Coyote rifle build

[Webster]

If you miss they are running pretty fast. 243 recoil come on. I shot a 7mm Rem mag at GH.

 

[searcher]

I think anyone who says recoil doesn't matter doesn't know how nice it is to be able to walk shots on a moving target without need for sight recovery. Seeing misses does matter when you want to get on him the second (or fifth) shot if need be. Since coyotes come in pairs about half the time when calling through most of the year where they are plentiful - I never carry my beloved bolt guns anymore when purposely after coyotes. If you are set on a .243, I'd get the A/R if you are mindful of the extra bulk and weight over the average bolt gun. Personally, I don't like the A/R-10-sized platform for that reason. I prefer a .22 Nosler or 6.5 Grendel instead as the AR/15 platform is typically lighter, though some of the newer carbon-fiber rigs might cure that. Since the .22 Nosler provides less muzzle blast and recoil (even with a brake) than the Grendel, I opt for it. Some readers here think the brakes on these guns are touted to ease felt recoil. With these mild-mannered calibers - it is to do with sight recovery. These guns don't kick much. All will knock the snot out of coyotes pretty good. If you don't really care about maybe not getting on that "second" coyote all the time - you might opt for a lighter bolt gun that makes it much more enjoyable to carry from stand to stand. I shoot coyotes for a number of large vineyards who want results and missing a quarter of the ones I see simply because I can't get on them fast enough while they are running away kind of sucks. I lug around some pretty heavy 24" heavy-barreled A/R's with big optics as most shots where I hunt are quite long most of the time but if I'm going to do a lot of walking - I pull out a lighter .243 bolt gun with a brake. In thick cover - you will miss a lot of second dogs without the semi-automatic. I'd think a lot about the terrain you expect to use the rifle in before deciding which is best for you. I think the ideal "all-around" rig would be the .22 Nosler A/R with a 20" barrel and good brake. Not too heavy to carry a lot but manageable when following moving targets needing follow-up shots. Also think hard about what bullet you want to use in order to choose the gun. In a .243 - most varmint bullets run from 55 grains to about 85. The Ballistic coefficient isn't all that hot on the lighter bullets in a .243 - so if you want the bullet that gives you the good ballistics - you need the 75 v-max as a minimum and maybe the 85, for example. If you opt for a .22 Nosler - a 55 Sierra Blitz King or similar is a good choice. Those are roughly the types of bullets you would want to compare exterior ballistics on to determine which makes sense in the type of gun you want to carry. I can whack as many squirrels with my .20 Practical as with my .243 when I am using light bullets in the .243. I don't like the .20 Practical for coyotes past 4oo yards as the 39 and 40-grain bullets don't have enough juice left to do the job that the .22 Nosler (or .243) does. The performance difference (on the animal) at that range is quite noticeable. In my experience, the Barnes 50-grain Varmint Grenade rules within 400 yards when it comes to terminal performance on coyotes. Past that - the 70-grain TSX

 

[Webster]

So I’ve been coyote hunting for a few years now and I’m going to built a rifle just for it in the near future and want to make sure I do it right the first time. Most shots will be 400 or less with the exception of one spot that I could shoot at least twice that far if I had too. I know I’m going to use a ATN X sight 4K pro and was thinking a 243 either in a bolt or AR platform. Would like to know if you were to build one rifle for coyote what would it be and what features or accessories would you want on it.

Search and read the post by 5SPD. He is a world class coyote hunter.

 

[JFW]

Have coyote hunted for 14 yrs in ohio. For me if your not keeping the hides, its the 6.5 grendel in an ar15 platform. Have tried several cals. And rifles over the years. When you have multiples charge in you need fast follow up shoots. And light weight is a must if you are walking in. Don't have alot of huge open fields. Most shots are 225yrds. And under.my son and i had six come in at one time on this farm. 1 made it for seed stock for next time. Strongly recommend thermal and a suppressor if you can aford it.

 

[helmut in the bush]

Have coyote hunted for 14 yrs in ohio. For me if your not keeping the hides, its the 6.5 grendel in an ar15 platform. Have tried several cals. And rifles over the years. When you have multiples charge in you need fast follow up shoots. And light weight is a must if you are walking in. Don't have alot of huge open fields. Most shots are 225yrds. And under.View attachment 1105071my son and i had six come in at one time on this farm. 1 made it for seed stock for next time. Strongly recommend thermal and a suppressor if you can aford it.

Nice going

 

[JFW]

As a follow up. Using underwood factory ammo with Lehigh defense controlled chaos bullets has not been destroying the pelt. I don't hand load for this because of sling brass in field. 110gr. Bullet.

 

[Damon555]

Although I've not called in a coyote yet I chose an Alexander Arms 6.5 Grendel upper to do the dirty work. The 6.5G is pure pleasure out of an AR15

 

[mattri]

Interesting thread, lots of good replies.

Built a 20 Practical a few years back, incredibly accurate, great varmint round- was a laser out to around 400, after that the wind ate it's lunch.

AR's are great, easy to build, easy to shoot, usually more accurate than you would think- they're also kind of klunky and make a lot of noise just cycling the bolt.

For everything the OP is describing I can't see reinventing the wheel, the 6mm Creed will do everything he's looking for and then some. Any decent bolt action should be a good platform to build from regardless of optics. If that doesn't do it don't think anything else will.

 

[Matt_3479]

If I was interested in pelt prevention then it would be a 20 tac pushing the 35bergers or 39 blitzkings at 3800+FPS. If I knew too many of my property’s the shots were real long it would be either a 6mm or heavy 22. 22creed and 6creed come to mind.

I’m running the 6mm creed and 20 tac and love them both

 

[theallcineyes]

I'm running the 143 ELD-X with the 260 under mag length with no issues... When the throat starts to go, I usually go to the 139 Scenars giving me the option to seat to a longer OAL and chase the lands, if need be.

 

[JASON50CAL]

Thanks for all the replies. Some really good info here. I ended up finding a Savage 10 in 308 with 20” barrel in a Advanced Weapon technologies chassis. I’ll use this for now and may rebarrel to 260 or 6 creed in the future.