Coyote caliber

TraskDaddy1 · #1 10-09-2017, 10:03 PM

Looking into getting into hunting coyotes and would like to know which caliber of firearms you’d recommend and why? Any specific brand aswell and why would also help. Thanks all

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EZM · #2 10-10-2017, 07:31 AM

There's a lot of guys on here that will wade into this discussion ...... but I'd say a 22-250 is hard to beat.

elkhunter11 · #3 10-10-2017, 08:21 AM

.204", and .224" are likely the most common calibers used for coyote.

Tfng · #4 10-10-2017, 08:42 AM

If you're not selling them just shoot them with your deer rifle.

Dweb · #5 10-10-2017, 08:47 AM

if your worried about damaging the hide go with 204 Ruger

If not 223/243/7-08

forestrover · #6 10-10-2017, 08:49 AM

22-250 is easy on the fur and has some good power to it.

fish_e_o · #7 10-10-2017, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dweb

if your worried about damaging the hide go with 204 Ruger

my 204 just put a good hole in a coyote this weekend. i'm not sure why people say the 204 is a fur saving miracle; between splashes and exits i'd take a 223 shooting a tsx over that any day for fur.

Prairiewolf · #8 10-10-2017, 10:10 AM

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=320462

Seems strange to recommend this rifle for coyotes when I'm selling it, but anyways:

*.22-250 is a great coyote chambering for coyote. Flat shooting, good ammo options, reloadable, etc. etc.

*Browning stocks fit me very well. Some don't agree though. Good idea to pick up any rifle you're interested in.

Ranch11 · #9 10-10-2017, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

my 204 just put a good hole in a coyote this weekend. i'm not sure why people say the 204 is a fur saving miracle; between splashes and exits i'd take a 223 shooting a tsx over that any day for fur.

Yup same here. I was running 32 grain hornady and destroying coyotes, and a lot more runners. I like em DRT, use a 223, or 22-250, or the great 243.

AlbertaAl · #10 10-10-2017, 07:30 PM

223 is good/bad ...accurate, quick kills, large selection of ammo or bullets for reloading but it isn't flat shooting and requires alot of hold over for longer distance.

22-250 just kills - not fur friendly but shoots fairly flat

Me... I shoot 17REM and 20 calibres that are all flat shooting, accurate, kill quick and are all fur friendly. 204Ruger, 20PPC, 20BR,

Sask Bearman · #11 10-10-2017, 07:42 PM

I have shot lots and lots with the 223 Rem. Not as flat as some but is cheap to shoot and practice makes perfect.

Arty · #12 10-10-2017, 09:45 PM

6BR throwing an 87-gn hunting VLD is purrfect.

Alternatively I'd look at a Stg 550 or PE90 in 5.56...

catnthehat · #13 10-10-2017, 10:42 PM

I'm in the .222Rem/.223Rem. crowd unless it is REAL long range killing I am after, then other stuff gets the nod, but for normal varmint stuff, yup .222 REM
Catt

bigwolf · #14 10-10-2017, 10:52 PM

Here's what I think of my 22-250 for Wile E.

Good:
Shoots flat and long
Low recoil
Fantastic accuracy at long range
Always grinning when my finger is on the trigger

Bad:
Loud
Decent ammo can be expensive compared to 223
Not great if you plan to sell fur
Slightly shorter barrel life

I don't know if this helps or not but thought I'd throw it into the mix.

tikka250 · #15 10-10-2017, 11:43 PM

if you feel like searching you will find multiple threads on this subject and still no winner has ever emerged as the "perfect" varmint caliber. I own 5 and still cant choose

243,22-250, 223, 204 are your common run of the mill choices with multiple other assortments of in between calibers that are a little less common.

any of those choices will put a coyote down with minimal fur damage with the correct bullet (thats a whole other argument) so dont get too caught up in caliber choice. choose the caliber with ammo you can afford to practice with and have fun.

dogslayer403 · #16 10-11-2017, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arty

6BR throwing an 87-gn hunting VLD is purrfect.

Alternatively I'd look at a Stg 550 or PE90 in 5.56...

