Crows, ground hogs, coyotes... I'm looking at the .308 because in the fall I could easily take a deer... I'm just looking at a good starter rifle to hunt with. Everything I have read on the rifle says the stock is a POS but the accuracy is out of the world for a rifle of that price range.
Savage has always made a accurate rifle, especially for the price. The stock can be bedded and adjusted for very little cost to improve that end. I don't know what the person meant when they tagged the stock as POS. You don't need a $500 plus stock to shoot accurately, especially at that range. A good book, is "The Accurate Rifle". You can bed the action and barrel.
For coyotes, another choice would be a .270, maybe even a .243. (there are other choices too)
On a 5.56, I would stay under 500M or maybe under 400M.
If your hunting coyotes, bullet choice is very important if your after the hide. Also try calling, they will almost jump in your lap (depending on the winter and food supply)
Another note on calling, any predator will answer, hawks, bob cat, cougar, etc,