The .223 is the most common coyote cartridge in America and the most confusing to shop for, because it is sold into two markets at once. One of them is varmint hunting. The other is much larger, and it is what the rifles are actually built around.
Two hundred and thirty-eight rifles carry it in the current catalog: 75 bolt actions and 159 semi-automatics. They are different animals and this page treats them separately.
Twist is settled, whatever you have read
Every .223 bolt rifle in the catalog is 1:9 or faster — fifty at 1:9, eighteen at 1:8, six at 1:7, and a single 1:10. There is not one 1:12 or 1:14 left. The slow-twist varmint .223 has gone; in 2017 this page listed six 1:12 rifles and a 1:14.
That closes the twist argument rather than settling it in someone’s favor. The .223 varmint loads run 35 to 62 grain, and every twist still sold stabilizes all of them. If you have read that you must match twist to bullet weight in a .223, that advice is about 69 to 77 grain match and duty bullets, which are not what you shoot coyotes with.
Barrel length is the choice that matters
It is the specification that actually costs you, because the published velocities for .223 varmint ammunition are measured in 24 and 26 inch test barrels. A short barrel does not reach them, and the .223 is a cartridge that lives on velocity.
Only eight bolt rifles here have a 23 inch barrel or longer. Thirty-three are 20 inch — including the Savage Axis 2, which is the single most common .223 on the list. That is the modern hunting rifle: handier, and slower than the numbers on the box.
If the long barrel is what you are after, Savage still builds the 110 Varminter in the old heavy-barrel pattern, and Ruger’s American Generation II covers the middle of this table.
The bolt rifles
23 inches and longer — the velocity you were promised
| Rifle | Barrel | Twist | Weight | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christensen Arms MPR Competition Tungsten Cerakote | 26in | 1:8 | 11.6 lb | 10+1 |
| Savage 25 Lightweight Varminter Matte | 24in | 1:9 | 8.25 lb | 4+1 |
| Weatherby Vanguard Black Hills Matte Blued/Monte Carlo Bolt Action R | 24in | 1:8 | 7.8 lb | 5+1 |
| Weatherby Vanguard Obsidian | 24in | 1:8 | 7.5 lb | 5+1 |
| Weatherby Vanguard Sporter Bead Blasted Blued Bolt Action Rifle - 24 | 24in | 1:8 | 7.5 lb | 5+1 |
| Weatherby Vanguard Sportsman’s Edition Cerakote Bolt Action Rifle - | 24in | 1:10 | 7 lb | 5+1 |
| Weatherby Vanguard Weatherguard Bronze Burnt Bronze Cerakote/Black B | 24in | 1:9 | — | 5+1 |
| Tikka T3x Super Varmint Green Cerakote | 23.7in | 1:8 | 9 lb | 5+1 |
21 to 22 inches
| Rifle | Barrel | Twist | Weight | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Single Shot Blued/Walnut Break Action Rifle | 22in | 1:9 | 7.18 lb | 1 |
| Ruger Hawkeye Predator Matte Stainless | 22in | 1:9 | 7.7 lb | 5+1 |
| Savage Arms 110 Hunter Matte Black | 22in | 1:9 | 7.25 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms 110 Storm Matte Stainless Left Hand Bolt Action Rifle - | 22in | 1:9 | 7.4 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 Matte Black/Gray | 22in | 1:9 | 6.6 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 Matte Black/OD Green | 22in | 1:9 | 6.6 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 Matte Gray Left Hand | 22in | 1:9 | 6.6 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 XP Matte Black Left Hand | 22in | 1:9 | 7.7 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 XP inton Matte Black/Gray Bolt Action Rifle - 22in - Gra | 22in | 1:9 | 7.7 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 XP Hardwood Matte Black/Hardwood Bolt Action Rifl | 22in | 1:9 | 7.8 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 XP Hardwood Matte Black/Hardwood Left Hand Bolt A | 22in | 1:9 | 7.8 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis XP Matte Black Bolt Action Rifle - 4+1 Rounds | 22in | 1:9 | 7.6 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis XP with Weaver 3-9 x 40mm Scope Matte Black Left Ha | 22in | 1:9 | 7.6 lb | 4+1 |
| Weatherby 307 Range XP 2.0 Graphite Black Cerakote | 22in | 1:8 | 7.3 lb | 5+1 |
