Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Predators and Varmints AR or Bolt Action Rifle for Coyotes?

What do most of you prefer for yotes - AR or bolt action rifle? Also, which caliber do you prefer?

AR for me. I’m a convert. I was never an AR fan until I actually gave them a chance. Lots of caliber options that can do double duty for deer and predators.

I've used both, and prefer a bolt rifle. Probably goes back to my first rifle, a bolt action 22, and the fact that I just happen to like bolt action rifles for hunting. As far as what cartridge, I shoot 223, 22-250's, and 243's. There's nothing wrong with an AR, providing you find one that's accurate enough for those longer shots, as the lower price AR's are sometimes not exactly tack drivers.

Coyotes don't know what your using, what ever works for you. Rio7

What Rio said ^

I use both depending on where I intend to hunt or just what I want to carry that day. If I’m gonna do a lot of walking and the area is more open, I’ll grab one of my Kimber Montanas in either 204 Ruger, 223 or 22-250AI. If the area is tighter cover, I’ll grab an AR carbine in 223/5.56.

Either work about as well in both areas but the AR’s are going to weigh at least 2-3 pounds more. Simple as that.

I get the draw of an AR - they're just not for me. Although I have a spare lower laying around that I'm thinking needs to be either a Grendel or ARC.

That said - I just got a 22-250, bolt for Coyote hunting. It's what I'll be using until further notice. Son uses his bolt 243 but often one of us will go 12 gauge and other the rifle as we're hunting upper midwest coyotes - timber/ag fields. A LONG shot is 125 yards mostly.

bolt action all day and every day for me. Used AR's for a few years, but figured out a bolt action will get it done.

I carry my 17/204 most often. Sometimes use my 22-250 although it is set up for night calling now. And late season I'll pull out the .22 Creed

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


THIS


I like a bolt personally but I can see the usefulness of an AR if a guy was doing a lot of serious calling/culling.

'scuse me while I overthink this. It depends on temperature. If it is real cold, I prefer the heavier trigger on my AR. If it is warmer, then bolt action. I'd put the dividing line somewhere around 25 degrees. In choosing cartridge, it is important to remember that I'm not even vaguely interested in saving hides, I'm shooting them to turn them from live to dead and that is all. .223 in the AR. Bolt action .. I've used a lot of things in the past. Currently .204. Probably my favorites would be the .204, .220 Swift, 6x.284, and 7mm STW.

Bolt guy here, I have a very nice AR with uppers in 20P and 223. I just can't warm up to it, it feels awkward in my hands, noisy, to much to do the make sure it fires when you want it to. I've killed coyotes with it so I'm not blow smokke out of my ass. My bolt actions run from 20P to 6mm-204, with my favorits 20P, 222 Rem, 22-204, 22-250AI. I am partial to combo guns with my favorites 12/5.56x50R Mag , 12ga/22 Sav Highpower(5.6x52R0 and 16ga/16ga'6.5x58R Sauer.

I have found calibers to be of little concern, my 222 Rem kills the just as well as the 22-250AI, use an appropriate bullet. I call coyotes so most of my shots are under 100 yards even in open country.

I do hunt for pelts, hate runners and find it is hard to find anything over .224 to be more consistently fur friendly than .224 and under, they put coyotes down as well as the bigger bores.

I am a bolt gun guy. I gave an AR a try one winter but ended up missing some coyotes with it, not for lack of accuracy but they just feel foreign to me. I have shot bolt guns all of my life and the operation of them is so ingrained into me that I don't even have to think about the operation of them unlike an AR where I have to make a consious effort on the operation of them, so I will stay with bolts.

drover

Curious to what makes an AR harder to run than a bolt gun?

One answer for me .. I grew up on shotguns with a cross-trigger safety. When I get in a hurry, instead of releasing the safety on the AR, I fall back on old muscle memory which leads to dropping the f**king magazine on the ground instead.

Another answer .. the comb on a bolt action guides my eye to the crosshairs intuitively. Finding them with an AR is a much slower process.

However, that much heavier AR trigger is a plus with seriously numb fingers.

I’d guess I carry a bolt action 90% of the time. Probably 90% I’d that is a 22-250. I do carry an AR if I know I’ll be calling where shots will be close. But if I know it’ll be close I’m just as likely to carry a tight choked 12ga with 3” #4B.

Insert mag, make sure it is seated, pull the charging handle and release, pull again a little to see if it picked up a round, release, hit forward assist to make sure bolt is seated, turn the rifle to the side so you can see if the safety is engaged.

