Coyote Rig - AR or Bolt Gun? 17-223 or 20 Practical?

[MoneyWaster]

I'd like to build a light weight coyote calling rifle chambered in either 17-223 or 20 Practical. I'm currently leaning in the direction of building an AR upper to use with my existing lower receiver to save money. Also, I love the weight and ergonomics of the AR15, but I have a soft spot in my heart for featherweight bolt action rifles also. I'm definitely interested in saving pelts which is why I want to go with one of the sub-calibers. I've always wanted something in a 17, and this appears to be a good application for one. I'd probably limit shots to 300 yards as that is probably the extent of my skills in a field shooting situation.

If it were you, what combo would you choose and why?

 

[Mark M.]

I would have both, but setting that aside, if I had to choose one, in my opinion, I would go with the AR and for the following reasons, quick follow up shots, outstanding accuracy and versatility, not to mention the already stated economic advantage of having a existing lower. The CZ 527 would be my hands down choice for a bolt gun, I myself have high end custom ARs in 204 ruger and 6.5 Grendel that I also switch between, also custom CZ in 223 as well, love it

 

[MoneyWaster]

I want both also, but I don't have several thousand burning a hole in me wallet lol. Someday I'll have both, but for now I have to choose. Yeah, I think that the AR upper is the way to go, but I have no idea where I can even get a 17 or 20 cal AR barrel blank. Barrel availability is also a consideration. I know I can get barrels for a bolt action in any profile that I want. AR barrels in these calibers are a different story as far as I know.

 

[spclark]

You want a blank or would you instead consider a completed barrel w/ extension?

https://www.whiteoakarmament.com/shop/barrels/20-cal-varmint-barrels.html

http://www.gmriflebarrel.com/17-blank-17-caliber-21-x-1-1-9-raw-barrel-blank/

http://www.dtechuppers.com/ar-15-upper-receivers.html

 

[1lessdog]

This is my 20 Practical and it shoots 35 gr Bergers in tiny little groups.

My barrel is a Blackhole weaponry.

 

[MoneyWaster]

I would consider a chambered/finished barrel if I knew that the quality was there.

 

[MoneyWaster]

If I could get a 1/2 MOA guarantee at 100 I would consider the quality acceptable.

 

[MoneyWaster]

That 20" WOA 20 Practical barrel looks about perfect.

 

[simo hayha]

I would do 20prac on an ar ...if saving pelts

 

[Richard Coody]

If I could get a 1/2 MOA guarantee at 100 I would consider the quality acceptable.

AR honest consistent half minute of angle? not easy to accomplish.
i don't think a anyone would guarantee it.
Robert Whitley (6mmAR) made the most.accurate upper i ever had.
that gun would shoot

 

[1lessdog]

I have a BHW barrel in 20 Prac, 223, and 6.5 Grendal and all 3 shoot great. I couldn't be happier with the barrels. All are 20 inch

 

[MoneyWaster]

AR honest consistent half minute of angle? not easy to accomplish.
i don't think a anyone would guarantee it.
Robert Whitley (6mmAR) made the most.accurate upper i ever had.
that gun would shoot

Yep, I read the Accurate Shooter write-up on Robert's 20 Practical build. It was impressive, and its what gave me the idea of going 20 cal on an AR. Does he offer barrels that you can mate to your chosen upper and hand guard?

 

[Richard Coody]

i think he only sells complete uppers. believe me he works magic. i have built several precision AR's with the best of components and nothing i have ever done can touch his.

 

[spencerhenry]

I run a 17-223 black hole barrel.
I have under 1/2 minute at 300 yards with it. Last year was the first season with it, I think it has about 30 coyotes to its credit with no lost animals.

 

[Hotshot]

X-caliber does a fine 20prac barrel, they might do a 17-223

 

[MoneyWaster]

I run a 17-223 black hole barrel.
I have under 1/2 minute at 300 yards with it. Last year was the first season with it, I think it has about 30 coyotes to its credit with no lost animals.

That's impressive. What bullet are you running?

 

[spencerhenry]

That's impressive. What bullet are you running?

25gr hornady was the sub 1/2 moa at 300. I also have some 27gr that are loaded up but have not used them on coyotes yet, would have to look up the manufacturer on that one, might be woodchuck den? I was gifted a random assortment of 17 bullets a few years ago. I have some 25gr sisk, 30gr sisk, 25gr hornady, 27gr , and some 30gr woodchuck den.
I shot one gray fox with the 25gr hornady, but it tore it up pretty bad.

The barrel is a 1-9, I think it was the first one. I had a 1-10 that I could not get to shoot and called on a saturday while it was fresh in my mind and the owner answered the phone. He said he would make me a new barrel, I asked if I could get a 1-9, he asked me to wait a minute while he checked tooling to see if they could do it. He came back to the phone and said he could and would make me one, had it a week later. It shoots great.

 

[1lessdog]

I have a 1 - 10 twist in my 20 Practical and it will shoot 1/2 groups all day with the 32 and 35 gr bullets. It did not like the 40 gr. The 35 gr Berger are tough on a Fox but on a Coyote I seldom shoot thru one.

 

[msinc]

Someone needs to explain exactly how a "sub" caliber going a ka-jillion feet per second is "easy" on fur......as to the bolt gun vs. semi, this is easy to me. I call a lot of predators. I have several of both type guns, but I always call with a semi. Animals come in on the move, they might stop but I wouldn't count on it. You are not going to get too many easy shots and you are calling to kill...so to me fast follow up shots are, at the very least, "handy". Let me say it another way...coyotes are hard enough to call {if you don't think so then you been watchin' too much Randy Anderson!!!}, how many times do you need to see one get away because instead of at least having somewhat of a chance and trying to hit him you are now trying to reload {while watching your coyote run over the hill to safety}??????? Go ahead with a bolt gun at first, you wont be long figuring out that talking about coyotes you "called up, but didn't get" aint gonna get it!!!
It is always nice to have a rifle that shoots very highly accurate, but for predator calling I wouldn't get too tied up in that or you will spend more time at the reloading bench and target shooting than you do predator shooting.
I don't know where you are located, but in many places if you are serious about calling predators and stick to it you are going to eventually turn to hunting at night with night vision. On a high powered rifle it is a given that you need a good suppressor to help minimize blinking out the tube. Something else to think about.
I mean, you have to be honest about this...are you just going to go out call up and kill a coyote or two to say you been there, done that...or is this something you are really into and going to do every week during season???

 

[1lessdog]

If I'm hunt a tournament I shoot either a 22-6mm AI or 6mm AI. I dont care what they look like when hit. The idea being you dont want a runner. If I'm hunting on my own I shoot the 20 Practical as less chance of damage.

I called my first Fox in back in 1974 and Coyote in 1976. And have been hooked ever sense. It wasnt uncommon to call in and shoot well over 100 animals a yr. Now days in N.D. there are very few Fox and if I call one in I will let them go. It is getting harder to call in animals as there are so many people doing it.