Newb: Inexpensive 223 non-restrict semi auto coyote control firearm?

hillbilly49

hillbilly49

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Less than $1000 with optic would be nice. Advice?
Less mods required the better.

Make and model and what I would expect to pay for a used one would be helpful as well.
 
Used 580+ series mini 14 ranch, get them around $850-$900 used could add a cheap scope.
Not a fan of guns that blow up like the su-16. Anyone use theirs in the winter?
 
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laker415 said:
Probably look at a mini 14, t97, su16 in that range
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I've fired all three of those, and the SU-16 is the handiest of that lineup. Ridiculously light, and the integrated bipod would be handy for coyote shooting. The Ruger Mini-14 would be the most sturdy. Unless you're putting the Flat top upper on the T97, I wouldn't recommend it - the iron sights are terrible. And with the FTU, your price is now above $1000.

Another issue is, all three of them are 3 or 4 MOA shooters. That's enough for a miss at 250m.

If you're shooting coyotes within 150m, then they'd suffice. But for 250m+, I'd probably go for a bolt action like the Mossberg MVP Patrol or Ruger American Ranch, with a magnified optic and the right ammo can be just over 1MOA... But that's just me.
 
Used SU 16 with the Tactical handguard. Should be able to get one in the 6 to 7 hundred range.
My buddies is a 1.5 MOA gun, with handloads.
 
I wouldn't recommend a used SU 16 simply because u loose out on the warranty then; which is a must cus they are plastic guns and have been known to break under regular use. My buddy's just had its reciever break a week ago. 800rnds down the pipe, I sent it off for warranty work. It was a kick ass gun until then though! 2moa with cheap ammo, super light, very reliable. Used it during the winter no problem. If ur $1000 all in with optics is firm, I would forget the semi auto and go with a manually operated firarm instead like previously mentioned. $1000 just isn't enough money for what ur wanting....
 
Forget semi auto, maybe try the Troy PAR. At least it seems like a quality rifle that looks cool.
Any non restricted semi you find for under $1000 is going to be a POS. If you can wait the WK180-C should be coming sometime in the next few months but it will eat all your budget before glass.
The best hunting rifle in my opinion is a bolt action. You don't need fast follow up shots if you actually hit what you're looking at and if there's more than one you should be able to get at least a couple before they skidaddle and are out of range.
A quality semi auto is going to cost $1500+ used.

If you can get more cash together I'd look at

HK SL8 series, I've owned 3 of them over the years and they are the most accurate rifle available out of the box. HK quality, HK reliable, and the Lothar Walther barrel is the best factory barrel available. Only downer is ergos aren't for everyone and mags are expensive.

XCR-L (newer the better), not the most accurate but good enough for coyotes, great warranty, under $2000 used, AR magazines.

ACR if you can find a used one for the right price, I own an ACR and it's accurate, reliable and probably the best option we currently have for non restricted (after conversion).

Tavor/X-95, again not the most accurate but reliable and compact. Used to own one, wasn't for me.

Skip the mini-14, I've heard the newer ones are better but the one I had was horrible for accuracy and I wouldn't shoot at an animal with one if they're anything like the one I had.

SU-16, I've shot 3 of them, the two folding ones grouped like a shotgun but the tactical version with the AR furniture wasn't bad at all and felt better built than the regular version but a pain in the ass to clean.

T97, made in China, no warranty, no parts support, not worth $500 in my opinion.

Used AR180B-2, about $1500-$1800 used (discontinued but RWA is making parts for them), light, accurate enough for yotes, and a really neat rifle that you don't see too often. I love mine and will never be selling it.

You could switch to 7.62x39 and try a type-81, another crappy Chinese built rifle (I own one) but it's reliable, $1000 and doesn't need optics. Mine shoots about 4 moa with the irons and my old eyes that prefer a diopter style iron sight.

Skip the x39 M-14 though, lot's of reports of broken bolts. The new ones are cast and seem to be failing regularly.

There are more but those are the main ones that come to mind right now.
 
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I picked up a T97 NSR $749 brand new. Put a UTG red dot on it for $100. Works well for a cheap Chinese gun, never had a problem. And its something you are not worried about scuffing up in the bush.
 
Thanks for advice. Maybe I should have really stated good for coyote and just fun to take out and have some fun shooting with the nephews. I already have a bolt 223.
Any reason why not many options of 223 in pump, semi auto or lever hunting rifles but million in black rifles?
 
hillbilly49 said:
Thanks for advice. Maybe I should have really stated good for coyote and just fun to take out and have some fun shooting with the nephews. I already have a bolt 223.
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I’d wait and see how the WR-180 fairs.

hillbilly49 said:
Any reason why not many options of 223 in pump, semi auto or lever hunting rifles but million in black rifles?
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any semi auto that is suitable for coyote, that is to say that will deliver clean, humane one-shot kills (especially at distances greater than 100 yards/meters) is going to cost a fair amount of money to manufacture. Dollar for dollar and pound for pound a bolt action rifle will always be cheaper to produce and lighter than a comparable semi-auto, so there is little appetite in the hunting world for a rifle that is heavier, and more expensive. The AR-15 is arguably the easiest semi auto to get to shoot well and will shoot as well as a bolt gun and in fact started its life as a varminting hunting rifle, but they are restricted thanks to our asinine laws.
 
I am just wondering if a manufacturer like Marlin, Henry or someone else made an inexpensive lever gun in 223 like there is in 30-30 would people buy them? I understand in the US they would compete with ARs etc but in Canada with restricted classification it would be a great option for a fun to shoot gun
and could be used for hunting and I would expect be classified as non-restricted. Is there some design issue that I don't understand that is stopping them from doing this? For someone like me that doesn't reload I can pick up cheap 223 ammo but not cheap 30-30.

Would you buy a Win 94 type 223 if it was priced at say $700 Canadian?
 
Sure but Hemry long range is $1250 at Cabela's. Is there any reason why they can't offer say a Marlin 336 in 223 that lists for $700?
If they did make one would anyone buy one. I know the three lever 30-30s I have would get more action if they were chambered in 223 and I could buy a $12 to $15 box of shells instead 30-30 at $25+ a box.
 
I think I just found an answer to my own question on the web. You need a blunt nose round for tube lever guns as pointed rounds may cause the shell in front to discharge with the point pressing against the primer.
 
hillbilly49 said:
I think I just found an answer to my own question on the web. You need a blunt nose round for tube lever guns as pointed rounds may cause the shell in front to discharge with the point pressing against the primer.
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YUP.

I would say go for a mini 14, there are good deals out there and they are good guns with a good rep.
 
i picked up a Ruger Mini14 before they got that huge jump in price, think i paid $700 for mine.
i slapped a Vortex on it and a accu-strut.
polished the trigger group a bit and the gun is one of my favorites!

i look at them now selling for $1000+ and i shake my head.
im into mine for under $1000 all in.

only thing im gonna do to mine yet is look at an adjustable gas block, just because i hear good things about them, that and it freaks me out that my brass is ejected into the next county over to the right every time i hit the trigger!

i have yet to miss a shot with mine and ive a nice collection of dead coyotes chalked up with it.
 
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