Author Topic: Best caliber for coyote's (Read 2226 times)

acearch72 · « **on:** December 18, 2006, 05:10:11 PM »

We have just too many coyotes on our property and need to start doing some preditor hunting. Being a big bore guy, I really don't know anything about the small varmit calibers. For strictly hunting coyotes/bobcats what would be the best caliber to go with. I want to be able to shoot long as we have many wide open fields. Any comments from the experts would be appreciated.

Jerry Lester · « **Reply #1 on:** December 18, 2006, 06:03:16 PM »

A 223 would be hard to beat.

Thebear_78 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 18, 2006, 08:28:42 PM »

17 remington or 223 out to 300 yards, and 22-250, 220 swift outto 400. If you think you might shoot farther than that a 243 would be a better choice. Even 400 yards is a long one for the lighter .224 cal bullets.

gube · « **Reply #3 on:** December 18, 2006, 11:53:16 PM »

Used to use a 22-250 and 270 win but now use the 204 with 35 gr bergers. Bang, flop, done, insides are like jello. Tiny entrance hole with usually no exit. Awesome to see the impact through the scope.

Savage Vaporizer

bigjeepman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 19, 2006, 02:45:07 AM »

I gotta go along with Jerry on this one .. a .223 rifle would work well. The factory ammo is plentiful and inexpensive. The other suggestions would work well too. I use my .223 Handi or my .243 Ruger when I hunt for coyotes.

Good shooting to you .....

skb2706 · « **Reply #5 on:** December 19, 2006, 04:25:37 AM »

If I were going strictly to eliminate them at longer ranges I would go .243 Win/6mm Rem. but any fast .22 cal will get it done.

Catfish · « **Reply #6 on:** December 19, 2006, 05:20:52 AM »

How nutts do you want to get?

? I just put togeather a .22-6mm. I`m pushing 75 gr. bullets at nearly 3,600 fps. I just got some 80 gr. bullets yesterday and haven`t tried them yet, but later today hopefully. The reason for it is less wind drift, I get 1/2 the wind drift with it compaired to a .22-250 or a .243. If your not into reloading and not saveing hides the .243. If you want to save hides the .17 Rem.

Gary paugh · « **Reply #7 on:** December 19, 2006, 05:56:10 AM »

.223,22-250,.243 are the 3 most common the great thing about coyotes is any gun will work.
That said my coyote guns AR15 in .223 AR15 in 6.8 spc and a 12ga shotgun.

Gary

264 WIN MAG · « **Reply #8 on:** December 19, 2006, 02:11:47 PM »

I hunt with acearch72, I have hunted coyote up there many times, he has not. It's easy pickin's up there because there are a lot of open fields. I like to call them out on the outskirts and bust'em...I don't let them get close.

Anyhow, the way I hunt them (don't know if he'll do the same) relies on fairly long range shots. I have taken them at ranges up to 450 yards. I have taken some close up there, but most of the shots are long range.

I was thinking for where we are at the 25/06 or 22/250 sounded good for coyote. I wouldn't want a rifle without good long range capability. Lots of times we can just ride around and spot a coyote in the distance in one of the fields....

Hairtrigger · « **Reply #9 on:** December 19, 2006, 02:21:07 PM »

What is the best car to drive???
Too many choices and plenty of very good options from 17 caliber up

highwayman · « **Reply #10 on:** December 19, 2006, 03:46:37 PM »

here is one.it is the one you shoot regular. it does not matter what cal a gun is if you cannot hit with it

GregP42 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 19, 2006, 04:31:40 PM »

Hmm..

Short range out to 150 yards, .17 HMR, out to 300 yards .223, out to 500 yards 220 swift, out to 1000 yards 6mm-06.
But that is just my opinion, and opinions are like belly buttons, everyone has one.

