AK's for Coyote hunting

[magnanimous_j]

My cousin, the family mega hunter, invited me to go coyote hunting with him. I've got an AK-47. Should I bring this along? I've never been dog shooting before.

He's got rifles for everything so I know he'll have something I can use, but I'd really like an excuse to bring out "big mama Natalia."

Do you really need super dialed in rigs like you guys all seem to have?

ps. if this post isn't up to my usual eloquent standards, I just got back from the bar 

[Gearhead1940]

I would have to think the cartridge would have more than enough power to make a mess of a coyote, especially the hollow point surplus ammo that's out there.  Out to 100 yards my AK is fairly accurate, but the iron sights aren't the best.  If you had a scope or red dot on it and waited to have them come in close I couldn't see why it wouldn't work...

[tlbradford]

Go for it.  My inlaws take out the mini 14 all the time.  It is all for fun, so hunt with something you enjoy.

[Big10gauge]

I know everyone will or have made a bad hit or two, but a coyote deserves the same quick humane death as possible as any other hunted animal. Taking a poorly sighted gun out or a gun that can't hit the broad side of a barn shows a complete lack of hunting ethics.  So flame on if you think differently.  Just my 

[shoot-em-dead]

I'd have to agree with big 10, I have a 22-250 with and 18 power scope that I have dialed in for 200yds and I still have trouble killing the coyotes quickly. Unless your hunting in an area that doesn't present a shot over 100 yds you should take something better.

[Little John]

I agree with BIG 10, If you are going to take a yote, you need to be sure to harvest it without it suffering. 

[jdb]

we're on the same page here, I was tought not to sling lead at coyotes because if you call them in and miss you'll never call that coyote in again. Now I am not saying I never miss, far from it but I dont balze away at hundreds of yards. feel free to flame me. 

[Fishhunt223]

7.62x39 is legal for deer.  I say go for it.  If you miss, you miss.  I good shot with an ak is better than a bad shot with a target rifle.  Dont plan on making any really long shots but use your head any it will be fine.
Travis

[Pathfinder101]

I would say go with whatever rig your cousin can provide for you.  AK's aren't that accurate past 100yds.  If you do bring the AK "don't fire until you see the whites of their eyes"...   Have fun.

[magnanimous_j]

To the guys who think its unethical: I understand the AK isn't as accurate as the AR's with optics and all that, but 7.62X39 has a big bullet. If I miss, I miss. But most any hit would kill quickly because of the power. Am I wrong?

[jdb]

for the record I'm not all that crazy about ar's either

[Machias]

To the guys who think its unethical: I understand the AK isn't as accurate as the AR's with optics and all that, but 7.62X39 has a big bullet. If I miss, I miss. But most any hit would kill quickly because of the power. Am I wrong?

I have seen dogs with their legs blown off by a bad shot run off.  I seen a coyote shot in the guts once that left a 1 mile blood trail, never to be found.  Any animal that you decide to pull the trigger on deserves a quick and humane end.   

[rasbo]

we owe it to anything we shoot to put it down quick 

[Big10gauge]

for the record I'm not all that crazy about ar's either

Oh you're killing me here with that remark jdb,   I felt the same way until I told myself I was going to use one as much as possible several years ago. Now all my bolt guns are collecting dust.

[tlbradford]

I guess I should have said, as long as you can shoot it accurately, and know your range.  Like Machias said, you will still need to but it in the vitals.  More so with the heavier rounds and bullet construction, than if you were shooting something that expanded violently.