Sask_Hunter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Saskatchewan
I use 3.5-10 3-12 and a 4.5-14 for hunting coyotes. I prefer a 3.5-10 for all my hunting even calling coyotes. Turrets are nice if you get one that hangs up way out.
What scope features do you use for coyotes?
- Thread starter wasa
- Start date
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
Total opposite lol, I have a 3x9x40mm and it rarely ever comes off 3x. And if it does I forget to turn it back down the coyotes pop out at 20yrds and either I can’t get on em cause there moving or its just a blur of coyote fur in my scope.
Obviously depends on your setup location and landscape but even for wide open fields I believe you're over scoped. Plus I'm a firm believer that there are other things that are more important than high magnification.
Another important thing to consider is the optics magnification range. As we all know when coyote hunting you can plan your setup and choose your gear according BUT you can often expect the unexpected to happen. One such example is the time I was setup in a fence line overlooking a field with a bush at the other side. It was 250 yards from the fence line to the bush. I fully expected the coyotes to come out of that bush into the open where I would have plenty of opportunity to get a good shot across the open field. HOWEVER to my surprise a big male came walking along the fence line I was sitting in from the direction I had my back to. I think it caught the both of us off guard and by the time I realized he practically tripped on me he was off in high gear.
My optic at that time was a bushnell elite tactical 5-15x40. I had the worst time ever trying to get the running coyote within sight picture let alone get a shot off. What should have been a suicide walk for the coyote turned into his lucky day because I had too much scope.
After that I went scope shopping and came home with a Nikon Monarch 5 ED 3-15x42. I still had the high magnification I wanted for open spaces but gained a little on the lower end. Plus the glass clarity was a step above the bushnell.
Another season came and I had to change up my hunting locations which ultimately resulted in me needing to change my hunting style. The setups required more calling into closer ranges plus there wasn't always the ability to see what was coming so a few ended up right in front of me before I saw them and the opportunity to get a shot off before I was busted was slim.
I found my nice 3-15 never left 3x magnification yet there were times I found it to be too much.
So off again I go scope shopping. That lead me to buying a VERY nice Leupold VX-6HD 1-6. The magnification range was just what I needed. The glass was beautiful. It had a center dot illumination which I came to like for early morning. Even came with a throw lever that made quick magnification changes easy. I thought I had found the perfect optic...
But I still missed hunting where longer shots were the norm so I found myself seeking out setups where I could. I found the 1-6 on max magnification just didn't do it for me past 200 yards BUT I still remembered missing a beauty male coyote that came up behind me in the fence line some time ago.
So off again I go scope shopping. I wanted something that could do everything. Which lead me to another Leupold. This time it was the VX-6HD 2-12x42. It had all the features I liked about the 1-6 but doubled my high end magnification. The difference between 1x or 2x on the low end made little to no difference on close moving shots but the ability to go 12x on the high end if need be was a significant change.
So far that's the coyote hunting optic I have settled on and the first time I've felt no need to head out shopping for something different.
Sorry if this has been long winded but it's my experience on how I learned that high magnification isn't what matters on a coyote hunting optic.
Magnification range, features and glass quality trump high magnification each and every day you're out trying to outsmart a coyote.
Just my .02
Another important thing to consider is the optics magnification range. As we all know when coyote hunting you can plan your setup and choose your gear according BUT you can often expect the unexpected to happen. One such example is the time I was setup in a fence line overlooking a field with a bush at the other side. It was 250 yards from the fence line to the bush. I fully expected the coyotes to come out of that bush into the open where I would have plenty of opportunity to get a good shot across the open field. HOWEVER to my surprise a big male came walking along the fence line I was sitting in from the direction I had my back to. I think it caught the both of us off guard and by the time I realized he practically tripped on me he was off in high gear.
My optic at that time was a bushnell elite tactical 5-15x40. I had the worst time ever trying to get the running coyote within sight picture let alone get a shot off. What should have been a suicide walk for the coyote turned into his lucky day because I had too much scope.
After that I went scope shopping and came home with a Nikon Monarch 5 ED 3-15x42. I still had the high magnification I wanted for open spaces but gained a little on the lower end. Plus the glass clarity was a step above the bushnell.
Another season came and I had to change up my hunting locations which ultimately resulted in me needing to change my hunting style. The setups required more calling into closer ranges plus there wasn't always the ability to see what was coming so a few ended up right in front of me before I saw them and the opportunity to get a shot off before I was busted was slim.
