Predator hunting is becoming an increasingly popular sport, especially among those who aren’t ready to leave the woods behind once deer season ends. And, due to their destructive habits and rapidly expanding populations, coyotes are the most popular varmint.
Undoubtedly, the best type of firearm for hunting coyotes is a rifle. This is because the model can achieve higher velocities and reach targets at long distances. To help you find the best firearm, the following are some of the best rifles suitable for coyote hunting.
Before we get to that, we will discuss features you should be on the lookout for as you start your search. Read on to find out how to choose the best rifle for coyote hunting.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Coyote Rifles
Comparison Chart of the Best Coyote Rifles
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What Caliber of Rifle Do I Need to Hunt Coyotes
Some of the best predator hunting calibers include the 204 Ruger, a 6.5 Creedmoor, the 17HMR (Hornady Magnum Round), the .243, and a .22-250. All these rifles have small caliber bullets and a lot of powder behind them.
They’re fast, hot, and enable you to make long-range shots, making them perfect for predator hunting. It’s advisable that you don’t use anything bigger since it’ll punch a very large hole in the coyote. Thus, if you want to sell the hide, the big hole will make it valueless.
Characteristics of Our Favorite Models
To help you make the correct decision, the following are some of the best features to look for before making your purchase:
Ease of Use
Varmints and coyotes run away quickly as soon as they spot you. That’s why it’s essential that the rifle you purchase is easy and comfortable to use. Fumbling around with the firearm can result in a missed opportunity.
Accuracy
Varmints do not appear every day, so hunters have to make most of the limited opportunities they get. Coyotes are usually found at longer distances and are small in size, so accuracy is one of the most important characteristics of a high-quality rifle.
Accuracy is essential for two reasons. Firstly, you need to make a precise shot on a small part of its body to ensure a humane kill. Secondly, you don’t want to scare off or make any other potential prey run away.
Affordable
Since these firearms are only needed to kill varmints and coyotes, most hunters will not want to spend a fortune on it. Thus, make sure you purchase a rifle that doesn’t break the bank.
Review of the Best Coyote Rifles
A coyote rifle is a big investment and choosing the best one is no easy task. To ensure you make the right decision, here are the reviews of some of the best models available today. So, feel free to find a rifle that suits you best!
Best Overall:
Smith & Wesson M&P15-2 Sport Rifle .22LR
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most people who invested in the Smith & Wesson were extremely happy with their purchase and even recommended the unit to other potential buyers, as well. Users stated the model is lightweight, easy to handle, and fun to shoot. While most buyers found it to be a great rifle to practice with, some were not satisfied with its plastic charging handle and said they had to replace it with a higher quality one.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The M&P15-2 Sport stands out to us because of its customizable design. Featuring a ten-inch M&P slim handguard, the model allows owners to add accessories without removing it. Users can also mount numerous M-LOK-compatible accessories and several Picatinny-style rail sections easily.
Who Will Use This Most
If you’re looking for your first AR-15 and don’t want to spend a lot of money, this unit is a perfect choice. The ideal modern sporting rifle, the M&P15-2 can be used under various conditions. In fact, the versatile model has a wide variety of sport shooting, professional, and recreational applications.
Bottom Line
A combination of form and function, the Smith & Wesson M&P15-2 Sport Rifle is a rugged and lightweight model that can be easily customized. With a polymer grip, a forward assist, and a dust cover, the unit ensures durability and longevity. However, the plastic charging handle is of poor quality.
Runner-up:
Savage AXIS II .308 Win Bolt-Action Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers were extremely satisfied with the Savage AXIS II and recommended it to other hunters, as well. Users stated that the optics were clear and bright, and particularly liked the snugness of the magazine. However, some customers found the bolt removal and installation to be a bit tricky and reported the rings were a bit loose.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The model’s high precision and accuracy are what make it stand out to us. Rebuilt for better ergonomics, the Savage AXIS II enables every hunter to shoot their best. The firearm’s thread-in headspacing, floating bolt head, and AccuTrigger ensure the utmost accuracy from the button-rifled sport barrel, thus delivering the performance of high-end hunting rifles at an extremely affordable price.
Who Will Use This Most
The Savage Axis II is a low-cost hunting rifle. If you need a hunting rifle that can be used straight out of the box without breaking the bank, then this firearm is the one for you.
Bottom Line
A combination of performance and price, the Savage Axis II is an extremely affordable hunting rifle that ensures precise and accurate shots. The unit does not require any assembly and is very comfortable to use. However, the bolt removal and installation might prove to be difficult for some.