CrazyCoot: I am a "bolt action" Coyote Hunting guy - have been for 60 years now.
And MANY of my bolt action Coyote Rifles are in 204 Ruger caliber.
A lot of my calling partners use AR's (and a few "went through" the Mini-14 phase!) so I have seen a lot of them in use/action over the decades.
SO.... if I were starting out today Coyote Hunting I would give serious consideration to an AR platform in caliber 204 Ruger.
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Which bolt gun has a cross bolt safety? Muscle memory only goes so far, sometimes you have to engage your brain.

The right scope mount will put the cross hairs right on target.

I prefer 3.5 lb triggers on both ARs and bolt guns.

Seriously, an AR can be set up to perfectly fit anyone if they give it a chance.

What do most of you prefer for yotes - AR or bolt action rifle? Also, which caliber do you prefer?

I generally use a bolt gun if I am hunting for whatever shows up. For purely calling coyotes I tend to use an AR and I drag along a 12 ga if one sneaks in.

I think of the .223 as about right for most coyote use. I could care less about hides so a 55 gr Hornady SP works. For open country I do have a .243 that I have used a couple of times when I have been set up looking for marmots.

I actually kill more coyotes most years with a .22 Mag just because I almost always have one along off season. I have a bolt action Marlin, a Crickett, a .22 WMR over 20 ga 3" Mag and a couple of revolvers.

I’ve used both, it if I had to choose one, it would be a bolt gun. The AR is great for runners and when multiples come to a call.I have many bolt rifles set up for coyotes.
Most of the guys that I call with use ARs.
As far as cartridge, I use 17 Rem to 240 weatherby and everything in between. But the 223 will do it all.

I didn't say anything about cross-trigger safety on a bolt action. Shotgun. Go back, re-read if necessary: I said shotgun. But continuing along that vein, I don't own any bolt actions with detachable magazines other than Ruger 77/xx style and those don't have their "drop the mag" button on the side of the trigger housing. It's not particularly relevant. Bolt actions put my thumb by the safety .. nature of the pistol grip and safety location. AR safety is way away from where it needs to be for speedy / instinctive operation <for me>.


I'll have to take your word for that. I haven't found one. I'm not putting much effort into it though .. no perceived payoff on effort invested .. for me.


I don't.


I'll have to take your word for that. I haven't found it to be true yet.

It seems to me you're taking my preference of bolt over AR very personally. Mind if I ask why you seem to be getting your panties in such a bunch over it?

Tom

I was just curious at your reasoning but your excuse says it all.

Y' lost me. What is it you perceive as an excuse?

The REASON is that I prefer the 6 ounce triggers on my 700s to the near 5 pound trigger on the AR. I'd go with 700s year around but when the temps drop to 5-10 degrees, the balance of what is safe or not (in my hands) changes. I never consider safety and "excuse."

So far as the other things? I'm open to input. If you know of a cheek piece compatible with the magpul collapsible stock, let me know and I'll check into it. I don't see any way to get around the very awkward location of the AR safety. I suppose that is a good reason to have a heavy trigger .. release the safety early instead of waiting 'til it is time to fire the shot? Or am I missing something in what you're doing?

Tom, I can tell you what your missing--Talent When It comes to Fire Arms. Rio7

You could’ve just said you prefer a bolt gun over an AR and I wouldn’t have thought a thing about it.

But when you said a bolt gun was easier to operate than an AR I was curious but then you said you couldn’t find the safety on an AR that’s right under your thumb, because you were used to a cross bolt safety from shotgun use and dumped the mag instead, well it’s either an excuse or you lack the skills needed to be operating a firearm.

Sorry I hurt your feelers.

This can't be serious.

The AR's safety is so well located that there is some debate if it should even be engaged during a bolt lock reload.

I’m quoting this properly so no one gets confused and thinks I said this about the safety.

Fixed it in my post.

Sorry.

I took a defense carbine class with an instructor by the name of Jabo Long , who's also Memphis TN SWAT team lead. He literally had us putting the safety on in between TGTs and movement. It was part of the presentation he had us working form the low ready. It became 2nd nature by the 2 day and took zero extra time.

His rationale was, IF something happened in the middle of an engagement he wanted to ensure that the weapons were on safe. It makes sense, and again the safety is so well positioned in doesn't add any time. The was my 5th carbine class and I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I wrote an AAR on the class here:

Jabo Long Class AAR

As for yotes, I use both. For calling in closer surroundings I put together my calling AR, 16" barrel, 1-6X scope because sometime we have multiple dogs come running in. The lighter weight is also a plus when we're hiking between stands. IF the terrain his more open I'll use one of my bolt guns with more magnification.

Thank you John.

