best close range coyote gun? shot gun, or iron sighted AR?

thefleen

thefleen

New member
Im going to nebraska this week for coyotes and have a shotgun and AR-15 to take for a secondary weapon. what would be the better choice?
 
If your definition of close range is the same as mine you can't go wrong with a shotgun. You're talking one projectile per trigger squeeze vs. many. A scattergun is the best medicine under 45 yards.

Nate
 
Originally Posted By: JoeBobOutfittersUnder 100 yards? AR-15 with a reflex type sight.

Under 50 yards? Shotgun with a long range tube and some buckshot

joe bob hit the nail on the head

this is good medicine for just about any small to medium sized critter in a pinch
 
Inside of 50 yds you cant beat a shot gun with a predator master choke and some dead coyote or some buck shot. I also like the new federal premium coyote shot. Inside of 50 yds you still have to make a good shot with a rifle and with the shot gun its alot more forgiving.
 
Shot gun is the best for under 50 . But if you would rather only carry one gun put a red dot peep sight on top of your scope (not sure the tech name for them).
I have one on my knewest Ar it came with the gun and man I will never have a Ar with out one what a way to speed shoot I love it
 
Lever action with peep sight will be my close range stopper.

When it comes down to it, I'd just rather have the rifle with close range optics, or the iron/peep sights. Just because a running coyote at 30 yards quickly turns into a running coyote at 70, and if he is going away, even at that 50 yards, there is a lot to penetrate. Just leaves that nagging feeling of wounding a dog in my mind, even with 4 other shots to back it up.

So, practicing and being efficient and effective with that rifle at close range, could bring that extra payoff for you should you encounter that coyote that quickly goes from shotgun range (50yds) to rifle range (70yds).
Now if it is open enough to have no worries, you know you'll be able to get your long gun up and get that shot off, so be it, shotgun it is. I'd just rather be on the safe side, using that rifle that will put that coyote down quickly and ethically even if the 20, 30, 50 yard shot turns to 70, 80, 90...
 
I leave the close rage business the the good ol ak47. Tell you what a 31 grain round at close range is no bueno for anything on the receving end.
 
I use a .357 lever gun with a 1.5-4.5x scope for the brush work. Works great easy out to 100. The 1.5 power really gathers light in the darkness and is super easy to put on a yotes chest
DaFUnk
 
Originally Posted By: Brian DownsIf you can tote them both it may be a lot of work but worth it for the ability to change up

Yup.
 
Originally Posted By: Brian DownsIf you can tote them both it may be a lot of work but worth it for the ability to change up

+1

Nate
 
I was just in a contest this past Saturday. My partner brought his M&P-15 with iron sights. Missed everyone of his shots at 40-50yds.

At that distance, I think a shotgun would have done the job.
 
Originally Posted By: thefleenIm going to nebraska this week for coyotes and have a shotgun and AR-15 to take for a secondary weapon. what would be the better choice?

I'm heading up there next week but doubt I get any hunting in.
 
Originally Posted By: o1sick7I leave the close rage business the the good ol ak47. Tell you what a 31 grain round at close range is no bueno for anything on the receving end.

An AK47 round loaded with a 31 grain bullet?

Interesting. Do you have a lot of experiance with AK's and the ammo for em? Sounds like you've killed a bunch of critters with that 31 gr bullet eh? So it really puts a hurt on em huh?

No bueno for critters..
lol.gif
 
Inside 50 yds, a shotgun is hard to beat, but calling4life made an excellent post. For an undetermined ranged shot, especially when they are are running, a 30-30 (or other "lever action") with "ghost" sights is hard to beat.

I personally use use a remote caller and rarely have a shot under 100yds, but sometimes it's fun to use that iron sight gun, especially in heavy cover, when you can reasonably expect multiples at close range.
 
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