My uncle has invited me to do some coyote hunting in the near future, and I need to get one of my rifles tuned up for it, but I'm not sure which one.

I've got an AR-15 with a holographic sight, and a Ruger Mini-14 with a cheap red dot in a scout mount. The Mini's red dot does not have any magnification, nor does the AR's holographic sight. My inclination is to use the Mini-14, but I'm concerned about using a non-magnified optic. It would essentially be the same as hunting them with irons. Is this advisable? If not, I'm considering retiring the Mini's red dot in favor of a Simmons 2x-7x handgun scope.

Does anyone here regularly coyote hunt with red dots or irons?

Of course, if I can't make up my mind, I could always zap them with my 7mm Rem Magnum bolt gun

Nope always use a scope,never know where they are going to show up and how far!Good luck!!

Get rid of the non-maginfied scope on either rifle that you use for them. Shots can be 100yd and further at times. I personally would use the mini 14 with good matched ammo.