First Coyote Rig (Newbie)

IMHO the Savage Predator in .223 is a great varmint rig for under $1K. The accutrigger allows you to set the trigger to your desired pull, which makes a huge difference on those long shots. Savage is known for accuracy right out of the box, & with a little tweaking with handloads it is a real tack driver! Pelt damage is related to bullet selection IMHO. I personally don't like fmj's because of the ricochet issue, & they don't always make a clean kill. A frangible bullet usually just makes an entry hole with no exit, which is what you want if you want to save the pelt. I prefer the Hornady VMAX bullet, but there are others you can try.

George
 
Hey guys the Savage I handled was the model 10 predator. Might have just been this gun in particular, but the way the detachable magazine fit was odd and I had a hell of a time trying to get it out. The rifle itself shouldered nicely. Also looked at the Axis and it just din't feel right, but that's probably just me being pickyJust to clarify we don't road hunt as suggested in a previous post and do walk out to our spots away from the traffic, but like the detachable mag for convenience. I'm leaning towards a heavy barrel for shooting in the summer for extended periods and trying to maintain accuracy. I'm a bit worried about the lighter barrel for this reason. Is this a valid point or am I just getting carried away?
 
Whitetail77 said:
Hey guys the Savage I handled was the model 10 predator. Might have just been this gun in particular, but the way the detachable magazine fit was odd and I had a hell of a time trying to get it out. The rifle itself shouldered nicely. Also looked at the Axis and it just din't feel right, but that's probably just me being pickyJust to clarify we don't road hunt as suggested in a previous post and do walk out to our spots away from the traffic, but like the detachable mag for convenience. I'm leaning towards a heavy barrel for shooting in the summer for extended periods and trying to maintain accuracy. I'm a bit worried about the lighter barrel for this reason. Is this a valid point or am I just getting carried away?
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I had the light barrel on my axis pretty hot this summer and accuracy was still really good. 30+ rounds in ~10-15 min got it pretty warm. I did let it cool for ~30 min after that though
 
There are some great deals on Tikka T3's right now. You could get the gun ( blued version) and a decent scope for about $1000. Great gun. The .223 can be had with a 1:8 twist.
 
Well Whitetail77, I can understand you wanting a heavy barrel as I wanted the same thing for my first rig, a coyote/range rifle. I found out however that carrying around an 11 lb rifle (rifle+scope+bi-pod) was not fun. Look for a rifle in the 7-8.5 lb range so that by the time you mount a scope it is still under 10 lbs. If you are set on a 223 you should be able to get away with a medium/heavy weight barrel as that round isn't too hot.

Me personally, I fell in love with the Kimber varmint when I saw it, just under 7.5 lbs, fluted heavy sporter barrel, beautiful wood stock, smooth action (important to me) , and a very nice trigger.

Those are my thoughts and experiences, good luck in your hunt for a new rifle,

JD
 
The reason I prefer a detachable mag is I will sometimes make 10-12 stands a day either walking anywhere from 100yds to half a mile from my truck or snowmobile. I will also go hunting in -40C weather and the last thing I want to do is fumble around with loose rounds and cold fingers all day long. Another good rifle for you to chose from would be a Browning X-bolts in any of the Stalker models. I also prefer stainless rifles when I'm playing out in the cold all day. If your worried about the shine a $3 roll of white vet wrap will fix that problem quickly. If I'm going to sit for a while over a bait pile I don't hesitate to take a single shot rifle fron the vault.
 
Never even considered the Kimber. I love fluted barrels, and I also thought about lugging around a "Heavy PIG" in the bush. The Tikkas are nice, but no medium barrel or flutes. The Remington was nice but no detachable mags. Saw a beautiful Sako at WSS, but I can't dump $2000 on a starter rig without the scope yet. Savage has a medium fluted barrel, with detachable mag also. May have to look again and also at the Kimber. I was also looking at a used T3 laminated (22-250) for $800, but am a bit hung up on the 223. The Tikka only comes in the 1 in 8" or 1 in 12" twist (I Think??). I will be moving around a fair bit throughout the day, so maybe something lighter would be good, but I'll have to look into all of these again. I really appreciate everyones input and advice.
 
