best .223 semi for yotes/plinking

OP said under $1000, so all this talk of HKs is pointless.

If you want accuracy for under $1000, the mini-14 is the go to. The only problem with that is no AR mags. Anything else just doesn't have consistently good accuracy. Sure, some Keltec SU-16 are probably MOA guns, but then some are 3MOA guns, and if you want a gun specifically for coyote hunting that isn't a gamble I'd be willing to take.

Same can be said about the T97 for accuracy, decent but not great. Its right under your price range, but it needs a FTU before you can reasonably scope it, and that pushes it above the $1000 mark.

If cheek weld is a problem you can get an accuriser, or the tacpro kydex cheek riser for the mini-14.
 
jjohnwm said:
Current Mini's (and even many of the older ones with some modifications) will easily provide sufficient accuracy for coyote hunting out to as far as they are commonly shot with the .223.

The original criterion was sub $1000 cost. You started in with a $2500 rifle, and are now talking about another one which is several times more expensive than that. Is there any relevance to the question asked? As in most things: spend more, get a bit more in return. Spend much more, and reap an even tinier increment in increased performance.

Or just answer the original question.
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Suther said:
OP said under $1000, so all this talk of HKs is pointless.
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I made it clear that the SL8 was not in the price range when I suggested it, I also stated why I suggest it over the options in his price range, Keep in mind that I am posting from my own experience with many of the rifles being suggested in this thread. Someone may have one of those rare mini 14's or T97's that shot 1 MOA that get posted about often in the black rifle section but that is not reality.

A coyote is a small target for rifles that normally shoot 2,3, and 4MOA consistently, especially when we are getting up to and beyond 250-300yds like the op stated

Brian46 said:
for that price range there really is nothing that fits your criteria, the cheapest most accurate semi 223 that can be used for hunting is an HK SL8. Just my 2 cents
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Everyone is entitled to their opinion, so arguing about who's right or wrong helps no one.

Following the criteria laid out by the OP, mine is that a properly set up Mini14 can be used for hunting coyote to the range specified.

Not every Mini14 will instill confidence in the attempt.

A hi school buddy had a bone stock Mini14 that was minute of car door at 100yds with battle pack ammo. We had no mag restriction back then and iirc it was $7 for a bandolier of surplus so you just kept shooting til the dog was down or you were out!

the good old days... :)
 
Brian46 said:
I made it clear that the SL8 was not in the price range when I suggested it, I also stated why I suggest it over the options in his price range, Keep in mind that I am posting from my own experience with many of the rifles being suggested in this thread. Someone may have one of those rare mini 14's or T97's that shot 1 MOA that get posted about often in the black rifle section but that is not reality.

A coyote is a small target for rifles that normally shoot 2,3, and 4MOA consistently, especially when we are getting up to and beyond 250-300yds like the op stated
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2MOA or better is what you need, I'd say. That gives you a 6" group at 300 yards, which I'd say is perfectly fine for coyote hunting. Any further than 300 yards and you probably shouldn't be using a 223 anyways, step up to a 22-250 or a 243 at that point.

So anything that you can expect 2MOA or better out of the box would be a good choice - which I feel the mini-14 meets that requirement a lot better than anything else in the price range. If we wanted to talk about expensive-but-accurate rifles, we might as well add the ACR to the mix. Its accurate. Who cares about cost, right? That wasn't the OPs main criteria or anything, right?
 
Not a semi but I've seen a few fellas who could handle a BLR quick enough while hunting that you'd never know the difference...

I can keep my T97 on a 12" steel plate at 300M with the irons pretty consistently with 62gr AE FMJ, it rides in my truck more than the safe.
 
Suther said:
2MOA or better is what you need, I'd say. That gives you a 6" group at 300 yards, which I'd say is perfectly fine for coyote hunting. Any further than 300 yards and you probably shouldn't be using a 223 anyways, step up to a 22-250 or a 243 at that point.
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2MOA would work if you are saying that is consistent accuracy from a shooter in field conditions, not just the rifle when immobilized on a sled or bench.

The accuracy is not there in field conditions but again that is my experience with the different platforms being discussed

If we wanted to talk about expensive-but-accurate rifles, we might as well add the ACR to the mix. Its accurate
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It is not sold in a NR platform currently and it is considerably more money than an SL8 after a conversion.

I made a suggestion as to the cheapest most accurate semi .223 for the job, there are no good options under the $1000 mark IMO as tested by me, your experience and opinions may differ from mine, nothing wrong with that, If the op is fine with the accuracy of the cheaper options and possibly making wounding shots at longer ranges with long tracks or lost animals that is entirely up to him.
 
