Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints Off the shelf

If you were looking for an off the shelf 223 or 204 Ruger (I guess) for coyote calling in timber and ag fields - what is it? Most shots are inside 100 much less 250/300 so no heavy monster needed and while I own an AR, chasing brass in the snow/swamp is out for this one. Dedicated coyote caller.

Ruger American? (I've paid zero attention to these)

Ruger American is a solid choice.
I do prefer a Kimber Montana in .223 for what you’re asking for. I don’t play the brass chasing game either. I know there are brass catchers, I still just prefer to roll with a bolt gun.

I just leave my 223 brass wherever out in the weeds. But I only buy once fired bulk stuff anyway.

I haven’t bought a new bolt rifle in some time but I have a solid history with several 17/223/223 chambered Remington 700s for calling rifles so I’d probably look for one of them if I were shopping. Plain old sporter contour ADL or SPS so I could spray paint it without feeling bad.

Remington model 7 in 223 or an ADL / SPS In 223 would be my choice

Depending on how much you want to spend and what you expect.

I'm liking my Mini Howa and wouldn't turn my nose up at a Howa 1500, a lot of bang for the buck. I gave my granddaughter a Weatherby Vanguard Youth model in 223(Rebranded Howa 1500) nice also, it kills coyotes just fine..

Most of my coyote calling rifles are built around Savage 10(20P, 222R, 22-204, 25-204, 22-250) and Rem 700(20P, 22-250AI) action. I like that Remage barrels are available. Plus, a Sako(222Rem), a Rem 600(6x45) and a couple of combo guns for hunting the thick stuff.

I haven't messed with any of the newer budget rifles. Rem and Savage have lots of aftermarket stuff, Howa uses Rem scope bases and their two-stage trigger is great.

Thanks for the Howa reminder. Had forgotten about them.

Tikka Superlight. Great out of the box.

Depends on your definition of "heavy monster" and the size of your budget. If you don't want to spend more than ~$500 and can deal with a ~7+ lb rifle, then a Ruger American Predator is a good choice. Especially if you can change out a trigger return spring. If you can spend ~$800, want a lighter rifle and prefer stainless, then a Tikka T3x Lite or Superlite. I've owned/shot many Predators and T3/T3x rifles and they all seem to be equally accurate. I prefer the T3x because I can install the (almost) vertical pistol grip module, and the Tikkas have better triggers right out of the box.

Weatherby vanguard. They are a pretty good bang for the buck. Very well built rifles.

What ingwe said.

I like the Ruger RAR's for a cheap, good shooting rifle, but for big game and coyotes, critters that matter, I'd go Tikka lite or Superlite.

Since you already have the AR and .223 ammo is everywhere, a few cases lost in the snow seems a pretty worthwhile exchange for a deceased coyote. With a bolt action you aren't going to get more than one shot anyway and they still eject cases into the snow. If it were me, I'd be on the lookout for a Savage 24V with a .222 or .223 upper barrel and shotgun lower barrel. If you didn't want the weight of the V, then I'd get an older DL in .22 magnum over a 3" 20 gauge. I don't see that many coyotes here in WI., but the ones that I do see are usually moving and that shotgun option inside 40 yards would work well.

This.
And in 223.

I'll say it use your AR, buy a Caldwell picatinny rail mount brass catcher for about 40 bucks, they are the tits for AR use..mb

For bolt action I like my Rem model 7 predator camo in 223 along with my tikka t3 lite in 223 and my tikka t3 superlite in 243. All very accurate under 1" 3 shot groups. But my Rock River Predator 16" AR-15 223 works great too (I don't feel bad about not finding the brass) I use whatever rifle my sons haven't borrowed from me and have at their houses.

I'd vote for the Ruger American myself. great experience I've had with them. but I would note I would get one that uses an AR or Aics mags

Unless your cantilever offset mount prohibits the use of one.

Have 2 I need to send down the road.

I’ve not had a Ruger American, but have had accuracy issues with other Rugers. I go Rem 700 in 223.

I have a Savage Axis in .223 that shoots very well.

Unless you are just looking for an excuse to purchase another rifle just use your AR. 223 brass is dirt cheap, you could purchase a 1000 rounds for $50 or so and even if you never picked a piece of it up you would likely have a lifetime supply.

But I have justified purchasing a new rifle with a lot flimsier reason than not wanting to pick up brass.

drover

I just hate the AR. Hardly ever shoot it. It goes bang every time, reasonably accurate, got a couple k rounds through it, etc. Just getting excited about an AR is like being excited about a screwdriver.

There is absolutely nothing at all even remotely interesting about it. Outside of defense during a civil disturbance - I have no desire to hunt or shoot with one these days. IDGAF if others see them as modern super weapons, they just aren't for me.

As to brass most I'm seeing is more like .20 cents each for unprimed brass at the low end. Not expensive but again, I'd rather a bolt for what I want to do. Which is why I asked...