hi,
I'm not a professional coyote hunter but have called a few in.
My rig is a model 11FCNS savage in 223 and I love it. The trigger was stiff but I replaced the spring and it is sweet at 3lbs now. The clip..I mean "mag"... has to be removed with the front lower than the rear and it just snaps in tight if you put in rear higher first. Mine is a 22" sporter barrel which I'll be getting shortened to about 19 or 20". I'm short and with stock cut down to 12" LOP the front feels long to me now. It's a balance thing for me. I think if your worried about heating the barrel, you could go with the Savage predator model 10 which has a heavy sporter barrel. As another member mentioned, get a bipod and sling, and go hunting. If memory serves me, I got the rifle, scope, bipod, mouth calls, and e-caller for under $900.oo. Good factory ammo was under 1" and reloads are under 3/4" with 40gr V-Max's @100yds. Good for my coyotes. No exits!
 
Whitetail77 said:
I considered the 30-06 up until I nailed one at 180 yards and blew a hole the size of a tennis ball out the other side (really hard on pelts, but deadly).
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I did that a month ago with my 243 and 70 gr pills at approximately 230 yards. The hole was larger than my fist, quite the cavity actually. My 223 with 50 gr v-max, went through Wile.E diagonally at 120 yards, and still took off his rear leg. But it was easier on the pelt. I am shooting for varmint control, not the pelts. For pelts, I think I would be using the 40 grain pills in 223 and the 55 grain pills in 243.
 
Whitetail77 said:
Never even considered the Kimber. I love fluted barrels, and I also thought about lugging around a "Heavy PIG" in the bush. The Tikkas are nice, but no medium barrel or flutes. The Remington was nice but no detachable mags. Saw a beautiful Sako at WSS, but I can't dump $2000 on a starter rig without the scope yet. Savage has a medium fluted barrel, with detachable mag also. May have to look again and also at the Kimber. I was also looking at a used T3 laminated (22-250) for $800, but am a bit hung up on the 223. The Tikka only comes in the 1 in 8" or 1 in 12" twist (I Think??). I will be moving around a fair bit throughout the day, so maybe something lighter would be good, but I'll have to look into all of these again. I really appreciate everyones input and advice.
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Hey Whitetail77, if you like the kimber but want something bit less exspensive and a detachable mag, look at the CZ 527 varmint. It weighs in around 7.5 lbs with a heavy barrel (not fluted) and comes with your choice of a kevlar, walnut or laminate stock. I can't give you any first hand experience as I don't have any with their center fire rifles, however I do have a CZ rimfire rifle and must say, I am very pleased with it.

Good luck,
JD
 
Hey Guys,
I handled the Kimber today and was very impressed. A bit pricey at about $1400, but very nice (No detachable mag). Might also look at the CZ. Anyone know the best Edmonton CZ dealer? Also looked at the Savage model 25 Light vamint. Nice gun, love the laminated stock. Blued barrel almost looked shiny (Painted gloss black appearance) for $600. The savage model 10 predator about $750 was ok. Shorter gun with 22" barrel. Didn't have it in the snow camo(which I prefered), but did have the prairie grass. Not entirly sold on the prairie grass. Tikka T3 Varmint heavy barrel was at 8.5 lbs and was still really nice for $1,100. Now I'm stressed, but getting closer. Need a deal closer before I pass out from all this thinking.
 
I would say the Browning X-Bolt Stainless. 223 in a micro action with 5 shot mag. Bedded action with free floating barrel. Bolt can be removed with safety on. IMHO the best bolt gun on the market right now...

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I love mine!
 
Whitetail77 said:
I'm leaning towards a heavy barrel for shooting in the summer for extended periods and trying to maintain accuracy. I'm a bit worried about the lighter barrel for this reason. Is this a valid point or am I just getting carried away?
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Sounds like your after a varmint rifle vs. a coyote rifle but both can cross over and basically do each others jobs with some advantages and disadvantages.
If you get a heavy bbl they don't heat up as quick as their thinner counterparts but they also don't cool as fast either. Im not a big proponent of Remington their warranty sucks balls but the VSSF series are in the middle of a nice varmint/coyote gun.

Cheers!!
 
One thing I never considered. I have a new TC Pro Hunter in 50 cal muzzle loader. Would it be worth considering buying a 223 barrel and scope for the TC? Not sure how accuracy would compare to the CZ, Tikka, Sako?
 
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