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Rifle Scope Selection
I looked at assorted semi-automatics today. A caliber I had not heard of (17 possibly) can't recall the book is in the truck, but at any rate, the guy told me it was the same casing as a 22 magnum necked down. I like it due to the fact that it will have the stopping power, reach out a bit and break apart quickly once into the trees.
This would run around $300. A 22 magnum with scope mount (but no sights) around $270. Both Remington.
Placing a scope on the 5mm is another option, will depend upon what I come up with for cost on all of this.
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Rifle Scope Selection
For not much more money, you could have a Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Rifle in .223. That is quit a bit more power than the Hornady .17 which in my opinion is an already obsolete and specialized cartridge. It has its merits but in the event of shortage or civil disruption; you will find that standard caliber cartridges will nearly always be available. .223 amunition has been stock piles by the billions of rounds as has .308, 9mm, and .45 ACP and even .50 BMG (not varmint round but just as example) .223 is very effective out to 300 yards for most folks and 600 yards for folks who know how to shoot. .223 is cheap and plentiful. It all boils down to personal taste and preference.
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Rifle Scope Selection
I have all of the calibers and agree that the .223 is the best bang for the buck. The .17 HMR is based on the .22 mag. case. The .17HMR ammo is more expensive than the .223. The .17HMR is so light that moderate cross winds can cause it to drift a foot or more at 100 yards. If I had to do it over again, I wouldn't have bought the .17 HMR. I have also found that my rifle only shoots the Hornandy rounds accurately. If I shoot other brands, it wanders 3 or 4 inches at 50 yards. Later they came out with the .17mach II series which uses the same case size as the .22 long rifle. It doesn't have near the power of the .17 HMR. If I wanted a rimfire round, I'd go with the .22 mag.
You generally will only get one shot and they're gone. Seldom have I had the opportunity to shoot at more than one at a time. So you can consider a single shot or bolt action. You should seriously look at Ruger and Marlin. Many of these small caliber rifles are made for youth shooting. The length of pull (distance from trigger to butt of stock) is short. I found the Marlin to have a better fit for me. It is kinda like buying a tractor. You need to try it for fit.
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Rifle Scope Selection
I agree with Lion and Yooper's recommendation of the .223. All of the widely used military cartridges from the past century are excellent value (223 308 and 3006). But the smaller is well sized for your target. A gun with excellent value is the NEF single shot in 223. A friend has the "survivor" model and it is deadly accurate. I think he paid $160 two years ago. In an informal competition (shaken beer can hung in a tree at 250 yds) he outshot everyone. Their $1000 rigs couldn't compete. Have fun.
Dave
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Rifle Scope Selection
A 17 caliber, 25 grain bullet (17 HMR) is too light for coyote size critters. If you hit a bone it is liable to come apart and you will have a wounded animal wandering around.
I have seen that very thing happen using a 223 class rifle with varmint bullets on deer.
A 40 grain 22 caliber should be considered the minimum standard for clean kills on anything bigger than a jackrabbit.
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Rifle Scope Selection
I have received quite an education here about ammunition, ballistics and availability. I appreciate all of it!
The longest shot I would have to make here is about 100 yards. I have a spot in my barn I can sit and watch a baited area and my shot is about 100 feet. I really don't want to put dollars into the 5mm having it fit to a scope.
Sounds as though the .223 or similar cartridge mated to a night vision scope may be the way to go. On the other hand, the coyote were in my yard in broad daylight 50% of the time I have spotted them.
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Rifle Scope Selection
Cutter:
Are you hunting coyotes yet? What did you purchase?
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Rifle Scope Selection
Well, so far all that has happened is the 5mm trigger mechanism froze up. I soaked it, the firing pin works and trigger travel is almost nonexistent but the safety jams.
I am going to try to get rid of the eight boxes of 5mm ammunition and throw in the gun. Here tell they are worth around $40 each.
I looked at 22 magnum but it seems they tend to ricochet as a 22 will. The .17 HMR is probably what I should have, but I am hearing they may end up like the 5mm sooner or later.
Sitting in the barn using the shotgun but have not seen one yet. I have to change my timing as my bait is usually gone the next day. Tried an electronic call to no avail but it is a cheap one so I suppose you get what you pay for in this case.
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Keep feeding/baiting them. That will get the in the habit of free lunch. There will be lots of ways to approach your bait then. Those critters are extreamly wiley so your will probably have to find a spot down wind.
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Actually I am sitting inside the barn. I think they are more comfortable with the station now, they grabbed a chicken from a rope I had hanging about 5' in the air. I had also been leaving some on the ground which was randomly eaten. The chicken made it two weeks before they touched it, so I am quite confident I have their attention and "trust" now.
I am going to put some bait there again tonight and then hang some on a rope for the weekend, hopefully that will have them up in the air for me and more visible Saturday night.
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Gas Generator Weather Protecti
10-27-2005, 18:34 
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