Last updated and checked October 29, 2026 · By Nick Hall, coyote hunter who has run AR-15s on predator hunts in multiple states
Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
Quick answer: the Sig Sauer M400-TREAD V2 ($1,099.99) is the best AR-15 for coyote hunting in 2026: a 16-inch stainless 1:8 barrel, a two-stage Matchlite Duo trigger and 6.5 lbs, so it carries all day and holds a scope steady. For open country, the PSA Sabre Forged 20-inch .223 Wylde puts a long stainless barrel on your shoulder for $929.99 at PSA. On a budget, the Ruger Harrier starts at $699.
Want a premium rifle, the Wilson Combat Recon Tactical shoots better than most hunters can hold. Match the barrel to your terrain: 20 inches for open ground, 18 for mixed stands, 16 for thick brush and truck work.
| Rifle | Barrel | Twist | List Price | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BEST OVERALLSig Sauer M400-TREAD V2 | 16″ | 1:8 | $1,099.99 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST LONG RANGEPSA Sabre Forged 20″ .223 Wylde | 20″ | 1:8 | $929.99 (PSA) | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST BUDGETRuger Harrier | 16.1″ | 1:8 | $699 to $749 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST CARRYSpringfield Saint Victor V2 | 16″ | 1:7 | $1,249 | Lowest Price ↓ |
| BEST PREMIUMWilson Combat Recon Tactical | 18″ | 1:8 | $2,575 | Lowest Price ↓ |
Table of Contents
How we tested: Every pick here is ranked against our testing methodology. Minimum round counts, accuracy and reliability protocols, the failures that disqualify a gun.
Introduction: AR-15 Coyote Hunting in 2026
The AR-15 is the most popular coyote rifle in America, and it’s not even close. Semi-auto for quick follow-ups. Flat trajectory for long pasture shots. Cheap ammo so you can practice without selling your truck. Once you’ve called in a coyote with an AR-15, you won’t go back to a bolt gun for predator hunting.
There are more than 32 million modern sporting rifles in circulation, according to NSSF‘s latest estimate, and the market moves fast. This update proves it: three rifles from the old version of this page are gone. Ruger has ended AR-556 production (the MPR included) and replaced it with the Harrier, the Savage MSR 15 Recon is no longer in Savage’s catalog, and Del-Ton closed in April 2025. Every pick below is a current model I checked against the maker’s site on October 29, 2026.
I’ve been hunting coyotes with AR setups for eight years. I started with a basic 16″ carbine and built a dedicated 20″ varmint upper that I run on cold mornings over cattle pasture. This guide covers the rifles I would buy today, plus barrel length, twist rate, optics and ammo. For the full lineup, see our best AR-15 rifles guide, and for caliber options, our AR-15 caliber comparison.
1. Sig Sauer M400-TREAD V2: Best Overall Coyote AR-15
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel Length: 16″ (stainless steel, 1:8 twist)
- Weight: 6.5 lbs
- Gas System: Mid-length
- Trigger: SIG Matchlite Duo 2-stage
- MSRP: $1,099.99 at Sig
Pros
- Stainless barrel shrugs off wet stands
- Matchlite Duo two-stage trigger
- Light enough to carry, 6.5 lbs
Cons
- 16″ gives up velocity past 300 yards
- Matchlite Duo is good, not match grade
- Black version is anodized, not Cerakote
Sig builds rifles for people who pull triggers for a living, and the Tread runs. In the rain, in the dust, in the cold. I’ve hunted coyotes in January with a Tread when it was 15 degrees and it cycled like a summer day at the range. That matters when you’ve sat on a stand for two hours and a coyote finally shows up.
The V2 fixes the one complaint I had with the original: it now ships with Sig’s Matchlite Duo two-stage trigger, so you can take up the slack and squeeze a clean shot on a coyote standing broadside at 250 yards. The stainless 1:8 barrel handles dew-soaked grass and a wet fence post without pitting, and it stabilizes everything from 55-grain V-Max to 77-grain match bullets.
