Mini 14 or T97 for Coyotes?

Go with the mini 14, I have a newer 582 series with the medium barrel it easily shoots 1.25 in at 100yds. It is a reliable rifle and you have multiple options for stock choices if you want something aftermarket. With decent optics they are more than accurate enough for a coyote to 300 yds
My 2 cents
 
A buddy of mine uses his T97 FTU to the FULL effect when it comes to coyote hunting.... he loves it, and how portable it is; especially on things like ATVs, Dunebuggys, Snowmobiles, trucks etc. Gets decent accuracy out of it too, with a good optic its easily a 2MOA gun. I hate how loud it is though, that A2 birdcage break that comes welded to the gun really gets the ears ringing! gotta wear muffs when hunting with it.
 
I think T97's are more accurate than typically given credit for. The strikers are heavily sprung and have a long travel on rails, I think this is what trips many people up in the accuracy department. They are very handy rifles, and I'm considering putting a linear comp on mine to see what difference that makes with the noise, so up close and personal.
 
I have seen indications of very good accuracy out of mine as well, even with the iron sights. (~2MOA) The sights are a little wonky, the trigger is weird, and there's a bit of a gap between the trigger break and the shot (which I think the trigger helps with actually) but if you can overcome all that, it shoots pretty good. Very light, very handy, as others have said.
 
CanadianBaconPancakes said:
If your worried about a clean first shot you wont get a second in. :nest:
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^Very good point and a high probability clean first shot should always be the goal when hunting.

So with that I'm in the get a bolt gun in .223 group.

Because if an affordable bolt action like a Ruger American Ranch in .223 is actually capable of MOA as Ruger claim (or close to it if the shooter does their part) then a Mini 14/T97 is 3MOA at best with a rest and premium ammo.

Also regarding the T97, bull pup's have a tendency of either fitting you or not, so you may want to try shouldering one first.

Cheers D
 
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My old model Mini is 2.5MOA, newer ones are usually around 1.5 give or take a 1/2. I use mine with a harris bipod out to a couple hundred yards but if I'm setting up where shots could be further I take my bolt.
 
Zeroed-In said:
^Very good point and a high probability clean first shot should always be the goal when hunting.

So with that I'm in the get a bolt gun in .223 group.

Because if an affordable bolt action like a Ruger American Ranch in .223 is actually capable of MOA as Ruger claim (or close to it if the shooter does their part) then a Mini 14/T97 is 3MOA at best with a rest and premium ammo.

Also regarding the T97, bull pup's have a tendency of either fitting you or not, so you may want to try shouldering one first.

Cheers D
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Thanks for the advice from everyone :)

I think I have decided on a couple things for now,
1) I'll just stick with my bolt 30-06 for now. I have no worries about accuracy or the yote making any kind of movement after being hit, so that really does solve my problem. I heard a couple stories about coyotes making it some distance after a .223 was my concern on needing a second hit.
2) I think I will keep my eyes open for a good deal newer Mini 14 ranch, as it sounds like my best bet. I'll probably stop by a store and check the shouldering on a T97, but in general it seems like the mini is what I was looking for in a semi.

Thanks again all, guess I am going back to my Ol' hunting rifle :)
Cheers
 
I think you'll like the mini 14, I do :)

This thread actually got me wondering about improving my accuracy with it, now that it's getting nice out I'm going to load up some various rounds for it to see what I can wring out of it, instead of relying on loads developed for my bolt gun.
 
Well, another nice option is a bolt gun in 243 win. Ruger Americans are accurate, I had one in 243 and 270, but I've since sold both. Quality of them was not bad, as in good ruger quality - but fit / finish wise, rough. I certainly wouldn't want to pay the asking prices of them now, but mine were at 450 I think ... not the 6 - 700 I see them for now.
 
It's funny. A lot of guys always recommend a bolt action because they're the most accurate. While this is true, a 223 has a limited range. 2-3 MOA is more than enough for a yote. You don't need a sniper rifle to hit a yote at 200 yards.

As to the OP's questions, I recently went through this same line of questioning on here myself. I had limited it down to 4 different semi-auto options, with the Type 97 and Mini-14 being two of them. I ended up choosing a Benelli MR1. There's some really good deals on used ones in great shape out there (got mine for $1050, but lots from $1200-$1500). Supposed to be more accurate than the Mini-14, and can run LAR-15 mags with it. That being said, I can't comment on my personal experience with it, as I haven't had a chance to take it out and run it through it's paces.
 
Canada tail said:
My concern about the mr1 is parts. Did the mr1 got discontinued?
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Should be able to procure them from Stoeger or Western Gun Parts. Lots of new ones being sold in Canada, so I believe we're still being supplied from Europe. I think they are discontinued in the US though.
 
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