The Black Rifle
When I retired from the Army, 23 yeas ago, I told my wife that I would never again pick up a military type rifle. I hated them, hated the M-1 Garand so much that I bought one the day I retired and set it out in the backyard. Every morning I would wake up and run out and pee on it — just to watch it rust. Then ole Zumbo had to go and make his silly statement about AR’s being a terrorist rifle and not fit for hunting. Well that did it, I went out and bought an Armalite (www.armalite.com) and dressed it up with a Weaver 6-20×40 Grand Slam (www.weaveroptics.com). I then started to buy factory ammo: Remington (www.remington.com) Federal (www.federalpremium.com) and Winchester (www.winchesterguns.com). All 3 shot satisfactory and were more than capable of hitting a coyote or bobcat at 100 yards, but just not quite as good as I wanted. Off to the reloading bench, I have always liked and used Sierra (www.sierrabullets.com) and Accurate (www.accuratepowders.com) or Winchester powder, so I bought some 55gr Sierra HPBT’s and some BlitzKings, along with CCI BR Primers. All my new reloads shot fairly well, but again not as good as I wanted. Back to the bench, this time with some 60gr Sierra HP’s, Winchester cases, CCI BR Primers and 748. Back to the range were I found out that this is the load for this rifle - - 3/4″ @ 100yards.
Now to find some coyotes and/or a bobcat. On my very first stand, using my FoxPro FX3 (www.gofoxpro.com) set on kitten in distress I had Mr. Coyote come over a ridge at about 500 yards. This old guy was in no hurry, I assumed he had been called and shot at before. He stopped right below the ridge line and sat down, looking over the landscape. I would hit the call and he would take a step or two in my direction and again stop and check things out. This went on for some time and at about 200 yards he again stopped and sat down, surveyed the area, got up and started back from were he came. I decided to take the shot but first I would try to stop him. I have a Primos Bulb Squeaker (www.primos.com) taped to the forearm of my rifle so I hit it a time or two and stop he did. But he wasn’t looking my way, he was looking off to his left and was at full attention. Then out of the bush a few yards below him came two coyotes hell bent for what they thought would be a free meal. I don’t know how he did it but that slow moving old coyote caught up to those two and bowled one over as the second one continued on her quest for what she thought was a kitten. At about 25 yards I tipped her over and swung to get on at least one of the remaining two. Both were still there, in an eye-to-eye stare down, growling and fangs showing. I lined up on the intruder and put him down, the older guy looked my way turned and started to WALK off. I put the crosshairs right behind his front shoulder and was ready to squeeze off a round when he stopped, turned around sat down and looked my way. He then proceeded to give me a few barks, as to say “Thanks, but I could have handled that young’un by myself.” I smiled, put the rifle down and watched him walk over the ridgeline.
The Black Rilfe had done the job in a very fine and admirable way. I may just have to retire the Sako Vixen as my primary predator gun and move the M15A4 to the front of the safe.
P.S. Did I mention I have been looking at the AR-10 (.308) to replace one of my deer rifles.
I would like to see that next time I get out! But I have problems hitting them with my .270. Maybe in January I’ll have something else to bring. (Santa you listening?)
November 16th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Sounds like a great coyote hunt, and what a way to break in that terrorist rifle! Let us know how the second hunt goes…
November 18th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
The problem Phill and I have is hauling out or walking through the tons of garbage. When BP asks what Im doing I tell them ‘coyote hunting’ and they usually smile and walk off. LOL
Although Ive run into my share of idiot agents, I would suspect that they are in on a cut of the cocaine being brought across and trying to set up safe passage.
Will be dove hunting this afternoon. SE AZ may be one of the only places you carry 30 caliber repeating rifles for personal defense while bird hunting >:/
December 6th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
Hi All, I’m a newbie. Just stumbled onto this site and am fascinated with what John’s up to and all the comments. In the brushy, hilly area I live in, coyotes are scarce and daytime calling is difficult. However I have called at night and had a Bear come running in. It came in running full speed from behind me and stopped at about 10 ft., winded me I guess, and took off like a rocket. In fact I didn’t realize it was a bear until the next morning when I could check the tracks in daylight. Next time I’ll be in a tree stand. We do have lots of foxes and raccoons. Merry Christmas/Happy New Year. BA.
December 8th, 2007 at 5:23 am
Wife saw a bear yesterday morning on our property. May have to get an otc tag and break out the bow!
December 11th, 2007 at 2:04 pm
Jackrabbit John: I went on my first Bear hunt this year. 21 days of stand, stillhunting, and spot and stalk tactics. I used a trail camera to verify that there were 4-5 bears using the area. On 11-07-07 I spotted my bear, and when he came within 200 yds. I took him. Now I’m hooked. Next year I will use a varmint call to harvest my bear. Let us know if you use a varmint call to hunt that bear. The night the bear came in on me while varmint hunting, I was using a rodent squeaker. There was no breeze, dead quiet, you could have heard a pin drop. It was Full Moon. Suddenly I heard what sounded like a giant Labrador Retriever running down the hill behind me. It stopped, and then retreated at twice that speed. I was shocked. A great lesson learned. I think I discovered firsthand the best way to hunt bear. Please let me know if you do it.
December 11th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Great read. I also want an AR in 308. Maybe around tax time….
January 26th, 2008 at 12:32 am
Nice website! I won’t boast about my 2007 numbers. Instead I’ll say that calling and hunting coyotes is the Lord’s work so shoot straight and never apologize.
A Different Jeff in Marana Arizona
February 3rd, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Opps. I forgot the subject is rifles and calibers and such. My mistake.
T/C Encore - Zeiss , CZ 527 Varminter / Nikon both in Ruger .204. I absolutely love the .204 and have planted a 30# bobcat tom with one round at 75 yds. with the T/C . Concerns? Breezes blowing the bullets around.
Jeff Stewart in Marana
February 3rd, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Sounds like you had a very interesting hunt. I think the best thing about hunting is you never know what to expect and each trip is different. I have done a great deal of deer, turkey, quail, and hog hunting…maybe I’ll give coyote hunting a try.
April 25th, 2008 at 1:31 am