Advice on buying a Coyote rifle for s.w.Ontario

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I have never Coyote hunted before, but I am looking at getting into it. I already know that .223 is what I want to buy as far as Caliber goes. I would prefer to get a Ruger Mini 14, just because I like the looks of them. I know alot of people think they are crappy, but I still like them.

Anyways, what I wanted to know if I should try to get myself a Heavy Barrel Varmint rifle, or if the accuracy of a Semi Auto Ruger will be fine for someone like myself living in s.w. Ontario. We don't have the wide open land like out West, but we still do have some pretty wide open farmland, and the ability to take 500 yard shots are there.

Do you guys think I should get a Varmint Bolt gun or will a Semi be fine?
 
Hunting coyotes with a MINI is fun. The MINI is compact, perfect for fast off-hand shooting and remember your first few shots are going to be a cold barrel shot, so the accuracy are very good( M.O personal size pizza at 250). Anything farther, I will call it in.
Happy hunting.
Cheers
( The MINI likes the Hornady 40gr match V-MAX)
 
I prefer a bolt over a semi for any hunting but that's me. It depends on your style really. Calling them in across fields you need an accurate rifle in the bush shots will be close and a mini 14 would work fine if you like it buy f*ck what ppl think just find a load it works and practise with it to find your limitations
 
If your gonna hunt coyotes in SW ON your also gonna shoot at jacks and fox. Crows will also be on the menu once in a while. Do yourself a favour and just get a bolt gun now.
Minis are great guns but everyone I know that has one or did have one either kept it and acquired a bolt or traded it in on a bolt gun. Bolt actions are just that much more reliably accurate.
If I were looking for a new .223 now I'd be all over a Savage 14 or Predator. Can't go wrong with a Remington 700. Don't like the cheap feel of the T3's but they shoot like crazy.
My $.02.
BTW I sold a Ruger 77 in .223 to a young guy that I had and wasn't using. Accurate and reliable but I'm a '250 man. This kid is an absolute wrecking ball with that dang gun. It has probably accounted for the demise of 1000 # of coyote and fox in the 3 years he's had it. Look at Ruger too, General Gun in Windsor usually always a couple Ruger 77's in .223 in stock at all times.
 
No matter what you choose if you do go to a bolt gun stay away from a heavy barrel. They're great at the range but you won't want to haul it around in the field.
 
Mini-14's aren't cheap, nor are they accurate. Buy a solid bolt actions rifle in .223 and you will be happy. I picked up a Savage Edge in .223 for this reason. Shoots 1" at 100 with american eagle fmj's, same with remmy core-lokts. Havent tried anythng else yet.
The rifle was 400 with a scope. Its not much to look at, but its a solid cheap varmint/target gun. If you are willing to spend more, get a nicer Savage with the accu-trigger.
 
You have to decide what type of accuracy you need.
Bolts will get you in the "under an inch" game for a shot off a bag.
I had a Mini & wish I had never let it go but I gave in to the accuracy crowd & anything that didn't shoot 1/2" was junk :rolleyes:
My mini shot 2" groups at a 100yds, that's 6" at 300...plenty accurate for coyotes.
In the end get what you want or better still get one of each.
 
Bolt gun all the way. The only advantage to a heavy barrel will be the ability to take a few more shots at the target range before stopping to let the barrel cool. In the field you'll never shoot fast enough to heat the barrel. An inexpensive Savage, or the Rem 700SPS Tactical, will put the mini-14 to shame accuracy-wise. The trigger will also be much better. And accuracy is always more fun than inaccuracy.

The mini-14 is huge fun to use on varmints, but there's no doubt that you're limiting yourself with it. I love using my mini-14 target for the occasional 'yote hunt, when I figure that most shots will be within 200 yards. But if I need to make a shot count, or the ranges get longer, my bolt guns are the only way to go.

Get'em both, but start with the bolt gun.:D

Senior, a 2-inch group with a mini @ 100 yards is decent...a lot of them won't do that well. But a 6-inch group at 300 yards, shooting a mini-14 with its crappy trigger? Mathematically possible, but not so easy.

John
 
I had a Mini 14 Target found it accurate once it was dialed in but way to heavy to pack around all day so I sold it and bought a 22" barreled Sako 85 Grey Wolf in 22-250.
 
Had the mini, nice but not too accurate for me, now i've got a savage bolt in 250 and MAN, is that a devastating round! More money and louder but the effects are alot greater than the 223. I'm in essex county and from what i can tell the majority of varmint hunters here go with that type of setup, also stay away from heavy barrells if you plan on walking around with it.
 
I have no problem hitting target or targets accurately out to 200 with the MINI 14 using V-max and mounted with a Nikon BDC scope. The benefit of hunting predator games using the MINI are fair/good accuracy out to 200-300. perfect for moving target/targets. Both long range or closed quarter environment, fast replacement shots.. and It is semiautomatic, it is the next closest feeling of hunting with an AR and the socom...lol....I LIKE IT...IT'S PRICELESS.LOL. I use my bolt gun's for big games and punching papers at the range.....or unless I find a highest point on top of a hill with a bi-pod to pick-out gophers with my bolt guns. Otherwise...I all semi auto for predators.
cheers.
 
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