Next fall I will most likley be living in the middle of nowhere where I will have access to 800 acers of hunting land 30 minuets

[Ncarl]

Next fall I will most likley be living in the middle of nowhere where I will have access to 800 acers of hunting land 30 minuets from where I will live. The only problem is I will still be out of state and will have a problem getting tags. Im wanting to hunt anyway so I am toying around with buying an electronic caller and and realy doing this coyote hunting thing right. All I will need is a fur bearer and hunting license which can be bought over the counter pretty cheap. Ill probably start with my ruger M77 chambered in 30-06 but if I have any success I might invest in a coyote gun. I never like spending a lot of money on a gun for one type of game so I want to get somthing cheap. Im looking at the savage axis. As far as I know it runs around $290. I cant find this rifle on the bass pro or cabelas websites so I assume they dont carry it. Anybody know somewhere that carries this rifle? Also, what caliber do you suggest? I was thinking .223 rem or 22-250. My number one priortiy when choosing a caliber is availablity, understandable these days. But I also want a caliber thats pretty cheap because I would like to practice with it a lot.

[Clay Cooper]

Ncarl what part of the hemisphere you in?

If you reload, 130's in a 308 or 30-06 works Pretty D' Fine for both Yodel Dogs and Monster Mule Deer. Flat shooting, cranks out of the barrel like a 223 and less recoil than 150's. I've shot thousands of these bullets in open country and found they work better than the heavier weights

[DSMbirddog]

I would be hard pressed to buy a rifle just for coyotes. My other rifles need the work and kill them just fine. My 150 gr handloads seem very effective on them.

[Treestand]

Gander Mountain has them in stock, As for an all around Caliber from Varmint to Black Bears the Old stand-by 243Win...from a 58Gr to 115Gr Ammo.

[Ncarl]

Clay, I would be hunting in Iowa. A lot of open ground around there. Potential for very long shots but I'm not that practiced when it comes to rifles and would probably hope for shots 200 yards and in. But I should be able to get a lot more practicing in once I move. Ill be closer to places I can shoot long range. I just have a hard time justifying practicing with ammo the way it is these days. I'm plenty good enough to kill deer I would just like to be better.

[Ncarl]

Forgot, I dont reload.

[Happy Myles]

A 22-250 is pretty hard to beat, especially since you have an 06 for larger game. I have used many different varmint calibers and always seem to go back to a 22-250.

[jhjimbo]

A situation like you are looking at is why it is time to get into reloading. A custom load to tweak your '06 for a specific purpose. If you could reload you would have the use of the Berger VLD bullets in light weights. Just what the doctor ordered. Some company may load them in '06, worth checking it out. Check with Berger...

[Hobob]

30-06 accelerators might be an option for varmints. I don't know much about them but they were used in the 90's for varmints around here when the coyotes moved in. .243 is what i use now in PA.

[Pray- hunt-work]

Why these fine gents are trying to talk you out of buying a new rifle to add to the collection is beyond me. I should warn you, they most certainly aren't your friends.(Kiddin'!!) Pick up a .22-250 and enjoy it. I am not familiar with the axis but have heard that it is well received. Good luck in your yote hunting and congrats on the move!

[diplomat019]

i bought a 223 savage axis from walmart. 300 with taxes

[Safado]

22-250, try to get a fast twist 1:9 or faster so that you can shot the heavier bullets.

[Ontario Honker Hunter]

I agree with above suggestions (or implied suggestions): reloading setup is cheaper than buying a new rifle.

In the meantime, maybe consider buying a non-resident bird license?

[Ncarl]

Ontario and redfish, I would but the pheasant and quail populations in SW Iowa has been devistated. They are there but are few and far between. It will take years of dry springs and mild winters for the population to recover. I would waterfowl hunt but there is no big water in the area to hold a huntable number of birds. I should add that it's my grandparents farm so I have hunted it many a times but I live so far away right now.

[Ncarl]

Also, I already waterfowl hunt and have all the non resident licenses necessary for Iowa. It's just the land I will be so close to doesn't hold any birds.