New and First Coyote Rifle!

[matt_3479]

Me and my younger brother are going to put some money together for a varmint and long range hunting and target rifle. We have decided on a caliber which will be a 22-250 or a 243. win. We hand load which would make the 243. win that much better. We need something cheap but durable with good accuracy. we are going to have to put a scope on it which brings our price range down even more. We would like to stick with a decent rifle and a half decent scope. We are looking at the Bushnell 3200 and the Nikon buckmaster since they are cheap and good and the rifle wont have much recoil. We are undecided on the make and model. We have looked at the Remington SPS Varmint due to the price. I wouldn't mind going with it, wouldn't be my first choice but its our first varmint rifle and were a little low on the budget. PLEASE give some suggestions!!

 

[alf]

If you have one close, Cabelas just put their Remington Stainless Steel Varmint SPS's on sale.

Regular price is $629.99, sale price is $599.99, and Remington has a $40.00 rebate, which brings it to $559.99 plus tax.

To top it off, they have a deal going, spend $500.00 and get a gift card for $150.00. That'll sweeten the deal on a scope to top it off.

No 243's, but 204, 223, and 22-250.

A buddy bought one in 223 last year and it's a HAMMER!!!

 

[trebark]

Remington SPS is a great choice. I've used that platform for several builds. For a long range rig, go with the 243 or 308. Personally, I lean towards the 308 as it can take deer at longer ranges than the 243. Now I know you said 'coyote gun', but once you start shooting long range, the deer start to look good! But definitely shy-away from the high-power 22's. They might have some screaming velocity, but they don't have a good enough BC to go the looooong range.

The Rem700 is a great platform because every gunsmith knows how to work on it and everyone makes aftermarket parts for it.

In terms of optics, both the Bushnell 3200 and Buckmasters are good scopes at a value price. I've used the Bushnell 3200 10x and I have a cousin that shoots the Buckmaster 6-18x40 and the 4-14x40.

My recommendation...start life with the stock rifle and add the scope of your choice. Then when your budget permits, start upgrading. Here are some ideas.....

My nephew's rifle is an SPS in 270. Here's what was done with his rifle and it's what I recommend anyone do with a stock rifle....

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/nephews-transformed-rifle-53634/

Next, here's my 308 that took a similar path....

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-308-1k-rifle-evolution-continues-43510/

My 308 eventually turned into an all-out custom....

http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f53/my-260-mcr-59628/

Good luck, have fun and keep us posted!

 

[matt_3479]

I have had a couple people mention the 308. win but where i hunt you need something smaller then a .275. I already own a 7mm rem mag and a 300. wsm and a 30-30 win so i have everything from whitetail up to moose covered right now i just need a rig strictly for long range plinking, ground hogs, and coyote hunting.

AlF:

you said they had the Stainless steel varmint sps on sale or did you mean just the stainless steel sps?

 

[trebark]

I have had a couple people mention the 308. win but where i hunt you need something smaller then a .275. I already own a 7mm rem mag and a 300. wsm and a 30-30 win so i have everything from whitetail up to moose covered right now i just need a rig strictly for long range plinking, ground hogs, and coyote hunting.

AlF:

you said they had the Stainless steel varmint sps on sale or did you mean just the stainless steel sps?

aaaahhh....then the 243 is perfect for you application.

 

[alf]

you said they had the Stainless steel varmint sps on sale or did you mean just the stainless steel sps?

Actually, they have both on sale, but no 243's in either.

I'd get the 22-250 Varmint and rock on.