Gun Rack: Jon Collin's Coyote Hunting Rifle
Gun Rack: Jon Collin's Coyote Hunting Rifle
When coyote hunting, you can get into some pretty fast-paced action, and you better have a rifle and scope combination that can keep up. There are several things I look for in a coyote hunting rig. At the top of the list are accuracy, dependability, and smooth operation.
First things first, you have to decide what caliber you want to run. For me, that was an easy decision. I went with the 22-250. The 22-250 has been extremely popular for decades, and its performance in the coyote-calling world can’t be ignored. I was introduced to the 250 at a young age by my dad. He had an old Ruger No.1 chambered in this caliber, and I loved to shoot it. I actually used it to take my first coyote many years ago. The 22-250 is a fast, flat shooting round that's great medicine for coyotes.
Once I had my caliber picked out, it was time to choose a rifle. I loved that old No.1, but for a dedicated coyote rifle, I was looking for something with a higher rate of fire. Oftentimes, when coyote-calling, you’ll call in multiple coyotes at a time. So, for me, a smooth working bolt action is ideal. Since I took my first coyote with a Ruger firearm, that’s where I stayed. The rifle I went with is the Ruger American Predator. This rifle, chambered in 22-250, has a threaded 22" 1:10 twist barrel that I run suppressed. The lightweight and rugged Ruger American Predator checks all the boxes—accurate, dependable, and smooth operating.
Last but certainly not least, I had to choose an optic. I topped my Ruger American Predator with a Leupold VX-5HD 3-15X44 CDS-ZL2 Side Focus Duplex paired with Leupold STD 2-Piece Bases and Leupold STD Low Rings. This scope and mount combination will take care of me in any coyote hunting situation—everything from handling coyotes called in close to coyotes that hang out at extended ranges.
For the hunter looking to jump into predator control, this rifle and scope combination is hard to beat.
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Jon Collins (@jon_collins3)
Hunter and co-host of The FOXPRO Podcast
SPEC LIST:
- Optics: Leupold VX-5HD 3-15x44 Side Focus Duplex ($1,099.99)
- Mounts: Leupold STD 2-Piece Bases and STD Low Rings ($79.98)
- Suppressor: HUXWRX HX-QD 762 TI ($1,522)
- Rifle: Ruger American Predator ($619.00)
- Ammunition: Hornady 55 Grain Vmax
- Trigger: Ruger Marksman Adjustable Trigger
- Stock: Lightweight Synthetic
- Chambering: 22-250
- Action: Ruger Bolt Action with Three-Lug Bolt
- Barrel: 22” 1:10” Twist
Total Build Cost: $3,320.97
SHOP PRODUCTS USED IN THIS BUILD:
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