What's your go to Coyote gun?

[Legend]

I want to set up a thermal coyote gun. What is your go-to or perfect version of a night gun dedicated to coyote hunting?

I have killed hundreds of coyotes but it was all daytime bolt rifle/shotgun work. I want to know what your experience/dreams are??

 

[justinspicher]

All of my night work has been with NVGs and an IR laser.

Currently I have a 16” AR in 556 with an LVPO and IR laser for coyotes.

 

[IDElkmagnet]

I started with an ar15 it was nice but I had a lot of short runners and at night that, well it sucks. I went to a ruger american predator in 22-250 shooting the sierra 1365 and the runners have stopped happening. Also without having a rangefinder I have also found it allows me to shoot Mpbr of 265yds with only +2" -2" variation.

 

[Ac338]

I have two that get cycled through my rotation depending on the night. 22cm 12 twist slinging 53 grain vmaxes if I’m hunting fields and a 223AI 50 grain vmax setup if I’m hunting areas where the setup is a little tighter. Both are in an mdt chassis as it helps with the adjustability aspect when it comes to getting behind a bolt gun with a thermal that isn’t specifically made for bolt guns. I found for me at least taking all the lop spacers out and raising the check riser a couple inches is really comfortable for me off the tripod.Nocpix slim h35 on both of them. Love the quick mount and haven’t missed a shot opportunity yet with scanning with it and then slapping it on to shoot. Both guns are 14ish pounds all setup. I prefer the heavier rifle shooting off the tripod and honestly after the first couple nights of the season hunting I really don’t notice the weight. Both are surpressed, only thing I would change right now is for both of them to be Tikka actions.

 

[Ac338]

I will say I’m also pretty excited to steal the wifes 22 arc Ar that we’re finishing up right now for a couple hunts. I’ll probably still stick with my bolt guns but going to give it a go still.

 

[Coleredding00]

6GT. 17 pounds is stable on the tripod and it hits them hard.

 

[Ac338]

View attachment 10048996GT. 17 pounds is stable on the tripod and it hits them hard.

What chassis is that?

 

[Duh]

I’m using a 17lb thermal set up this year and really like it. Tikka action, KRG whiskey 3 chassis, 1:12 twist PBB 22 CM that was reamed for the 53gr vmax. It’s very easy to shoot off standing tripod and there’s next to no recoil. I’ve got 505, 477, and multiple 400 yard kills with it so far this year.

Not entirely sure I’ll stick with the 22CM but the rest of the system will remain for thermaling.

 

[Coleredding00]

What chassis is that?

MPA BA comp

 

[waspocrew]

I toss my thermal on several rifles, but I’ve used my 22 CM for most of my thermal hunting.

Not sure of the weight (definitely not 17lbs haha), but it’s pretty stable on the tripod and RRS Anvil 30.

62 gr ELDVT at 3650 does a great job on coyotes and gets there in a hurry.

 

[IDElkmagnet]

I forgot to mention mine is in a mdt field stock.
It looks like most have chosen heavy weight flat shooting guns.

 

[Legend]

Thanks for all the replies. My gut was that there would be a slant toward ARs. But the replies appear to favor heavy bolt guns on tripods. This is a world I am more familiar with and the path I will go.

Thanks everyone!

 

[Justin Crossley]

Thanks for all the replies. My gut was that there would be a slant toward ARs. But the replies appear to favor heavy bolt guns on tripods. This is a world I am more familiar with and the path I will go.

Thanks everyone!

I prefer a bolt rifle in the dark.

22 CM in a chassis with a suppressor is the perfect night gun imo.

 

[Skerhunter]

I’m using a 17lb thermal set up this year and really like it. Tikka action, KRG whiskey 3 chassis, 1:12 twist PBB 22 CM that was reamed for the 53gr vmax. It’s very easy to shoot off standing tripod and there’s next to no recoil. I’ve got 505, 477, and multiple 400 yard kills with it so far this year.

Not entirely sure I’ll stick with the 22CM but the rest of the system will remain for thermaling. View attachment 1004905

Never saw what velocity you ended up getting with this barrel?!?

 

[Duh]

Never saw what velocity you ended up getting with this barrel?!?

Right now I’m at 4050fps with Varget. I’ve had it a little over 4100fps without observed pressure but 4050 shoots very well.

 

[Legend]

I’m using a 17lb thermal set up this year and really like it. Tikka action, KRG whiskey 3 chassis, 1:12 twist PBB 22 CM that was reamed for the 53gr vmax. It’s very easy to shoot off standing tripod and there’s next to no recoil. I’ve got 505, 477, and multiple 400 yard kills with it so far this year.

Not entirely sure I’ll stick with the 22CM but the rest of the system will remain for thermaling. View attachment 1004905

What caliber would your next choice be?

 

[Duh]

What caliber would your next choice be?

With this current scope, I’m thinking about a 6 CM with the 80eldvt or 108 eldm. Maybe a 6PRC but not sure it’s worth it. Still haven’t really decided. The 53 vmax is great but it gets pushed a lot in the wind.

 

[IDElkmagnet]

With this current scope, I’m thinking about a 6 CM with the 80eldvt or 108 eldm. Maybe a 6PRC but not sure it’s worth it. Still haven’t really decided. The 53 vmax is great but it gets pushed a lot in the wind.

I personally ignored wind drift for my night gun. For two reasons.
I flat dislike night hunting in the wind and luckily the wind usually slows around here when the sun goes down.

 

[Duh]

I personally ignored wind drift for my night gun. For two reasons.
I flat dislike night hunting in the wind and luckily the wind usually slows around here when the sun goes down.

I did too. That’s why I went with the 53 gr vmax at these velocities. It’s just bit me a couple times this season, usually at 250 plus yards. I’m hunting ND, SD, NV, and Southern ID and there’s been a few trips where I’ve had to hunt some gusty winds.

It’s still an awesome set up and only drops 10 inches out to 400 yards but I’m not dead set on it yet.