Where the Tread gives ground is barrel length. A 16″ barrel loses 50 fps to an 18″ and 100 fps to a 20″. Inside 250 yards on a calling stand, you won’t notice. For long pasture shots, the PSA Sabre 20″ below is the better tool.
Best For: Coyote hunters who want one rifle they can trust in any weather, carry all day and shoot well past 200 yards.
2. PSA Sabre Forged 20″ .223 Wylde: Best for Long-Range Coyotes
- Caliber: .223 Wylde (shoots .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO)
- Barrel Length: 20″ (416R stainless, nitride, 1:8 twist)
- Gas Block: Adjustable
- Rail: 18″ M-LOK (Knurled Slant or Sabre Lock Up)
- Muzzle: Sabre compensator
- Warranty: PSA lifetime
- Price: $929.99 to $979.99 at PSA (no MSRP)
Pros
- 20″ stainless barrel for maximum velocity
- .223 Wylde chamber for both loads
- Adjustable gas block, lifetime warranty
Cons
- Long and front-heavy to carry
- PSA lists no weight
- Spec sheet details vary by listing
The old version of this page recommended a PSA 20″ varmint upper that PSA no longer lists. The Sabre Forged 20″ is the complete PSA rifle I would buy instead: a 20″ 416R stainless barrel in .223 Wylde with a 1:8 twist, an adjustable gas block, an 18″ M-LOK rail and PSA’s lifetime warranty, for $929.99 to $979.99 at PSA depending on the rail and stock.
The .223 Wylde chamber is the move for accuracy. It splits the difference between .223 Rem and 5.56 NATO, so it shoots both safely and accurately. The 20″ barrel adds 100 fps over a 16″ barrel, and at 400 yards that extra speed shows up as less drop and less wind drift. With match ammo mine holds 1 MOA, which is plenty for a coyote at any distance you should shoot one.
Fair warning: with a scope and bipod this is a heavy, front-heavy rifle. It’s not for walking miles of river bottom. It’s for lying prone behind a call over open pasture.
Best For: Pasture and prairie hunters who set up on a bipod and shoot 300 yards and out.
3. Ruger Harrier: Best Budget Coyote AR-15
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel Length: 16.1″ (Government profile, 1:8 twist)
- Weight: 6.6 lbs (28601) or 6.8 lbs (28600)
- Gas System: Carbine (28601) or mid-length (28600)
- Trigger: GI-style single stage
- MSRP: $699 (28601) or $749 (28600)
Pros
- $699 list for a current Ruger
- Mid-length gas on the 28600
- 1:8 twist handles 55 to 77 grain
Cons
- Basic GI single-stage trigger
- No sights included
- 16″ only, no 18″ model
The Harrier is Ruger’s replacement for the AR-556 line, including the 18″ MPR that used to sit at the top of this list. It comes in two versions. The $699 28601 runs carbine-length gas with an M4-style stock and weighs 6.6 lbs. The $749 28600 steps up to mid-length gas, a Magpul DT Carbine stock and MOE-K2 grip, a full-length top rail, and 6.8 lbs. For coyotes, spend the extra $50 on the 28600; mid-length gas is softer on the shoulder and the full top rail gives you more room to mount a scope.
Both use a 16.1″ Government-profile barrel with a 1:8 twist and an A2 flash hider. The trigger is a plain GI single stage, so plan on a drop-in upgrade if you shoot past 250 yards. With 55-grain V-Max and a 3-9x scope, mine shoots 1.5 MOA groups, which is enough for coyotes on a calling stand. For more budget rifles, see our cheap AR-15 rifles guide.
Best For: Budget-minded hunters who want a current, reliable rifle from a big maker for well under $1,000.
4. Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport III: Best Value Free-Float Rifle
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel Length: 16″ (4140 steel, Armornite, 1:8 5R rifling)
- Weight: 6.52 lbs
- Gas System: Mid-length
- Rail: 15″ free-float M-LOK
- MSRP: $799 (SKU 13807)
Pros
- 15″ free-float M-LOK rail
- 5R rifling, mid-length gas
- Lifetime service policy
Cons
- Mil-spec style trigger
- No sights included
- 16″ barrel only
The Sport III is the budget rifle I hand to new coyote hunters. For $799 list you get a 16″ Armornite-finished barrel with 5R rifling and a 1:8 twist, mid-length gas, and a 15″ free-float M-LOK handguard, which matters when you load a bipod on the rail and lean into it. A drop-in handguard pushes on the barrel; a free-float one doesn’t.
It weighs 6.52 lbs, so it carries easily on a sling, and Smith & Wesson backs it with a lifetime service policy. Street prices run well under list, which leaves room in the budget for a good scope.
Best For: First-time coyote hunters who want a free-float rifle with a lifetime service policy.
5. Springfield Saint Victor V2: Best Lightweight Carry Coyote AR
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel Length: 16″ (CMV, nitride, 1:7 twist)
- Weight: 6 lbs 12 oz
- Trigger: Nickel boron coated
- Extras: Flip-up sights, padded case
- MSRP: $1,249
Pros
- Light enough to carry all day
- Nickel boron trigger is clean
- Flip-up sights and case included
Cons
- 16″ not ideal past 300 yards
- Costs more than the Tread
- 1:7 twist is overkill for 55 grain
Not every coyote hunt happens from a blind. Some of the best predator hunting I’ve done meant walking miles of river bottom, stopping every 500 yards to call for 20 minutes, then moving on. For that, you want a rifle light enough to carry with a scope and sling, and the Saint Victor V2 fits at 6 lbs 12 oz.
Springfield’s nickel boron coated trigger breaks clean with a short reset, and the Accu-Tite tension system keeps the upper and lower tight even after a morning in a truck bed. The V2 runs a 1:7 twist, which stabilizes heavy 77-grain bullets well. Pair it with a 1-6x LPVO and you can take a 25-yard snap shot or a 300-yard poke from the same rifle. For more options, see our best lightweight AR-15 rifles guide.
Best For: Walk-and-call coyote hunters who cover a lot of ground.
6. Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 PRO: Best 18-Inch Coyote AR
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel Length: 18″ (cold hammer forged, S2W heavy profile, chrome lined, 1:7 twist)
- Weight: 7.40 lbs
- Gas System: Rifle-length
- Trigger: Geissele Super Dynamic 3-Gun
- Price: $2,470 at Daniel Defense
Pros
- 18″ barrel with rifle-length gas
- Geissele two-stage trigger from the factory
- Cold hammer forged, chrome lined
Cons
- $2,470 is serious money
- 7.40 lbs before glass
- No sights included
With the Ruger MPR gone, the V7 PRO is the 18″ factory rifle I would buy for coyotes. Daniel Defense pairs an 18″ cold hammer forged S2W heavy barrel with rifle-length gas, which is the smoothest-cycling setup you can put on an AR-15. Less bolt carrier bounce means you can watch the hit through the scope.
The trigger is a Geissele Super Dynamic 3-Gun, the MFR 15.0 rail is free-floated and M-LOK, and the rifle ships in a hard case. At 7.40 lbs it is heavier than the 16″ rifles here, which is an advantage on a bipod and a cost on a long walk.
Best For: Serious callers who want an 18″ factory rifle with a great trigger and no build work.
