Im looking for a high-power rifle for deer and coyotes Any ideas???

Question

Im looking for a high-power rifle for deer and coyotes Any ideas???

Answer 1

.223 at minimum.....

Answer 2

A .243 in bolt action with a good scope is a great gun for a beginner.

Answer 3

243 is just the ticket.

I load 58 grain Hornady Vmax for Coyote and can load up and re-zero with 95 Hornady SST for Deer.

Answer 4

I have to agree with Kevin on most points.

I too worked in a gun/bow shop for years, and also have extensive training in long range precision shooting.

The only thing that I may say to make the choice simple, is to get one gun that will serve the purpose at hand.

I own many different guns I use for everything from police work to clay bustin sports, to jusgt shootin cans. I aquired these guns over 25 plus years, and I was fortunate to have inherited some from my father.

With all that said, If I were to just get one gun, I would have to say get a Handi Rifle from H&R 1871. I own one in 45-70, and run hot loads all the time. The gun takes it with no problem. I think the 45-70 may be a bit out of what you need, but my point is that the guns are very sturdy, and won't break the bank.

If you get an H&R, get one with a good thumbhole stock and heavy barrel in .223. This will serve you well for coy dogs and such. Then for about 100 dollars more, you can get another barrel fitted for an array of deer calibers. My first chioce is the 30-06 for an all around killer of any game. It is so very versitile, and is easily found in most stores. The .308 is also another great choice, and like the .223, can be found in bulk, and cost less than the 30-06 and most other large game calibers. The 30-06 is often found at a great price in bulk due to CMP shooters. The lower cost in ammo will help with range time, and promote good markmanship/shot placement.

All the other calibers such as the .270 have a nitch that does not always serve the average hunter all that well. A 30-06 will drop 1.5 inchs more than a .270 at 300 yards with a 200 yard zero. This comparison is a 150 grain ought 6 verses a 130 grain .270 amax from hornady. I don't know any hunters that regularly shoot deer beyond 100 yards, so the flat shooting .270 will not be worth the extra cost of ammo.

Ok here is the bottom line. For about $450 , you can get one gun in 2 calibers. A model 700 in one caliber, about $600 in normal trim. When you add scopes, you will still see that The H&R will be about the same, but will give you 2 guns for 1. In the future if you wish other calibers, you can get one for about 100 dollars, and they are as accurate as you will need.

Answer 5

Depending at what ranges you will be hunting.  A .243 winchester would be great.  You can purchase cartridges with 80grain bullets for coyote that travel at 3550 feet per second up to 105 grain for deer traveling at 3100 feet per second.  That is about the smallest I would go if you want to stay adequate for deer hunting.  .308 winchester would also be a fine choice a little heavy for coyote  but good for deer and is a very accurate cartridge

Answer 6

High-power? --- For deer and coyote the cartridge that would suit you best is a .270.....

Consider the Remington 700 SPS chambered in 270 Winchester... About $599

http://www.remington.com/products/firear...

If your on a tight budget then consider the Mossberg 100-ATR in .270. The below model has a scope included.... These can be had at WalMart for under $399

http://www.mossberg.com/images/Mossberg_...

http://www.mossberg.com/products/default...

Answer 7

Pick your cartridge first, then the rifle. For a dual use cartridge (deer and coyote) you'll want something flat shooting and accurate. Examples of this include the .243 Winchester, .25-06, .257 Roberts, or.270 Winchester.

Personally I'd recommend the .243 Winchester. With the light 50-80 grain bullets its more than adequate for coyotes at any distance you can hit them at. With 100-110 grain bullets it will do the job for deer nicely out to 200-300 yards. Add in the light recoil and commonly available ammunition and its a good choice for a dual use rifle.

As far as the rifle, there are a large number of options available. However you're mainly going to be looking at a bolt action. Browning still makes the BLR, but its one of the few lever guns to chamber this kind of cartridge. Remington makes the 7600 pump rifle, but again that's pretty much the only pump chambered in these kinds of rounds. You're best bet to get a good quality, inexpensive bolt gun is probably the Savage 110, though the Remington model 700, Ruger model 77, and the Winchester model 70 are also good options.

Answer 8

A .223 is perfect for coyotes since the ammunition is so much cheaper then the 22-25 or .243

make sure you have a quality scope however.  

Answer 9

.243 100 gr. for deer, 80 gr. for coyotes.  

Answer 10

i would prefer the 270 because it has plenty of power for big deer and federal also sells bullets for the 270 that are designed just for coyotes

Answer 11

Remington Model 700

Answer 12

.300 Weatherby Mag or maybe .30-06

Answer 13

25-06 using hornady custom 117 grain ballistic tips. I've shot every thing from bunnys to red stags using this combo you cant go wrong.

Answer 14

Your best choices are the 243, 6mm, 243 WSSM, 25-06, 250 Savage, 257 Roberts, and 270, or 308...*  Pick one.*

Answer 15

I wouldn't lean towards a .223 as a deer gun, although in a lot of states the .22 caliber (.224) is legal.  You'd have to do a head shot on deer, or neck to get a deer down right away.  I know people that hunt with a .223 and they all say the same thing, head shot or don't shoot, because the deer is going to run a long ways after being shot in the body ( a lung shot for instance).  The .243 is a lot better bullet for deer, has ammo available from a 55 grain to 100 gr bullets loaded by Winchester, Federal and Hornady (58 gr in Hornady).  But since there are other calibers out there, will give you that info.

The 30-30 and 30-06 are great deer calibers, and both have a bullet loaded at 55 grains, the accelerator made by Remington.  That lighter bullet will give you something for the coyote.  Then, from 125 grain to 220 grain (Remington) and many offerings by Hornady, Winchester, Federal, and Federal Fusion for the 30-06, but not such a wide varience for the 30-30 Win.

If you want a gun that won't blow through a coyote, the above mentioned won't work very well for you.  The accelerator has a lot of energy and damages the pelts.  Buying a .223, .204 or a 22-250 (the three most popular varmint rounds) would work for varmints.  

Then, a .270, .308, 30-30, 30-06, 7mm-08 or 300 Win Mag all work well for deer, the latter being a little heavy, but with that also getting a gun that you could use on most of the rest of the North American wildlife you may want to someday pursue.

The .270 has a bullet loaded in a 115 grain up to 150 grains, but there is a lot of energy in the bullet and really hurts the coyote pelt.

I work a large sporting goods store in Mich., at the ammo counter, and deal with your question weekly.

Most people will buy a deer gun, and then buy a varmint gun later when the financial resources work out.

Good luck