Ive been shooting these in my 243 and have been shocked how little fur damage im getting much better than with 58g vmax. Seems to be a nice duel purpose bullet. What kind of velocity are you getting with your 6br and these

Arty · #17 10-11-2017, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogslayer403

Ive been shooting these in my 243 and have been shocked how little fur damage im getting much better than with 58g vmax. Seems to be a nice duel purpose bullet. What kind of velocity are you getting with your 6br and these

3025 fps using Varget, either with the VLDs or slightly lighter Sierras.

Salavee · #18 10-11-2017, 10:45 AM

From what I have experienced, excessive fur damage can occur with most any small caliber .. depends on the hit.

For the most part, if you just want to kill Coyotes, I found a 6mm to be the best all around caliber, be it a .243 or 6mm Rem. Berger 68's get the job done out to barrel stretching distances with my rifles, with seldom any runners... but I'm not in the fur business. The fewer Coyotes, the better.

Arty · #19 10-11-2017, 11:10 AM

I'm thinking a high-performance crossbow out to 90 yards might be good too. It would make a lot less racket if you have one hunting area where you don't want to scare all the big game away from.

Git r Done · #20 10-11-2017, 04:52 PM

I like my 22-250, tho for the most part pick a varmint cal that interests you and a nice gun and scope that fits your budget. I'd recommend looking at a Browning x-bolt, Tikka or CZ 527 for starters.

FinnDawg · #21 10-11-2017, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fish_e_o

my 204 just put a good hole in a coyote this weekend. i'm not sure why people say the 204 is a fur saving miracle; between splashes and exits i'd take a 223 shooting a tsx over that any day for fur.

What do you mean by splashes?

Every coyote I’ve shot with my .204 have had very small holes. Then again I probably haven’t shot as many as you.

fish_e_o · #22 10-12-2017, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinnDawg

What do you mean by splashes?

Every coyote I’ve shot with my .204 have had very small holes. Then again I probably haven’t shot as many as you.

a splash is where the bullet doesn't penetrate but blows a nice big hole on the entrance side

these bullets are great for gophers

trapperdodge · #23 10-12-2017, 10:35 AM

Triple duce. Acurate and fur friendly.

boah · #24 10-12-2017, 10:49 AM

There are many excellent choices for coyotes. My choice is 223. Good range. Prob the cheapest to shoot.

Team Anzac · #25 10-12-2017, 10:51 AM

All mine are taken with a 22LR, 10/22 tactical

Team Anzac · #26 10-12-2017, 10:53 AM

All mine are taken with a 22LR, 10/22 tactical. All expire quickly with lung shots, and the Hornets 🐝 always pinch both sides of the skull. And best of all, cheap to shoot.

teledogs · #27 10-12-2017, 01:03 PM

After reading many threads like this I decided on the 223 Rem. I could not be happier, there is lots of ammo to choose from and lots of components to reload with.

I tried a couple of Savage 223s but didn't like the fit and feel of the rifles. I have a Tikka in 708 that I really like so I decided on a Tikka 223 as well. It's a fantastic shooting rifle and is 0.5 MOA. I put a VXIII 4.5 x 14 on it and can plink gophers at distance no problem, I am also thinking of changing up the scope to a bit more magnification but I think that is just part of the sickness, lol.

Good luck with your choice and happy shooting.

densa44 · #28 10-12-2017, 02:33 PM

I find myself shooting most of them with my 243. Here are the reasons, I'm shooting off of my back porch, I'm not positive on the range, and I shoot the 243 better than any thing in the safe.

I reload.

boah · #29 10-12-2017, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by densa44

and I shoot the 243 better than any thing in the safe.

.

Best reason so far!!

Battle Rat · #30 10-12-2017, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FinnDawg

What do you mean by splashes?

Every coyote I’ve shot with my .204 have had very small holes. Then again I probably haven’t shot as many as you.

Agreed.
I have not seen "splashes", whatever that is, big exits or had any run off yet when using a 40gr Hornady in 204.
I have had lots and lots greater fur damage with the 22.250.
It seems like every poor performance 204 story mentions 32 gr bullets though.