I have a ss Mini 14 182 series with no scope mounts, but with an ATI Strikeforce stock with a rail that starts just past the chamber. What have I got to do to kill coyotes at up to 125 yards? Aimpoint, Trijicon, long relief scope, offset scope mount? Best ammo? Any hints or good links on getting these varmints? Although I've had this rifle for years, I havn't done any serious shooting with it. You ought to hear 'em when the train horn blows!! Mark
You likely have a 1 in 10 inch twist barrel.
Pretty much any decent quality 3-9 power or higher scope will be good for optics. You can almost never go wrong with a Leupold. Even the cheaper brands such as Burris, Tasco, and others will do for 125 yards.
With your barrel twist rate, I think a Hornady 50 or 55 grain Vmax would be ideal.
Hornady Varmint Express . 17 Hmr 17 Gr. V - Max 50 Rds. , Rifle Ammunition, Hornady at Sportsman's Guide
Prvi Partizan makes really good cheap ammo that shoots very well and accurate.
Graf & Sons - PRVI AMMO 223 REM 75gr HPBT-MATCH 20/bx 50/cs
Graf & Sons - PRVI AMMO 223 REM 55gr SP 20/bx 50/cs
The 75 grainers will do OK out to a 100 yards in your rifle but likely will not stabilize and tumble past that range with a 1 in 10 inch barrel twist rate.
The 55 grain soft points will be in the sweet spot and they are very explosive on impact out to about 300 yards in my 22-250. Past that, the bullet has slowed down to much. I can still hit a gallon milk jug of water at 400 meters with these bullets very consistently.
You will also need an electronic call. Foxpro seems to be at the top of the line but you can get cheaper models that work pretty good.
Sportsman's Guide - Discount Hunting Gear, Discount Hunting Boots, Discount Shoes, Discount Ammunition, Discount Ammo, Discount Boots, Military Surplus, Outdoor Gear at The Sportsman's Guide
The Mini 14 is not the most accurate rifle without a fair amount of accurzing work being done to it. Usually good enough to keep the rounds in a 6 inch circle at 125 yards. Different Mini rifles vary, some better, some worse.
I have hit coyotes at about 350 yards with my Mini 14 Ranch Rifle but shots at that range are very difficult and require a bench rest or bipod.
If you reload, you are gonna hate the Mini 14 because it throws brass all over the place and as far as 75 feet away. Makes it very difficult to find after firing.
The Mini 14 is a good defensive firearm and does OK for hunting. I finally got tired of the crappy accuracy and loosing half of my brass and bought a Savage Model 12 Varmint Low Profile in 22-250 with a 1 in 9 inch twist barrel.