Buy the Best Gun for Coyote Hunting

At the end of a long day of tracking, with the sun setting over the plains, you might be fortunate enough to hear the yipping of that pack of coyotes you’ve been trailing as they take down a rabbit for their evening meal. Perhaps you’ll even get that perfect shot, the one you’ve been waiting for all day, to take down a coyote. You’ll only get one shot, two if you’re lucky; making sure you have the best coyote hunting gear is absolutely crucial. Gun, bullets, scope, choke tube, and bipod: each component comes in thousands of flavors, some cheap and some more expensive, some much better than others. Choosing the right gear can make the difference between a successful, enjoyable hunt and a long, unproductive night in the rain. So what should you be looking for?

The Gun

First, let’s talk guns. There are a number of varmint guns that can be used to successfully hunt coyotes, but a few tend to surface again and again as hunter favorites. The Savage Axis and Ruger American series are both excellent lightweight bolt-action rifles that do the trick, while a larger gun like the Mossberg MVP Series Varmint provides more heavy-duty stability but sacrifices some other features, such as small caliber chambering. Even a good large game rifle with a high-quality choke tube can get the job done in a pinch, though varmint rifles are usually the better choice for coyote hunting.

Savage Axis

However, in many coyote hunting guide and personal hunter anecdotes, the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical surfaces again and again as the most well-rounded, high performance coyote hunting gun on the market. This gun is frequently heralded by hunters and hunting authorities alike as the ideal coyote hunting weapon. Light and easy to carry, yet powerful and specifically designed for coyote hunting range, this gun is considered top-of-the-line for hunting coyotes. The smaller caliber of this bolt-action centerfire rifle minimizes damage to coyote pelts while ensuring tack-driving accuracy and durability. Smooth and simple, the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical comes highly recommended by large hunting magazines like Outdoor Life and Wilderness Mastery, and has been reviewed positively by hundreds of happy coyote hunters. This high-quality gun is nearly universally hailed as one of the most reliable coyote-hunting firearms built, and is sure to get the job done accurately and well.

The Model 700 SPS Tactical is designed with performance and safety in mind. With a simple, powerful structure, the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical provides a nice, clean shot without complex add-ons and modifications that can easily break or malfunction. The 20 inch barrel is made of carbon steel and comes pre-drilled for the installation of scope mounts. The stock features all-weather Hogue overmoldings, providing stability regardless of rain or cold, and the entire gun weighs only 7.5 pounds, allowing it to be carried great distances without fatigue or discomfort. The Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical can come in one of two chamberings, either for .223 Remington or .308 Winchester ammo, both easily obtainable small calibers providing minimal pelt damage. Overall, the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical is simply the best, most well-rounded coyote hunting gun on the market, with consistent quality and a high level of hunter satisfaction across the board. Check it out at https://www.remington.com/rifles/bolt-action/model-700/model-700-sps-tactical.

Other Gear

In addition to the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical, there are a number of other pieces of gear that can make your hunt much more enjoyable and fruitful. The gun is only the first step; choke tubes, scopes, bullets, and rifle rests all contribute to the hunt’s success. When hunting coyotes, your prey is fast-moving, easily startled, and not very large, so accuracy, recoil, and impact all make a large difference in the outcome of your hunt. Coyote hunting also usually attempts to preserve pelts, which emphasizes a need for accuracy and swift, humane killing to ensure maximum preservation of the intact pelt.

Choke Tube

To accomplish this, a choke tube may increase your accuracy for coyote hunting. Remington sells several choke tubes for the Model 700 SPS Tactical, which will depend on the bullets you’re using and your budget. Some are designed specifically for coyote hunting, while others are more general varmint choke tubes. While none of these are necessary for your Model 700 SPS Tactical and are mostly designed for use on larger caliber weaponry, they can improve your accuracy, particularly if you enjoy hunting coyotes from longer distances. For some Remington choke tube options, take a look at https://www.midwayusa.com, particularly the Hevi-Shot Dead Coyote Choke Tube. While not specifically for the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical, the Hevi-Shote Dead Coyote Choke Tube can drastically improve the accuracy of larger predator hunting guns without sacrificing recoil time.

Bullets

Bullets can also make a significant difference in your hunt. There are a number of ammunition types that will work with the Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical. For coyote hunting, small-caliber hollow-point bullets work best, providing low impact on the quality of pelts while providing a clean, humane kill and improved kill probability even under less-than-ideal circumstances. The Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical takes .223 Remington or .308 Winchester cartridges, both quite common, but a bullet that explodes on impact will make your hunt easier and more humane. Also, look for bullets that emphasize a flat trajectory, often with grooves in the bullet itself to minimize wind impact on your accuracy. Sierra MatchKing and Hornady make some of the best small-caliber bullets for the coyote hunting on the market with good value and high precision. Your individual preferences and local availability may vary, so get a few different types and try them, to see what works best for you.

