Looking for a new coyote gun help me pick.

[pdangerp]

We’ve been using thermals to hunt coyote and started running into issues with longer shots and gauging distance and therefore bullet drop. i am trying to find something that will be flatter shooting than .223 out to 400 yards. My friend has suggested .22 creedmoor, but I don’t want to build a custom gun. I also don’t want to burn out a barrel in 1200 rounds.
A few calibers have crossed my mind but I’m open to ideas. I’d like to shoot heavier bullets so I’m not that interested in .22-250. Ideas I’ve had are 6mm Creedmoor, 6mm ARC, 22 ARC.

 

[Steve300xcw]

do you reload or just running factory ammo

1:8" 22-250 slinging 75's would be pretty sweet

Tikka T3x Lite .22-250 Rem 22.4" 1:8" Rifle JRTXE314R8

Flat Rate Shipping on Tikka T3x Lite .22-250 Rem 22.4" 1:8" Rifle JRTXE314R8

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Otherwise a 6creed or 243

 

[pdangerp]

I’m willing to reload. I reload the 55 grain vmax .223 i use for coyotes now.

 

[pdangerp]

do you reload or just running factory ammo

1:8" 22-250 slinging 75's would be pretty sweet

Tikka T3x Lite .22-250 Rem 22.4" 1:8" Rifle JRTXE314R8

Flat Rate Shipping on Tikka T3x Lite .22-250 Rem 22.4" 1:8" Rifle JRTXE314R8

www.eurooptic.com

Otherwise a 6creed or 243

I was not aware of the faster twist .22-250’s. Thank you. I’ll look into it.

 

[pdangerp]

I’d also prefer a threaded barrel to be able to suppress. That Tika doesn’t have one. I noticed some 1:9 twist bergara in 22-250. How heavy a bullet do you think that would stabilize in 22-250?

 

[CJNTN]

Yeah, Tikka needs to make an 18" threaded barrel. That's my want anyway.

 

[Steve300xcw]

I’d also prefer a threaded barrel to be able to suppress.

Plenty of guns get cut and threaded......

I noticed some 1:9 twist bergara in 22-250. How heavy a bullet do you think that would stabilize in 22-250?

I bet a 75gr bthp would run just fine. ELD style, most likely is going to be a bit to long

 

[pdangerp]

Plenty of guns get cut and threaded......

Fair enough.

 

[Texas97]

I bought a lone peak with a switchlug and currently having two pre fits cut in 22 creedmoor. Wanted to build a lighter weight low recoil gun thatll feed from a 10 round mag. With can and scope hoping to get under 9 lbs, It's like a modern, cheaper 220 swift. But you can spin bullets apart.

 

[pdangerp]

I bought a lone peak with a switchlug and currently having two pre fits cut in 22 creedmoor. Wanted to build a lighter weight low recoil gun thatll feed from a 10 round mag. With can and scope hoping to get under 9 lbs, It's like a modern, cheaper 220 swift. But you can spin bullets apart.

so your suggestion is .22 creedmoor?
Under 9 lbs with thermal and a can would be nice. Will your build (minus the scope and can) be under $3k? It looks like that action alone is $1400.

 

[pdangerp]

I was poking around my reloading book yesterday for ideas and 22-250, .243, .25-06 and .240 weatherby magnum were the speed demons that are getting up to 3200-3300 with the higher bc bullets (.39 and above).

I think weatherby is the only one making a rifle in the .240 wby mag, and all of their barrels are fairly light profile.

.25-06 is interesting, because it’s so fast, but it’s a long action round, so there’s added weight and limited magazine options.

Not a lot of conclusions in this post, just putting thoughts on out there. Challenge anything You think i am wrong about.

 

[Texas97]

so your suggestion is .22 creedmoor?
Under 9 lbs with thermal and a can would be nice. Will your build (minus the scope and can) be under $3k? It looks like that action alone is $1400.

It is my suggestion. And your weight will mostly depend on barrel profile and length. Your cost will be dependent on how expensive you get with everything. My build is all mostly used parts except for the barrels.

