Coyote/Target Scope.

T

tdlockha

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Hello,

I just ordered a 6.5 PRC that won't be here until summer but was wondering if there are any scopes you folks would recommend for learning to shoot distance.

I have been considering the Vortex Diamondback Tactical FFP's and the new Strike Eagles. I would be willing to got up to $1000 for my budget.

To date my experience is using a Bushnell Elite 3-9x40. I have no complaints about it but it sits on a 300 win mag and it is my main hunting rifle.

My new rifle will be used for shooting coyotes at up to 500 yrds. I would also like to use it for learning to target shoot at distance.

Hopefully I have covered all the standard questions the group asks when us newbs ask such basic questions. If I like target shooting I will upgrade both my gun and scope.

Any suggestions? Also thoughts on magnification ranges would be welcome as well. I the research I have done to date I would like to keep my as much of the bottom end as possible.

TIA
 
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If you're planning on calling coyotes a lower magnification is much nicer than say a 6x on the low side. 2.5-10 is my personal preference and it is good for steel way out there too. I have a few monarch 2.5-10x42 scopes and they are great glass. They do have resettable turrets too which is nice. No zero stop but I havent missed having that yet. I mostly just use the bdc reticle. It matches my 308 as well as 7-08 very nicely out to 600 yards.
 
Ok, so first ask yourself if this is a PR gun or a coyote gun.

Do you want to shoot coyotes at short range with a long distance PR gun or do you want to see how far you can reach out with a Coyote gun?

If you build a general purpose gun you will always be disappointed with the performance.

so 500 is the max distsnce for coyotes. Whats the minimum? Good hunters spend most of their time shooting at shorter ranges...

For me, coyotes get shot within 20 yards of my bait/caller therefore its very easy to control the distance of the shot. 98% shot at 150-200m.

If 1000 is your budget for the scope, congratulations on the decision not to cheap out. Its hard to over spend on scope these days.

Forget the diamond back ever existed, put the strike eagle at the bottom of your list and strongly consider a 1-6x Viper PST. You dont need epic magnification for 500m shots as long as you have a nice clear lense and lets be honest, most yotes are shot less than 300. Woth the right reticle and a 100m zero you should be able to hit 500m without touching the dials. Thats a very different game than PR at 600+ which is why I suggest you choose what your primary purpose is.

Just a thought. Coyote guns are a very different gun than a long Range PR gun. So coming back to the beginning, pick what you want this gun to primarily be, and choose accordingly. Most of the good LR scopes cant dial down the magnification enough for good yote hunting.

If PR is your Bet then go with Athlon. I just fondled them all at SHOT and they easily stand beside the other great PR scopes at a serious discount.
 
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I live on a quarter section (160 acres) and the coyotes have dens on 3 of the 4 neighboring quarters. My coyotes hunting is only because they stalk and bait our dogs. Most of the time they sit in my one pasture about 300 yards from my elevated deck. The longest shot I will be able to make due to trees and horses is 500 yards.

I would like to learn to target shoot so that is why I asked about dual purpose. I truly do not know if I will like precision shooting but I know that I need to shoot coyotes.

If I stay up at 6 power am I giving away to much?

Thanks the responses so far. I have some reading to do about the scopes.

It will be going on a new Browning xbolt max long range when it gets here.
 
tdlockha said:
I live on a quarter section (160 acres) and the coyotes have dens on 3 of the 4 neighboring quarters. My coyotes hunting is only because they stalk and bait our dogs. Most of the time they sit in my one pasture about 300 yards from my elevated deck. The longest shot I will be able to make due to trees and horses is 500 yards.

I would like to learn to target shoot so that is why I asked about dual purpose. I truly do not know if I will like precision shooting but I know that I need to shoot coyotes.

If I stay up at 6 power am I giving away to much?

Thanks the responses so far. I have some reading to do about the scopes.

It will be going on a new Browning xbolt max long range when it gets here.
Click to expand...

My yote current coyote gun is a WK180C w/ bushnell AR optics 3-12x40. Havent shot it past 300 yet but 6" group at 300m on 3x and Im good. Only time I use anything over 6x is when I forget my binos. Or breath on them.

Im sire that even at 500m 6x would be more than enough to realize the full potential of the gun.
 
Hi I came across this guy on youtube - nice down to earth video without the screaming music etc. He explains it well do think he has an updated video as well. At 300 yards a 200 yard zero will be just right.

https://youtu.be/G8PEHNsZFCA

FWIW - I shot my first coyote at 4x power - I also used this power setting when sighting in my rifle. My scope was a Redfield 3-9x40

ivo
 
My friend has a Nikon 4-16x50mm with a very fine crosshair that is a perfect coyote scope I think. Very clear and great in low light, the fine crosshairs really help with them 400+yard shots on coyotes. He has it mounted on a weatherby. 243 and it's a deadly rig.

I have a 4-12x40 redfield revolution on my. 22-250, have shot lots of coyotes with it but that Nikon really impressed me with its clarity (for the money)
 
To cover both areas I would recommend a Vortex PST in a 4-16. This will give you a good balance in both worlds. Try to find one in FFP. If you watch EE you will get one for about $1000 or just imder
Have fun
 
You might get lucky and find a Bushnell LRHS in 3-12 or 4-18 on the EE. They would do you well. You might get really lucky and find a DMR 3.5-21, that would give you the best of both worlds and possibly some illuminated réticles if you end up hunting in low light.

I had a Vortex PST 4-16 and missed a shot on a coyote because 4x was too when a yote ran from my right to left about 15m in front of me.
 
Thank you all. It is greatly appreciated. Keep the comments coming.

Once in a while the coyotes will follow my tractor or show up just in front of me when walking but most of the time they sit out at 300 yards + or - and yip to entice our dogs. I do not specifically “hunt them” it is a killing of opportunity and I am not interested in skinning them out. I just want them exterminated. I probably will never go on trip to shoot them.

On the other hand I do know I will be going to my gun range (up to 500 yards) and practicing to be a better shot. All my shooting to date has been walk and stalk hunting with 22lr, 20 gauge, 12 gauge, .308 and 300 win mag.

I figure the paper shooting will help me get better at shooting coyotes off the deck and then I hope I like the paper shooting so I can get all the reloading equipment and have something to do on the minus 30 days. Then I will want to go shoot more paper and see how well I can hand load.

I did look at the PST last night and I might have to find a few more bucks. I will have to ask Corlane’s what scopes they can print turrets for. That might guide me as well. It was one of the reasons I was considering the Diamondback Tactical. I am enjoying reading about the other manufacturers.
 
I was worried about posting my question/situation ........this has turned out to be a great experience.

Looking at the lower magnification and the pros and cons. Looking at other manufacturers. I had not previously considered EE as a purchasing option. I am sure there are a few more things I have learned from the post but my main point is thanks for opening my eyes.

Troy
 
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