I found my nice 3-15 never left 3x magnification yet there were times I found it to be too much.
So off again I go scope shopping. That lead me to buying a VERY nice Leupold VX-6HD 1-6. The magnification range was just what I needed. The glass was beautiful. It had a center dot illumination which I came to like for early morning. Even came with a throw lever that made quick magnification changes easy. I thought I had found the perfect optic...
But I still missed hunting where longer shots were the norm so I found myself seeking out setups where I could. I found the 1-6 on max magnification just didn't do it for me past 200 yards BUT I still remembered missing a beauty male coyote that came up behind me in the fence line some time ago.
So off again I go scope shopping. I wanted something that could do everything. Which lead me to another Leupold. This time it was the VX-6HD 2-12x42. It had all the features I liked about the 1-6 but doubled my high end magnification. The difference between 1x or 2x on the low end made little to no difference on close moving shots but the ability to go 12x on the high end if need be was a significant change.
So far that's the coyote hunting optic I have settled on and the first time I've felt no need to head out shopping for something different.
Sorry if this has been long winded but it's my experience on how I learned that high magnification isn't what matters on a coyote hunting optic.
Magnification range, features and glass quality trump high magnification each and every day you're out trying to outsmart a coyote.
Just my .02
Last edited:
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
I know this may be trivial but gun fit/ optic set up trumps everything to get a good clear site picture and get on game quickly.
Can’t tell you how many friends I have that have their scopes mounted too high or eye relief set improperly. They change scopes annually thinking the scope is the issue. Generally a decent quality scope is rarely the issue for missed opportunities. It’s usually because the shooter is struggling to find the coyote in their scope.
When your cheek hits the stock or comb and you open your eye you should be seeing your target and reticle clearly. No blacked out areas (scope shadow) or odd shaped or fuzzy views. First time every time. The higher the scopes magnification the more finicky head and optic positioning becomes.
Can’t tell you how many friends I have that have their scopes mounted too high or eye relief set improperly. They change scopes annually thinking the scope is the issue. Generally a decent quality scope is rarely the issue for missed opportunities. It’s usually because the shooter is struggling to find the coyote in their scope.
When your cheek hits the stock or comb and you open your eye you should be seeing your target and reticle clearly. No blacked out areas (scope shadow) or odd shaped or fuzzy views. First time every time. The higher the scopes magnification the more finicky head and optic positioning becomes.
Last year & 20 coyotes so far I have used a Vortex Crossfire 2, 30 mm tube , HOGHUNTER , 3 x 12 x 56
with " V-Brite " Reticle. All it's features help in low light , were I need it. The single most
important feature is the " V-Brite" reticle , which is a small black dot @ intersection of cross hairs
which turns to read , when turned on @ various increments. The red dot is very small , maybe covering only 1"
@ 100 yds. ?
with " V-Brite " Reticle. All it's features help in low light , were I need it. The single most
important feature is the " V-Brite" reticle , which is a small black dot @ intersection of cross hairs
which turns to read , when turned on @ various increments. The red dot is very small , maybe covering only 1"
@ 100 yds. ?
I've been hunting coyotes for over 30 years and have tried almost every combination of 20-22 cal. rifles and scopes. I see most people are over scoped as a low power setting is much more useful than high power. Most of my shots are under 150 yards and my scope usually stays on 3 power. Field of view is more important than magnification especially when you have a moving target coming towards you. Coyotes very rarely stand still and if they do it's not for long. Quick shots are more the norm where I hunt and trying to stay on a moving target under 100 yards with a 6 power scope isn't as easy as you may think. I run a 3-10 power scope that only gets used on 10x at the range.
My .243 coyote rifle carries a 6 to 24 power scope. It normally stays at 12x.
Most of my shots will be 100 to 200 yards, but with older eyes I like to see the coyote and where I am aiming.
I am more comfortable sighting in when I can see the target precisely rather than just covering it.
Just about all of my coyote shooting is opportunistic rather than calling, so really close shots are not a problem.
I also use 58 gr Vmax bullets in the 243.
Most of my shots will be 100 to 200 yards, but with older eyes I like to see the coyote and where I am aiming.
I am more comfortable sighting in when I can see the target precisely rather than just covering it.
Just about all of my coyote shooting is opportunistic rather than calling, so really close shots are not a problem.
I also use 58 gr Vmax bullets in the 243.