Carbon fiber stock, ti action, relatively light scope but I splurged on the barrel weight and fluted them because I'm doing a special muzzle thread and cuts for an AEM5.

But I think the 22 creed is where it's at. Better terminal ballistics than 22-250 and reliable feed from AW mags

 

[Stix]

I was in the same boat. .243 is your huckleberry......

 

[Steve300xcw]

I was poking around my reloading book yesterday for ideas and 22-250, .243, .25-06 and .240 weatherby magnum were the speed demons that are getting up to 3200-3300 with the higher bc bullets (.39 and above).

I think weatherby is the only one making a rifle in the .240 wby mag, and all of their barrels are fairly light profile.

.25-06 is interesting, because it’s so fast, but it’s a long action round, so there’s added weight and limited magazine options.

Not a lot of conclusions in this post, just putting thoughts on out there. Challenge anything You think i am wrong about.

I think you are over thinking it a bit. These are just rough numbers, but Even with just with a boring 243 with a 200 yrd zero. A 87gr vmax @3250fps. That'll get you about 14" of drop @ 400

Download applied ballistics or one of the other calculators and bench race some bullets

55-60gr crowding 4k are also pretty stinking flat

 

[300sniper]

I bought a lone peak with a switchlug and currently having two pre fits cut in 22 creedmoor. Wanted to build a lighter weight low recoil gun thatll feed from a 10 round mag. With can and scope hoping to get under 9 lbs, It's like a modern, cheaper 220 swift. But you can spin bullets apart.

Dude....Who's doing your prefits?

 

[300sniper]

This Benchmark blank will become a 22 Creedmoor for a Lone Peak Fuzion. It’ll be used with thermal and a suppressor for coyote duty.

 

[300sniper]

Yeah, Tikka needs to make an 18" threaded barrel. That's my want anyway.

I know a guy that cuts and threads them to whatever length you want...

 

[Texas97]

Dude....Who's doing your prefits?

Sorry man, it's WTO, since they originally built the gun and Its their switchlug. Wanted to avoid, what is increasingly, the ridiculous cost and hassle of shipping a gun/action

Dude....Who's doing your prefits?

 

[300sniper]

Sorry man, it's WTO, since they originally built the gun and Its their switchlug. Wanted to avoid, what is increasingly, the ridiculous cost and hassle of shipping a gun/action

I missed the switch lug. I totally understand shipping hassle. 99% of my customers are local, but I am going to try to change that with pre-fits soon.

 

[Lee]

.204 Ruger?

 

[RMO]

.204 Ruger?

Have a few friends that shoot .204 Ruger, AR platform and Bolt gun. At distance they lose a fair amount of energy.
This was behind the head 225 yard shot with .204 Ruger.

OP check out 6.5 Grendel, low recoil, flat shooting, maintains energy and can be in a AR or Bolt rifle.

I built a 6.5 Grendel AR a few years back for varmint and medium sized game hunting and it's a great inbetween round that's very capable.

I bought a Ruger American Ranch Rifle in 5.56 for a truck gun and for a cheap rifle it shoots good (sub MOA at 100yrds). It takes AR mags and the mag release is in the same place as a AR mag release.
Ruger does offer it in 6.5 Grendel.

Buy Ruger American Ranch 65 Grendel Bolt Action Rifle Online

Ruger AMER RANCH 6.5GR FDE 16" TB36926 | 16" THREADED BBL6.5 Grendel

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I did change the trigger spring in my 5.56 Ranch rifle which make a big difference and also stoned the trigger.

Ruger American Rifle Trigger Spring Kit

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[Steve300xcw]

OP check out 6.5 Grendel, low recoil, flat shooting, maintains energy and can be in a AR or Bolt rifle.

I built a 6.5 Grendel AR a few years back for varmint and medium sized game hunting and it's a great inbetween round that's very capable.

I put one together back when you could buy factory ammo for about the same price as reloading it. Shot it a bit, killed one buck with it, an put er back in the closet. Just cant get away from my .223's and 243

Were I going to put another one together. I think I would skip the grendel and go with the 6ARC

I've got a pretty hacked up american ranch in 223. It is an accurate lil POS

 

[Texas97]

I missed the switch lug. I totally understand shipping hassle. 99% of my customers are local, but I am going to try to change that with pre-fits soon.

