Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

[pyplynr]

Here's what I'm thinking guys. I'm building it cheap and light. Let me hear the good and the bad. Let's say max range 300 yards.

Stevens 200 action
.223 Rem <span style="text-decoration: line-through">Ackley Improved</span>
<span style="text-decoration: line-through">24</span> 20" fluted savage <span style="text-decoration: line-through">varmint contour</span> what contour would you recommend? bbl
Bell and Carlson A2
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40

 

[Force_Multiplier]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

won't be super light, but it should shoot...

I'd add a rifle basix trigger

 

[BBsteel]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

With max range at 300 and it being "light" a goal, I would build with a lighter contour barrel around 20" for a faster calling gun.

 

[jeepwilson]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

I wouldn`t do the Ackley improved.It is a pain blowing cases.Why not a 22-250 or 204 or 223.Or if you want the extra gas a 223 WSSM.The Ackley Improved seems like a lot of work when you can buy something that has the basically same balistics and be able to go to Walmart and get shells when you are in a bind.

 

[SScott]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

After reading your title, the first thing that comes to mind is a 22-250. As has already been mentioned, 223 AI is a lot of work.
SScott

 

[jbuck88]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

I just did it the not-quite-so-cheap and easy way and bought a kimber montana. With a 3.5-10 VX-3
It is a great shooting rifle and a dream to pack around at about 5lbs.

I am sorry but it is only 3rounds. The coyotes are usuely gone by the 4th and 5th shots. So I stopped at 3.

 

[HOGGHEAD]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

IMO it would depend on whether you do or do not sell the pelts. If 300 yards is your max range and you sell the pelts then I would probably go with a 17 caliber cartrdige. For instance the 17 FireBall. The 223 AI is a little heavier than you need. and the 22-250 is also pretty hard on pelts.

You can easily go to a 20", or even an 18" barrel in a standard 223 to lighten up the rifle. And to make the rifle shorter, and faster handling. The slight loss of velocity would mean nothing to the dead coyote laying on the ground.

Try the Calhoon 52 grain Double HP for a great pelt bullet. Tom.

 

[LHill22250]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

22-2250 with the right bullet type does next to no damage on coyotes. I call a lot of coyotes ever year & bring some of the no-damage reloads when the pelts are prime. They don't deliver very efficient knock out power on impact like others so I do my damn best on shot placement.

FMJ'S

When pelts don't matter I'm making softball size exit wounds with Bergers!!

 

[pyplynr]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

Thanks guys for the opinions. I already have a 22-250 Ackley improved, but it weights 14.5lbs. That's why I was thinking the .223 Ackley. I changed the original post to reflect some changes. What do you think now. What contour would you recommend? How much weight could I reasonably shave by having the bbl fluted? And the pelts don't matter to me. Just hunting them for fun and keeping them from killing my calves.

 

[Fisky]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

Have you considered a sporter style gun, possibly a SPS, 22-250? They are shooters with 50gr BT's pushed with H380. My brother and buddy have the same rifles, shoot the same loads, and 2 of the 3 were easily half MOA guns right out of the box with that load, with the exception of my buddies, who had to modify the toy stock that comes with them a little to achieve better accuracy.

Or course it isn't a pretty, tacticool gun, but it performs, price is right, and is light. Many stocks to put on it if you choose to do so, as well as other mods.

I don't know how light you're looking for, or what your winters are like. But for me, I'd never own anything but a sporter weight for a dedicated coyote gun.

 

[CrazyDonkey]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

You can go shorter than that. I just got a 16.25 .223 built, 1:8 twist and goes to 500M easy with 77gr.

 

[Alderleet]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

The 3 good lightweight coyote guns in 223 that come to mind for me;

Cz 527 M1 Americam
Interarms Mini-mauser / Rem 799
Savage Model 25

 

[blackblue]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

jeepwilson, Sunnyside Scott how is the Ackley alot of work?

 

[CrazyDonkey]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: blackblue</div><div class="ubbcode-body">jeepwilson, Sunnyside Scott how is the Ackley alot of work? </div></div> for one you have to fire form cases, so if you want to load 100rds of an AI round you will first need to fire form 100rnds in your AI chambered rifle.

 

[GUNNER75]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

Remington 700 SPS in .243 or 22-250
B&C #2267 (Ti lug block and pillar stock)
Std Leupold Rings and bases
Bushnell Elite 4200 2.5-10x40

or

http://www.eurooptic.com/sako-a7-rifles.asp in 22-250.

my .02

 

[WDL]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

Or you could go with something like this. This one happens to be a 22-250, but there are five pages of calibers available. http://competitor-pistol.com/
Only downfall - its a single shot. But it is lightweight and can be carried in a bandolier holster.

 

[BOLTRIPPER]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

i wouldn't go for anything that floats.....so just buck up ....suppress a decent ar-15 and go clean clock

 

[2guard]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

I'd go with an 18" barrel, savage varmint contour or lighter. Check out Stockade's woodchuck or mule deer stock, a little lighter than the B&C.
The 4200 sounds good in that magnification. Go with aluminum base(s) and rings to keep weight down also.

depending on your range, may even go with a 16.5" barrel.

204 would be another excellent choice.

 

[blackblue]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

Just hunt/shoot with the standard loads and work up a load for the AI later.

 

[marku]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

Easiest way of a cheap rig. Get a Tikka sporter rifle in stainless chambered in .243 winchester. With a 1-10 twist shoot the 87gr V max bullets. Tune the factory trigger to 2.75-3.0 lbs and put a 3-12 scope on it and sight it in dead on a 200 yards.

 

[marku]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

http://www.tikka.fi/t3models.php?litess

 

[knockemdown]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

Remmy Model Seven Predator in .204. It's a 1:12 tube, so load some 35 Bergers for it & rock on.
You should get 4K+ easily and they'll do ya right on most coyotes. Hold on fur to your 300yd limit with no worries...
Bed the stock yourself & lighten up the X Mark trigger (one screw adjustment).
If ya can't like the X Mark, drop some coin on a Rifle Basix (about $100) for a nice upgrade that won't break the bank.
If you're very budget minded, stick with a 'boring' 3-9x40 scope. That model is always the cheapest & you'll hardly notice much difference between it, and a 2.5-10x40, 'cept for the money ya saved. The Elite 4200 would be my pick, too. Hold it with Talley one pc. ring/bases...

Good luck!

Oh yeah, I'll throw the Oly K16 in the mix, if you'd be considering a low priced AR-15..

 

[bama110]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

i would go 243 or 22-250

 

[Dantrom]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

I just got a gander mountain flyer.
Remington sps 223, r3 recoil pad, 4-12x40 scope, hard case, and sling on sale for 550.00 after 75.00 mail in rebate.

Sounds like a good deal for a starter or just cheap way to get one in hand!

 

[Mackay Sagebrush]

Re: Critique my idea for a lightweight coyote rifle

Pretty much any standard sporter weight barrel in an appropraite caliber will suffice, with an appropriate projectile.

The Tikka T3 lite synthetics are outstanding rifles. A 22-250,.243,.223, etc whatever...and a quality optic in quality mounts (I like Talley lightweights) and you are Golden.