I’ve always used a bolt gun but am seriously considering getting an AR set up with night sights for night hunting.

Bolt rifle. 243 win and 75 vmaxes or a 25-06 and 90 grain blitzings. Also I want a two stage trigger. I don't squall at them. I'm a howler. I hunt a 15 mile radius and those suckers get smart if i squeal all the time. Lots hang up at 2-300, but they usually show up to see just what's going on. Also i want to see at least 400 yards in 3 direcrions and get on top of whatever the tallest hill there is around. Killed a 100 one winter/spring. I can't see an AR ever making a difference. Caliber don't matter either I guess, but I want powder capacity and speed. Wind and longer shots come into play the way I call. Coyote will never outrun a bullet. Get whatever you like and get to calling.

Use both. Have more confidence with a bolt. The AR cost me a coyote last year when due to not allowing allowing the bolt the slam home. I rode the bolt down with the charging handle and didn't use the forward assist. Lesson learned.

Doesn't seem like a gun problem, more so operator error.

Yep, you're right. Go back and read my second sentence.

I prefer a bolt because I have used bolt actions all of my life and have never found them to be a disadavantage. As I posted earlier I just do not find the operation of the AR's as familiar and have to think about the operation on them whereas the bolt action operation is so ingrained into me that it is almost an unconcious action.

I carry my rifle in the pickup with the butt up, muzzle floor against the floor. I carry with a round in the chamber and the bolt handle unengaged (at the catch where the bolt handle has to forced past in order to engage), when I see a coyote as soon as the muzzle is out the window my thumb pushes the bolt engaged and I am ready to shoot.
Even when still hunting I use the same bolt unengaged method, it is as quick as pushing off a safety.

drover

When I was a 14 or 15 I bought a Winchester 9422M with hay hauling money and killed an ark full of critters. That was my favorite rifle for several years. I learned to call about this time and that was my coyote rifle.

Later on I wound up with a mini 14 because I needed more power than a 22 mag. Killed a lot of coyotes with it. Then came bolt guns and wildcat chambering’s and then I gave up on the mini 14 and got into AR’s. Killed a lot of coyotes with them too. I also tried pistols, revolvers and even single shots. Even got my bird guns involved in the fun. The handguns were my favorites but in my hands they were far from the best choice.

When I go coyote hunting, it’s more about what mood I’m in than what I can run better. Sure there are certain situations that certain guns are better suited but I’ve done my best to learn what those situations call for and how to use each gun to my advantage.

My dad’s got my 9422M now and has had it for 20 years and even though he doesn’t use it much, he’ll have it till the end. After that, you can bet I won’t have to decide between bolt guns or AR’s.

I use a 22-250 bolt gun most of the time. I prefer the bolt gun over the AR because I kill coyotes on the way to and from calling. I don’t like brass bouncing of the windshield and then falling into the vents. I do have a couple of AR’s and occasionally they see some love.

I've killed coyotes with both, but much prefer the bolt guns. I was getting sets with multiples coming to the call a few years ago so I got a Rock River Coyote rifle to help speed up the shooting. I'll be 70 in a couple weeks and after a few years playing with it the AR still feels awkward and heavy compared to my sporter bolt guns. For some reason I've never had a pair of coyotes show up when using the AR.

I like bolts ok my main coyote rifles being Sako Vixen in 221 Fireball and Krico 223. But, found a need for more speed while maintaining a sight picture, or at least not completely dropping the gun to cycle the action. I tried AR's and just can't like them. Guys are definitely effective with them, but I found them ugly and an ergonomic nightmare. I hate carrying them, shooting them, and looking at them. In other words, I find no pleasure in them, no matter how effective they might be.

Started trying leverguns like a Browning 65 in 218 Bee, a Marlin in a 219 Zipper and another in 256 mag, and Remington pumps in 25-20. Then I began a lifelong love affair with Savage lever guns. Ended up with several customs including 22-250 and .17-22/250. Also have a 22 Mag semi-auto that's an awesome desert walking gun.

As important as anything I found quiet to be as important as anything. 17 Hornet is wonderful for that, and doesn't blow out the whole county like a 22-250 going off does.

I like both for coyote hunting, my favorite AR has an LAR grizzly side charge upper, it is quieter to load than a rear charge and you can put the forward assist in the trash where it belongs.
For a bolt action I love my CZ527 chambered in 222.
If I have another hunter with me in thick cover I will even get out my combo gun 223/12ga once in a while

I've never had to drop a bolt action off my shoulder to work the bolt, even my X could work a bolt fast enough to think she was shooting a semi-auto if you weren't watching.

