If I wanted to get into coyote hunting

[Southernfryedyankee]

and hunt with an AR-15 platform. What would be a good entry level complete upper preferably with a heavy/varmint barrel in 20" length. From what I have seen on my hunting shows the 223 seems to be the preferred caliber BUT could the 6.8 serve my needs for coyote hunting plus serve the ability as a multi use rifle? If I were to get a 6.8 SPC what other uses could I utilize that particular round for? I would like to get at least my son started hunting this year and because I can hunt coyotes year round I thought maybe this would give myself a more available chance to hunt with him and get him used to being in the woods and learning the ropes so he would be ready for deer season.

[Southernfryedyankee]

There is another option which might be more logical. My Walmart has Rem 700 243's on sale for $397 (with 10% discount for employees, which I am) if I add a scope and mount to that I would be spending almost the same $$$ as buying a new upper. IF I go with a 243 my children will have a rifle they can hunt with be it deer OR coyotes. Any opinions on this? The 243 seems to be better choice.

[out front]

I'd personnally look into purchasing the additional rifle. That way two of you could hunt coyotes together. The 243 is adequate for deer as long as you recognize it's limitations. The AR platforms fill a good niche, but I'd think you would have more options with a separate rifle.
I've struggled getting good groups in the Remmy 1 in 9 1/8 twist barrel with the light (70gn) varmint bullets. My dual purpose load for coyotes and deer with a 243 is a Sierra HPBT 85gn Gameking. 87gn Vmax's do great as well
A 400.00 remmy plus a 400.00 dollar scope (recommend zeiss conquest 3-9) puts you at 800.00. If you don't like the plastic remmy stocks look at Stocky's Gun Stocks . They have good selection of wood/laminate/composite stocks.

Hope this helps and good luck

[roninflag]

i like heavier. sps .243 varmint

[just fish]

I would look into a Rock River Arms varmint setup if your wanting a 223. I have one and shoot half moa with it using ballistic tip 55gr bullets, but the cool thing about the rra is the wilson barrel. It has a 1 in 8 twist it will handle the heavier bullets with no problems. Mine has the elevated optics platform and i hung a 56mm millet off of it with medium mounts which gets the scope close to the hand guard. Should be good for yotes to about 500 yard but hey the 6.8 will go farther and hit harder it really depends on how far ur shooting. For 223 Id go with rra.

[SLOAN]

New guy here, you might want to try a 6.5 grendel, i"ve been using one for 4 years,yotes at 700 deer at 400 web site is back up worth alook...

[marchboom]

This is the problem I have noticed with getting an AR upper in a different caliber...they can be pricey. One could get an entire rifle for the price of an upper. But having the benefit of a semi-auto is a plus.