Rifle & Scope for First Coues Hunt

[Kimber_Hunter]

I'm planning my first Coues hunt this fall in southern Arizona and wanting opinions on two rifle choices.

- Kimber Montana 280 Ackley - 2.5 x 10 x 42 Nightforce MOAR reticle & zero stop

Or

- Custom 7 mm RM /M70 with 26" #3 Pacnor - McMillan Edge Stock - Nightforce 5.5 x 22 x 50 MOAR reticle & zero stop

Thanks in advance for any advice

[lancetkenyon]

Bring both. The 7RM for glassing and long range shots (if the shooter is experienced enough) for 500-1000 yard stuff.

The .280 for hiking/still hunting.

 

If I had to pick only one, it would be the 7RM over the .280 if they are both equally accurate. But accuracy over all.

If you are hunting, you need a backup rifle just in case something happens to the other.

 

A little bit of load info would help. I would think ballistics are close enough if shooting the same bullets, 100 fps is no deal breaker. Go for a 168-180 grain bullet to extend the range and fight wind drift. Anything around a 168 from 2800-3100 should put a Coues down with authority to 800-1000 yards if you can put the bullet where it needs to go.

[roninflag]

I like a little more power for coues they are small challenging targets, so the 5-22 scope. . the cartridges are similar. I would use a 140 berger or a 120 ballistic tip.

[Kimber_Hunter]

Thinking 168 Bergers for 7RM

[Kimber_Hunter]

It seems to like the heavier bullets.

[AverageJoe]

7rm as far as caliber. Why people think they need a heavy military scope for hunting i will never understand though. Go with something that has better glass like a Zeiss or Swarovski scope. The Nightforce is a heavy chunk of metal with midlevel glass at best. IMO

[Big or Bust]

You backpacking or day hunting from camp? Accuracy would determine my choice but packability a close second. Either is way enough for coues...

 

The rifle is such a small part of the equation. Don't get hung up on rifle choices...

[Titanium700]

I'd worry about getting a tag first...

[208muley]

Both will work. My kimber mountain accent in 280 ai loves the 168 bergers. As you know, the 280 doesn't punish like the 7 mm does. I can shoot more which means better shooting which means better accuracy at longer ranges. To me that is what matters most, but everyone is different... dead with a big magnum or dead with a non magnum is still dead... Good luck in the draw and enjoy the hunt.

[azsugarbear]

I have two rifles for coues whitetail. If I am humping the mountains, I go with my Rem model 7 in 243. It is light, fast and shoots tight groups with the 105 gr. Bergers. If it is day hunting, I go with my 65.506 AI. Both are plenty of gun for coues. To my mind, the rifle is not important - as long as it is accurate. Most all calibers can kill coues at distance.

 

Focus on your optics - from scope to binos to spotter. You can't kill 'em if you can't see 'em.

[rossislider]

I vote for the 7RM.

[Okbow87]

Not that I am an experience coues hunter or anything, but my vote would be for whichever rifle you shoot better and feel more confident with. If I had to guess, you probably shoot the 7 mag better, those ultra lightweight rifles like the mountain ascent are tough to shoot and really bring out any flaws in a guys form.

[Hoss50]

Which ever you shoot better for your main rifle, and the other for backup.