I agree with Brian46. If the rifle is 2moa in actual field conditions and positions then it will be ok. This is based on the 300yd range prerequisite. Personally I live on the prairies and usually shoot coyotes at less than 100yds.
 
captonion said:
This one HERE. Volquartsen build uber accurate rifles.. More than $1000 but you won't be sorry.. The Benelli MR1 is a bit over, but more accurate than the mini.
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I inquired about them, forget $1k, it's over $2k, and likely $3k now with the dollar where it's at.
Oh yea, plus the year or two it'd take to get up here(long lead time iirc)
 
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I'm happy with my MR1.

It's knocked down a lot of dogs this year.

Just over 1K tho, they were 1300 new for awhile (fixed pistol grip) so might get one for 1k used.
 
jjohnwm said:
Current Mini's (and even many of the older ones with some modifications) will easily provide sufficient accuracy for coyote hunting out to as far as they are commonly shot with the .223.

The original criterion was sub $1000 cost. You started in with a $2500 rifle, and are now talking about another one which is several times more expensive than that. Is there any relevance to the question asked? As in most things: spend more, get a bit more in return. Spend much more, and reap an even tinier increment in increased performance.

Or just answer the original question.
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This^^ I've owned 2 of the early model Mini's and found, (As others have) that they threw crappy groups for my liking. They functioned & carried great though & yes the iron sights blew.

I tried the target model out a while back and found it well suited for the OP's purposes & would be the best bang for the buck especially for handloaders. They ain't too ugly either.
 
Only semi I would consider and it is a lot more than $1000 is my Robinson Arms XCR-L in 223 with 10 round LAR15 pistol mags.

Coyote_pic_Dec_28_2014_Svens_Ranch_2.JPG
 
Camp Cook said:
Only semi I would consider and it is a lot more than $1000 is my Robinson Arms XCR-L in 223 with 10 round LAR15 pistol mags.

Coyote_pic_Dec_28_2014_Svens_Ranch_2.JPG
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X2

Really like my XCR-L in 223 and with my 6.8 kit I can hunt both big and small game (within ethical hunting range).

Camp cook, saw your pics from few years ago on another forum and enjoy reading your story especially you convinced your dad to go back to hunting after his shoulder injury.
 
The XCR is certainly a viable option for this use (although not within the OP's budget limit as stated), but it's hardly the only choice. There certainly are valid reasons for insisting on a 10-round AR mag (such as "because I want one"), but the idea that it will be of any benefit to a coyote hunter sure isn't one of them. Are the ergonomics superior for use as a hunter? I certainly don't think so, but others will surely disagree. Realistic field accuracy? My Mini14 Target was a 1.25MOA gun out of the box, and became a MOA gun with a little load testing. Another one belonging to a good friend printed MOA groups immediately, using inexpensive factory ammo. Both of those guns together cost less than an XCR, and like it or not, cost was a factor in the OP's question.
 
I had a Mini 14 Target black/gray laminate stock it was accurate but packing that heavy beast around in the bush coyote hunting was more than I could justify for owning it so after packing it for a few hunts it headed down the road fairly quickly.

I can't begin to compare the a Mini to an XCR-L cause other than shooting the same cartridge and its made of wood and metal there is no comparison.
 
I agree...the Mini is so much more comfortable to carry and shoot than the XCR, there truly is no comparison. :) The laminate stock is heavy, but with a bit of load work the synthetic shoots as well and is much lighter; I have also shortened the barrel to 18.5+ inches, shedding the effective but heavy muzzle weight in the process. "Tuning" the gun to the load is still possible by the use of a Limbsaver rubber-donut, if that's your thing...or, you can simply tailor the load to the gun, like we do with almost every rifle we shoot. Truth be told, the new, standard-barrel Mini's shoot almost as well as the Target version, and are much lighter and offer iron sights and a slightly lower price to boot.

We've both used both guns, and have come to totally opposite conclusions....nothing wrong with that. As it applies to this discussion, my choice falls well within the budget restraints set by the OP...yours does not.

One last point: the XCR is popular here only as a NR alternative to the AR rifles. If AR's were non-restricted, the XCR would vanish from the radar screens with barely a blip...witness their lack of popularity south of the border. The Mini is its own entity...it has its own following, both here and down south, and doesn't try to mimic an AR. Apples and oranges, you like one, I like the other...and the OP can afford the apple of my eye.
 
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