Best for the Money:
Savage® Arms 12 FV Bolt-Action Varmint Rifles
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Almost all hunters who invested in the Savage agree it’s an absolute hit! Users were particularly impressed by the accuracy it offered. Some even stated the firearm had almost no recoil. However, most customers did not like the stock and said it had to be replaced for better accuracy.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Savage primarily stands out to us because of its safety and ease of use. The AccuTrigger can be easily adjusted to obtain a crisp, light release, while a blind magazine stores ammunition securely. The three-position receiver tang safety can also be easily reached with the thumb, allowing the firearm to be unloaded and loaded in the safe position.
Who Will Use This Most
The Savage Arms rifle is specifically designed for precise shot placement at long-range and is the ideal firearm for hunting prairie dogs and coyotes. So, if you have a squirrel, chipmunk, or any other pest that’s bothering you, then this firearm is exactly what you’re looking for!
Bottom Line
Giving you perfect pest and varmint control, the Savage Arms Bolt-Action rifle allows you to make accurate and precise long-range shots. With an adjustable AccuTrigger and three-position tang safety, the model is extremely easy to use, as well. However, the stock might need to be replaced.
4. Remington Model 700 SPS Varmint Bolt-Action Rifle .223 Rem 26 Barrel Rifle
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Most people who purchased the Remington said it works as advertised and stated that it was well worth the money. Users reported that the model is extremely accurate and shoots very tight groups. However, some hunters found the absence of an adjustable trigger to be a bit troublesome.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Remington stands out to us because of its numerous features. Firstly, the vented fore-end allows better heat dissipation during long bursts of activity, while the two swivel studs can be used to mount a bi-pod in front of the sling. Secondly, the hinged floor plate and pressed-metal trigger ensure quicker and easier unloading. Lastly, the firearm allows easy customization as well.
Who Will Use This Most
While the Remington 700 is manufactured for law enforcement tactical applications, it can also be used for coyote hunting. Providing the accuracy and precision needed for long-range shots, the firearm can also be used with a suppressor, allowing you discreetly hunt coyotes.
Bottom Line
All in all, the Remington 700 is the perfect option for anyone looking for accuracy without busting their pocket. Ensuring better concealment and heat dissipation, it’s the ideal firearm for hunting coyotes. However, you might need to replace the stock with a better quality one.
Best Long-Range Coyote Rifle:
Winchester 70 Coyote Light
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Hunters that have set out into the wild with this rifle have never failed to have an outstanding experience, given its quality and performance. They have been greatly impressed by the good quality engineering of the product with the flawless long-range accuracy that they claim is not available with any other product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are a great number of features that users experience with this product, but the one that makes it the absolute best is the 3 position safety. This remarkable feature allows users to ensure maximum safety for themselves while shooting by viewing the safety status with nothing but a glance. After all, safety does come first.
Bottom Line
Coyote hunting is a great experience that no one wants to miss out on. And when you do get the experience, you want the best of it. To ensure that you get the best possible experience, you need to invest in the best rifle available for the job. And no other in the market serves better for coyote handing than this product.
Best 22-250 Coyote Rifle:
Remington 783 Varmint 22-250 REM
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
Users that have invested in this unit have not been disappointed at all. They have found themselves the ideal companion for all of their coyote hunting trips and are sure that they'd never need to go for another model. Given the great functionality and design, it comes with, users have found absolutely nothing to complain about.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Out of the great list of features that this rifle had for its users, the one that we believe makes it worthy of being on this list is its SuperCell recoil pad. Given this feature, recoil will no longer be an issue for shooters. This product efficiently eliminates the greatest issue that shooters often face.
Bottom Line
Finding a Coyote 22-250 rifle is not an easy job. Finding the best one of these is even harder. Making your job easier, we've mentioned here one of the best 22-250 rifles that you can use for coyote hunting. The features of this product are simply optimized to provide you the best Coyote hunting experience.
Best .223 Coyote Rifle:
Ruger - American Ranch AR-MAGS .223
PROS
CONS
What Recent Buyers Report
If you were to go by the words of other buyers, then you'd end up investing in this product too. Those who have tried it for themselves can't help but sing its praises. From its flawless design to its extremely easy handling, users have loved every feature and functionality of that the rifle has to offer.
Why it Stands Out to Us
We believe that this product is one of the best because of the flat earth stock. Shooting from tight spaces provides the perfect camouflage but can be very tricky. But with this design, shooting from tight spaces becomes considerably easy.