7. Wilson Combat Recon Tactical: Best Premium Coyote AR-15
- Caliber: 5.56 NATO
- Barrel Length: 18″ (fluted match-grade, 1:8 twist)
- Weight: 7 lbs 3 oz
- Gas System: Rifle-length
- Trigger: Wilson Combat TTU M2
- Price: From $2,575 (18″ fluted)
Pros
- Certified sub-1.5″ groups at 100 yards
- Match-grade fluted barrel
- TTU M2 trigger is excellent
Cons
- $2,575 is a lot for coyotes
- Built to order, lead times vary
- Too nice to drag through mud
Wilson Combat builds rifles the way your grandfather built furniture: hand-fitted and individually tested. The Recon Tactical with the 18″ fluted match barrel is chambered in 5.56 NATO and runs rifle-length gas. Wilson certifies every rifle to shoot 3-shot groups under 1.5 inches at 100 yards with match ammo, and most do much better. Mine prints 0.7 MOA with factory 69-grain match loads.
The TTU M2 trigger is crisp and light, and Wilson sells it separately for $196. Is $2,575 reasonable for a coyote gun? If you run 50 or more stands a season, the Wilson will perform at a level cheaper rifles can’t match. If you hunt a few weekends a year, buy the Tread and spend the savings on ammo. For more, see our best custom AR-15 rifles guide.
Best For: Serious predator hunters who want the best accuracy a factory AR-15 offers.
8. Aero Precision M4E1 Varmint Build: Best Custom Coyote Platform
- Caliber: .223 Wylde (recommended)
- Barrel Length: 18″ Aero .223 Wylde (1:8, rifle gas) or a 20″ Ballistic Advantage or Criterion
- Lower: Aero M4E1 complete lower ($400 at Aero)
- Trigger: LaRue MBT-2S or Geissele SSA-E
- Handguard: Aero S-ONE M-LOK
- Total Cost: $1,100 to $1,300 depending on parts
Pros
- Every part chosen for coyotes
- Rifle-length gas on an 18 to 20″
- M4E1 threaded pins ease assembly
Cons
- Requires assembly skill or a gunsmith
- Costs creep up fast
- Aero makes no 20″ Wylde barrel
Building a dedicated coyote AR lets you pick every part for one job. Start with an Aero M4E1 complete lower ($400 at Aero), add Aero’s 18″ .223 Wylde barrel ($230, 1:8, rifle-length gas) or, if you want 20 inches, a Ballistic Advantage or Criterion barrel, since Aero’s Wylde barrels top out at 18″. Finish with a LaRue MBT-2S trigger ($115 to $140 at retail) and an Aero S-ONE M-LOK handguard. Total cost: $1,100 to $1,300.
My own coyote build runs a Criterion 20″ HBAR with rifle-length gas, and it’s the smoothest-cycling AR-15 I own. If you’ve never built one, our complete build guide walks you through it. The M4E1 lower’s threaded pins remove the hardest part.
Best For: Builders who want a coyote-specific AR without paying boutique prices.
Buyer’s Guide: AR-15 Coyote Hunting Setup
Barrel Length: 18″ vs 20″ vs 16″
For dedicated coyote hunting, 18″ is the sweet spot. You get most of the velocity of a 20″ barrel (50 fps less) in a shorter, handier package. The rule of thumb with .223 and 5.56 is 25 fps per inch of barrel. A 20″ barrel is the accuracy king if you’re shooting from a fixed position and don’t mind the extra length. A 16″ barrel works fine inside 300 yards but gives up meaningful velocity that matters at longer range. If your shots run 300+ yards across open ranch land, go 18-20″. If you’re hunting thick brush and timber, 16″ is plenty.
Optics for Coyote Hunting
Your optic matters as much as your rifle. For calling setups where shots are 100-400 yards, a 4-16x or 6-24x scope is ideal. Vortex Diamondback Tactical, Primary Arms SLx, and Athlon Argos are all solid budget options under $300. For walk-and-call hunting, an LPVO (1-6x or 1-8x) gives you the flexibility for both close-range snap shots and medium-range precision. Check our AR-15 optics guide for recommendations.
