Best setup for coyotes

[Geewhiz]

Dream with me if you will.

So I have this friend that may or may not have a pile of money to potentially dump into a coyote setup.

What would be your absolute ideal coyote killing setup. Makes, models and caliber suggestions appreciated. Thermal optics and suppressors included. What would you get and how would you set it up. Lets say no budget at this point, within reason.

 

[TSAMP]

Rifle for coyotes

I think a 6.5 grendel in an ar platform is the ultimate coyote gun. Definitely prefer an AR platform whatever the cartridge for follow up and running shots. Used a .223 for years and really like the 6.5 after making the switchI ran a Grendel for years and loved it. I had a itch to move to a...

www.rokslide.com

 

[Geewhiz]

Rifle for coyotes

I think a 6.5 grendel in an ar platform is the ultimate coyote gun. Definitely prefer an AR platform whatever the cartridge for follow up and running shots. Used a .223 for years and really like the 6.5 after making the switchI ran a Grendel for years and loved it. I had a itch to move to a...

www.rokslide.com

Difference is I'm not trying to be cheap with this.

 

[TX_Diver]

Difference is I'm not trying to be cheap with this.

You? or "your friend" from the first post

If money was truly no object I'd call up custom builder and the sky is the limit...

For me (money is definitely an object) I like my RRA predator pursuit w/ Geissele trigger and an SWFA 3-15 scope. I consider switching sometimes to something that's more versatile but don't really rifle hunt enough to spend any additional $$$. I don't coyote hunt that much either though for that matter so others may have better suggestions.

 

[Stefan]

Thermals I would like: SkeetIR-X, Genesis Apocalypse A55 (has onboard LRF, can be used as a scanner, clip on or primary sight)
IR lasers, illuminators: Wilcox Raid-X, Perst 3, Wilcox Raptor S (want the high power and has a laser rangefinder)
Night vision: L3 Harris un-filmed or thin filmed PVS-14, PVS-26, 27 or 30 forward clip on so you retain your primary day sight.
Day Optics: Schmidt and Bender, Nightforce, USO, Leupold, Hendsolt

Calibers: .223, 6.5, .308 among many others work well.

Suppressors: Thunderbeast is on point for Precision Suppressors.

Bipods: I would probably look at an Atlas bipod

Rifles: AI, Sako, DTA, etc are tactical rifles. Some are relatively heavy.

Auto Loading Rifles: Seekins, KAC

Thats some of my dream list.

 

[Geewhiz]

You? or "your friend" from the first post

If money was truly no object I'd call up custom builder and the sky is the limit...

For me (money is definitely an object) I like my RRA predator pursuit w/ Geissele trigger and an SWFA 3-15 scope. I consider switching sometimes to something that's more versatile but don't really rifle hunt enough to spend any additional $$$. I don't coyote hunt that much either though for that matter so others may have better suggestions.

Yeah I mean my friend. haha

I have my eyes on a N-vision Halo LR thermal scope sitting on a savage 22-250.

Just wanting to hear of peoples dream systems before a bunch of money gets spent and I find myself having overlooked some options.

 

[Geewhiz]

Thermals I would like: SkeetIR-X, Genesis Apocalypse A55 (has onboard LRF, can be used as a scanner, clip on or primary sight)

That Genesis Apocalypse system looks sweet. Looking into it now.

 

[WCB]

Personally I would run a 6.5 Grendel or .223 rem or .224 Valkyrie through an AR platform (I am a bolt guy through and through but...) with a suppressor (if possible). Lighter recoil for better follow up shots.

No real opinion on thermals as I have not looked at them enough due to cost of getting a quality one. However, I would definitely set aside some money for a thermal scanner. and a bunch of extra batteries/ battery packs for the scanner and optic on the rifle. (even more so if you hunt in cold weather). I know a few guys that just had thermal scopes and no scanner and they hated having to move there gun around checking for incoming yotes.

 

[PathFinder]

I would advise first learning to kill coyotes...I'd wager most "coyote setups" have never killed one, much less a significant number of them.
I got tired of carrying a rifle and shotgun on stand, so probably a 22" SD 22 CM AR 10. NF NX8 2.5-20 with some sort of $10k+ thermal clip on. Some sort of MRDS on a 45 degree offset mount.

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[HuntInWild88]

Go check out O'Neal Ops... they have some pretty nice set ups

 

[cobbc03]

I would definitely build an AR in 22-250, or 224 Valkyrie. Top with a thermal, I'm no help on what brand/ model. Definitely would by a thermal scanner too. To finish the setup off, I would get a tripod with either a saddle, or a picatinny rail adapter.

 

[CApighunter]

I’m putting together a yote gun/steel plinker right now.
22 Creed
Origin action
7 twist 22 inch rock creek varmint contour
Grayboe stock
SWFA 3-9
Should do the trick.

 

[BrushyHillGuide]

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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[NevadaZielmeister]

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.

Best advice on this thread, PERIOD.

People always talk about the wrong things when they want to have success. You have to go out, fail.. then fail some more... then fail even more, to figure out what works best.

Having said that, stick to the best round designed for Varmints, the 22-250. I love that round in that I can kill a coyote within 400 yards or less without having to dial and such. Movement is a huge giveaway with Coyotes and if you are moving a lot, they will spot you and run for the hills.

To follow up on BrushyHillGuides perfect advice, maybe a FoxPro electronic caller will help, along with advice from the folks who made it.

Good luck sir!!

 

[rustyN]

I'd have a custom rifle built in 6mm CM:

• Bighorn action
• proof barrel around 18-20 inches
• some composite stock of choice
• TBAC Ultra 7 CB
• Razor HD AMG in Larue QD mount for daytime hunting
• Choose your NV/Thermal optic with QD for night ( don't know enough to recommend one)

To go with it I would have a CF tripod and hog saddle.

 

[bac078]

Following intently, yotes have exploded at my farm here in MO and I need to drop their numbers. Shot two with my bow while deer hunting last weekend

 

[B23]

Seekins Precision AR in 6 ARC, Trijicon IR-Hunter MK3 60mm, TBAC Ultra 7 or 9. Or, i you don't mind the extra weight you could go with a Seekins SP10 6 Creedmoor too.

It'd be a fairly spendy setup but it sure would be a sweet one!

 

[swampthing]

I have a 243 and a 257 bee that have seen most of my coyote hunts. Last year I bought a heavy barrel 28 nosler and that was my coyote rig last winter. I used it because it was new and set up to shoot further than both my 243 and 257. The 175 gr noslers punch a neat clean hole through a yote! Use what you got! I have a new 6.5-300 weatherby that will be my yote rig this year!

 

[Split toe]

Dream with me if you will.

So I have this friend that may or may not have a pile of money to potentially dump into a coyote setup.

What would be your absolute ideal coyote killing setup. Makes, models and caliber suggestions appreciated. Thermal optics and suppressors included. What would you get and how would you set it up. Lets say no budget at this point, within reason.

Thermal....

 

[bowieknife50]

12ga, long barrel, #4 buck

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