Scope

For a precise scope to help those bullets make their mark, you’ll need a good scopes. Scopes can sometimes be more important than the guns the screw into, and their price tags can reflect this importance. For coyote hunting, it’s important to have at least 400 meters of good visual ranges and simple, accurate cross hairs. Lighted reticles can be helpful, since coyotes are usually most active around dusk and dawn when the light is poor, but they are not required. Look for good magnification and an objective lens.

When considering which scope to use for your hunt, check out the Nikon Monarch 5 6-30x50ED SF Fine Cross Hair with Dot. While somewhat more expensive, this scope is durable and easy to use, with beautifully clear five times magnification and minimal parallax. Excellent relief up to 600 meters provides clear visibility perfectly within typical coyote hunting ranges, while simple crosshairs make this scope clean and easy to use, without distractions or additional trappings. The quality and performance of this scope are rated well above more expensive makes and models, providing excellent value for the cost even if that cost is a bit high. Take a look at www.nikonsportoptics.com for more detailed specifications.

Bipod

Lastly, depending on the nature of your hunt, you may want to invest in a bipod or other rifle rest since waiting for the right shot with a pack of coyotes can be a long process and even the 7.5 pound Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical can get heavy over time. The Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical is shaped well for use on a bipod or other gun rest, with a semi-beavertail forend. While many bipods would work for this gun, look for a bipod that is light and easy to carry with you, but isn’t so cheap and poorly-made that it breaks on the first hunt.

For an excellent bipod option at minimal cost, try the UTG Tactical OP Bipod with QD Lever Lock. This easily-adjustable bipod provides a simple, lightweight gun rest with significant versatility. Despite the inexpensive price tag, this bipod is built from aluminum, steel, and rubber to create a durable, well-made structure that holds up both over time and in bad weather. At less than half the cost of many bipods, the UTG Tactical OP Bipod is another essential part of your coyote hunting gear. Rain or shine, long or short, the UTG Tactical OP Bipod can save your arms and help make your coyote hunting adventure more enjoyable and less fatiguing.

Safety

As with any gun, always be careful not to load the gun unless you are preparing to shoot and always point the gun only at things you want to shoot. Safety should always come first. With the Remington 700 SPS Tactical, beware of the X-Mark Pro triggers that were installed on the guns in recent years; this specific trigger model has been recalled following some unusual reports of the gun going off without the trigger being pulled. Remington has tested and replaced the faulty trigger on its newer models, but there are still many used guns on the market that utilize the faulty trigger. The triggers seem to be exceptionally sensitive to cold, with as many as 40% of the guns tested at cold temperatures firing without the trigger being pulled during testing. Over 200 field reports of this happening to hunters were filed. When in doubt, be safe; remove cartridges from guns when not directly using them. Always treat a loaded gun as though it is about to go off and never point a loaded gun at an unintentional target.

Go forth and hunt

The Remington Model 700 SPS Tactical, the Nikon Monarch 5 6-30x50ED SF Fine Cross Hair with Dot scope, Hornady .308 Win bullets, and a UTG Tactical OP Bipod with QD Lever Lock make up the dream team of coyote hunting gear. However, these are only a narrow band of options in a sea of choices for hunting coyotes. Whatever you choose, make sure you’re doing your research and getting the best deal on good equipment that you really want and will be able to use for years to come.

Now that you have your gear, it’s time to head for the hills! Coyotes are tricky, easily spooked animals so make sure you have all of your gear organized and ready to go before you embark on your journey, so you don’t have to make so much noise while you’re on the hunt. Research your hunting area and make sure you have correct permits to hunt coyotes in that area, if such a permit is required. Coyotes are in season beginning in early October, and it pays to go early before the coyote pack has had a chance to adapt to being hunted constantly. Remember that weather and wind will have an effect on your accuracy and aim, particularly with the smaller caliber of the Remington 700 SPS Tactical.

Warm coats, recorded coyote calls, camouflage, and sent masking can also help when hunting coyotes. Do a bit of research and look into which options are recommended for your area, and be aware of local weather patterns so you don’t get caught in a thunderstorm. For additional reading material on how to hunt coyotes, take a look at Grand View Outdoors or Outdoor Life. Make sure you thoroughly read up on and understand where to look for coyotes and how to attract them near enough to your stake out for you to get a clean shot. Always travel prepared; bring extra water, food, ammunition, etc., and have good maps of your hunting area. Getting home safely is always more important that getting that perfect pelt.

When you have all of your gear and are fully prepared, get out there! The best place to test your hunting gear is in the field, so head out and give it a try. You can always adjust later, or explore new hunting gear options.

Best of luck with your coyote hunting endeavors!