Dialing elevation for coyotes

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Nov 7, 2012
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Do you find yourself dialing elevation for coyotes often? I am wondering if a dialable scope is that much better for coyote hunting. They seem to come in fast a lot and often times are moving, until they arent then you have to shoot quickly. Do you have time to range and dial? Also, most shots appear to be within a range that you can hold slightly for elevation.
 

mxgsfmdpx

WKR
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Holdover reticle for vast majority. You’ll learn to start judging distance travelled through your scope as well, which is fantastic practice.

There are long range opportunities to dial depending on terrain. As long as you’re not over calling them, hunting coyotes and other varmints is the best training tool out there.
 

Hnthrdr

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I have a RA gen 1 that I’ve taken a handful with and dialed 1 time. Usually they come to 150 and in. I am contemplating switching over to an AR since I have missed a few that could have been killed with a quick follow up shot, and they are handier/ swing easier for closer stuff or when they run in from behind you. I have a few spots though where dialing would be really useful, like 400-600 yard shots
 
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I alway dial if I have the opportunity, but like you mentioned a lot of the time yotes are coming in hot so you don't usually need to or you just don't have time. I like having the ability to dial for the ones that hang up and just sit there and bark at you from 500 yds. I find it very useful to hunt with my 22 creed over my 223 since the 22 creed is so flat shooting. I generally don't worry about dialing within 250 yds, might just hold a touch high. The main trade off is the 22 creed tends to do quite a bit more fur damage.
 
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I have never dialed, just used hold overs if needed. Most daytime coyote calling success ends up with them in your lap.

If I was hunting very wide open terrain/large tracts of public and wanted to shoot them on the drive/walk in, then yes ranging/dialing would be useful.
 
Joined
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I dial past 350 and solely day time call. I rarely take running shots, unless it’s close. Educating coyotes is the worst.
Haha no kidding. I hunted a spot this weekend, the coyotes had definitely been called at before. I glassed up a group of 4 probably 1200 yard out in a pasture. As soon as they heard a rabbit distress call, they hauled ass the other way. I was kind of surprised since it is only November and not later in the 'fur season'.
 
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Duh

WKR
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Haha no kidding. I hunted a spot this weekend, the coyotes had definitely been called at before. I glassed up a group of 4 probably 1200 yard out in a pasture. As soon as they heard a rabbit distress call, they hauled ass the other way. I was kind of surprised since it is only November and not later in the 'fur season'.
Had the same scenario the other week. I’m going to take it easy for a couple weeks and let deer season finish.
 
Joined
Feb 25, 2012
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Yea I dial if I can. On stand I’m usually dialed up 0.4-0.6 mil depending on the rifle. Then if one hangs up or stops on the way out I dial if it’s beyond 350ish.
 

mxgsfmdpx

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Haha no kidding. I hunted a spot this weekend, the coyotes had definitely been called at before. I glassed up a group of 4 probably 1200 yard out in a pasture. As soon as they heard a rabbit distress call, they hauled ass the other way. I was kind of surprised since it is only November and not later in the 'fur season'.
If guys are relying solely on calling dogs to get kills they’re doing it wrong.
 

yeahkkyle

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I mainly thermal hunt at night. I prefer a flat round and most times call them in to take shots 150-200 yards with an occasional 3-350. I shoot 70gr out of a 6creed at 3723fps avg and just hold on fur out to 350. Getting a 22-250 reamed to a 22creed for a little more speed.
 
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I mainly thermal hunt at night. I prefer a flat round and most times call them in to take shots 150-200 yards with an occasional 3-350. I shoot 70gr out of a 6creed at 3723fps avg and just hold on fur out to 350. Getting a 22-250 reamed to a 22creed for a little more speed.
You are shooting laser beams, sounds awesome! I have yet to try thermal hunting but it sounds like a blast!
 

Hnthrdr

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I mainly thermal hunt at night. I prefer a flat round and most times call them in to take shots 150-200 yards with an occasional 3-350. I shoot 70gr out of a 6creed at 3723fps avg and just hold on fur out to 350. Getting a 22-250 reamed to a 22creed for a little more speed.
What thermal scope are you using… I think a thermal will be my next big purchase
 

yeahkkyle

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Dec 13, 2022
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What thermal scope are you using… I think a thermal will be my next big purchase
Currently running an iRay Hybrid 50 and use an AGM fuzion 640 to scan. Total game changer for me switching from red lights to thermal about 4 years ago. My area gets pressured fairly decent and I've noticed even with a few friends running NV that the IR light still makes coyotes shy.

Thermal is definitely a buy once cry once purchase. I started with a Bering Optics Super Hogster (384) and upgraded to all 640 and what a difference. The prices have dropped significantly in the last year for good 640 thermal so that's a plus.

You are shooting laser beams, sounds awesome! I have yet to try thermal hunting but it sounds like a blast!
Makes it easy when you just aim and fire within 350yards. I do need to update the software in my hybrid50 to enable the ballistics calculator. Just enter your dope chart in the app and with use of the LRF it will adjust your cross hair. Guess I've just been lazy haha and most shots aren't needed to account for much drop so haven't done it yet.
 
Joined
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I mainly thermal hunt at night. I prefer a flat round and most times call them in to take shots 150-200 yards with an occasional 3-350. I shoot 70gr out of a 6creed at 3723fps avg and just hold on fur out to 350. Getting a 22-250 reamed to a 22creed for a little more speed.
That’s smoking fast. I don’t know if the 22 creed will be faster?
 

DJW51

FNG
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Oct 28, 2024
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I like a flat shooting rifle with a 200 yd zero (53vmax 3,875 fps). With verified sub tensions in reticle. This is effective for me in most of my situations. I almost always range a few landmarks in my calling area at beginning stand just to verify. Being able to range and dial is a bonus. Being prepared for anything while coyote calling only increases your chance for success.
 
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Joined
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I like a scope that dials. 90% of the time my shots aren't far enough for the need to dial but when one hangs up 300+ out, I like to get a range and dial it in.
 
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