Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Optics Which Leupold for my coyote rifle?

I am about to get my hands on a Remington LVSF .223 that I am going to use for coyotes and I was wondering what would be the ideal Leupold scope for this? Variable or fixed and what power?

Straight 6X. A 2-7X or a 3-10X.

Those would be my choices, in that order. Depends on your eyes, terrain and shooting style though.


Travis

I've got a Vari-XII 3-9 on my 22-250 and while I like it, I wish it had a fine duplex, instead of the standard.

The next scope my Coyote rifle is gonna wear will be a Leupold VXII 3-9x33 Ultralight with the LR Duplex.

But that's just me

Here's the link if you're interested: Leupold VXII 3-9x33 Ultralight

Brett (Mac)

I put a 6x36 w/LRD on mine a little while back. Previously it had a Monarch 6x42. I like the LRD.

JCM

I am leaning toward the FX3 6x42 with the LRD. Keep it simple I guess.

Leupold 3.5-10

I use the 6x36 on my coyote rifle. I don't think you'll be dissappointed.


Travis

I think this would be a horrible scope for coyote hunting, not versatile and too high a fixed power.
For coyotes my favorite scope is the 2.5X8 VX-3 if you want a fixed for coyotes try the fx-II 2.5X
RC828

I agree with some of your posts, but if you are telling anyone to use a fixed 6X for coyotes you are giving BAD advice, and must not hunt coyotes much.
RC828

The 6x42 Leup will do fine.

For a decade or so I hunted dogs fairly seriously with a 25-06 Varmint Special and an off brand 3.5-13 or 14 scope. I always left it on 6x.

The closest thing to a dedicated coyote rig I have now is a 220 Swift with a 3-9x40 Leup. It stays on 6x too.

The last 2 I shot were with a 6-24x 4200 side focus on a 6BR. One was at 175 or so yds, lasered later, it was facing me standing still and I shot half his head off. Had cranked up to 12-14x to ID target as I turned around a few times and noticed something was not 'right' and he was 'onto me' and had stopped facing me. The other was on a trot at 60-70 steps, lung shot on 6x. The same day I shot the one trotting, a fox was running around 100 yds, got him too first shot also in body as he turned. Also 6x.

I could be fine with a 6x, or even 4x, but would want more than a 2.5 for where I hunt. Many out west used a 7.5 or 8x M8, so I think a 6x is not an issue for much hunting, but terrain does dictate. Very brushy setups and calling can get you close fast shots. My brother has called in many with a pro and done some varmint calling tapes. A 6x42 LRD and 2.5-8x Duplex are the two he relies on for his TC 223 and AR rifles.

At night a bold reticle or lit reticle might be handy.

I've chased a few dogs with a variety of scopes on various rifles, as well as iron sights. I'll go for the fixed 4X or the 6X. I've got a friend who is as dedicated and hard core a dog hunter as I've ever met who prefers the 6X. His shooting has been known to be as close as a few feet from him.
It's all about knowing and being able to quickly handle your rifle when the action heats up. Not at all hard to do with a 6X Leupold. Their large eye boxes help alot. At night, they are an outstanding choice. It's the major reason why the 6X42 Leupolds have long been fully mul;ticoated scopes.
Yes, you can get virtually identical performance with a VXII, 3-9X40 or a VX3, 3.5-10X40 if you leave them on 6X. E

Whats you method of hunting coyotes? Calling? or just shooting one from the truck? I think if you are calling a 4.5-14 will fit you best. At 4.5 power it will work great for close coyotes but you are able to crank it up if you have one thats barking at you at 300 + yards.

Harv-I'd have you consider a 3-9 Leo with LR dotz in it, second choice would be the 6x36 Leo with LR dotz in it.

Dober

+1

Whatever makes you happy buddy. A straight 6x is fine for dogs IMO. Of course, targets are always real close in the thick stuff that abounds around here.

And you're right, I don't hunt 'yotes much. There just isn't enough around this part of the country.


Travis

Personally I don't feel that the idea of a straight 6 is bad advice at all. Guess it depends on the country and all but for the most part, from Montana down to when I was calling yotes in Sonora Old Mex I could do just fine with the 6x.

It'd be pretty tough for me to think of a time and or place where it wouldn't work quite well. Although I do remember my first triple, I had my 6-20 Leo and the first two dogs were easy (about 326 yds), the third of the trio hid in some thick brush across the canyon. I had to turn the scope up to 20 to see him hiding and then I sanctioned him.

And I do have a bit of yote experience with my better years finding me an my calling partner taking upwards of 50 yotes or so.

I'd love to hear why you (rockchuck828) don't feel that a 6x is good advice and I'd also love to know where you're from and what you would advize? Ooops just read where you thought that the 2-8 is the way to go. Can't fault that, I ran that scope on a rig for many many moons. But, in all honesty I can do all with the 6x that I could do with the 2-8...

Many thx

Dober

You must not hunt coyotes much...

No flies on a 2-8x that's for sure. Or a 2-7x for that matter.


Travis

I think the central question you need to address is, will you be shooting long shots, or close in where you use a call to get them in close? Close in, a fixed 3x, or 4x will do ya. Long shots, the door is open for higher power scopes. But, even with long shots, I'd go with a fixed 6x or 8x. Not a huge fan of variable scopes here. In any event, get the best glass you can afford.