Best Ammo for Coyotes
If you’re saving fur, use a fragmenting bullet like Hornady V-Max 55gr or Nosler Ballistic Tip 55gr. These expand rapidly and minimize pelt damage. If the hide doesn’t matter, Barnes Varmint Grenade and Hornady 53gr V-Max are devastatingly effective. For long-range work in wind, step up to 69-77gr match loads for better ballistic coefficient. And always zero your scope with the ammo you plan to hunt with. Don’t zero with cheap ball ammo and assume your hunting loads will hit the same point of impact.
Shop Coyote Hunting AR-15 Gear
Best-scored accessories across 200+ retailers · Updated every 4 hours
Browse All AR-15 Parts & Upgrades →
Compare prices on our gun deals page or use the price comparison tool to find the lowest price. For AR-15 specific deals, check our AR-15 deals page.
Facts and Figures
- List prices, October 29, 2026: $699 (Ruger Harrier 28601) to $2,575 (Wilson Combat Recon Tactical, 18″ fluted)
- Velocity: 25 fps per inch of barrel is the rule of thumb with .223/5.56, so a 20″ barrel runs 100 fps faster than a 16″
- Twist rates: 1:8 on the Tread V2, Sabre, Harrier, Sport III and Wilson; 1:7 on the Saint Victor V2 and DDM4 V7 PRO
- Discontinued since the last update: Ruger AR-556 MPR (Ruger ended AR-556 production), Savage MSR 15 Recon, Del-Ton Sierra 316 (Del-Ton closed April 2025)
- Modern sporting rifles in circulation: more than 32 million (NSSF)
FAQ: Best AR-15 for Coyote Hunting
What is the best AR-15 for coyote hunting?
The Sig Sauer M400-TREAD V2 ($1,099.99) is our top pick: a 16-inch stainless 1:8 barrel, a two-stage Matchlite Duo trigger and 6.5 lbs. For open country, the PSA Sabre Forged 20-inch .223 Wylde ($929.99 at PSA) is the long-range pick, and the Ruger Harrier ($699 list) is the budget pick.
What is the best barrel length for coyote hunting with an AR-15?
18 inches is the best all-purpose length. You give up 50 fps to a 20-inch barrel but get a handier rifle. Pick 20 inches for open pasture shots past 300 yards and 16 inches for brush, timber and walk-and-call hunting. The rule of thumb is 25 fps per inch of barrel.
What twist rate is best for coyote hunting?
1:8 is the best choice for most hunters. It stabilizes 55-grain varmint bullets and 77-grain match loads. A 1:7 twist, like the Saint Victor V2 and Daniel Defense V7 PRO, also handles both and is a little better with the heaviest bullets.
Is the Ruger AR-556 MPR discontinued?
Yes. Ruger ended AR-556 production, the MPR included, and replaced the line with the Harrier: a 16.1-inch 1:8 rifle at $699 (model 28601, carbine gas) or $749 (model 28600, mid-length gas). For an 18-inch factory rifle today, look at the Daniel Defense DDM4 V7 PRO.
What optic should I use for coyote hunting?
For calling setups at 100 to 400 yards, a 4-16x or 6-24x scope. For walk-and-call hunting, a 1-6x or 1-8x LPVO covers close snap shots and medium-range work. Vortex Diamondback Tactical, Primary Arms SLx and Athlon Argos are solid budget scopes.
What is the best ammo for coyote hunting?
Hornady 55-grain V-Max and Nosler 55-grain Ballistic Tip fragment fast and limit pelt damage. Hornady's 53-grain V-Max is another good choice. For long shots in wind, step up to 69- to 77-grain match loads, and always zero with the ammo you hunt with.
How far can you shoot a coyote with an AR-15?
With a good scope and match ammo, an AR-15 in .223 or 5.56 is effective on coyotes to 400 yards. Most coyotes are taken inside 300 yards on a calling stand.
Do I need a bipod for coyote hunting?
It helps a lot. A bipod on a free-float M-LOK handguard gives you a steady rest for small targets at distance. Harris and Atlas bipods mount to M-LOK rails like the ones on the Tread V2, Sabre, Sport III and Saint Victor V2.
Related Guides