coyote calling rifle weight?

[BangFlop]

What weight do you feel is best for a calling rifle? Should it be under 6.5-7.5 (Sporter), 7.5-.8.5 (light varmint) or 8.5 plus (varmint)? Thanks.

 

[Lonnie]

Depends on how far you are walking to stands and between stands. A heavy rifle is a pain in the rear in my opinion. Only good for shooting prairie dogs where you are sitting still all day. I have buddies though that like a heavy rifle. To each his own.

 

[Varminterror]

Whatever the rifle I want to carry weighs.

Here's my "lightweight" calling rig:

I built this rifle as a lightweight alternative to my other calling rifles, then wanted more and more options, and started adding to it. Empty, it was just under 7lbs originally, compared to 12.5lbs for my 24" heavy barrel Ar or 12.9lbs for my wife's Savage 12. Then over a few years time I added the scope, foregrip, and bipod, pushed it up to 10.3lbs. Still 2lbs lighter than the other ones, but quite a bit heavier than my rimfire calling rigs.

Sure, it's nicer carrying a 7lb bolt gun, but by the time I strap on a scope and bipod, I'm in the 8-9lb running weight anyway.

But then again, I'm young enough that carrying a little extra rifle doesn't hurt my feelings. I'm not suggesting anyone carry a 17lb bench rig, but I won't complain for anything in the 8-13lb range.

 

[BangFlop]

I am considering between a sps sporter, sps tactical or sps varmint. The tactical doesn't weight much more than the sporter. I like either a 223 or 22-250. I like a shorter barrel of the tactical and the 1-9 twist for shooting 60 grain bullets if I want. My shots are typically under 200, and I rarely have to walk more than 500-700 yards if that.

 

[Lonnie]

Sounds like a .223 ought to do everything you need at those ranges. Easy to get brass or factory ammo for it and should not do the damage to pelts a hot .22-250 does.

 

[BangFlop]

Do you feel that the 20" 9 twist will be more accurate across the board than a 24" 12 twist in 223?

I have read that many feel the shorter barrels are more accurate, how do you guys feel on that?

Also, will a 9 twist be to fast for 50 grain? Do you feel a 60 will "stomp" coyotes better than 50 and 55?

 

[K22]

Originally Posted By: BangFlopWhat weight do you feel is best for a calling rifle? Should it be under 6.5-7.5 (Sporter), 7.5-.8.5 (light varmint) or 8.5 plus (varmint)? Thanks.

This is an easy question to answer for me. Age, my hunting terrain................................

requires this when possible..............................

and forces me to shoot this............................

which weighs in at 6lbs. 4oz. ready to hunt.

 

[RJM Acres]

If it's going to be a long and/or hard walk in, then I take
my Stevens 200. Real light.

If it's a short easier walk in or if I'm in certain locations,
then I take my AR which is quite a bit heavier.

 

[Lonnie]

My favorite coyote bullet is the 55 gr vmax so I don't need a real fast twist but I think the 1/9 will do fine with 50-60 gr bullets. I imagine a 16" barrel will be plenty accurate but get what you like and you can always trade it if you don't like it. Guns are easy to get rid of if it does not meet your needs.

 

[SteveB22250]

Niether one of my calling rifles are light weight both over 10 pounds. I dont mind packing a heavy rifle I just prefer the steady hold I can get with one rather than light weight I seem to weave all over with. My ar has a 20" heavy varmit barrel and my 22-250 has the ultimate sniper stock that bumps the weight up there.

 

[Merdit]

A hefty rifle isn't bad if it balances well. I used to carry a 24" varmint barrel that was just awkward. Now I carry an AR that weighs just as much but is MUCH easier to carry. My 243 sporter is better to carry than either, but like SteveB22250 said, it doesn't sit on the sticks as well.

 

[Mr Potato Head]

I went to a lighter weapon due to becoming an old fart all of a sudden. It weighs just under 8lbs. With a lighter gun came a few challenges at least for me adjusting to a lighter weapon. Seemed at first to be harder to shoot (operator error). Does the job now. Started as a Colt Sporter 1/7. It seems to shoot 60 V-Max much better that 55s.

 

[Tim Neitzke]

I like them lite for a carry rig, 7#1oz with scope.

 

[bigsky_songdogs]

Tim,
I've said it before and ill say it again, that rifle is sexy !

I have mostly used HB rifles and like the solid feeling, but more and more I'm liking lighter rifles as the heavy ones wear you down faster

 

[Tim Neitzke]

Thanks Fin !

I need to build some ammo for it soon,I'm out. Pred season is just around the corner.