Tried quite a few over the years. I can tell you, when I was running a 6.5-20, I’ve never had so many instances where I was mad at my choice in scope. Way to much on the bottom end. It was nice for longer pokes but close and running shots - pure misery. Went with a 2.5-16 on my last change. Very happy with this one. It’s always on 2.5 and gets turned up only if the need arises. This is on a 223. My 6mmAI wears a 3-15 and I like this one too. Basically solidified for me that no coyote rifle of mine will ever wear anything larger than 3x on the bottom end. I’m building another coyote rifle just for calling and I’m thinking the VX6 in a 2-12 will be about perfect. I have illuminated reticles and truth be told, I hardly ever use the feature. That being said, I’d rather be looking at a feature I may use than be looking for it.
Yes it will be. I can say with confidence that you won't be disappointed.
The majority of mine shots are in the 12-16 power, but I always start out on the lowest power first just incase something pops up. This is just me, but I also like to be more precise with my placement if I can and find it easier with more magnification. Maybe thats why I get more bang flops? Dunno.
I find that the further they are out the more time you have to get your sh1t together and make a plan.I do own a semi auto with a 1-6 on it that I try and bring out at the beginning of the calling season when I find there are more hard chargers, but I find my style of calling coyotes dont produce hard chargers either. For me they mostly always come in walking or in a trot because Im not always running the calls for long periods of time. I always call for a few seconds and wait for a few minutes even up to 5minutes. I dont know if its just my way of thinking, but this way I find that when they come in they have a general idea of where that sounds is coming from but still kind of in search mode, if that makes any sense. lol
I should also say that yeah I think its cool and all when you can call them in to 20yrds but I prefer to shoot them at 100+ yrds myself.
This will be my choice for my Predator Rifle.
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https://youtu.be/en6B2RVpCko
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https://youtu.be/5ZbxOTlxY6M
[youtube]en6B2RVpCko[/youtube]
https://youtu.be/en6B2RVpCko
[youtube]5ZbxOTlxY6M[/youtube]
https://youtu.be/5ZbxOTlxY6M
I’m using a Vortex Razor 4.5-22x50. It stays on 6x most of the time. That said, the extra top end has come in handy. Last winter I shot a coyote at 527 yards, and the extra power was great. Most coyotes will come in sun 200, but the field of view is plenty at the bottom end. I don’t know that I’m giving up anything, and the flexibility to reach out when needed is useful.
I don’t see a downside to your current setup unless you’re hunting thick bush. Leave it in 6x and you’ll be fine.
I don’t see a downside to your current setup unless you’re hunting thick bush. Leave it in 6x and you’ll be fine.
cdn1canhunt
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- southwestern ontario
Not to discourage you but the “KISS” principal seems to wok best for me when the action is fast. Make things easy on your mind.
0-300yrds. One reticle one point of aim. It will kill you more critters. Most coyotes die at 100yrds or less. I like BDC reticle just not for coyote shooting jMHO
Yotarunner
CGN Regular
- Location
- Eastern Alberta
^^^^^^this^^^^^
I tried the fancy bullet drop thing with my coyote guns and spent more time swearing at my poor choice in where to hold than dragging coyotes that's for sure.
Keep it simple hold on hair and you will kill more dogs than trying to play with reticles.
I appreciate all of the input. Looks like most people think I'm overscoped. Since that is my first reaction I will try a 4-12 or 3-9 from my collection and will probably try them both (and more) just like vmax204 and others say.
I will definitely be checking to be sure I can pull it up to my eye and be on target without hunting around through the eyepiece. Most of the coyotes I see are while sitting in a tree archery hunting for deer, and are too far for my crossbow.
I will definitely be checking to be sure I can pull it up to my eye and be on target without hunting around through the eyepiece. Most of the coyotes I see are while sitting in a tree archery hunting for deer, and are too far for my crossbow.
I use a 3-15x42 on on my Tikka lite 243 with a BDC style reticle, and a 3-15X44 with illuminated reticle on my heavier Tikka 22-250. Depending on the scenario, the scope is generally adjusted to between 5-10X, parallax is set to 100-I generally set the caller at approx 100 yards and the coyotes are generally with in 20 yards of the caller, and the illumination is on a low setting but only if it is dawn or dusk, if it is mid day the illumination is off. I make adjustments if necessary, I know my scope so I generally don't fumble too much (generally!), but that basic set up described above has worked for me so I have no plans to change that up.
