Coyotes

[New Hampshire]

Well Ive jumped into the fun world of coyote hunting.  Like I posted in another forum on this site, I plan on getting a full size .223 Rifle bbl for my Encore.  But I want to take the chalenge level up a bit and try handguns.  First off I want to say Im looking to put on optics, most likely a dot scope.  I have a Ruger GP-100 with a 6" bbl and have thought about getting the B-square no drill/tap mount.  The only problem is that it eliminates any form of back up sighting, and I want to have the ability to remove the dot scope at will and quickly.  There is also my Sig 220.  Im thinking about getting an adjustable rear sight for it and leaving it in the cabinet till I can get some real good practice time in with it.
So this leaves me looking at other options.  I plan on getting a .454 Cassul BBl for the Encore for deer hunting and have thought about using that.  But there is also the 15" .223 bbls for the Encore also.  I almost had one that was used in like new condition jump into my hands at the local gun shop, but the wallet refused to spit up the money  :grin: .  But I am not rueling this out yet.
This leads me to semi autos.  I was looking at the new EAA Camo Hunter guns in 10mm, but the price turned me sour instantly.  I have never been a Glock fan at all, but think I might be giving them un-fair critiques considering my lack of extensive use of them.  So has anyone experience with a Glcok 20?  I know there are ounts available, so dot scope mounting would be easy.  I am also thinking of trying the Duro coat system of epoxy paints.  Im thinking a Glock camoed out might look good (or rather not be seen looking good  :-D) and kill good.

So any other suggestions?  The more I think about it the more I think there is no reason why I shouldnt just get the mount for the GP.  I like to carry a back-up gun hunting, and the Sig could fit that bill, so I guess there wouldnt be any problems with the scope on the GP.  Boy oh boy, decisions decisions.
Thanks in advance.
Brian M.

[crawfish]

 :-D  GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!!!!! you are all over the place. IMHO you need to decide if you want a handgun to kill coyotes that you can easily carry or a handgun that you can carry that would be used to kill coyotes. READ IT. There is a big difference. I carry a G-37, a Taurus 425SH4C, or a Seecamp 32. I’m sure any would do in a coyote but none are my choice when I go looking for them. Now I usually grab a 14 inch Contender in 7mm TCU or 7X30Waters to do in a few “dogs”, neither of which I  would choose as a carry gun. See the difference???

[New Hampshire]

.  Sorry, didnt mean to get so out of control there  :grin: .  Im aiming for a handgun that will be used as a main weapon for coyotes, regardless of ease of carry.  Not back-up to a rifle (sorry when I said back-up for hunting, I meant ALL hunting, not just coyote hunting, my bad.)  So I want to use the handgun as the primary taker of fur  :twisted: .
Thanks again, and Im sorry for the dis-jointed post.
Brian M.

[GunnyII]

Brian,
Just thought I would throw this in the fire. Glock itro'ed a limited line O.D. green pistols at the shot show this year and I believe one was the M20!

Pick something that you shoot well (sounds like the GP100) and go fetch some skins! Remember that 'yotes don't stick around long, so think hard about that scope.

Until next time,

[New Hampshire]

Thanks Gunny.  Truth be told, I had origionally bought the GP for the possibility of future optics mounting (I had sold off a 4" GP to get the 6".)  I have been torn, though, as what to do.  I know that what I want to do with it the Red Dot would be perfect.  But since a lack of iron sights with the mount on means that if the batterys go dead I have to make sure I can change them right quick.  With the scope this would not be a concern as there is no power source.  But At the ranges I plan on shooting at the magnification of a scope is rather piontless, and maybe even cumbersome.  But I think Ive finaly decided to just go with the Red Dot.  I have had plenty of experince with them on a .22 Rifle and love their fast target acquisition and non magnification.  This is what seems best.  Im still planning on a future purchase of the .223 Rem BBl for my Encore, especially if they still have the one at the gun shop for $150.  I guess the only tough part will be finding a holster that can accept the big ole dot scoped revolver.
Brian M.

[GunnyII]

Sounds like you're headed in the right direction. Just a note, the Bushnell Trophy is a real bargin, $89 I do believe. Nikons are very nice but pricey, and the new Holo-sight is great. I guess the third time is the charm for that one. If you haven't seen the new one, it's worth a look.

As far as carry goes, if you want to spend some money, the Bandito rig is available for just about all handguns scoped or not. Uncle Mikes makes an affordable nylon thats pretty good. I've always liked leather, but it's not cheap.

On a different note. I have a really accurate 187gr hardcast load that is great out of my 6" Python and also Security Six. It punches two small holes through the pelt of just about anything it comes in contact with and leaves them just as dead without all the mess of a hollow point!

You have to be a reloader, or trust someone that is though.

Until next time,

[Ranger413]

Here would be my plan(s) for coyote hunting w/ handguns.

First, if I wanted to do the short range deal with a dot scope I'd go with a .357 or larger revolver (your GP100 and my S&W 629 would do great).  Then I'd see how it shot with open sights.  I used to have a Ruger Super Redhawk w/ an UltraDot.  It would consistently shoot sub 2" with any load at 50 yards.  Then I traded it off on a S&W 629 5" barrel.  I shot this thing at 50 yards w/ open sights and it shot a 1 9/16" group.  WOW.  This would be my close-in coyote gun.  I'd leave it alone as far as sights go.  If I just had to have a dot sight it would be an UltraDot.  Never had a battery issue as long as I remembered to turn it off.  If you're looking to not worry about batteries look into the Trijicon Reflex.  It runs on tritium and fiber optics so you never have to worry about batteries or switches - its always on.  But it is about $400.

My long range coyote pistol would be an Encore w/ a 15" .223 barrel and a good moderately powered variable scope.  A Bushnell Elite 3200 in 2-6X would be ideal in my mind.  That's what my 15" .308 barrel is topped with and much more power than 6 on a handgun is hard to see with IMHO.  This rig would be good for those long shots, but only off of a rested position.  

Ranger413

[New Hampshire]

Thanks Gunny.  No problems on the ammo part.  I am a true blue handloader.  I currently use the standard 158gr XTP over 16.6 grains of 296.  But I am thinking of going lighter and slower than max (as far as the light bullets go) for coyotes.  Ive kinda shied off lead as Ive gotten sick and tired of scrubbing lead and dealing with th added smoke (so far Ive managed to keep a single lead bullet from besmirching my GPs shiny new cylinder  :-D .)  Rainier makes plated hollow points that are said to expand quickly (as they are merely plated pure lead.)  There are also Speer Gold dots.  I guess it is all moot as Im not currently a pelt hunter, but there is the possibility of someday keeping a hide or two for tanning.
Again, thanks.
Brian M.

[bigbore442001]

Ahh. Being a fellow New Englander, I know what kind of quandry you are in. In all honesty, we know that most of the shots will be within 50 yard or less. I would go with the GP-100 with a red dot sight of some kind.

You may be able to get some shots in the fields. In that case, any centerfire round that can go in the Encore or Contender with a good scope will do.

Last week I had a coyote approach my turkey decoy about 20 yards from me. I think that a turkey set up would work very well in New England.