I'm getting two barrels done. If I erred too much on the heavy side, I'll give you a shot at spinning up another barrel and see if you can recreate the muzzle profile for the Ops inc/AEM5 can.

I've seen pictures of your work, it's beautiful. Would be proud to show off your name on the side of my gun to my cattle herd and the dead hogs

 

[RMO]

I put one together back when you could buy factory ammo for about the same price as reloading it. Shot it a bit, killed one buck with it, an put er back in the closet. Just cant get away from my .223's and 243

Were I going to put another one together. I think I would skip the grendel and go with the 6ARC

I've got a pretty hacked up american ranch in 223. It is an accurate lil POS

The main attraction to the 6.5 Grendel was the ballistics, legal to take big game animals and can be in a AR platform.
.223/5.56 is great for varmints. I have "2" .243's, one is a 700 BDL I bought about 40 years ago and the other is a 700 with a 26" bull barrel. .243 is a great "all around" round.

I found my RARR likes Hornady 53gr V-max Super Performance and shoot sub MOA. I shoot X-193 through it and groups open up quite a bit. For a $500.00 truck gun it is what it is.

 

[Texas97]

The main attraction to the 6.5 Grendel was the ballistics, legal to take big game animals and can be in a AR platform.
.223/5.56 is great for varmints. I have "2" .243's, one is a 700 BDL I bought about 40 years ago and the other is a 700 with a 26" bull barrel. .243 is a great "all around" round.

I found my RARR likes Hornady 53gr V-max Super Performance and shoot sub MOA. I shoot X-193 through it and groups open up quite a bit. For a $500.00 truck gun it is what it is.

223 can be great for deer also. ive killed a lot of deer with it.

People have shied away from the grendel some because its just not THAT much better than a few other options, and really isnt anything when compared to the large frame AR caliber options.

people praised the grendel when it came out as some revolutionary stuff. many, like myself, got into it, decided it wasnt really worth the cost of different bolt, different mags and ammo, at the time. its more common now, but its not so special that i need to be invested in another AR platform and ammo for.

 

[RMO]

223 can be great for deer also. ive killed a lot of deer with it.

People have shied away from the grendel some because its just not THAT much better than a few other options, and really isnt anything when compared to the large frame AR caliber options.

people praised the grendel when it came out as some revolutionary stuff. many, like myself, got into it, decided it wasnt really worth the cost of different bolt, different mags and ammo, at the time. its more common now, but its not so special that i need to be invested in another AR platform and ammo for.

Yes .223 is fully capable but illegal for big game in my state.

CENTERFIRE RIFLES
a. Must be a minimum of .24 caliber (6 mm).
b. Must have a minimum 16-inch barrel and be at least 26 inches long.
c. If semiautomatic, the capacity of both the magazine and chamber combined cannot exceed 6 rounds.
d. Must use expanding bullets that weigh a minimum of 70 grains for deer,pronghorn and bear, 85 grains for elk and moose, and have an impact energy (at 100 yards) of 1,000 ft.-pounds as rated by manufacturer.

HANDGUNS
a. Barrel must be a minimum of 4 inches long.
b. Must use a minimum .24-caliber (6 mm) in diameter expanding bullet.
c. Shoulder stocks or attachments prohibited.
d. Must use a cartridge or load that produces minimum energy of 550-ft.-pounds at 50 yards as rated by manufacturer.

I built my 6.5 Grendel mainly to try something different in a AR15 platform and being a legal caliber to hunt big game with is a plus.

Guns are like tools, there's one for every task and some can be used for different task effectively.

Seems many of the new calibers (.22-.30) coming out offer slightly improved ballistics as more mainstream traditional calibers but most IMO aren't improved on to warrant adding another caliber to you collection.
There's a lot of interest in 22 Creedmoor (6mm Creedmoor parent case) and 22 ARC (6.5 Grendel parent case) but when you already have calibers that offer similar performance it's a tough sell.

