New coyote rifle

[newdrenalin]

Never hunted coyotes before and thinking of giving it a go this winter. I love shooting and this gives me an excuse to buy another rifle. LOL. My question is what would you guys suggest for a dedicated coyote caliber and which bullet to not wreck the hides ?

Thanks for any help

[cujo1969]

223 rem or 22-250

[eric2381]

Savage model 10 predator in 204 ruger. But don't get the scoped package, the scopes are garbage.

[Cofirearms]

222 rem is my go to rifle. Super accurate easy on the hides too. Finding ammo might be a problem unless you reload.

[densa44]

This is a terrific caliber, about 260M dead range, MV 4000 feet/second, no recoil.

Eric is right the scope is not as good as the rifle on that axis. I have a very nice Leupold on ours and it is a great combination.

The ammo is too expensive but I reload.

[tikka250]

Anything in the 17-22 cal range is good for saving pelts. 17wsm being the smallest i would use. I shoot a 223 222 and 22-250 and find all are good on fur with the 22-250 being a little bit nasty from time to time if the shot is not made right. Bullets i find work for me are Vmax in thr 50-55 grain range in the 223 and 22-250 and im trying berger 40grain flat base varmint bullets in the 222.

[bulletman]

I prefer the .243 as it can double as a deer rifle if necessary. 55 or 70 grainers for the yotes and 90-100 grain for deer.

[243 wild cat]

Originally Posted by bulletman

I prefer the .243 as it can double as a deer rifle if necessary. 55 or 70 grainers for the yotes and 90-100 grain for deer.

Same hear its a great gun the 243 as you can double it when needed. I had too one time and it did its job great.

[eric2381]

Originally Posted by densa44

This is a terrific caliber, about 260M dead range, MV 4000 feet/second, no recoil.

Eric is right the scope is not as good as the rifle on that axis. I have a very nice Leupold on ours and it is a great combination.

The ammo is too expensive but I reload.

I'm not talking about the Axis. The model 10 predator. 22" medium heavy barrel, accutrigger. Good shooters.

[Slash8]

204 hands down. The 32 grain V-Max bullets have served me well with minimal hide damage if you get em right in the boiler room.

[Flight01]

Originally Posted by eric2381

I'm not talking about the Axis. The model 10 predator. 22" medium heavy barrel, accutrigger. Good shooters.

The non-axis savages are pretty good shooters in my experience handling and shooting other peoples rifles. I personally only have a savage 17hmr but I did just put a Boyd's stock on my sisters stainless Axis in 7-08 and its a nice gun actually. Needs trigger work but that's all.
As for the Coyote caliber I am a fan of 223 . mostly because a I like to shoot bulk ammo...
if its a dedicated coyote caliber , sight in at the range then every shot there after will be at coyotes(no excessive target practice),,, Then i'd suggest the 22-250 for its slightly better trajectory then the 223 and would be better to take a wolf if he came in to your coyote set up than a .204
god luck buying a new rifle... now I want one

[struik9913]

.204 will hands down drop a wolf... 40grn vmax at 3900fps carries 896 fl/lbs of force at 200 yards and 583 ft/lbs of force at 400 yards. also might add that even at 400 yards the bullet is travelling at 2500 ft/sec and only drops 13 ".

Have shot song dogs out to 500 yard with the .204/hand loads and it drops them every time. Highly suggest it

[newdrenalin]

Thanks for all the info guys !! Now to find a rifle in 204,22.250 or 223 and go have some fun.

[brobinson]

Originally Posted by eric2381

I'm not talking about the Axis. The model 10 predator. 22" medium heavy barrel, accutrigger. Good shooters.

X2 on this being a great rifle. I have a 22-250 in the model before the addition of the accustock. Topped it off with a Nikon Coyote Special 4.5-14x40. I have a picture of a group I shot at 200 yards with 55gr Winchester Ballistic Silvertips, that I can cover with a quarter,(This was after glass bedding the recoil lug area). I haven't yet gotten a chance to run my ladder tests with a few different bullets. The accutrigger is fantastic. Probably the only savage I will buy though, the camo dip kinda hides some of the ugliness!

[waterhaulerhunter]

Newdrenalin if you are getting a dedicated coyote gun and want the fur hands down go with the .204 ruger. I used one for a couple winters and they're fantastic. This year I'm using a 22-250 (just to try something new) and they're hard on fur. I shot 2 yesterday with the 243 win and 4 today with the 22-250 and when they're all piled by each other the 22-250 was just as hard as the 243 on the fur. I know there always times when they won't buy overall the .204 is the winner in fur saving. If you don't care about the fur then go 243 and don't waste your time with the 22-250. Just my opinion though.

[elkhunter11]

My go to coyote rifle has been a 260rem but it isn't easy on fur. I am looking forward to trying out my 20 Tactical, driving a 39gr Blitzking at 3900fps. The accuracy and point of impact are very consistent from 3700fps, to 3900fps.

[Cofirearms]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

My go to coyote rifle has been a 260rem but it isn't easy on fur. I am looking forward to trying out my 20 Tactical, driving a 39gr Blitzking at 3900fps. The accuracy and point of impact are very consistent from 3700fps, to 3900fps.

Quite beautiful groups if I do say so myself.

[Fowl91]

.243 has been quite deadly on coyotes this year, and I've had no problems finding reloading supplies(especially brass) for it. If you plan on saving fur then a 70gr ballistic tip is NOT recommended. Good luck with the search, keep us posted with what your decision is

[223hunter]

I shoot a 223 browning xbolt with a nikon M-223 3-12x42. Setup works great for me. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416370144.299402.jpg

[wolf308]

Originally Posted by brobinson

X2 on this being a great rifle. I have a 22-250 in the model before the addition of the accustock. Topped it off with a Nikon Coyote Special 4.5-14x40. I have a picture of a group I shot at 200 yards with 55gr Winchester Ballistic Silvertips, that I can cover with a quarter,(This was after glass bedding the recoil lug area). I haven't yet gotten a chance to run my ladder tests with a few different bullets. The accutrigger is fantastic. Probably the only savage I will buy though, the camo dip kinda hides some of the ugliness!

