I have heard the term "coyote gun" several times and am curious as to what this is. I would like to build a AR style rifle and thought that a "coyote gun" might be a good first attempt. The maximum range probably won't exceed about 200 yards because of terrain. I'm particularly interested in suggestions for barrel length, scope power range, or anything else that would be helpful. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance
Coyote gun
- Thread starter bmwmpb
- Start date
A coyote gun usually refers any smaller caliber high velocity rifle leaning toward the accurate side of things, 2moa or better should do the trick .
They are often times Camoflaged and shoot light-for-caliber bullets.
But any hunting rifle will do .
If purchasing only a coyote rifle, then a highly accurate bolt action will do. The AR should do real well however.
They are often times Camoflaged and shoot light-for-caliber bullets.
But any hunting rifle will do .
If purchasing only a coyote rifle, then a highly accurate bolt action will do. The AR should do real well however.
Actually, "coyote gun" can mean any of many different things.
What many consider a "coyote gun" is heavy, with a long barrel, and it'll usually shoot tiny groups.
But for me it means a calling rifle. When calling coyotes, shots are, more often than not, close in and fast. A short barreled, small caliber rifle that's light and handy works great. Accuracy is good if the rifle has it, but it's not required for this type of hunting. A long shot on a called coyote is 300 yards, and that's about as far as I care to shoot at one with a .17 Rem or .223. If the rifle will shoot inch and a half groups at 100 yards, I'd not frown on it. I can shoot tiny little bug-hole groups with my .17 Rem, but it doesn't make a lick of difference when shooting at a moving coyote at close range.
My advice is to decide ahead of time how you intend to hunt with the rifle, and build it according to your needs. It's all a matter of perspective.
Daryl
What many consider a "coyote gun" is heavy, with a long barrel, and it'll usually shoot tiny groups.
But for me it means a calling rifle. When calling coyotes, shots are, more often than not, close in and fast. A short barreled, small caliber rifle that's light and handy works great. Accuracy is good if the rifle has it, but it's not required for this type of hunting. A long shot on a called coyote is 300 yards, and that's about as far as I care to shoot at one with a .17 Rem or .223. If the rifle will shoot inch and a half groups at 100 yards, I'd not frown on it. I can shoot tiny little bug-hole groups with my .17 Rem, but it doesn't make a lick of difference when shooting at a moving coyote at close range.
My advice is to decide ahead of time how you intend to hunt with the rifle, and build it according to your needs. It's all a matter of perspective.
Daryl
I built my AR for coyote hunting. Rainier Arms threaded 16" HBAR, 5.56 chamber, polygonal 3 Groove rifling, 1-8 twist, SS, mid-length gas system. Magpul MOE furniture, including winter trigger guard. YHM riser w/Bushnell Elite 4200 3-9x40 scope. It's not too heavy, has good balance and is VERY accurate. It works very well.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
A .223 is a pretty good cartridge for coyotes. Most any old bullet will do. I have ruined a few with a Mini, and a couple with a 77 Mk II Rugilator. Right now, I rigged a Colt AR lower with a CMMG upper, flat-top, with a K4 as a truck/coyote gun. 20", 1:14 twist. I use 50- and 55-grain bullets.
But a .243 spreads poor Ol' Wily over a larger area.
But a .243 spreads poor Ol' Wily over a larger area.
Art Eatman
Staff in Memoriam
I kept putting a buddy onto coyotes at night, and he kept shooting over them. I just really hate educating coyotes. Finally, one night, I called one up to maybe forty yards. He cut down on it with my .243. Just as I was about to whisper to not shoot it in the guts, Kablooey! Centerpunch. 85-grain Sierra HPBT. Looked like a Peckinpaugh movie. Musta fertilized a half an acre.
Shot placement and bullet selection are much more important than caliber unless you intend to harvest them for the hide. At that point the lighter calibers with lighter bullets seem to excel in my experience. I've only had one ever run on me and that was a ways out with the 204. Found him dead a hundred yards south of where I shot him. The rest have gone pretty peacefully with everything from a 22 long rifle to my 25-06.
My 223 with 40 grain Max has taken more by a factor of ten than all my other rifles put together.
My 223 with 40 grain Max has taken more by a factor of ten than all my other rifles put together.
Really any rifle will put a coyote down, they're easy to kill. When people are building what I'd consider a coyote gun I typically think they want something that wont damage the hide. A .30-06 is a fine coyote gun if you don't mind having to carry the two halves of the dog.
I'd stick with .223 for coyote because ammo is so stinkin' cheap compared to .220 SWIFT, .25-06, .22-250 or any of the other widely considered "Varmint Calibers". .223 is plenty accurate too when hand loaded.
I'd stick with .223 for coyote because ammo is so stinkin' cheap compared to .220 SWIFT, .25-06, .22-250 or any of the other widely considered "Varmint Calibers". .223 is plenty accurate too when hand loaded.