Coyote Rifle Reccomendations

Sandhiller_308

New member
I'll be the first to admit that I don't know much about rifles, but I love to coyote hunt! I currently shoot a 22 creedmoor, but rely on a buddy to do all my reloading.

I'm wanting to get something that I can shoot factory ammo with, so I don't have to rely on him to reload. I've got a SICO Omega 300 and a Lane Scorpion King, so I'll be hunting suppressed and would prefer the barrel be pre-threaded.

I've been looking at the Savage 110 predator in a 22-250 because its pre-threaded. I was initially looking at a Bergara but have read the 1:9 twist might not suit what I'm looking to shoot (55gr Hornady), and a Ruger American Predator. I don't know much about Howas or Tikkas..

I'd like to stay around $1000 or under. Plan to eventually purchase an after market stock, and I've got a Burris Veracity to slap on it so I've got that covered.

I'm open to ANY suggestions (caliber, make, etc.).

Thanks in advance!
 
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Coyotes, factory ammo, pay attention to what bullet is loaded. No matter what cartridge you go with, bullet for the job makes a lot of difference.
 
A 1-9 would be great with a 55 as far as that part goes. As for the rifle that's all personal preference as most all shoot very well anymore. Caliber wise I'd see what actually has ammo readily available right now. Do a search for 22-250 and you'll see there's not much out there, 243 either, otherwise those would be 2 great choices as I'm sure you know.

Actually it looks like Midsouth has some Hornady 22-250 so that would probably be my pick.

BTW what part of the sandhills are you from?
 
Agree on .22-250 or .243 with the .22-250 being my first choice. 12 twist .22-250 if possible while researching the factory offerings.
 
Depends how far you're gonna shoot or save fur. Shooting at night,day time,ect. For night time a flatter shooting cartridge is better in my opinion because distance can be hard to judge at night depending on the equipment you have.

Having said all that my top choices would be .223,.243,22-250,.204 or .224 Valkyrie.
 
I'd go 223Rem. A 1-9 twist will shoot bullets up to around 69 grains. Plenty of loaded ammo on the racks these day or so it seems. A little scrolling through this forum and you'll get all you need to know about Tikka's, It would be my first choice in rifles and the newer ones have an 8 twist barrel also. Then I'd look at a Howa mini action. I've had and have now, a Howa in a mini action in 6.5 Grendel and its a very accurate rifle.
 
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Instead of buying another rifle that you will have to buy factory ammo for, spend that money on a reloader and evrything you need to load your own ammo.

I reload for 223 Rem, 223AI, 22-250, 243 Win and 6mm Creedmoor.

If I was going to just buy factory ammo I would go with a 223 Rem because it looks like there are more options available.
 
If you don't reload you're at the mercy of whatever ammo is available. In todays environment that may be limited, to not available at all. Your choice of bullets is small and is probably changing all the time. The concept of a pet load that optimizes the performance of your rifle will never happen. Spend your money to get set up to load your own. You'll be way ahead in the long run.
 
Maybe we should ask what grain bullet, what bullet and the approximate speed of the load you are currently using? Also what type of rifle is it? What action is your current rifle built on? Reason I ask is it sounds like you have no problem with the setup you have, you just don't want to have to rely on your buddy to reload for you. There were a few places that loaded for 22 CM before everything got hard to get. If it was me I would get as close as I could in performance to your current round so your holds and distances would be similar. Also I would get as close as I could on rifle so you are more familiar with that.
In my experience I used to use an old mauser actioned gun in 22-250 and a cheap walmart scope. I shot it so much when I missed it was a surprise. It was nothing special in action, stock, trigger, scope nothing. But I could just shoot it. As I got older I started trying new things, new guns, better stuff my aim is not as good as it used to be. So now I am am getting back to one gun that I shoot exclusively. That is only my opinion and I am nobody. But I will say I still have that old gun and the people in my close circle named it (sweet thang). LOL.
 
Not saying reloading isn't an answer but I can't help but think with components as hard as they are to get that it may not be the best idea right now. The OP asked for recommendations on a rifle and that's why I suggested a 223 because there is quite a bit of ammo available. Maybe if and when the time comes that components become more available then start buying reloading equipment and components. Who really wants to pay ridiculous prices for primers and brass these days?
 
I wouldn't worry too much about twist in a common factory rifle most are designed to shoot most of the shelf ammo accurately. I have a 9 twisted Savage that dotes on 40gr NBTs.

Buy your rifle around the type of coyote hunting you enjoy.

I like to call coyotes in close and save fur. My go-to rifles are a lightweight 20P, 222 Rem, 22-204 with 1.5-4, 1.5-6 and 2-7 scopes. They will get me to 300 yards if needed but I haven't had to take one of those in a few years.

I have built a couple more suited to longer stuff, a heavier 20P and a 22-250AI with 2-12 scopes on them. They will get me to 500 yards, I've never had to shoot that far but they will do it at the range off of sticks. They also have a 55.foot FOV on 2x for those open country coyotes that just seem to.appear at the caller.

Good luck on your choice, I'd stay in the upper part of the offerings Savage 10 instead of the Axis kind of choice. If you shoot a lot the 223 wouldn't be a bad choice, barrel life is long and ammo common.
 
Savage is getting a pretty solid reputation for being accurate rifles. The big plus on a Savage is they are so modular. A new barrel and even a bolt head can be changed out in a few minutes in your garage with a minimum of tools required. Barrels are everywhere and usually fairly cheap.
 
For easy factory ammo, 223, 22-250, or 243 are high on the list. Any possible deer use, I’d go 243. If you want to suppress, could be a factor. There may be some night hunting regulations to consider.

Saving any fur or not, maybe giving it to a trapper if prime.

Without much to cloud the choice, the 22-250 or 243 would be favorites for me.

I don’t like long barreled, heavy guns when moving around a lot.
 
Originally Posted By: IdahoSawtooth223 has by far the most options and has probably killed as many coyotes as all the others combined.
For the nonreloader, I agree with the 223.

However, being a DYI type, I can't imagine not reloading & having to depend on companies to keep me going. I would seriously look into buying a starter reloading kit, and go on the hunt for components. Luckily you have a buddy to show you the ropes.

Not being one to stop a person from buying a new gun, another option would be to buy a butt load of components for your CM, and spend an afternoon with your buddy helping load them all up.
 
If today I were going to get just one rifle to hunt coyotes with but that I could also hunt deer size game I would get a 243 Win.
A couple of years ago I bought a Tikka T3X Super Lite in 243 Win and with it being so lite, it is a dream to carry, is accurate as any rifle I own and will shoot a wide range of bullets.
I currently reload the 80 gr Barnes TTSX but I also loaded that round for deer and antelope because I have a number of other coyote dedicated calibers. That being said, you can shoot 55 gr range in the 243 Win at high speeds to have a wonderful coyote rifle.
 


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