Factory rifle for coyote hunting

[Smokeshot]

What are some decent factory rifles under $1500 (used is fine too) to hunt coyotes? Please include the caliber as well.

Thanks

 

[D̷e̷v̷i̷l̷D̷o̷c̷A̷Z̷]

I’ll shoot a coyote w 17hmr all the way up to a minigun.

Shoot every last one of them.

Here’s a good site if you are getting into rolling dogs.

http://www.varmintal.com/ahunt.htm

 

[oldrifleman]

What are some decent factory rifles under $1500 (used is fine too) to hunt coyotes? Please include the caliber as well.

Thanks

Have you been coyote hunting before or just getting started? Distances you figure between you and said dog, day or night shooting. All these play into recommendations.

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

Get a quality ar15 chambered in 6mm arc. Do it now or go through a few, but that's where you'll end up if you stick with it..

 

[Smokeshot]

Have you been coyote hunting before or just getting started? Distances you figure between you and said dog, day or night shooting. All these play into recommendations.

Never hunted them before. Got invited by a friend and assuming that it’ll become a recurring thing if I like it (pretty positive that I will). Not exactly sure what he uses but my guess is 6.5cm. His history is night hunts between 100 and 450 yards I believe.

 

[Simonsza1]

Good ar15 in any caliber will do great. 77tmk out of a 5.56 hammers coyotes hard.

If you need help with a thermal or NV let me know.

I saw 6arc above and that would be awesome also, me I’d do 22arc if you wanted something besides 5.56

 

[hafejd30]

I’ve only done a limited amount of dedicated coyote hunting but If your night hunting and have lots of open field etc I’d want two things for a coyote rifle running thermal or NV

Aside from lighter weight,

- A flat shooting round. Makes night shooting easier when you can’t see much and have multiple targets

- AR 15. Easier follow up shots especially at night

 

[Modoc]

Like DevildocAZ, I have used everything in the safe on yotes, I don’t recommend 40-65 or 45-70 Black Powder loads though they do work. My go to guns are a REM 700 in 221 Fireball, a Howa 1500 in 22-250 and an AR in 5.56. All three have their pluses and minuses. No night hunting here, the fish cops frown on it.

An AR in 22 or 6 ARC or 223/5.56 with an 18” mid weight barrel would be my choice if just starting out. Easy caliber change, not too heavy, fast follow up shots, and easy to add thermal/NV with the right hand guard.

If you are looking for a bolt, I’ve been happy with the Howas (Mini and SA) for the price. I’m not too familiar with the other options out there.

 

[John?]

@Smokeshot

As others have said, the 223 will serve just fine day or night. We use an AR at night with a mid tier thermal scope. Daytime hunting over an electronic call or gut pile we use CZ bolt guns in 223 (the 527 is a great rifle for our teenagers, damned shame they don’t make them anymore).

The main thing we learned when starting out is that coyotes don’t dawdle; they’re quick. Not a lot of extra time to mess around.

All that said, I’ve killed coyotes with 22LR, 22 WMR, 223, 38 Special, and 6.5 swede. Basically use whatever is to hand when the yodel dogs show themselves.

 

[oldrifleman]

I guess I would echo what others have said. Get an AR ( 223/556 (get a Wylde chamber) or 6ARC). Night work is more expensive as you get into thermal/night vision. Get a 2-10 in a decent mount.

 

[Budrichard]

Mine, factory Remington camo on a Model 7.
Called the ‘Predator’.
Leupold made the scope in camo at one time but I could not find one at a decent price.
223 cal.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1073717036