Coyote Hunting with RA XCR-L in 223

Camp Cook

Camp Cook

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Due to starting a new business I finally after almost 4 years was able to take some time off work and get up to a buddies cattle ranch to coyote hunt before their calving season started we got out Sunday morning Dec 28 2014

Rifle = Robinson Arms XCR-L in 223 loaded with 60gr V-Max.

Had 3 come in to the call dropped 2 of them talk about fun having a fast handling semi-auto for predator hunting.

Only reason I didn't get the first one was cause it came in so quick that I didn't even have my rifle loaded yet.

Also had a bear cub come in.

Coyote_pic_Dec_28_2014_Svens_Ranch_2.JPG
 
Thanks it is a really cool gun I also have a complete upper in 6.8SPC that I use for deer hunting.

Only reason I didn't get the first of the three coyotes that came in was because it came in so quick like I said earlier I didn't even have my rifle loaded yet.

I hadn't used my Foxpro FX3 for about 4 years so decided when I had it and my Jack in the Box decoy set up to double check that the remote was working so lit it up for a few seconds with a coyote locator call (pack howling/yipping) before I walked back to where I was going to sit.

I hadn't even placed my stool up by the tree trunk that I was going to lean against yet I had my shooting sticks/stool/10 round LAR15 pistol mag in one hand and the rifle in the other when out of the corner of my eye I saw something flash past the decoy and stop broadside about 30 - 40 yards to my right.

I did get a shot off but it was so hurried while it was now running that I shot just over it ok ok I'll be honest there is more to it than that.

Trying to be quiet cause the coyote didn't know I was there I dropped the stool/shooting sticks gently/quietly as I could I inserted the mag and pulled the charging handle back quietly pushing it forward to load a round I aimed squeezed the trigger the gun went click.

With brain going aaahhh what did I do I again pulled the handle back once again not far enough thinking a loaded round was in the chamber now I again aimed squeezed the trigger and what did I hear again was another click.

I'm now starting to panic cause the coyote is starting to go so I hammered on the mag locked the charging handle all the way back hit the bolt release finally loading a round gun went bang just over its back as I was lowering my reticle down.

The second coyote came in about 25 - 30 minutes later was using a rabbit distress call at the time.

After the shot I kept the call going with rabbit then fawn in distress for about 5 min I then switched to locator again then female invitation this went on for about 15 - 20 minutes we then heard another coyote howling and getting closer I switched back to rabbit then fawn in distress calls with nothing happening then after another 15 min I tried female invitation again.

Right away another coyote popped out into the open at appr 180 yards trotted out into the middle stopped for a couple seconds then turned around and started trotting off the field I dropped it just as it was starting to run.
 
A bear cub on December 28? Where were you hunting?

I also like the idea of hunting with the XCR. Can you imagine how popular those rifles would be if they were at the same price point as the average AR? Or better yet - imagine if AR's weren't restricted. :)
 
We were amazed at seeing the cub it was so small it had to be this years.

I thought it was a porcupine when I first saw it at appr 250 yards wasn't until I got the bino's on it that I realized it was a bear.

I was near Lillooet.
 
I forgot how much I like my XCR-L hardly used it this past year was spending all my time working/hunting with my short barreled T/C Contender carbines.

Like I posted earlier I have a complete upper in 6.8SPC I also have both NEA and Dlask butt stock adapters the original tube stock/pistol grip, a Magpul CTR stock so all I really need is a complete lower and I'll have two complete rifles.

Just got off the phone from Wolverine Supplies have them checking on price & availability.

Re accuracy I get sub MOA 3 shot groups in both the 223 and 6.8SPC with my reloads and varmint style scopes.
 
I tried the 2 calibers, but without the benefit of the second upper like Camp Cook, I had horrible results, even taking off the 223 barrel and putting it back on changed the poi. I've been eyeing the atrs modern rifle as a potential replacement. If it ever comes available in 223 with the carbon barrel option, it might just be everything I'd want. The 243 is available now, but not as a carbon barrel option. 58gr vmax would not hurt my feelings for coyotes.

Nice shooting, keep up the good work!
 
I have a 6.8 kit (5.56/.223 rifle originally).

Does Wolverine sell just the keymod upper assembly? Will it work with the older style 6.8 bolt?

The only way these rifles can be accurate is to avoid barrel swaps.
 
Check out Wolverine's web site I believe I saw a -L keymod upper for sale in their XCR parts section when I was searching around on there today.

When I was swapping my barrels before I bought the upper components it only took 3 - 4 shots to re-zero my scope but that was the main reason I did order the upper components all I had to do was remove a snap ring and a cross pin and I was ready to go.

and now I just want two complete rifles.
 
Nice looking setup.
I have the chance to buy either a XCR or SL8 for my coyote hunting. I am accustomed to bolt accuracy to 400 yds.

How is the XCR accuracy with factory and handloads?
 
I'm thinking the average for most people is 1 1/2" 10 shot 100 yard groups.

I've done better but due to being more of a hunter I very rarely if ever do more than 3 - 5 shot groups.

The below pic of target was shot at 200 yards with my Robinson Arms XCR-L in 223 loaded with 60gr V-Max a couple weeks ago when getting ready for this coyote hunt.

I had swapped my Leupold VX111 4.5-14X40mm LR Varmint reticle scope from my 6.8spc upper onto my 223 upper zeroed it at 100 yards then do to only have a few minutes cause I was running late I took 2 quick shots at 200 yards to check zero both hit into the bull the 3rd shot in the orange is from my T/C Contender carbine in 204 Ruger.

XCR-L_223_60gr_V-Max_200_yard_target.JPG


This pic shows 3 shots I took at a rock from 347 yards shooting off the back of my quad with my 6.8spc loaded with 95gr TTSX third shot just missed the rock low left I was not holding for windage

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This is a pic of a 6.8mm 95gr TTSX recovered from deep moss/sand distance was 330 yards impact velocity was appr 1900fps.

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