Should I mount a scope on my AR or buy a new rifle for yotes?

[jaredpost]

I am wanting to get into coyote hunting and I don't really have a gun setup for it. My regular hunting rifle is a 30-06 sited in using 180 grain bullets that wouldn't very friendly for shooting coyotes if I wanted to save the pelts. I have an AR-15 that I have been considering putting a scope on and using it. The AR has a 16 inch barrel and a 1 in 9 twist rate. Would it be worth putting a scope on it to get my feet wet in yote hunting or should I just wait until I can buy a new rifle?

Also I have been starting to reload for the last year and was wondering what bullets are recommended in a .223?

Thanks,
Jared

[littlebuf]

i love my AR for yotes. mine has a 1 in 9 twist and i reload 55 gr v max ( i should go look at the box to be sure) and its wicked accurate. the only trouble you may run into is i am assuming you have a carry handle AR if it doesn't already have a scope. it can be a real pain trying to get lined up with a scope so high above the rifle not to mention with the barrel so much lower than the scope complications in the field can accrue. what you want is a flat top

[huntnphool]

Scope for the AR

[jaredpost]

My AR is a flat top. I've been looking at the Nikon coyote scopes in 3 X 9 40mm. Is there a specific zoom range I should look for? I've also seen the 6 X 18 as well. Is the 40mm enough or should I go with a 50mm? Any other brand recommendations?

[littlebuf]

scope brands are like truck brands. i myself have a Nikon on my AR and its great. it is a 3x9 but i am looking to get the new coyote special in 4.5x14. again personal preference but Nikon is good glass especially for the money. now i also own a 900$ Burris and others in between so really it all comes down to what ya want and what ya got to work with

[coop2424]

I would for sure put the scope on the AR.  Very nice gun to have to hunt coyotes.  I am looking to put a 4x14 on my varmint AR and my m4 other has a 3x9 and plan on using them both for coyotes.  That will be a real good setup for you and if you want something else in the future then you could get it.   

[littlebuf]

but lets also not forget, theres nothing wrong with buying a new gun 

[jaredpost]

I would love a new gun but that would put my coyote hunting on hold for a good 6 months where buying a scope for the AR could get me ready in a few weeks. My goal is to be able to try some hunting in January if someone could point me towards someplace to hunt or possibly let me tag along on a hunt.

[Straight Shooter]

As an experiment, I put a 4.5-14 mil dot on my DPMS AP4 just to see what kind of accuracy I could get with it at 100 yards.  Surprise, surprise... with 40 gr Fiocchi V-Max loads, I was able get it to group at 1/2"... with the 8+ lb, crappy trigger!!  My bull barrelled 16" AR (w/3 lb Timney trigger) will shoot 1/4" with the same ammo.

Heck yeah... get some good glass, good rings and see what it can do.

If you decide to get a bolt gun, take a look at the "budget" class Stevens 200 in .223.  I have a Redfield 3-12 on it and it will also group 1/2" with that 40 gr load.

[shoot-em-dead]

As an experiment, I put a 4.5-14 mil dot on my DPMS AP4 just to see what kind of accuracy I could get with it at 100 yards.  Surprise, surprise... with 40 gr Fiocchi V-Max loads, I was able get it to group at 1/2"... with the 8+ lb, crappy trigger!!  My bull barrelled 16" AR (w/3 lb Timney trigger) will shoot 1/4" with the same ammo.

Heck yeah... get some good glass, good rings and see what it can do.

If you decide to get a bolt gun, take a look at the "budget" class Stevens 200 in .223.  I have a Redfield 3-12 on it and it will also group 1/2" with that 40 gr load.

I have a Stevens in 22-250 and love it. Bought it for 269 at Sportsmans in 06. Had the trigger lightend up last year and that was my only complaint.

[Straight Shooter]

As an experiment, I put a 4.5-14 mil dot on my DPMS AP4 just to see what kind of accuracy I could get with it at 100 yards.  Surprise, surprise... with 40 gr Fiocchi V-Max loads, I was able get it to group at 1/2"... with the 8+ lb, crappy trigger!!  My bull barrelled 16" AR (w/3 lb Timney trigger) will shoot 1/4" with the same ammo.

Heck yeah... get some good glass, good rings and see what it can do.

If you decide to get a bolt gun, take a look at the "budget" class Stevens 200 in .223.  I have a Redfield 3-12 on it and it will also group 1/2" with that 40 gr load.

I have a Stevens in 22-250 and love it. Bought it for 269 at Sportsmans in 06. Had the trigger lightend up last year and that was my only complaint.

I did the same trigger job (took about 2 minutes) on the my .223... it breaks right at 3 lbs w/no creep.  Picking up two more Stevens in .22-250 and .243 in the very near future... can never have too many critter gitters! 

Taking the .308 version, having the barrel re-crowned to 18", and topping it off with Dead Nutz rings/Mueller APV would make one handy, lightweight (right at 7 lbs), mountain rifle... damn, I might have to do that!!

[jaredpost]

Is there a certain type of rings I need to use for mounting a scope on an AR flat top?

For a new rifle I've been looking at the Tikka T3 in a .223 or 243. So for now I will get a good scope that I can later put on a good bolt rifle. Thanks again for all the advice.

[Big10gauge]

The most important thing when mounting a scope on a AR is being able to get the scope mounted far enough forward. For predator hunting you will want the eyepiece no further back than the rear of the charging handle, or close to it. I use Armalite 1 piece scope mount since you can move it forward. The Armalite is removable also  Also Larue but it's expensive. Just something to be aware of.

[ICEMAN]

I recommend doing both.

[GEARHEAD]

That AR will do for ya, just put a bushnel 3x9 trophy scope on it. be sure to purchase 1/2 inch risers for it, they install on the rail, to raise the scope, you absolutely want to do this.that gun will do just fine for you i suspect. don't expect it to be a 300 yard tac driver, it is what it is. so save the money on the scope. that bushnel is actually a pretty good scope, i've had two, still have one, only costs a buck.

howeverrrrrrrr...... i would recommend a bolt gun, they all shoot good, i'm a rem 700 fan, i would highly recommend .243, ya can shoot those hornady varmit rounds at 3600 plus fps, and have a spare for deer work. same scope or better will work just fine. ya can pick up a used newer one easy already scoped and ready to go for $350 or less. i started with that same gun you have, missed an awful lot, blew out an eardrum too, switched to a bolt gun and they started dropping rarely ever missed after that. just my two pennies.

good luck.