| Weatherby Vanguard Compact Hunter Tungsten Cerakote Bolt Action Rifl | 22in | 1:9 | 6.5 lb | 5+1 |
20 inches — the modern standard
| Rifle | Barrel | Twist | Weight | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVA Cascade Varmint Hunter Flat Dark Earth Cerakote Camo Bolt Action | 20in | — | 8.9 lb | 10+1 |
| CVA SCOUT Blued Stealth Grey Single Shot Rifle | 20in | 1:9 | 6.4 lb | 1 |
| CVA Scout 35 Whelen Blued Single Shot Rifle - 22in - Blue | 20in | 1:9 | 7.8 lb | 1 |
| CVA Scout Blued/Stealth Grey Lever Action Rifle - 20in - Gray | 20in | 1:9 | — | 1 |
| CVA Scout Takedown Flat Dark Earth Cerakote Single Shot Rifle | 20in | 1:9 | 6.50 lb | 1 |
| Christensen Arms Modern Precision Black Anodized Bolt Action Rifle - | 20in | 1:8 | 6.9 lb | 4+1 |
| Henry Long Ranger Black Hard Coat Anodized Lever Action Rifle | 20in | 1:9 | 7 lb | 5+1 |
| Henry Long Ranger Deluxe Engraved Blued Lever Action Rifle | 20in | 1:9 | 7 lb | 5+1 |
| Henry Long Ranger Hard Anodized Black Lever Action Rifle | 20in | 1:9 | 7 lb | 5+1 |
| Henry Long Ranger Wildlife Coyote Edition Nickel Plated Lever Action | 20in | 1:9 | 7 lb | 5+1 |
| Ruger American Generation II Gun Metal Gray Cerakote Bolt Action Rif | 20in | 1:8 | 6.5 lb | 10+1 |
| Savage 110 Trail Blazer XP Flat Dark Gray | 20in | 1:7 | 8.27 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage 110 Trail Blazer XP Flat Dark Gray Left Hand | 20in | 1:7 | 8.27 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms 110 Lightweight Storm Matte Stainless Steel Bolt Action | 20in | 1:9 | 5.6 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 Compact Matte Black/Green Left Hand Bolt Action R | 20in | 1:9 | 6.4 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 Compact Matte Black/OD Green Bolt Action Rifle - | 20in | 1:9 | 6.4 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 Compact Matte Gray Left Hand Bolt Action Rifle - | 20in | 1:9 | 6.3 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 Compact XP Matte Black Left Hand Bolt Action Rifl | 20in | 1:9 | 7.5 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 PRO Bronze Cerakote/Forest SP Camo Bolt Action Ri | 20in | 1:9 | 6.8 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 PRO Bronze Cerakote/Western Camo Bolt Action Rifl | 20in | 1:9 | 6.8 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 PRO Bronze Cerakote/Western Camo Left Hand Bolt A | 20in | 1:9 | 6.8 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 PRO Compact Bronze Cerakote/Forest SP Camo Bolt A | 20in | 1:9 | 6.8 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 PRO Compact Bronze Cerakote/Western Camo Bolt Act | 20in | 1:9 | 6.7 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 PRO Compact Bronze Cerakote/Western Camo Left Han | 20in | 1:9 | 6.7 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 PRO Compact Bronze Cerakote/Woodland Camo Bolt Ac | 20in | 1:9 | 6.7 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 PRO Compact Bronze Cerakote/Woodland Camo Left Ha | 20in | 1:9 | 6.7 lb | 4 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 XP Compact Flat Dark Earth Left Hand Bolt Action | 20in | 1:9 | 6.4 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis 2 XP Compact with Weaver 3-9x40mm Scope Matte Black | 20in | 1:9 | 7.5 lb | 4+1 |
| Savage Arms Axis XP Compact with Weaver 3-9 x 40mm Scope Matte Black | 20in | 1:9 | 7.4 lb | 4+1 |
| Tikka T3x Ace Game Black Anodized | 20in | 1:8 | 8.8 lb | 6+1 |
| Weatherby Model 307 Range SF Tungsten Cerakote Bolt Action Rifle - 2 | 20in | 1:8 | 7.9 lb | 5+1 |
| Winchester XPR Compact Gray Perma-Cote/Black Bolt Action Rifle - 20i | 20in | 1:8 | 6.5 lb | 5+1 |
| Winchester XPR Extreme SR Flat Dark Earth Cerakote | 20in | 1:8 | 7 lb | 5+1 |
Under 20 inches — compacts and carbines
| Rifle | Barrel | Twist | Weight | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruger Mini-14 Ranch 18.5in Stainless Semi Automatic Modern Sporting Ri | 18.5in | 1:9 | 6.7 lb | 5+1 |
| Ruger Mini-14 Ranch 18.5in Stainless/Black Semi Automatic Modern Sport | 18.5in | 1:9 | 6.7 lb | 20+1 |
