There is no such thing as a “best” setup for coyotes because it’ll depend where/how you’re hunting. What I use here in my part of S Texas is not going to be optimal for hunting coyotes in Nevada or Utah or in upstate NY. Are you into shooting them at long range or do you prefer (or have to) call them in close? This is why I use multiple rifles AND a shotgun- different terrain requires different weapons. If I don’t want to carry 2 guns, I pick what’s right, MOST of the time, at the stand I’m going to make next.
As for optics, that will also depend on the terrain and type of calling you’re doing. Some places won’t let you hunt at night. If so, not much use for a thermal or NV. Heck, if you’re only daylight hunting you MAY not even want a large objective lens scope. Particularly if you’re making long hikes to stand locations. IF you do want to go with NV or Thermal... depending on how much ground you’re trying to watch with your optics, you should consider a scanning unit before you even think about a scope. I can tell you, scanning with anything mounted to a gun is INCREDIBLY annoying unless you’re sitting in a swiveling chair in a vehicle rack. Even then, it’s WAY nicer to scan with a handheld unit. Either get both a scanner and a scope or get a scanner FIRST! You can light ‘em up with a traditional light when they’re in the clear to shoot IF you watch them come in with a scanner.
I don’t mean this in any way to be disrespectful but the fact you’re asking this question suggests (to me, anyway) that you’re not a terribly experienced predator hunter. IF that’s the case and you are financially able to consider a ‘dream’ setup, I would advise you to go do some hunting with a really good outfitter (like Tony Tebbe) and learn how a pro does it. Best of all, find one in you’re home hunting area where he/she can teach you how to EFFECTIVELY call your terrain. Predator hunting is very little about your gun or your bullets - it’s about everything else. Lol. Most hunters don’t actually “need” a special gun to do well killing coyotes. Any deer rifle capable out to 200yds is just fine. A good caller will be successful with a $300 rifle but an inexperienced caller will usually not be successful even with a $7500 custom rifle.
Money spent on a good e-caller and first rate sounds or a few really good hand calls is money well spent. But, again, if you don’t know how and when to use them AND how to look at the setup and the wind and determine how to setup for the call, you’ll be lucky to see anything to shoot at.
I’m not trying to be the “Debbie Downer” here. If you’re looking for an excuse to build a new rifle, build it cuz you want to - that’s a better reason! I’m TRYIN’ to help if your goal is actually killing coyotes. The killing part is really the easy part. Once you’re a very experienced predator hunter you’ll know EXACTLY what you need to build for YOUR particular and individual needs. Otherwise, you’re liable to build a awesome gun that has limited effectiveness in your actual hunting situations.
Hope this helps!
FWIW- calling predators is a big part of my day job and I also guide predator hunters in S Texas for several months a year; plus participating in several contests a year. I kill around 100 coyotes a year. I only mention it because it goes to credibility on the topic. I hate seeing guys blow money on gear when it’s not needed.
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