Cheap coyote gun help

[Kayakfish1]

Good evening everyone!

I’m looking to pick up a cheap (relatively) coyote rifle.

Want a bolt action, threaded, reasonably lightweight, I’m leaning towards 22 arc but I’m open to other options (22-250, 6 arc, or 243) this will be a daytime hunting rifle since I’m happy with how my thermal gun is for night shooting.

It will ride in my truck 99% of the time for the occasional coyote, groundhog, skunk, or any other varmint I might encounter while out checking my hunting properties during the day.

I have been leaning towards a gen 2 Ruger American, but I have also been eyeing the 110 predator gun from savage.

I’d love to piece together a custom rifle but that doesn’t fall in to my budget at this time…..getting married, starting a new job, moving, and paying for a honeymoon has really cut in to my play around money hahaha

Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[Elk_Guapo]

I assume you'd prefer a brand new rifle, but I've had plenty of success on coyotes and deer with the used Remington 700 ADL in .243 Win that I bought when I was a broke college student. I've had it for 25 of the 54 years since it left the factory, and it still shoots sub-MOA. Mine doesn't have a threaded barrel, but from what I've read, sporter contours can be threaded.

Another good used option would be a Remington 788.

 

[diggler1833]

I think the Ruger or Salvage should generally work, especially if "cheap" is one of the main concerns.

You can alo find the less expensive Tikka models in .22-250 and .243 as well... although you may have to step up to a CTR to get it threaded from the factory.

 

[ironpony52]

Look into the SIG Cross it has some very good hunting reviews. Might not be your definition of cheap but bang for the buck might put you where you want to be.

 

[Hecouldgoalltheway]

So many options. The ruger Americans are better than they should be. Savages shoot, we all agree that it is so. As mentioned above, the Tikka is good out of the box. Also, don't overlook a weatherby vanguard/ howa, they can often be picked up used on gunbroker chambered in varmint cartridges for a few hundred $$, and they are usually excellent shooters. What's your budget for this rig, and are you sure it's a bolt gun you want? You could barrel swap an existing .223 ar to 22 nosler, and all you need is a barrel and some spc mags. The 22 nosler gives you not quite 22-250 performance in that platform, but close. I've been shooting one this year for coyotes and I love it. If you hit ammoseek, or sign up for Nosler emails, the ammo is cheap. I've bought maybe a thousand rounds total of factory Nosler loaded ammo (55gr and 62gr varmegeddon) and never paid more than $.81/ round.

 

[Kayakfish1]

Thanks for all the help!

I’m kinda dead set on a bolt action, I honestly don’t know why but oh well haha

My idea of “cheap” would be around 1k after any necessary upgrades before glass.

I will probably go with some me flavor of Sfp 4-12ish hunting oriented optic, unless I throw the arken 5-25 I have laying around on it.

 

[LeadBreakfast]

New Ruger American or Savage as mentioned, or pick up something nice but used from the fun shop.

 

[Basic user]

I think the Ruger or Salvage should generally work, especially if "cheap" is one of the main concerns.

You can alo find the less expensive Tikka models in .22-250 and .243 as well... although you may have to step up to a CTR to get it threaded from the factory.

I hear they're going to start threading them all now.

 

[diggler1833]

I hear they're going to start threading them all now.

If they do, it would only help sales.

 

[Basic user]

Thanks for all the help!

I’m kinda dead set on a bolt action, I honestly don’t know why but oh well haha

My idea of “cheap” would be around 1k after any necessary upgrades before glass.

I will probably go with some me flavor of Sfp 4-12ish hunting oriented optic, unless I throw the arken 5-25 I have laying around on it.

Oh shit; a GRANDS cheap? I was thinking like my nephew; cheaps 400 bucks. I was going to say my favorite company Howa, but if you have a grand, I'd get a .223 Tikka. You can load the berger 90 grainers and have some decent power for a small cartridge. The tikkas rarely need any upgrades out of the box. I bought one and it was actually pretty nice. Shot very well and had zero complaints.

For coyotes I'm assuming you want something magazine fed w/ low recoil for fast follow up shots and quick reloading. The tikka does that, as does the howa in 6arc on brownells, part number 430102217. 493 dollars w/ magazine and threaded barrel. Throw it in a stock and it'll shoot. In that caliber if you ever decide to do an AR for coyotes you'll already have ammo or components for it.
For longer strings of fire, on non straight pipe barrels, I've had the best luck with CHF chromoly barrels. I know everyone says stainless is better but it has not been my experience. The chf cro-mo barrels walked less when heated up.