Coyote Calibers again

[Stuart C.]

Hi folks,

I'm reading through some of the older posts on calibers.  Still can't make a decision.  Mind you I do not have first hand experience with 17 Remington, 223, 22-250, or 204.  I was reading the Hornady manual and they mentioned that the 17 Remington had lower report and lower ricochet potential which is beneficial where human population is more dense.  Not that I would ever rely on that attribute with ANY round, but they did mention it.  But then you read comments that the 17 Rem results in some 'runners' and lacks the knock out of the heavier stuff.  So should I go with a 223?  22-250?

Quick story: I was out yesterday at dusk.  I only had my deer gun.  I'm walking out to my spot, cracking and crashing thru shin deep ice, making a racket with each step.  Temp wasn't too cold.  Nice out. A couple hours before sunset.  I sit for 20 minutes and start in with my really really bad calling/barking.  I'm lousy.  Stop calling.  3 minutes later I get a bark, bark, bark, bark, howwwel. Then again.  VERY cool.  If it weren't for a river between us I bet he would've come in.  Later, I stand up to go, and the biggest Fisher cat I've ever seen cuts in front of me at 50 yds.  Great way to spend a Feb afternoon.  Never loaded the gun.

Anyway, please tell me the pros/cons in calibers.  I reload, so that should keep the cost down.

Thanks!

[Midwest31]

Take your pick, 223 & 22-250 are both good.  The 22-250 or even a 243 for longer distances.

[Fat NDN]

I have been very successful with a Savage 22-250, but now I have added a H&R .204 Ruger to the inventory.

[Ladobe]

You can get runners with any cartridge if the shot is not placed well, even with magnums.   But for a balance between not tearing up pelts and plenty of knock down with good shooting on your part, the 17 Rem or one of the wildcats that match it are just about ideal.   Bigger bullets do make up for the lack of shot placement for some folks, but often at the expense of big holes to sew too.   I don't know where you hunt, but the longest range you'll normally shoot and weather conditions (ie wind) need to be considered.   Use enough gun, but don't use more than your abilities or the conditions require you to use if you want the best pelts.   The 223, 22-250 and 243 are all excellent choices if the situation requires them, but if you can shoot well and/or call predators in fairly close they are also more than is needed.   If you don't care about the pelts, a 50BMG ought to prevent any runners no matter where you hit them. 

99.9% of the time, if it was a coyote that was barking at you it would not have come in.   You were busted and it was just warning other coyotes of your presence.

IMO-YMMV

[Catfish]

I you are hide hunting only the .17 Rem. is the only way to go. The .204 WITH 35 GN. BERGER`S would be second choice for me. If you don`t mind a hole no and then the .223. If your more into killing them then anything bigger will work. I have 2 gun I really like for coyote. An AR in .223 for close up and personal, out to 250 yrds., and a .22-6mm form there on out. An don`t think that where is a gun big enough that you won`t get some runners. The last 1 I shot was a 314 yrd shot ( lazered) on a running coyote. It had a hole in it belly over 4 in. in dia. and was leaveing a blood trail abt. 18 in. wide in the snow, and it made it a good 35 yrds. through some pretty rough going to where I head shot it with a .22. Coyotes here were worth $ 6 this year and that`s what I got with or without holes so I aim to use enough gun.

[trotterlg]

Show a little class and shoot them with one of the .17's.  Larry

[kevthebassman]

The .17 Rem is what I use.  The .204 has a following, the .22 Hornet is a classic, as is the .222.  In certain circumstances, some people insist that they need something more powerful...... I haven't run across such a situation, but whatever floats your boat.

[gube]

I prefer the 204 now. So much so, that I went out and bought another one. I plan on getting a third one this summer.