What's a good scope for coyotes ?

[Valv]

Well it'a start for me. I was in SD bird hunting and ended up shooting at a couple of coyotes.

That was LOVE at first sight !!!!

I am looking at a Ruger or Savage .243 and been around shopping for a while, but haven't decided on scope, I need help with one but I have to mind the budget.

Anyway my hunt will be mostly on prairies in SD, possibly a little Wyoming, and if it's safe also here around my home in MN., where I am getting a lot of problem with them, anybody wanting to shoot some, come on over....

[irvingdog]

Yotes are tricky..... On the one side, folks shoot small bores at great distances, and yet the buggers never stop moving. When they do creep in on you at the least expected time, and from the least expected direction, you want to be able to get them, and keep them, "in your glass". That can be tough to do with a 4.5-14X40 scope. And forget those cartoonishly oversized objective lenses! Yes, bigger objectives let in ore light, but the big base/ring combo you'll need will far outweigh the disadvantages they bring. You don't want your scope that high up off the rifle. Especially if you want a tack driver. Better to buy good glass and coatings. High quality Leupold (the discussion could end there) Nikon, Bushnell etc....

[roosterslayer]

I like the 4-12X in Bushnell, thats what i have on top of my .223 and i have no problems seeing through it from 20 yards to 200 yards.

[OrionsX0]

Roosterslayer where do you hunt around Monti? I live in becker mabey we could hook up sometime and kill some Yotes

[roosterslayer]

I dont hunt too much around monti, but i do hunt near little falls, i am also trying to get permission near foley.

[OrionsX0]

We should get in touch I am trying to get some permission around Becker as well send me an e-mail at [email protected]

[CASTnBLAST]

If you plan on hunting at night which is far more productive here in Minnesota,I would opt for a larger objective scope than a 40 mil.I have a 50 on my .250 and a 56 on my over/under(my primary night weapon)it gathers a huge amount of light under a full moon.A 243 is kind of overkill,guess it depends on what you plan on doing with the unlucky critters you connect with.

[End of the Line]

If your buying a scope to hunt coyotes make sure it is a good one. Check the light transmisson. Evening hours are prime time and you'll need all the light a good scope can provide. Burris Fullfield II's and Nikon UCC Monarch series both have 95% as does Leupold VX-III or VX-IV, but your going to pay dearly for them. Nikon Buckmaster and Leupold VX-II fall under about 85%-87%. I own several powers on both Nikon Monarch's and Fullfield II's. I dont know where Bushnell falls in that category, but my guess is no more that 87%. I personally like the Nikon over Burris, but for value it's hard to beat a Burris. The other thing now is the Illuminated Reticle scopes. They have lighted dots or cross hairs. Very handy at dusk, low light, over cast skies, and on dark haired animals. I have a 220 swift with a 6.5x20-44 Nikon Monarch with illuminated Reticle. Its really nice because the light can be changed in 5 settings for both green and red. Burris is only red. You probably dont need that much power though. I'd go with a 4x14-40, (or maybe 4x12-40, or 4.5x16-40) if I was you with a lighted reticle.

[Nodak7mm]

Valv,

The best advice I can give you is to #1 determine the amount of money your willing to spend. Then go down to your favorite sporting good stores, pick several scopes your considering and ask the guy behind the counter to grab a scope stock and escort you outside so you can make a comparison under "real light and conditions". Make your judgements and take notes, dont decide the first time, go back under different lighting conditions and look at things in the brush across the road or in the trees.. Let your eyes make your decision. If the cat behind the counter looks at like your crazy, then kindly tell him to pack sand as you wont be buying a scope from him.. Most reputable places will let you do this..

Dont get stuck on one particular brand just because of the brand thing, remember everyones optical interpratations are different. If your curious on how optics work, do a quick search with key words such as "exit pupil & light transmissions", "lense coatings" and etc.. There are a lot of sales gimmicks out there that have rooked alot of folk in.. High powers and huge objective lenses are 2 that come to mind...

With that said, bear in mind this will be for a hunting rifle vs a bench application. Hi powers are super dee duper for long range dogging, but your yote hunting, likely with your back to a tree or brush pile supporting your rifle with your arms and knees, trying track a quick moving critter.. Having your scope set much above 4x in these conditions is an excercize in futilty..

Stay away from unknown name junk, trust your eyes & I think you'll be pleasantly suprized.. Oh yeah quality optics are an addiction and once looking thru them, your spoiled forever...

Oh yeah, regarding caliber, the yote is one of the toughest, most adaptable animal out there, and did I say toughest. I personaly use a 257 Ackley with 100 grainers and think your choice in a .243 is a good one. With bullet selection from 55 to 105 grains, it dont get much better.. With proper bullet selection & application, you'll put him down without blowing him up.

Rod

[Valv]

Thanks guys these are good advices.

I used to hunt them here and there when ranched in Wyoming, but gun was given and didn't pay much attention.

I have no intention to save anything of it, just knock him down for good.

Now I am getting my own gun and I've been shopping for a while.

I'll take the suggestion of test them outside very highly.

I am going also to try around my place with a shotgun, I have an invasion around here, between the coyotes and my dogs (barking at them), some nights we loose a lot of sleep...time to get to action, good snow on ground

[TV BOY]

I'm going back and forth between a holosight or scope for my .223. I would mostly be plinking or coyote hunting

[CASTnBLAST]

I've never tried any of the battery operated scopes but have learned over the years to leave the electronics at home(callers,decoys,radios,lazer sights etc.)during the real nasty conditions.Curious,has anyone used one of these(lighted reticle) for calling,not deer hunting but extreme weather conditions with temps below zero?