.223 Rifle Scope Suggestions? - Coyote Hunting
 

Looking to get a Steven's Model 200 in .223 and was wondering what would be a good scope to top this gun off with. While I may take it to the range occasionally it's main job will be to take out some coyotes. What size scope would be ideal for hunting coyotes? Also any brand/manufacturer suggestions would be helpful as well. I wouldn't mind staying under $200 for a good scope. If I had to spend a little more to get a much better one I could.

Thanks

That could depend somewhat upon the kind of coyote hunting you do.

If you call them in, chances are that you'll eventually have one that you didn't see come in closer than you're comfortable with. In those cases, a lower power is a boon to finding them in the reticle quickly. Better yet, carry a shotgun too.

If you spot coyotes, or stumble on them while driving, you're probably going to want more glass.

Then, the matter of weight. I know lots of guys who buy a HB Varmint rifle with big glass and then slog along behind when we're covering ground on foot. For a truck gun? Maybe not such a bad deal.

My "position" prairie dog gun is a .22-250 topped by a 6.5-24x. No good for coyotes, unless they happen to be visiting the same prairie dog town that I'm sitting over. My coyote guns are a CZ527 varmint (with the micro-mauser action it feels about as heavy as my M700 BDL .30-06) with a 4.5-14x on top and a Ruger No 1-B in .243 with a 3-9x VX-II on it. Of the two, the Ruger's probably the most versatile, glass-wise. I don't know that I'd want much more more than the 4.5x on the bottom end for a coyote rifle if I'm calling them.

My recommendation? Go with a 3-9x if you intend to call or walk for coyotes. If your rifle stays in the truck and you're tending toward longer shots, consider 4-12x or something in the 4.5-14x or 6-18x range.

edit: Forgot to add, what kind of country do you hunt? Where I am out west, I can see coyotes about as far as my 60x spotting scope will let me. If you hunt back east, you're potentially going to need much lower powered glass than what I use or you'll find yourself looking at the veins in the leaves more than you will be the coyotes. Thicker the cover, the lower power the glass needs to be.

Something about 4-12x would be ideal IMO. I have a friend with the same rifle--has a sightron 3-9x, does the trick but I would opt for more magnification.

I use a Nikon Buckmaster 3-9x40. For night hunting, I prefer a 3x or less. During the day, I've not faced a situation where a 9x on the high end would not get the job done.

Homers Brother, Sorry didn't mention that I will be hunting in Illinois. Mixture of open crop fields and woods. My style of hunting will probably consist of setting up along wood lines or fence rows and hopefully calling coyotes into an open field. Along with a couple distress calls I did buy one of those quiver critters to get thier attention. I have been looking at Nikon's Prostaff Scope in 3-9x40. From what I have seen and read it has got good reviews. Is Nikon's BDC reticle that good to get, or would you recomend it for a coyote gun? For deer hunting I topped my muzzleloader with a Nikon Omega Scope. I ended up getting the regular Nikoplex reticle (standard crosshair) for it as I thought the BDC reticle looked to busy and for the fact that most of my "deer shots" fall under 100 yards.

Just curious guys, when you are still hunting (calling) how far are most of your shots when you pull the trigger on a coyote?

Thanks.

Most of my shots when I am still hunting, even in open country, are less than 100 yards. Probably more shots less than 50 yards than over 50.

Most of the longer shots I've taken have been when I've been checking cattle and found coyotes checking them also. They take off running away when they hear the vehicle. Some of them are just in spots where they can't run far enough fast enough.

Based on that, I'd think you'll be fine with a 3-9x.

Most of my shots when calling have been as NT has already suggested - less than 100 yards. I had one come within about 25 feet while I watched another come in from a different direction. Had the scoped dialed up high from watching the distant dog, couldn't find the close dog fast enough, so he got away. Generally, I start a set with the scope at the lowest power, dialing it up once I spot a coyote.

Burris Fullfield with your budget.



http://www.burrisoptics.com/fullfield.html