You might want to watch a video "British army mad minute". 10 shots in under 10 seconds. The Boers thought they were facing machine guns.

No... not ten shots within ten seconds. They called it a Mad MINUTE for a reason. Ten shots within a minute, 60 seconds.

FWIW: If you like the other style safety, you can have that style safety with an AR too.

https://www.elftactical.com/ar-15-ar-10-ambidextrous-speed-safety-push-button

I have tried risers short and tall but to no avail ! I like drop at the comb to get on target quick thus I prefer bolt guns .My lefty Stag just seems like carrying a handyman jack but that thing is a tack driver .

I use both and find no issues arise when using the AR. Been lugging them around periodically for almost 50 years. Preference depends on the mood at the time.

i have used both too i like to carry my bolt guns because they are easier to carry , but my AR-10 243 WIN. with a 24 inch barrel is a little heavier but man do i have fire power and range with the AR-10 and its very accurate too !

That's damn good advice. I've seen many guys drop the stock off of the shoulder for each shot. Even hickock45 on youtube does it. FN idiots, but to each their own. They are not running them right. Whether it was 10 shots in 10 seconds or 10 shots in 10 minutes, doesn't matter. Stupid fuggers need to learn how to properly run a bolt action rifle.

Bolt. For 45 years a .243, I just this winter started using a .223 as well.
The gun stays on the shoulder, my thumb does most of the cycling. The .223 however is tougher finishing the bolt lock up. I’ll work that out this summer.

Osky

For Yotes, rapid fire rules. Often moving, often in pairs. KISS.

The main reason I finally got around to building up a couple ARs is for coyote hunting. In case of a miss or multiple dogs coming to the call a quick follow up shot without moving from the sight picture is a good way to keep zoned in on your targets. I am just not really good at manipulating my bolt and staying on target in the time frame I can get back on target and fire another shot with an AR... the two ARs I built surprised me with their accuracy by a good bit and will come close to keeping up with my bolt guns in that department, so I don't feel I'm missing out on anything there either... maybe I just got lucky?

AR`s are very accurate , always seem strange kinda how you can take 2 pins out and you can take barrel off and then replace barrel but the do give you better easier fire power and with accuracy.

That’s awesome!! Best line ever!!

Use whatever you like.
I've been known to use one of my Ruger#1's or #3's, and once dropped 3 of 4 with my 220 Swift #1.
Been a while, I need to take it out on a date again!

"Stupid fuggers need to learn how to properly run a bolt action rifle." Amen to that! Yet 90% of the "experts" on TV do it wrong, i.e., lower the rifle to work the bolt.

Put together a PSA AR last year specifically for coyote hunting. Not very familiar with them prior. Calling I use bolt action 22 WRM or Hornet. Using dogs I like an AR.

Friend brings a variety. Last week he was wacking them with a 10 gauge. With his thermal the terminator is an FX Impact.

^^^This^^^

Another convert here

Bolt action and shotgun

Might dabble in an AR before long

Decades back, I would select the .22-250 Rem in a nice bolt gun.
These days, I'd grab my trusty AR in .223 or 6.8mm.

As far as running a bolt gun compared to an AR?
It's the AR hands down, follow up shots don't require your hands to move, other than a trigger release and pull.
....and I've never seen a bolt gun that could hold 20 to 30 rounds.

OK,,,,, call me Old-School, but I still get-er-done, and then some...... been Dog-in since about 1962-63 give or take.......and now alittle Wolf-in.......
Lj in Alaska.....

I use both, almost interchangeably. I’ve got a LOT of time behind ARs for speed and accuracy work, and they come on target and point like a shotgun for me. So does a decent bolt gun, which I probably have at least as much time with. Then again, I could be fine with a lever gun, or other semis. I just run the gun I have in hand and don’t sweat the nit picks. Safeties are subconscious to me on either, most of the time. I’ll always double check, but I’ve almost always put a safety back on, before I knew I put it back on or had the conscious intent to. Safety, muzzle, and trigger control were beaten into me both as a child and (later) doing far more athletic and stressful things than hunting. It just carried over well, either way, thankfully.

The main reasons for a choice before I head out? Is the fastest follow up or the more quiet rig suppressed the more important thing? I’ve got ARs almost as light as many bolt guns, but no AR is as quiet suppressed as a bolt gun, unless you turn the gas off.

I’ve been using a .243 TIkka bolt action and Savage A 17 for coyotes, my son has the .223 in the AR platform. The fact they are always moving and we have seen them in pairs except on two occasions. Last week in Maine and one day Turkey hunting when a young yote thought our decoy was breakfast. We dusted him simulatenoulsly at 17 yards full of shot. Dropped in its tracks.
I may look for a Browning .243 BAR to use primarily for the follow up shot quickly.

