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Hey all, I am looking to replace the scope on my .223. It currently has a Vortex 6-18x44 AO on top. I like the 18x for shooting buck toothed prairie varmints but it’s too much magnification for Coyotes. I typically leave it on 10x. The rifle is zeroed at 225 yards, shooting the 60 VMAX or the 60 Horn Sp. Loads are right at 3050/3100 FPS.
The issue I’m having is the dogs are hanging up at 300-400 yards at times. 300 is OK as that’s only six inches of drop, but farther out I can’t use the BDC unless I crank it to 18x. The scope has capped turrets with zero reset but no time to dial shots by the time I take the cap off, etc. The gun is a heavy barrel Howa 1500, so weight of optic not a huge deal. I was thinking of going to an exposed turret scope as I do a lot of cranking when shooting PDogs, and I shoot a lot of them. I’m cranking ele and wind usually as the wind never quits here either.
What I’d really like to do is get a 8-9 twist .22-250, .220 Swift or even a .22 Creed so I don’t have to think so much about drop and wind to a certain range of course. Thoughts? I’ve considered punching it out to .223AI.
I was considering the Diamondback tactical 4-12x40 or SWFA fixed 10x. The Vortex will cost less obviously. I have a Leupold Vx3i CDS on my 7RM which I really like.
Last edited by TakeEm; 01/20/20.
Isaiah 6:8
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Last edited by DELGUE; 01/20/20.
Exquisitely turdlike in all of his many manifestations!!
Resist much - obey little. Hayduke lives!
"30-06 guys don't worry about schit 'cause 30-06 guys don't worry....." 16bore
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Your scope is not the problem. You have a varmint rifle/scope setup and not a coyote setup.
I would be more concerned about 6x low end as I have had coyotes get close and not able to find them at 6x (I had a 6x at that time)
I have run Leupold 2.5-8x36 and 3.5-10x40 on my coyote rifles which are a Kimber 84M Varmint 22-250 which is cerecoted and bedded in a Wildcat fibreglass stock. 55gr VMax driven about 3700. Sighted in about 2" high at a hundred. Gave a coyote about 4" of elevation above its back and killed him with a low chest shot. The scope was set on 4or5 power. Other rifle was a model 7 Predator in 17Fireball.
You carry a coyote rifle way more than you shoot it. I am currently building a 17 Remington on a 84M Montana. It will be my secondary coyote rifle.
I found the difference between the 22-250 and my previous 223 to be marked. Now the VMax is superior to the the bullets I had in the 223.
I would get a sporter weight 22-250 or 22Creedmoor in a fast twist (or not), put a scope with no higher than about 4 on the low end. You decide whether 12, 14, 16 on the high end. I would forget dialing, as I think the coyote can move positions faster than most people can dial. I've been watching big Al Morris of FoxPro use his Nightforce. I don't think i miss anymore than he does and i don't dial. Sometimes less is more.
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I should’ve been more clear that I don’t plan to dial shots on Coyotes unless there’s one sitting still long enough to do it. I agree that the gun is better as a Prairie Dog gun but I need to make it work for both for the time being.
It’s very open country so finding them in the scope isn’t much of a worry.
I appreciate the responses.
Isaiah 6:8
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Burris 4.5-14 in either the Fullfield II or the E1 flavor.
Brad ~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~ Let’s Go Brandon
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4.5-14x40 of some flavor will do the trick.
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Campfire Oracle
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Your scope is not the problem. You have a varmint rifle/scope setup and not a coyote setup.
I know you've already addressed this, but I want to reiterate it simply because it gives you a viable excuse to buy another rifle/scope combo!
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Campfire Oracle
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A 3x9,3.5x10 or a straight 6x would be my choices.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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why don't you shoot it as is on 10x (or whatever power you like to use) at a 400 yard target and see how low it is.