| Ruger Mini-14 Ranch 18.5in Stainless/Wood Semi Automatic Modern Sporti | 18.5in | 1:9 | 7 lb | 5+1 |
| Ruger Mini-14 Ranch Black/Gray Chevron Laminate Semi Automatic Rifle - | 18.5in | 1:9 | — | 5+1 |
| CVA Cascade Short Barrel Graphite Black Cerakote Bolt Action Rifle - | 18in | — | 6.95 lb | 4+1 |
| Henry H23 SPD Predator Hard Anodized Black/Gray Laminate Lever Action | 18in | — | — | 10+1 |
| Henry Supreme . / Hard Anodized Lever Action Rifle | 18in | 1:8 | 6.65 lb | 10+1 |
| Savage 110 Ridge Hunter Flat Dark Gray | 18in | 1:7 | 8.1 lb | 10+1 |
| Savage 110 Ridge Hunter Flat Dark Gray Left Hand Bolt Action Rifle - 1 | 18in | 1:7 | 8.1 lb | 10+1 |
| Bergara Stoke Graphite Black Cerakote Compact Bolt Action Rifle - 16 | 16.5in | 1:9 | 6.2 lb | 6+1 |
| CVA Cascade SR Graphite Black Cerakote | 16.5in | 1:9 | 6.5 lb | 4+1 |
| CVA Scout XP-SB Graphite Black Single Shot Rifle | 16.5in | 1:9 | 6.5 lb | 1 |
| Henry Long Ranger Express Black Anodized Lever Action Rifle | 16.5in | 1:9 | 7 lb | 5+1 |
| Rossi LWC Black Break Action Rifle | 16.5in | 1:7 | 5.24 lb | 1 |
| Mossberg MVP Patrol Matte Blued Flash Suppressor Bolt Action Rifle - 1 | 16.25in | 1:9 | 7 lb | 10+1 |
| Mossberg MVP Patrol Professional 16.25in Tungsten Cerakote Bolt Action | 16.25in | 1:9 | — | 10+1 |
| Ruger American Gen II Ranch Cobalt Cerakote/Flat Dark Earth Splatter G | 16.1in | 1:8 | 6.2 lb | 10+1 |
| Ruger American Generation II Scout Cobalt Cerakote Bolt Action Rifle - | 16.1in | 1:8 | 6.6 lb | 10+1 |
| Ruger American Rifle Generation II Ranch Cobalt Cerakote Bolt Action R | 16.1in | 1:8 | 6.2 lb | 10+1 |
| Christensen Arms Modern Precision Desert Brown Anodized Bolt Action | 16in | 1:8 | 6.9 lb | 5+1 |
| Christensen Arms Ridgeline Scout Black Nitride Bolt Action Rifle - 1 | 16in | 1:8 | — | 10+1 |
| Sig Sauer M400 Forge Black Semi-Auto Rifle | 16in | 1:7 | 7.2 lb | 10+1 |
The AR question
There is a real shift toward semi-automatics among predator hunters, and the manufacturers have noticed — Hornady says so plainly about the 22 ARC, a cartridge “that fits into your AR-15” and brings performance “that rivals the 22-250, to the AR-15 platform.”
The .223 AR market is not that, and the numbers say so clearly:
- 129 of the 159 have a 16 inch barrel. Only twenty reach 18 inches.
- 90 are 1:7 and 42 are 1:8. These are duty twists, cut for 62 to 77 grain bullets.
- Of the twenty with a longer barrel, not one is a varmint configuration. They are military patterns — Kel-Tec RDB, IWI Tavor, Zastava PAP, FN’s M249S and Military Collector, Daniel Defense’s MK12. Long barrels for a different reason.
So the .223 AR is a duty rifle that will kill coyotes, rather than a coyote rifle. A 16 inch barrel at 1:7 shooting 40 grain bullets is three specifications away from what the ammunition assumes. It works — plenty of coyotes die to it every year — but you are giving up the velocity the cartridge is chosen for.
If you want a semi-automatic for predators, the honest options are to accept the carbine’s velocity loss, or to look at a cartridge designed for the platform. Worth knowing before you do: the ARC cartridges are mostly being sold as bolt guns anyway — 22 ARC returns six rifles in this catalog and not one is an AR, and the cartridge built purely for AR-15 predator work, the .224 Valkyrie, returns no rifles at all.
This is one retailer, and a shop specializing in ARs would show a different mix. But the shape of it — 16 inch, 1:7, duty pattern — is what the .223 AR market is.
How this was checked
Every rifle was listed in a major US retailer’s catalog on 4 September 2026, across both its bolt-action and semi-automatic categories, with barrel, twist, weight and capacity taken from that retailer’s published specification. Empty cells are figures the retailer does not publish, not guesses.
A catalog listing is not a stock check. Firearms there are handled through the stores, so every rifle shows the same state whatever its availability.
No paid links. The rifle tables on this site are editorial. For the cartridge comparison rather than the rifles, start at the hub.