeballin one of those for my wife. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

November 27, 2011, 02:13 PM	#15
ritepath Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 1,419	Take the AR....best part is you can rattle off another 10 or 15 shots if you miss. Nothing like making them run faster. I always carry 20's just because....

November 27, 2011, 04:38 PM	#16
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	Look at the Savage Model 12 in .204 Ruger. Good rifle fun cartridge.

November 27, 2011, 06:02 PM	#17
rickyrick Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2010 Posts: 8,236	On second thought I dinged the mini pretty good last night... I withdraw my suggestion on taking your pretty AR out LOL. __________________ Woohoo, I’m back In Texas!!!

November 28, 2011, 01:01 AM	#18
mdd Senior Member Join Date: January 27, 2010 Posts: 626	If your new rifle will shoot them straight, I will strongly suggest 40 grain vmax bullets. I have shot many coyotes with them & have only had one ever give an exit wound. Also only had one ever run on me but that was a 259 yard shot right into the boiler room on the biggest coyote I've ever taken. __________________ So many coyotes....so little time....