Yup. Totally wicked set up. Got the same cept I only got the 9x yote special Nikon - still hasn't stopped me making 500 yard plus kills. ( once ). My go to coyote rifle. Also shoot 55 s but sierra game kings. I don't think it's ugly , and just love that trigger- no thought or mind at all just goes bang at the right moment soon after committing to taking the shot - love it.

Also the 204 is equally bad*****. Love that calibre. Super flat shooting , little quieter and almost as deadly as the 22 250.

[JohninAB]

I prefer my 204 as it is generally easier on hides and love the no recoil deal as one can watch the "shot" thru the scope. I shoot Hornady 32 grain Vmax in mine.

22-250 can give some disastrous results on the hide but does have more whallop and provides me with a bit more confidence in terminal performance if there is a possibility of a wolf or two coming in on a stand. I shoot Hornady Superformance 50 grain Vmax in mine.

[6.5 shooter]

.204, Hornady V-max 40grs.
.222 or .223, 50gr. Nosler BT
.243, 85gr Speer sp.
.264, 108gr Lapua secnar or 140 VLD's (Bergers)

.204 and the .222 are my go to varmint/coyote guns.

[Hoss375]

22-250 is my preference. Little more punch than a 223, easier on hides than a 243. Had a couple savages in this caliber. All were good shooters.

[Fowl91]

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

.204, Hornady V-max 40grs.
.222 or .223, 50gr. Nosler BT
.243, 85gr Speer sp.
.264, 108gr Lapua secnar or 140 VLD's (Bergers)

.204 and the .222 are my go to varmint/coyote guns.

How much experience do you have with the 85gr Speer? Just wondering if this might be a good choice for a coyote/deer bullet.

[Lildog]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

My go to coyote rifle has been a 260rem but it isn't easy on fur. I am looking forward to trying out my 20 Tactical, driving a 39gr Blitzking at 3900fps. The accuracy and point of impact are very consistent from 3700fps, to 3900fps.

Nice!

[trigger7mm]

Originally Posted by Slash8

204 hands down. The 32 grain V-Max bullets have served me well with minimal hide damage if you get em right in the boiler room.

X2! I average around 70 coyotes per season with my .204 Long range tack driver, and minimal pelt damage. 22/250 kills them good, but is too hard on the hides compared to the .204

[raw outdoors]

Get a 243 dont limit the gun to just coyotes. 6mm(243) has great bullet selection and much better for longer shots with heaver bullets than 22-250 and 223

[manitoban]

The caliber is one thing to consider but also the style of rifle. Decide wether you want a heavy barrel or a sporter ?

I am a fan of 22-250 and have owned several, but like most guys went from a Browning A Bolt micro to a Remington 700 VSF. I had taken A LOT of totes with that little Browning. Only to replace it with a gun that wasn't as fast handling for the style of hunting we did .

Now I had a 243 AI with a 1-8 for 105gr bullets. Wont be easy on hides but can use it for deer also.

This year Im looking to replace my old Micro with something similar and possibly chambered in 223.

The 22-250 dies great but can cause some damage if shoulder is shot, depending on bullet used. Everyone has their opinions on bullets and there is lots of info out there. My choice was Nosler 55gr Ballistic tips mostly because that was the best price and availability i had at the time.

Good Luck and I'm getting anxious for the winter months and some yote and wolf hunting

[Redfrog]

WOW! lots of suggestions here.

I've seen coyotes killed with every caliber mentioned. I will say I've never seen a wolf shot with .204 at 500 yds. Actually I've never seen a wolf shot at all with a .204. I'm sure you could kill one with a .204 though. I have seen more than afew shot with bigger stuff with not great results.

Heck I know a guy around Youngstown who used to kill coyotes with a claw hammer. He ran coyotes with dogs [when it used to be legal], and would wade into the fight and whack the coyote with a hammer. It was fur friendly.

If you want fur friendly use snares.

I've seen a lot guys use the .204. Some with very good results, and some with less steelar performance. When the caliber first came out a lot of guys shot the.32 gr. bullets and the results were poor. Once they started reloading andusing a heavier bullet. , things improved.

I had one.

Reading this thread has raised a few questions for me. I'm not trying to argue with anyone, I'm looking for info. Use whatever works for you, I do,

"The caliber is one thing to consider but also the style of rifle. Decide wether you want a heavy barrel or a sporter "

Why is this a factor on a rifle that you shoot once or twice in a minute and put up for an hour or more, assuming you shoot at a coyote[s] on every stand. Sometimes I go a couple hours between shots.

Those of you who have shot coyotes or wolves out to 500 yds. , was this using a rangefinder? What kind of holdover? again I'm not saying you didn't, I'm looking to improve my kill ratio. What percentage of the 500 yd shots do you make?

How many coyotes do you kill in an average year?

Are you calling coyotes or are most of your kills drive by shootings? How would this affect your rifle choice.

Anyone using a shotgun??

[SKSniper]

My vote goes to the .243 Win.
I recently started reloading and have 55gr Nosler ballistic tip varmint bullets shooting under 1" at 100 yards at approx. 3700-3800fps. You can also go up to a 90-100 gr bullet if you ever find yourself chasing deer!
I have yet to test these bullets out on any coyotes but they are supposed to completely explode once inside hopefully resulting in little pelt damage.