AR15A3: How good for varmits?

H

hj28rules

New member
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. :o

Comments, suggestions, ideas and anathemas are encouraged.

LM...Ft. Worth, Tx.
SFC, US army (ret.)
 
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.

Evan
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.

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Regards,
hps
 
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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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.
 
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. :D
 
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
 
Nice pics & shooting HPS! :)

The question is this: How effective will my AR15A3 be with a 4X
scope?
Click to expand...

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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