Building a coyote gun on a budget!

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rjefferies

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i am thinking about building a coyote on a budget. Going to base the stock off the MDT oryx. Trying to find a ruger american barrelled action or something of similar accuracy. Hoping to keep the total cost for the gun around $1000. Any advice on where to get a budget barrel would really help! Or even a gun with a broken stock. Planning on using a 22-250 cartridge
 
Based on the subject line, I was going to pop-in and suggest you pick-up a used Savage in .223 and put the rest of the $ towards the scope/ammo etc. Never been a fan of 22-250, nor do I think it offers any advantages over 223 on the size of farms I hunt in S. Ontario. Maybe you need the extra reach, so not a criticism.

Good luck with your build!
 
Well depending on the MDT sale you might do well! That chassis can eat half your budget right away.

For a coyote rig I’d be looking at something with a heavy barrel. Not sure the American had that option ? (Been a while since I looked at them.)

I’d almost be looking for a varmint rifle and change the stock/chassis later. My choice is always a Tikka T3X varmint. 1600 ish new you could maybe get into one for 1k. Either a good deal or used. I’ve never had a bad varmint barrel from tikka.

Are you going to buy the chassis first? Or wait till you have an action?

B
 
I would pick up a Weatherby Vanguard in 223 with the hinge magazing it will never get in the way like a removable magazine will. Also - with 24 inches you get the velocity numbers printed on the box of ammo. Inch high at 100 dead on at 200 type of stuff - with a shorter barrel you will loss some speed.

If your concern now is a free floated barrel then throw it in a chassis after you see how it shoots in stock configuration.

I wouldn't worry about barrel heating up since you are not going to be shooting strings of 5 shots at one time all the time when hunting.

Savage in 223 also a good choice (Axis is what I have)
 
bdb.hunting said:
Well depending on the MDT sale you might do well! That chassis can eat half your budget right away.

For a coyote rig I’d be looking at something with a heavy barrel. Not sure the American had that option ? (Been a while since I looked at them.)

I’d almost be looking for a varmint rifle and change the stock/chassis later. My choice is always a Tikka T3X varmint. 1600 ish new you could maybe get into one for 1k. Either a good deal or used. I’ve never had a bad varmint barrel from tikka.

Are you going to buy the chassis first? Or wait till you have an action?

B
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^excellent advice, I'm a Tikka fan/user myself. I've also owned a Savage 223 that more than held it's own against Tikkas, and my nephew's Gen 1 Axis in 223 is sub-MOA with factory Hornady 55gr. Varmint ammo. Savage will 100% get it done, but yeah for sure-get a Tikka instead if you can swing it. As things stand, if a varmint rifle I don't need is in the cards for me in 2025, it'll be a Tikka in 222.
 
I've handled these rifles...both in the wood and the synthetic's...they're almost a med wt barrel...comes with a pic rail, box mag, 60 deg bolt lift....and more features ! I haven't seen anything as good for THIS price point !!

** for the knit pickers** LOL....I'm talking about THIS price only for a new gun ! ...nothin that's a few a few hundo more !
 
bdb.hunting said:
Well depending on the MDT sale you might do well! That chassis can eat half your budget right away.

For a coyote rig I’d be looking at something with a heavy barrel. Not sure the American had that option ? (Been a while since I looked at them.)

I’d almost be looking for a varmint rifle and change the stock/chassis later. My choice is always a Tikka T3X varmint. 1600 ish new you could maybe get into one for 1k. Either a good deal or used. I’ve never had a bad varmint barrel from tikka.

Are you going to buy the chassis first? Or wait till you have an action?

B
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How do you find the MDT sale?? i cant find it!
 
are you going to be calling? or you just wanna sit and watch big fields? I primarily call and shooting sticks so you can lift off them to handle the close in stuff left/right of you that happens super fast, being able to one hand your rifle off sticks into your hand while you pivot your arse around for a quick shot is a thing...I tried the varmint builds but they sucked for coyote hunting, ultralight with a typical 3-9x scope has been the winner...think it all through, there's another perspective, some guys out there kill way more coyotes than I ever will and they only use a shotgun and go into the bush and call em there instead of trying to get em in the open, max versatility goes to lightweight sporter and lower power variable...let the fast cartridge do the work, most of your action will happen inside 200 yards
 
$1000 budget, wanting to use a stock that uses over half that budget straight off the bat...

You're gonna find an action and a scope for ~$450? Savage Axis is about all you're gonna get with that kind of coin...
 
CV32 said:
I'd suggest researching the long range performance of a slow twist, heavy 75+ gr bullet in a .223 as compared to the typical fast twist, <55 gr bullet in a .22-250.
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I'd suggest comparing apples to apples rather than oranges. The same fast twist rate on a .22-250 with heavier bullets will maintain its position as superior to the .223 with the same bullets and rates of spin.

Or did you really mean what you actually wrote, i.e. that you want a slow twist rate for a heavy bullet? If you did, then, once again...sorry, but no.
 
rjefferies said:
i am thinking about building a coyote on a budget. Going to base the stock off the MDT oryx. Trying to find a ruger american barrelled action or something of similar accuracy. Hoping to keep the total cost for the gun around $1000. Any advice on where to get a budget barrel would really help! Or even a gun with a broken stock. Planning on using a 22-250 cartridge
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Do some research on the 22-250 caliber, I've owned a few of them. Yes they are a nice fast, flat shooting caliber, but.........

Brass stretches every time she's fired, if one isn't careful about the barrel heating up, it causes throat erosion. There are many other flat shooting calibers to consider. The 204 Ruger is exactly one of those. Fast, flat, accurate and no recoil like the 22-250.

Yes the 204 can be slightly affected by a strong wind, but any bullet can be. The 204 Ruger with a 40 grain bullet travelling at 3900 fps knocks down coyotes, "Like the Hammer of Thor!".

With very little recoil, a very fast bullet, and accurate as heck, you may want to research all your varmint options....:)

And like hoytcanon states, just buy a nice varmint rifle all ready to go. A lighter rifle moving from calling stand to stand will be a pleasure to carry for several hours. A heavy rifle, well not so much....:)
 
jjohnwm said:
I'd suggest comparing apples to apples rather than oranges. The same fast twist rate on a .22-250 with heavier bullets will maintain its position as superior to the .223 with the same bullets and rates of spin.

Or did you really mean what you actually wrote, i.e. that you want a slow twist rate for a heavy bullet? If you did, then, once again...sorry, but no.
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You are correct John.

But a 22-250 can cause throat erosion, burn barrels and then there's the brass stretching thing. Not for everyone.......:(

I had two 22-250's, both were great and accurate. They just might not be for everyone.
 
jjohnwm said:
I'd suggest comparing apples to apples rather than oranges. The same fast twist rate on a .22-250 with heavier bullets will maintain its position as superior to the .223 with the same bullets and rates of spin.

Or did you really mean what you actually wrote, i.e. that you want a slow twist rate for a heavy bullet? If you did, then, once again...sorry, but no.
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Far more fast twist 223s available than fast twist 22-250s though.
 
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