Bottom Line
In all, if you're looking for a .223 rifle to accompany you on your Coyote hunting trips, then this product is the one for you. It has highly impressed its users before and will do the same for you. Its design ensures that it is perfect for everyone, from professionals to beginners, so everyone can have a good coyote hunting trip.
Coyote Hunting Tip, Tricks and Hacks For Success
Coyote hunting can be a great experience regardless of your success at hunting these species. But if you are set on getting your shot right and hunting down your prey, then there are a few tips and tricks that you need to try. For all those beginners that are still learning to shoot, these tips may allow you to get the perfect shot at your prey.
Find the Right Site
A lot of hunters fail to find prey and return home without any kills. The most common reason for this happening is that they choose the wrong site. Before you mark a base to camp at, make sure that it is the right place.
You can easily determine if the site is right with a few simple methods like spotting tracks and kill sites and simply listen for them. Only once you're sure that there are coyotes in the vicinity, choose the area to hunt.
Get a Good Call
Coyotes have a great hearing sense. For this reason, it is very important to invest in a good call when you set out to hunt these animals.
If you invest in a cheap product that does not produce accurate sounds, you will simply be alerting your prey to run away from you. But if you get a good and accurate call, it will only be a matter of time till you easily lure in your prey for the perfect hunt.
Take Your Time
Those who have been hunting for a while or know anything about hunting know that it isn't a sport for the impatient. Finding the right spot, setting up your space, calling the prey, waiting for it, and finally getting a hit takes time. And in order to achieve the best hit, you need to be patient throughout the process.
Being impulsive, rash, and impatient will highly diminish your chances of getting the right hit on your prey.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Before making your purchase, there are some things you should take into consideration, so you can find the best rifle to fully satisfy your preferences and needs.
Trajectory and Speed
As mentioned above, vermin and coyotes are usually very quick. Thus, in order to be successful, hunters need to be alert and have the right rifle for the job. Make sure the coyote rifle you choose has a flat trajectory and shoots at a high velocity. This enables quicker reaction times and provides you with a better chance of success when hunting quick animals.
Weight
It’s essential that the coyote rifle you purchase has a comfortable weight you can easily handle without affecting your form. The ideal weight usually depends on what you find comfortable, but most hunters find seven to eight pounds to be a nice, manageable weight.
Scope
Some hunters prefer using the naked eye to target animals, but most consider a scope a must-have item. Usually, the coyote you’re hunting will be some distance away and a scope will allow you to make an accurate and precise shot.
It’s advisable to purchase a rifle that comes with a waterproof, fog-resistant, and durable scope, so you have a clear view of the target. It’s also better to purchase one with enough eye relief, so you won’t have to worry about getting an injury from recoil.
Conclusion
Coyote hunting is certainly a fun sport, but it’s important that you have a high-quality rifle, along with the proper ammunition. All the aforementioned rifles will surely get the job done, so make sure you go through them and find the firearm that best suits your needs!
People Also Ask
Hunting coyotes is not an easy task. For those who are new to it, there might be a lot of confusion. In order to ensure that you make the best of your hunting trips, it is important that all of this confusion is cleared. To help you out, here are some of the most frequently asked questions answered for you.
When is Coyote Hunting Season?
When it comes to hunting coyotes, one of the best parts is that they can be hunted all year long. Not only are these animals easily found throughout the year, but they're also legal to hunt, any time of the year, with no restrictions. In some areas, there may be restrictions during their mating period, but that is for a very short span of time.
When is the Best Time to Go Coyote Hunting?
If you want to make the best of your hunting trip and come back with a definite kill, it is wise to go at a time when they are the most active.
When it comes to coyotes, that time is around the early hours of the morning. The first three hours of the morning and the last two hours of the day are when you'll find the coyotes at their most active phase. Hence, this is the perfect time to go coyote hunting.
What Power Scope For Coyote Hunting?
When hunting coyotes, you cannot get too close to your prey. But an accurate shot, while hunting these animals, is very important. The best solution for that is using a scope, and the right scope at that. There are different scopes that different shooters prefer for the job, but in general, the 4-12 scope or others like it would serve to be perfect for the job.
What Size Mag For AR-15 For Coyote Hunting?
Again, the perfect mag size for an AR-15 while going coyote hunting would vary between different hunters. But there are a few sizes that simply perform the job better than any other size does.
And of these sizes, the .223 size is very commonly used by hunters, and they claim that it provides them with the best results.
