I'm going through a very confusing decision. I'm going to get a new gun and I want to shoot coyotes with it. The first decision is handgun or rifle. Does anyone out there shoot coyotes with a handgun? If so, what kind, caliber, and at what ranges? I'll cover the rifle question later, but I'm trying to keep costs for whatever to $500 including a scope if I need it.

Hey azmark I wrote a big answer on the other site for you. I'm a handgun hunter only now and I use a Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter in .44mag I use this for everything upto Elk. I have taken coyotes,badger, deer, and a 325lbs. Black Bear with a handgun. Once you shoot your first kill with a handgun your hooked.
I wouldn't go any smaller then a .357 mag in a revolver and in the specialty handguns that shoot centerfire calibers you can use the .22 cal. like a .223 or 22-250 upto the big long range calibers.

Yeah, the Hunter is nice but over my budget. Used guns are hard to come by here because the town is so small. I've actually thought of a Taurus Tracker. Either in .357 or .44 it comes ready to mount a scope and the price is right.

Stevens

http://www.savagearms.com/st_200short.htm

Nothing wrong with a taurus tracker. I would still go with a .44mag just incase you want to shoot something bigger later on. My wife wants a tracker in .357mag for deer.

Buy a Remington, # 1, they are very accurate, 2 they don,t lose there value like Savage or Mossburg,Ruger,

They keep there value and you can sell them for the about the same as you paid, Unlike those other guns. You should be able to get a Stainless Steel for no more than $550.00, SPS + shipping. - any of the smaller calibers would work-

But this is just my opinion. Good Hunting.

....just wondering where a guy would be able to get a free scope?

Are you giving away free scopes Red?

Look at the Savage or Stevens they have package deals with scopes around that price.

What about a Savage model 11 Hunter with the open sights? I could get one within my budget. It should be easier to hit with than a handgun. I've also looked at 30-30 ballistics, and at open sight ranges, there's not that much difference. I haven't shot either of these, so I don't know how good the stock sights would be. The 30-30 I would choose would be a Marlin 336. Again, within my price range.

Has anyone shot either of these guns?

The Stevens are a good buy and they are a very good rifle for the price. The package deals are great.

AH Yes,!! I did over look that Small Detail. Good Call there RED. It looks like the way to go IS the Savage rout,

i have 2 ...336's and with a scope the 30-30 will do 1/2" at 100yr's and will drop a yote in its track's vary easy..ammo is cheep for a 30-30...and i use it for my grouse gun it will pick a head off at 65 YRd's all day..
it shoots 150 GR ammo vary good...

I was out today with a guy who had a Howa M1500 .204. I think you can get those new for about $425. He got 4 coyotes with it today. One at 220 yards. It comes in other calibers, I would get a .223 if they have it because the ammo is cheap and its a great coyote round.

if your going to get a 223 get a savage ! or ruger..i shoot a ruger M77 MK II at 100 YR's i can put all shots in the top of a milk jug lid...8 shot's and ammo is way cheep 4$ for a cheep box of ammo or 9-12 for the good stuff...my ruger likes the cheep stuff ..