A line I’ll always remember from way back on the Coyote gods website;

“An AR-15 will let you miss quicker and more often”

I love my AR’s but too many times I’ve seen rushed shots with autos simply because another shot immediately available. Started doing that when bird hunting as a kid with a Remington Mohawk 48, dad limited me to only loading one shell. That should’ve broke me of the habit but I did the same thing on running rabbits with an auto 22.

I’m probably the only one that’s ever done that but just thought I’d throw it out there just in case…

It has been my observation that the statement above can be true with AR's. You here a lot of complaints about spinners and runners with the 223 and it isn't all about poor bullet selection. Most of the complaints come from AR shooters while bolt action shooters a killing them dead with 22 Hornets, 17 Rem, 221 Fireballs and 222 Rem. I think that a lot of AR shooters tend to think more about having shots 2-20 than putting the first one where it counts.

Most of the predator hunters that visit this sight are experienced shooters and can get the benefits of the AR.

I satisfy whatever whim I have that day.
Savage 99 .243
CZ .204
AR .223
Pre 64 Mod 70 .220 Swift
Ruger#3 .22 K-Hornet
Ruger #1 .220 Swift
What ever, I mostly hunt coyotes for fun, and to keep our calves intact.

As far as multiples, I once got 3 of 4 coyotes (1 stand) with the Ruger #1. Go figure.
I've recently been having accuracy issues with the AR, so been using the Winchester a bit.

Makes no difference to me both work for me. Rio7

Its kinda funny that so many can’t just give their preference of a bolt without an excuse. We have choices, and thats an awesome thing! So just choose what you want, no need for excuses…

I personally prefer the AR for anything where I expect to possibly get multiple shots (varmints, hogs, coyotes), but I have never used one for big game myself. Just my preferences.

I gave my excuse on page 1.

I was just reading this again and thought of how many times I’ve heard “I use an AR for multiples”. Got a laugh when I remembered what ol John Henry wrote.

Didn't John Henry move back east somewhere? Is Vic still killing Arizona coyotes?

Vic is a member here, seems like he moved back east but still has his place in AZ. Not sure about John Henry.

That was introduction to the internet and coyote hunting. Up until that time, I thought I was one of very few calling coyotes. I used to get a good laugh on the original site.

AR= accuracy through volume I have a buddy who's every gun is a "tactical" something or another. I've never seen someone throw so much lead at an animal and come up empty handed.

I'll edit this to say that most of his problem is optics choices. Red dots and holographic sights are ,IMO, 50 yard optics in field conditions, 100 yards and more if you have a bench, blind or other stable rest and time to establish an accurate sight picture. Plus, those optics and their reticles are made for "minute of person", not the 4-6" vitals of a game animal.

I use both an AR and a bolt. Like some others have said, AR for pigs and coyotes, bolt for deer. I've dialed in a really nice AR-308 and have been smacking the heck out of hogs with it. Now I'm trying to rig up a similar AR-15 for coyotes and varmints.

I use both. Usually whatever I have more ammo for at the time. I’ve made way more of what Gerry Blair called “lookin goods” with a bolt action. My little vixen can’t hardly miss.



rio 2 blu and jewel

I love shooting a bolt gun. But it’s tough to beat an AR for coyote calling. Quicker follow up shots if needed.

Great shots, gun and camera

Great shots, gun and camera

if i don`t have to walk very far give me my AR-10 243 Win. but if its a long walk i want my Win. model 70, 22-250

I switched to an AR for calling really like it when multiples come in.

For me? The answer is always a bolt action, regardless what its used for.

I commented earlier that I use a bolt action 22-250 probably 90% of the time. In the last year or so I’ve gotten into thermals and I started it out on a bolt action 17rem of all things. From there I had it on a bolt 223, a bolt 22-250 then a model 7 223 suppressed. About January I hung the thermal on a 16” 223 AR with my suppressor and I might just have found MY perfect set up. With that said I did send a short action rem700 off for a new barrel that’s going to be threaded. But after not using an AR seriously for probably 25 years it’s kind of growing on me. The 22-250 will be used for open country where flat trajectory trumps close in fire power. But that’s just me.

To me, stock fit is more important than action. I'm of pretty average build. Every bolt action I pick up fits pretty well with the sights lined up. No so with ARs. I'm sure with the right cheek pieces, etc an AR would work fine but I haven't done that yet.

Hold the bolt, and pass the AR. In 5.56.

But each to his own, and all.