 

[Steve300xcw]

Yes .223 is fully capable but illegal for big game in my state.

CENTERFIRE RIFLES
a. Must be a minimum of .24 caliber (6 mm).
b. Must have a minimum 16-inch barrel and be at least 26 inches long.
c. If semiautomatic, the capacity of both the magazine and chamber combined cannot exceed 6 rounds.
d. Must use expanding bullets that weigh a minimum of 70 grains for deer,pronghorn and bear, 85 grains for elk and moose, and have an impact energy (at 100 yards) of 1,000 ft.-pounds as rated by manufacturer.

HANDGUNS
a. Barrel must be a minimum of 4 inches long.
b. Must use a minimum .24-caliber (6 mm) in diameter expanding bullet.
c. Shoulder stocks or attachments prohibited.
d. Must use a cartridge or load that produces minimum energy of 550-ft.-pounds at 50 yards as rated by manufacturer.

I built my 6.5 Grendel mainly to try something different in a AR15 platform and being a legal caliber to hunt big game with is a plus.

Guns are like tools, there's one for every task and some can be used for different task effectively.

Seems many of the new calibers (.22-.30) coming out offer slightly improved ballistics as more mainstream traditional calibers but most IMO aren't improved on to warrant adding another caliber to you collection.
There's a lot of interest in 22 Creedmoor (6mm Creedmoor parent case) and 22 ARC (6.5 Grendel parent case) but when you already have calibers that offer similar performance it's a tough sell.

22cal is legal in plenty of states though. Been a while since I looked at the regs, but as far as I remember. I can legally kill everything in oregon with the exception of elk with a 22 hornet if I wanted to. Gotta bump it up to the mighty 243 for one of those beasts

Run the right bullets and that 223 is more capable than most folks think

 

[FrankenToy]

Yes .223 is fully capable but illegal for big game in my state.

CENTERFIRE RIFLES
a. Must be a minimum of .24 caliber (6 mm).
b. Must have a minimum 16-inch barrel and be at least 26 inches long.
c. If semiautomatic, the capacity of both the magazine and chamber combined cannot exceed 6 rounds.
d. Must use expanding bullets that weigh a minimum of 70 grains for deer,pronghorn and bear, 85 grains for elk and moose, and have an impact energy (at 100 yards) of 1,000 ft.-pounds as rated by manufacturer.

Colorado?

22cal is legal in plenty of states though. Been a while since I looked at the regs, but as far as I remember. I can legally kill everything in oregon with the exception of elk with a 22 hornet if I wanted to. Gotta bump it up to the mighty 243 for one of those beasts

Run the right bullets and that 223 is more capable than most folks think

You may be correct but you ain't going to convince a CO Game Warden...

 

[Steve300xcw]

I have no desire to go back east to hunt. Opinion of a CO game warden means very little to me

Species Specific Weapon Restrictions
DEER, PRONGHORN, BLACK BEAR, COUGAR
Minimum Centerfire Caliber (Rifles and Handguns)	.22 caliber
Minimum Muzzleloader Caliber	.40 caliber: Round ball or legal bullet #1 or larger buckshot allowed for deer, bear, and cougar
Shotgun	#1 or larger buckshot or slugs
Archery - Long, Recurve, Compound Bow	40 pound minimum draw weight
ELK, BIGHORN SHEEP, ROCKY MOUNTAIN GOAT
Minimum Centerfire Caliber (Rifles and Handguns)	.24 caliber
Minimum Muzzleloader Caliber	.50 caliber: Round ball or legal bullet
Shotgun	Elk, slugs only. Shotguns not legal for Bighorn Sheep or Rocky Mtn Goat
Archery - Long, Recurve, Compound Bow	40 pound minimum draw weight
WESTERN GRAY SQUIRREL
Any rifle; handgun; shotgun; non-matchlock muzzleloader; long, recurve or compound bow.

 

[[486]]

OP check out 6.5 Grendel, low recoil, flat shooting, maintains energy and can be in a AR or Bolt rifle.

don't they break AR bolts when loaded to full pressure?