Hunting & Fishing A question for the coyote hunters

[jasonk]

I've hunted coyotes, even shot one or two, but never a dedicated coyote rig. I'm putting together an AR, 18-20" barrel, etc etc.

My question is glass, what power scopes are most guys running on their coyote rigs? Hunting clear cuts, fields, etc for me. Far shots could go 300-400, 500 would be rare but doable. Could have something surprise me at 25-50 though I'm sure.

I've got too SWFA SS scopes available to me right now, could buy a new one, but these two are here. SS 1-4 or the 5-20, which would you choose? 4x is likely enough for most shots, but maybe not. Was thinking the 5-20 SWFA SS with a red dot at 45 degrees, figured zero'd at 200 yards with the red dot at 50 yards. Hold over or under a little for the 100-300 yard shots, anything under 50 I could just use the dot.

What says the real coyote hunters here? Not interested in brands, I've got my favorites, most interested in the most used power ranges.

Thanks,
Jason

 

[gadbmw]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

2.5-10(sagebrush/open fields), 4.5-14 and 1.5-6(favorite for pinion/cedar trees)

 

[PSYOPS]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

ACOG 3.5

 

[Grumulkin]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

For 400 yards shot, I like 14X on the top end but on a coyote sized target even 7X would work.

 

[bear58]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

I usually keep my Leupy 4.5-14 set at 8X. It's not too much at short range and gives me a better FOV for long shots especially if the dog is on the run.

 

[skinney_7]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

3.5-15, i've taken dogs from 50 to over 500yds with this power, 5.5-22 has also taken its fair share of running dogs from 50 to 400yds, alot is your preference, i hear alot of guys say oh your way "over scoped," f-that... PGS and Sendero will give legit info that you can take into consideration.

 

[superde]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

Pop-tart,

Are you calling them in, or just hunting an area? I've killed a bunch with a 4.5-14 Leupold, and my 3-15 Nightforce. I think you have a sound plan with your 5-20 SS and red dot, if you don't want to add anything to the stable. 4x would be a little low on the magnification range for extended shots for me. You coming down in April?

 

[Playerz1337]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

I keep mine on 10x for shots from 200-600. If possible get a laser for the 50 yard ones?

...or buckshot.

 

[eleaf]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

My coyote rig is a Rem R15 in 204 Ruger (22" barrel) with a SS 1-4x with donut.

But I don't have many opportunities for shots beyond 200 yards or so, with most being 75 or less.

 

[5RWill]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

Running a leupold Mark 4 M2 2.5-8x36mm on my BCM MK12. I think it's "just right" as far at magnification goes for coyotes. I guess i could go for a 10x but i wouldn't want anything over 40mm objective just because of added weight, this is for the AR specifically though my bolt rifle i'd probably just use my SN-3..

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

2.5-10x32 on light carry rig.

all the others wear a 5.5-22x50

Usually set on 8 to 10 power and go up from there... Shoot in big country though. your AO might differ.

 

[trukreltrog]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">5-20 SWFA SS with a red dot at 45 degrees</div></div>

This is basically what I did with mine. I started out with a straight 4x scope on my AR. But found it kind of difficult to get on the close movers efficiently. So I got an H1 with the LaRue offset mount, for the close ones. The areas I hunt, most of the time they are close. But the success ratio is low too, because of the thick rainforest.

 

[JCH]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

3-15 or 4-16. For a long time I ran the NF 2.5-10 but decided I needed more magnification for viewing into the timber out at 400+ yards.

Whatever you do, just make sure you are comfortable finding moving objects through the scope on it's lowest power.

 

[Guest]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

I use 4x14s, so i would go with the 5-20, better to have more than u need than not enough.

 

[invst4u]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

Personally, I hunt coyotes regularly. I have found a Leupold Mark 4, 2-8x36 works perfect for a yote at almost any distance you will be shooting at with a .223 or 5.56. I keep it at low power, if a yote hangs up at distance, there typically is time to dial up the power. Good hunting....

 

[BgBmBoo]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

I went through quite a number of scopes looking for the "perfect" hunting scope.
I ended up with what works just about perfect for my needs in the Bushnell Elite 6500 2.5-16X.
It is pretty light. Good glass for the price. And the wide magnification range makes it usable from very close in to as far as I will ever shoot while hunting coyotes,fox,bobcat,etc.
I like them so much I have owned four of them...one on my coyote AR, my .223 Tikka Lite, .243 Tikka T3 Lite, and my .17HMR.

Take care,Stan

 

[jasonk]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

Thanks for the input guys. I think for now I'm going to stick the 5-20 on there to get me by, I'll get the red dot for the close in stuff and keep the scope on 5-6x most the time.

I might go with the 1-6 SWFA SS when available or maybe one of the other cool new scopes coming out this year. I'll play it by ear a little.

 

[Longguns]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

I run an Eotech on my AR because the shots are only out to 200yds. My bolt guns wear a 4.5 x 14, 6x18 when I get to hunt the pastures. I carry two guns,1 in the Eberlestock and the other on the shoulder. Shotgun sure is nice for the close in running shots. Good Luck on your choice and hunts.

 

[khall540]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

I like my Leupold Mark AR on my Stag Arms .223. It is 3-9 power and has adjustable turrets to help calculate the drop of a .223 55 grain bullet. I have only shot it to 300 yards with prairie dogs but works great so far.

 

[Scoop]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Predator Popper</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Personally, I hunt coyotes regularly. I have found a Leupold Mark 4, 2-8x36 works perfect for a yote at almost any distance you will be shooting at with a .223 or 5.56. I keep it at low power, if a yote hangs up at distance, there typically is time to dial up the power. Good hunting.... </div></div>

+1 My lightweight calling AR wears a 2-7 VX-R with the ballistic FD reticle. Just about perfect IMHO.

 

[RBell24]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

My favorite coyote hunting rig is a 6 Ackley with a Premier 3-15

Most of the scopes I use for predator hunting are 2-10, 3-15, 4-16

 

[kill_goose]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

I like high power. 18x-20x usually depending on what rig im using.

I pretty much never move any of my scopes off of high power. Very rare for me to take any shot under 10x (usually extreme low light is the only time I crank it down). 100 yards or 1000 im on high power.

Its just personal preference. I have no problems acquiring targets so the loss of FOV on high power is no big deal for me and I like seeing the fleas hop around.

Ive hunted with guys that couldnt find a barn in the scope if they were standing inside it, so they probably shouldnt have been on anything over 3x.

 

[Nortex]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

No more than most of your shots are going to be a 3-9 would be fine. I like the 4.5-14 Leupy as well.

 

[Cody Petersen]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

I am in the midst of having my AR15 setup for coyotes and it is a Warne AR15 tactical ramp mount with a burris fastfire for close targets and the scope is a Vortex PST 4-16. I feel it will be good all the way around.

 

[Rynham9]

Re: A question for the coyote hunters

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coyote223</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">5-20 SWFA SS with a red dot at 45 degrees</div></div>

This is basically what I did with mine. I started out with a straight 4x scope on my AR. But found it kind of difficult to get on the close movers efficiently. So I got an H1 with the LaRue offset mount, for the close ones. The areas I hunt, most of the time they are close. But the success ratio is low too, because of the thick rainforest.

</div></div>

Thanks guys. I had never considered this. I have 4.5x14x44 that I was consdering pulling for an EoTech w/ a mag until I read this thread. Leaning toward the offset mount now. Thanks again.