Thoughts on a 16.5" Remington 700 in 223 for coyotes

jdx23

jdx23

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Considering a Remington 700 16.5" .223 for coyote hunting. I'm in Southern Ontario and in my area expect to be generally under 200m. Max I'd even be able to stretch it out to for hunting purposes would be around 300m but that's rare and probably wishful thinking. Within 150m is where I expect to engage. 16.5" seems like it would be pretty handy in the brush and tree lines bordering farm fields, but 20" is another option between rifles I'm looking at.

This is not a dual purpose target rifle as I have a .308 that rings steel at longer distances. I'll add that up until this point I've been strictly a target shooter and this will be my first foray into hunting.

I'm set on the Remington 700 SPS as I'm going to be upgrading the factory hogue with an HS Precision stock I have sitting unused. Have the same rifle in 308 so want to keep it similar.

Looking for opinions on if I'm severely limiting myself in velocity with the 16.5" as opposed to the 20" version. I currently reload for pistol calibers and have all the components on hand to begin loading for rifle, so am looking forward to developing a heavier projectile load for this short barreled 223 (1/9 twist).

Appreciate your thoughts, especially from the seasoned hunters out there!
 
I don't think you're losing much inside 300m if you're fine with using that style of rifle for hunting. You'd be losing something like 100fps at muzzle vs a 20" barrel.
I have the 20" version for my range gun(was supposed to be for hunting too), and I kind of realize I rather have a lighter barrel rifle for hunting - your lighter barrel will heat up faster but that's not an issue for a hunting rifle.
You already know what kind of rifle it is, and it's nice to use the same style for range & hunting, so unless someone can talk you into a lighter rifle - you should be golden.
 
"I'm going to be upgrading the factory hogue with an HS Precision stock"
I should be talking you out of the remington and into selling me that stock instead lol
 
Only reason I'm not looking for a lighter rifle is that I'm either going to be setting up in orchard rows, along a tree line in a field, or from the top of a ridge in our local gravel pits that won't see me moving around too much from point to point. Just setting up the same sps tac rifle as I'm used to with my 308 is appealing. The 16.5" even with a heavy barrel should still be pretty handy.

As for the HS stock, I ordered it for my 308, it's inletted with an ATRS DBM, but being a lucky bastard got a chassis as an anniversary present from the wife. Figured that would be better suited to my 308 as a precision rifle and can't have a nice stock just sitting around with no purpose :)
 
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Should be quite fine inside 400 yards. Make sure to have earplugs with you as the muzzle blast will be a bit obnoxious with the shorter tube. Not a biggie though, as you want the coyote to go out with a bang.
 
sgt.rock said:
Should be quite fine inside 400 yards. Make sure to have earplugs with you as the muzzle blast will be a bit obnoxious with the shorter tube. Not a biggie though, as you want the coyote to go out with a bang.
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I have the 7615 police and yes the short barrel makes a pretty good noise. Btw the Barnes 55gr Vortex TSX full copper bullet are supposed to be pretty good for white tail. I have no first hand experience with it on game though although it seems to be pretty accurate. One thing for sure....these short barreled rifles are very handy in heavy brush and hilly terrain
 
AP said:
I have the 7615 police and yes the short barrel makes a pretty good noise. Btw the Barnes 55gr Vortex TSX full copper bullet are supposed to be pretty good for white tail. I have no first hand experience with it on game though although it seems to be pretty accurate. One thing for sure....these short barreled rifles are very handy in heavy brush and hilly terrain
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Won't be going after white tail, we are bow only in my WMU for deer. This will be a compact coyote rifle. Based on the responses I'm feeling confident, I ordered it last night. Appreciate all the insight guys!
 
Lots of info out there for the AR @ 16" but then you get into bullet grain, rate of twist, and bolt action... glad to hear some feedback from guys running the shorter barreled Remington 700. Very much appreciated.
 
I use a 22" 25/06 for coyotes down here. I loose velocity but they don't seem to survive any longer. You will be fine with a short barrel. It will seem loud especially if you're in an Orchard. I'll be starting coyote hunting as soon as my dad fills his buck tag
 
My go to wolf and yote rifle is a ruger m77 compact in .243 with a 16.5" barrel.... easily pokes out to 300 yards.... I have also taken a couple with my 223 ruger scout out to 200 - 250, and it has an 18" barrel.... you should be fine with the 700.....

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lone-wolf said:
"I'm going to be upgrading the factory hogue with an HS Precision stock"
I should be talking you out of the remington and into selling me that stock instead lol
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Stock is up for grabs if you're interested. Decided to go the chassis route. Too used to the AR lol
 
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