What’s a good optic on an AR when hunting coyotes?

[Ironworker]

3.5-10x40 Leupold for me. More than 50% of my coyotes are shot within 100 yards, 80-90% shot within 200 yards on 3.5x. Generally there isn't time to fiddle with the power ring on called coyotes, at least where I hunt. I want a low-mounted scope that points naturally. I don't know how low you can get a scope on an AR, but on a bolt rifle you can get them very low with Talley rings/bases.

Occasionally I will have a coyote hang up at a distance, or catch one mousing in a pivot. Then there's time to dial up to 10x.

I had a 1-4x Leupold on a .22LR for shooting jackrabbits (mostly running). Anything lower than 3x turned out to be pretty useless, so I switched to a 3-9x.

View attachment 1168102

That yote isn't dead .I can tell

 

[jkruger]

I have a Sightron s-tac 3-16x50 in a quick detatch Burris peper mount.
It easily moves from one to the next rifle when I need to switch it out for the Pulsar Trail.

 

[Nightraider]

https://cameralandny.com/shop/brand...792c-0135-0d94-00163e9110c0?variation=1588817

 

[AWS]

I could live with that scope 104' FOV, a bold reticle, and as a bonus hash marks for longer range work if your using a cartridge that drops more.

 

[Nightraider]

I could live with that scope 104' FOV, a bold reticle, and as a bonus hash marks for longer range work if your using a cartridge that drops more.

I've shot mine out to 1000yd on 1.5moa plates

 

[2506]

Take a look at Primary Arms 1 to 8 power with the ACSS reticle. I have one on my 18" AR in 6.5 Grendel and I LOVE it. It has a lighted reticle that you can turn on low enough that it does not wash out your intended target in low light. Or you can put it on the highest setting and see it great in bright sun light. If you keep it on 1 power and light up the reticle you can use it about like a red dot. Then when you need more power crank it up. 8 power is plenty for 300ish yards or more shooting. I also have a 1 to 6 power like it on my A4 AR 223.

 

[Treerat-sniper]

I also prefer lower magnification for hunting rifles. I run a VX3 2.5-8x36 on my .22-250 bolt gun. For an AR, a Leupold MK-AR 3-9x40 would get my vote.

 

[hunter67]

vortex strike Eagle 1-8. I used this all year and it is a true point and shoot optic with hold overs

 

[BronzeArcher]

Trade-offs between the close stuff and the longer shots often depend on your experience and limitations as a rifleman. I've practiced a lot at short range, so I can find the target quickly with a 2x low end. At the same time, my eyes are not the best, so I prefer more like a 7x or 8x at the top end for shots past 100 yards.

You may be the opposite, needing a 1x to quickly find the target in close, but only needing a 4x out to 300 yards.

 

[Huckleberry75]

I love the Leopold mk6 3-18. I have had Leupold replace the 5B pinch turrets with 5c turrets and it made a nice improvement. Have 3 or 4 of them on my various hunting rigs from 223AI, 22cm to 6.5saum. This picture is prior to having the punch turrets replaced.

 

[Lone Hunter]

vortex strike Eagle 1-8. I used this all year and it is a true point and shoot optic with hold overs

Plus it's illuminated even though I really don't care for the illumination as it's just something else to be screwing with when you should be shooting. It's a very clear scope and is built well. It's designed for .223/5.56 but I put it on my Grendel. Worth looking at.

 

[AckleymanII]

Coyotes in N. Nevada can and will hang up from 250-500 yards. Not unusual for them to work down wind and give you a nice standing shot from 250-300 yards.

A 3-12 or a 4-16 is really nice to have with some target knobs marked to 500 so you can twirl it up at a glance. RARELY, do you have time to range a coyote.

 

[Drop Port]

NF NX8 1x8

 

[AWS]

I guess how you hunt has a lot to do with it.

My nephew and I spent a week in northern NV(Elko) in late Sept. hunting coyotes. We killed coyotes everyday. We were shooting a number of rifles, experimenting with cartridges, bullets and scopes. We killed coyotes with 22 Mag, 218 Bee, 223, 22-250, 243 and a combo gun in 16ga/16ga/6.5x58R Sauer. Scopes used to kill coyotes were 1-4x20mm, 1.5-5x20mm, 1.5-6x42mm, 2.5-8x36mm and an old Balvar 8 2.5-8x?, we never had a coyote we couldn't kill because of the low power of the scope.

Most kills were with a Kimber 243 and Leupold 1.5-5x20mm with #1 reticle, including the longest at just 200 yards, my nephew takes the long ones he leaves the short ones to me. Three were killed under 20 yards with a Model 70 22-250 Leupold 2.5-8, Savage 11 22-250 2.5-8 Balvar 8 and the drilling in 16/16/6.5x58 with a Leupold 1-4x20mm.

If I have coyotes hang up beyond 300 yards I pretty much did something wrong. I also don't like to hunt areas where coyotes can look over the set up from that far away. I like them committed inside 300. That way you don't need turrets or fancy reticles and you can kill every coyotes with scopes under $300. That leaves a lot of money for gas and long hunting trips.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

I gave up on scopes on my coyote gun {AR-5.56}. There were times I couldn't find the dog in the scope. I went to an EOTECH … Keep both eyes open and slam em.. I have hit and killed em at 300 yards a few times.

 

[Mark M.]

As mentioned earlier, my coyote rig is topped with the NF 4-14 f1, this works very well for me, every one's hunting set up will be some what different and is really subject to personal preferences

 

[AWS]

A couple of thoughts, if you can't find a coyote in your scope, first, your rifle doesn't fit. Like a good bird gun when your rifles butt hits your shoulder your eye should be aligned with the scope, you shouldn't have to move your head around to see through the scope. I use various types of comb risers to fit my rifle too me, I also have short arms so most of my rifles get an inch sawn off the end of the stock.

Adjustable cheek piece

 

[AWS]

Here's a simple uncle Mikes elastic cartridge band with cardboard taped to the stock.

 

[AWS]

A strap on butt bag with foam inserts.

 

[AWS]

Snap on comb risers