Here is my dilema. I do a lot of coyote hunting once the snow flys. I live in North Central Iowa where it is very flat. Most of the area I hunt is broken up into 1 mile square sections. We normally drive around and try and spot them laying out in the mornings or if there is fresh snow try and cut a fresh track. I would say 75% of the time we spot them holed up in the middle of a section with no way to put a sneak on them. Normally we will still try and if we get them going then it ends up being a wild chase. Which is fun in itself but sometimes we do not have enough people to cover all escape routes.

I would like to set up a rifle that would shoot reliably out to 800 yards or so and still be capable of killing it. I already have an AR on order in 6.5. Will not be in my hands till who knows when. So it is going to come down to a couple of other rifles I already own. A sako in .243 or my winchester in .270. I have shot both out to 300 yards comfortably. The trigger on the sako is leaps and bounds better over my winchester. So just wondering which one you all would use while I wait for my 6.5 to show up at my dealer. Also any round recommendations would be appreciated.

Mem is right about the .308 being a great round for the 800 yard range. However, it doesn't have to be a 5R because those really aren't that easy to find. The Savage 10FP is a great rifle as well as my XCR. I have had my XCR to beyond 800 and still shooting SUB MOA. The most important thing at 800 yards is really going to be your optic and ammo, not so much the rifle. Most .308 bolt actions are capable of 800 yards, you just have to make sure you have good optics, ammo, and the knowledge to throw rounds at that range. The ammo and optics are pricey but the knowledge comes with practice, patience, and practice. Oh wait, did I say practice. But, once you get that 6.5 (Grendel or Creedmor?) you should have a great round for killing at that distance.

Yea the 6.5 would be perfect. But I think I'd try the .243 or the .270. Coyotes aint that tough to kill. Can't you call them any closer?

Hobie,

I just checkedand the .243 is kinad badass @ 1000yrds. I didn't think so but it's still supersonic at that range with 115gr. bullets.

Grendel,​ ordered another Baer. I am in the process of getting some prices on a Leupold Mark 4 8.5x25x50 LR/T M1 with the mil dot reticle. Should be enough scope. So I know neither rifle is a perfect choice but am dropping some serious change on rifle and optic already. Momma would have a cow if I bought another rifle.

And Mem anytime you are going to be close drop me a line. We can chase coyotes or go shoot some pheasants. We got plenty of both.

Good luck on the deer hunt. I don't get to take a crack till Dec 12th. Then 9 days of deer hunting for me. Can't wait. And yes been reloading for a few years now, rifle and shotgun.

Hobie...​ I know most might not believe it, but that .243 of yours should do the trick out to 800. I have a partner that shoots his out that far and is able to keep roughly minute of angle and definately "minute of coyote". I watched him dump a dog at a laser ranged 760 yards with it about 3 years ago. He swears by that rifle, but I think the scope has a lot to do with it too. He uses a high end Leupold (not sure which one) and loads for it.

-Tac

Hobie,

My question is simple: What kind of grouping do you get with the .243 and .270 at 100 yards, using a good match round?

Non-free​ floated, non-bull barreled, factory hunting barrels forhunting rifles usually won't hold a group that will consistently shoot out to 800 yards and beyond with accuracy worthy of becoming the kind of stick you are looking for. Need more information on the two. Thanks.

Neither rifle is a bull barrel model. The Winchester is a pre 60 model 70. It has an adjustable trigger from the factory(as far as I can tell, I never changed it, got the rifle from my great grandfathers collection). Only round I have put thru it is 130 gn remington soft points. Never really worked up a load for it as far as hand loading went. Has a Weaver 3x9 from about the same time the gun was manufactured. Actually pretty cool set-up. Has Weaver bases that allow you to flip the scope to the left and shoot the irons. Actually holds zero pretty well. Never really shot it for groups but have killed dogs out to 300 with it no problem.Also the barrel was free floated by a local smith.

The Sako is 579 Forester model. Very sweet factory trigger. Andthis one is also very old. Free floated and bedded barrel. Not sure if it was factory or if my great grandfather had someone do it for him.Scope on that one is a Leupold VX III 4x12x50. We hand loaded up some 85 gn V-max's for my brother a couple of years ago. He took and antelope at around 400 yards with it. When we sighted it in for him it was just under and inch at 100 yards.That was shooting 4 shot groups at different targets. I have actually not shot either rifle in a couple of years after getting my first AR. Not a whole lot of huntable game in Iowa for a rifle. Did not like the pounding I got from the .270. It kicks like a mule. I likeshooting the .243 but actually just got it back from my brother about a month ago.(yeah the little jack ass had it for almost a year after his hunt). Hope this helps fill in the blanks. Also optics on either rifle will probably be a non factor because I plan on getting the scope I plan on putting on top of my 6.5 sometime next month.

Also I ordered up some Berger 95 gn match VLD's anda single shot follower for my .243. Alsogot my hornady OAL length gauge in the mail today. Have to shoot a couple of roundsfrom eachrifle and send them in so I will have masters for mygauge.

This is just a fun quest .I am going toneed some of this equipment to really get the most out of my 6.5anyhow. So figured I could learn a little about long range shooting and reloading for such during the loooooong wait.

Thanks for all the replys and help thus far guys.

Seph606.​ You got a graph for 500 to 1000?

Wow, pretty indepth response Hobie. Hmmm, I'd have to say after weighing the odds of each that either one of them would whack a coyote out to 800 if you do your part and notwidthstanding they'll each hold a tight group.

As you said, it's all for fun so just grab one and go. If it doesn't work out for you, bring the other one next time. However, from what you've said, me personally, I'd grab the .270 first .

Oh and just for shits and giggles, the model 70 was Carlos Hathcock's favorite rifle! There's something to be said about that, although it wasn't a .270 caliber...essentiall​y the rifle was the same.

Carlos liked the .300 WM round for shooting at Camp Perry.

Yeah, I was just talking specifically about the Model Winchester. He loved the Model 70...wasn't a Remmy fan at all.