You could either learn the holdover or you could try some of your different holdover marks and see which ones get you close to on at that distance
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A SS 3x9 would work good for you. Call with it on 6x most of the time and when a coyote holds up at distance either use your mil quad reticle for hold over and wind, or dial for elevation and hold for wind. Your choice. I kill a lot of coyote s that hang up between 400 and 500 yds.
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Your scope is not the problem. You have a varmint rifle/scope setup and not a coyote setup.
I know you've already addressed this, but I want to reiterate it simply because it gives you a viable excuse to buy another rifle/scope combo! Yes, I just have to sell it. I might need a year to build up to it though. I really want a .220 Swift. How about a .22 CHeetah MK II? Maybe a .243 AI or 6 Creed. 🤔🤔
Isaiah 6:8
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
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Get the .220 Swift and go kill coyotes.
Life Member SCI Life Member DSC Member New Mexico Shooting Sports Association
Take your responsibilities seriously, never yourself-Ken Howell Proper bullet placement + sufficient penetration = quick, clean kill. Finn Aagard
Ken
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Vortex came out with a 1-10 for SHOT. Sounds perfect.
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There have been several good suggestions so far. There is an easier remedy in light of the fact you have a BDC reticle. You often read people's assertion that a BDC reticle is only good for being set at one power. That is a misunderstood half-truth. The BDC reticle can be used at any power setting. It's just that the corresponding ranges of bullet impact are different at every power setting. Get the proper ballistic information for two different power settings and you've solved your problem. Run your information through a ballistic program which has your reticle and you will see the different yardages for points of impact at different power settings.
The major, and I mean major drawback of my above-mentioned solution is a precludes the need to purchase another rifle/scope setup. We don't always NEED an excuse to buy; but, it's nice to have one.
Last edited by TheBigSky; 01/24/20.
_________________________________________________________________________ “Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texans.” John Steinbeck
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A SS 3x9 would work good for you. Call with it on 6x most of the time and when a coyote holds up at distance either use your mil quad reticle for hold over and wind, or dial for elevation and hold for wind. Your choice. I kill a lot of coyote s that hang up between 400 and 500 yds. Following this advice has worked well for me. That is the most useful and reliable scope I have ever owned. mike r
Don't wish it were easier Wish you were better
Stab them in the taint, you can't put a tourniquet on that. Craig Douglas ECQC
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Big sky country Nailed it,Vortex site tells you how to use their BDC , easy peasy .
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Takem: Answer = Leupold 4.5x14 with A/O and fine Du-Plex! Enjoy. Hold into the wind VarmintGuy
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I put together a 22-250AI using a T&L action, Douglas 1-12 Jewel trigger and topped it with a Nightforce 2.5x10 with MOAR reticle and it is working out nicely. I mainly use it for shooting coyotes the are being pursued by dogs. The dogs are beagles so the coyotes don't have to move very fast to stay ahead but they rarely stop so most of the shots are in motion, the MOAR combined with the velocity of the 55G VMAX really helps with getting the lead and then the elevation if I miss and they switch to high gear. Take em if you want a swift I have a Barrel brass and dies I can set you up.
Proud to be an American United States Marine
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Somewhere near a 4.5-14 is where I’d be, quality & clear is nice. I don’t care for ‘busy’ reticles.
My partner took a guy coyote hunting a few years back. He showed up with his higher magnified, scoped, 22-250. When the coyote surprised him at 30 yards he didn’t have a chance, thick cover.
We usually have semi-auto shotguns with ‘T’ shot, plug removed.
I see you hunt in open areas. When I do, a scoped 243 is my choice.
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I bought. Diamondback Tactical 4-12x40. It has the VMR1 MOA reticle. Even I can figure that on 6x 1 MOA dots are 2. This will also allow for easier dialing on p dogs with the tactical turrets.
Still want a faster .22 but smart money would be a factory 9 Twist .22-250 (Bergara) and punch it to AI to beat the Swift. Wouldn’t have the nolstalgia of a Swift though.
Isaiah 6:8
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