I'm almost ready to buy me a light weight rifle to hunt coyotes
with but I'd like some opions.

I am looking at getting it in a .243 and have it narrowed down
to either the Browning Composite Stalker or a Howa with a
stainless steel bbl. and laminated stock.

If anyone has two cents to add let me have it .

Thanks

Good to see another coyote hunter.If you want them dead,243 works. If you want the fur , it is not fur friendly. I have a 25.06 the kills with authority to 400yds.,but if I'm saving the fur i use a .223. Are you calling or driveby shooting?

[ 12-16-2002, 07:23: Message edited by: Redfrog ]

[ 12-16-2002, 09:41: Message edited by: Redfrog ]

I use a Ruger#1V with a bipod and a Bushnell elite scope. It has a heavy barrel, but I don't find the whole thing uncomfortable. Others that pick it up usually comment on the weight though. The Rem is heavier. My coyote hunting is 99.9% calling. During fur season I use the .223 If I'm guiding or doing pred. control in calving season,I use the 25.06. Same gun, different calibre.

Check out a CZ in .243 as well. The CZ's shoot great I have 2 and a third on the way and hopefully if all goes to plan more following that

Either rifle you mention will do fine. Unless you are shooting sustained fire, as with prairie dogs, the heavy barrel offers no advantages. Stick with a sporter for your type of shooting.

I have a remington 700 LTR in 223 it has a heavy 20inch fluted barrel with an HS Precision stock it weighs 7 1/4 lbs it is really handy walking or out of the truck.For me it is the perfect coyote rifle.All of that weight in the barrel really makes it stable on the bipod or resting on my truck mirror.w/regards

The 243 using a 65 grain bullet is one deadly combination. Should you choose to hunt deer you can use the 105 grain bullet in the same rifle. I do not find the heavy barrel model to be that heavy to carry and I'm 60. My custom built Hart heavy barrel 243 is one fine shooting varmint rifle. The heavy barrel model will give you consistantly tigher groups over the sporter weight barrel. I own both models in the 243 and always pick up the custom built heavy barrel model when I go varmint hunting. The Browning A-Bolt II Stalker I own is a very accurate shooting rifle. Also have a Howa action rifle that shoots well. The 223 is the military version of the 222 designed to shoot heavy bullets. I prefer my 222 and enjoy shooting this very accurate rifle. Go with the 243 you won't be sorry you did.

Go with the Browning.I use A 243win.Ruger M77 with A Bullbarrel.

For stationairy shooting as in woodchucks or prarie dogs I use heavy barrels in 223,22/250 & 243. My walk around coyote rifle is a Weatherby Super Predator Master in 22/250. If your going to walk and call then the lighter rifle will work fine.

Gosh 966,

I'm with ShortMag on this one. In a contest twixt the Browning and a Howa........That Browning is a whole lotta quality and superior design.

Kinda like your idea of a .243 as well....if you're not shooting pelts, that is. This is especially true if you don't reload.