Beware of the Hunter With Just One Rifle

Like a lot of you, I receive monthly coyote hunting and shooting magazines and all sorts of predator hunting catalogs. Sometimes it seems as though the flood of coyote hunting product marketing has no end. Most of the monthly shooting magazine covers feature a new rifle caliber or yet another improved version of a Colt 1911 offered by one of the major manufacturers. Yup, there is always attractive bait on the hook in hopes that we consumers will consider adding yet another rifle or pistol to an already crowded gun safe. The latest marketing technique is the “combo deal” where they offer a rifle already fitted with a scope or some other accessory package. Vendors continue to make the deal attractive and easy. 

Their new offering is claimed to be lighter, stronger, more accurate, and better suited to a broad spectrum of hunting. It also features this brand new caliber that will eventually prove to be a better coyote hunting round than all the rest. We’ve seen it all before, heard it all before and read about it all before, but for some strange reason we actually consider (albeit for only a few moments) buying one. The truth is that marketing works. Hence the plethora of coyote hunting and calling product and service related magazines out there competing for our subscription dollars. And…..OK, I’ll admit it…I am a sucker for most rifle ads. I have bitten the hook many times…….like a shark that hadn’t fed for a week. I just happen to be a hardware freak and in the past, I just may have been a tad too impulsive.


The truth of the matter is that the hunter that owns one rifle and shoots that one rifle all the time, typically has the higher kill ratio per shots fired. It stands to reason that if he is totally familiar with that particular rifle and the ballistics of his pet load(s), the odds for success are on his side.

As an example, consider the .243 caliber rifle. It would make a pretty darn good overall rifle for the average hunter. With a versatile barrel twist, a hunter could load and shoot a wide selection of different weight bullets to suit a variety of game. Everything from rabbits to deer sized game could be easily taken with this one caliber. It may not be your first choice for an “only” rifle but I would certainly give it serious consideration for coyote hunting.


In order to become a successful coyote hunter, you will need to be deadly accurate, efficient, familiar and safe. Accuracy comes from repetition and practice, much like a guitar player becomes proficient with his guitar. The more you shoot, the better you become. In time, you’ll develop shooting muscles that will become much steadier. You’ll be more familiar with your rifle and as a result of mastering all the combined factors mentioned above, you will be a force to be reckoned with.


Shooting one rifle and becoming thoroughly familiar with its controls, characteristics, ballistics and handling gives a hunter a definite advantage. So, if you have not gone overboard (yet) purchasing different rifles for different game, perhaps you should hold off, think about exactly what you need and keep the firearms count down to a reasonable level. Also, you'll need to check out our actual "field-proven" products from RedHunterLLC .  You’ll benefit in the long run.