Greg

Glanceblamm · « **Reply #12 on:** December 20, 2006, 05:41:49 AM »

I really do like to operate within calling ranges which I would say are within 100 to 300yds. If a Coyote (hangs up) on you while coming in, it is probably going to be closer to 200yds than 300yds
The great thing about the .17 & the .22 centerfires are that you can get a good hit without trying to figure the trajectorys as you can hold dead on.
A hit is very important as a miss will educate that coyote.

400yds is doable with my .22-250 but the 55gr bullet that I use is getting kind of puny out there. It is not much better than that of a .22WMR at the muzzle along with having a 13” drop to deal with not to mention the effects of crosswind.This is where the .243 on up to the 25-06 would really shine.

If you are good about figuring those ranges and getting consistant hits, More Power To You. I basically let the call do the work for me.

jasonprox700 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 12, 2007, 06:15:41 AM »

I have a .22-250 Rem 700 Bull Barrel and a Bushmaster Varminter AR-15 in .223. Great combo. I use the .22-250 for the wide open and the AR for shorter range.

dano · « **Reply #14 on:** January 13, 2007, 06:52:42 PM »

I use a bushmaster preditor calling in tighter areas shooting 60gr soft points. In large open areas were I know shots are going to be long I use my 22-243 shooting 80gr serria match hp.When calling with a partner the 22-243 is the gun I take that way I can show off my shooting abilitys or lack of.I save all my good fur with little damage
Dano

stanimals2 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 15, 2007, 02:29:39 PM »

My Ruger MKII 77 Varmit in 243 is my choice with 75 grain V Max bullets. It doesnt tear them up to much and you only need one gun for whatever range may come up

oso45-70 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 16, 2007, 09:44:04 PM »

Gentlemen.

There's no bad guns that have been mentioned here, All will get the job done if the shooter can do his or her part, The most important part of this equation is knowing your distance and what to do with it plus knowing your gun and the ammunition you feed it. The fastest gun in the world can't get it done if you don't do your part, Know your range, Its a good idea to take a range finder if you are in doubt about the range. On long range shooting more animals have been over shot because the shooter was in doubt about the range so he held over the target. Many times a person looks at a coyote or any of the predators and make a decision to shoot and the distance is not as far as he has estimated and he goes for a high shoulder shot and misses, over shot the animal and educated him for life. The type of rifle or the caliber of the rifle is not the determining factor in good clean kills.

Good luck...........Joe............

beemanbeme · « **Reply #17 on:** January 17, 2007, 06:06:43 AM »

.223 Milsup and remanufactured ammo is so cheap you can't even save money by reloading. The more you shoot, the better you get. I'd avoid FMJ ammo for coyotes.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #18 on:** January 17, 2007, 03:38:22 PM »

I've been using a 223 lately with no problems, but my 22-250's are still the best. The Horn. 55gr.SX bullet is my favorite. Puts them down quick.

aulrich · « **Reply #19 on:** January 18, 2007, 06:25:10 AM »

204 ruger anf 17 remington should be on the list too especially if you want to keep the fur more intact.

TrenchMud · « **Reply #20 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:34:23 AM »

Best caliber is whatever you can shoot well with that has enough power to kill them... They will be just as dead no matter what caliber it is.. Most of the ones I get after are normally while I am deer hunting. SO a 150 grain .30-30 bullet or 200 grain .35 Rem Bullet is what gets sent after them.

kyelkhunter3006 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 26, 2007, 09:44:00 AM »

Whatever I happen to have in my hand at the time, be it a 30-06 while deer hunting or a 12ga mag load while calling for turkeys. Those turkey loads sure make a mess out of a dogs head at 10yds.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2007, 01:07:16 PM »

.243 win is my personal favorite.

rifleman · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2007, 03:34:00 PM »

I truly believe that this is a question with no answers, or so many answers that it would be difficult to count. Many variables include terrain, open or forested, keep the pelt or dispose of, quarry you're after. Just about any caliber can and are used. All the way from 22lr and 17HMR on up through some of the beggest calibers available. It may very well be the caliber that you happen to be carrying right now. IMHO

Dave