Author Topic: Coyote and Fox Caliber? (Read 977 times)

alien319 · « **on:** December 31, 2006, 05:29:51 AM »

Hey guys I really like the Ultra Varmint Fluted rifles with the survivor stock. I am looking for a good coyote and fox round. I live in NC right now becasue of the Marine Corps but I am from PA originally and would like to get a good idea of a good setup. One of my buddies from Wisc. said he recommends the .220 Swift, .22-250, or possibly the .243 Win. I am looking for a high velocity, flat shooting round. The range I go to has a maximum shooting distance of 200 yards so I would most likely sight in at 200 yards. Please give me some input if you guys can.

mt3030 · « **Reply #1 on:** December 31, 2006, 05:31:29 AM »

Do you want to save pelts or just kill them?

wcf3030 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 31, 2006, 05:34:31 AM »

At that range IMO a .223 with a FMJ for just killing or a HP for pelts would work great.
Rounds are cheaper for handloaders and non-handloaders.

alien319 · « **Reply #3 on:** December 31, 2006, 05:52:20 AM »

I am not sure if I will save pelts. My buddy said he would like to get into it. I might start saving them if he does. It is an option.

quickdtoo · « **Reply #4 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:02:23 AM »

Quote

Hey guys I really like the Ultra Varmint Fluted rifles with the survivor stock.

Just to clear a point here so newbies don't get confused, the fluted Ultra Varmint rifle doesn't come with Choate Survivor stocks, it has the Choate Varmint stock which is a much nicer stock and forend.

Tim

gould · « **Reply #5 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:11:03 AM »

You should look at the 204 ruger they are a wicked varmint round. But it is hard to beet the 22-250 for yotes or fox out to 400 yards or more in the right hands. The 223 is a tried and true round also know matter what you pick in those rounds you got a winner. If you go with the 220 swift and don't reload it will be pricey and bullet selection is not very good compaired to the others.
Good luck Jason

Fred M · « **Reply #6 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:15:22 AM »

The rifle is a 223 all the way, it will do the best job with the least commotion.

alien319 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:22:08 AM »

quickdtoo, I apoligize for that. You are correct. Well so far it seems the choice of most that have commented recommend the .223. Excellent round and cheap, I agree. I shoot the 5.56mm all the time. Darn close to being identical.

backstrap · « **Reply #8 on:** December 31, 2006, 06:47:20 AM »

i vote for the 223 also the ammo is cheap i also dont reload so this cal is cheap for me to shoot alott and it works well on yotes, bobcats ,and i am sure i would do a great job on foxes as well

alien319 · « **Reply #9 on:** December 31, 2006, 07:03:21 AM »

Thanks guys for helping me out on caliber selection. What are some of the prices that you guys ran into for the Ultra Varmint with the Choate Stock?

quickdtoo · « **Reply #10 on:** December 31, 2006, 07:06:21 AM »

$285 at Walmart, they only show the .243, but they're all available. See the FAQ for instructions on how to order from them and check Sports South's inventory.

Tim

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=4665469

wcf3030 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 31, 2006, 07:13:07 AM »

Alien319,

Thanks for your service!
Even though you are just a Marine.

alien319 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 31, 2006, 07:20:53 AM »

Thanks WCF3030, I appreciate it, were you in or are you in the service?

alien319 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 31, 2006, 07:22:34 AM »

Thanks quickdtoo. I'll look into it.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #14 on:** December 31, 2006, 07:50:38 AM »

"just a Marine"?, it sounds like envy and awe to me....<><....

wcf3030 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 31, 2006, 09:02:33 AM »

Quote from: alien319 on December 31, 2006, 07:20:53 AM

Thanks WCF3030, I appreciate it, were you in or are you in the service?

ARMY 90-98.
Been to the sandbox yet?

wcf3030 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 31, 2006, 09:06:19 AM »

Quote from: MSP Ret on December 31, 2006, 07:50:38 AM

"just a Marine"?, it sounds like envy and awe to me....<><....

Nope, but I was raised by wild Marines in a cave, with tales of Chesty Puller and Bellu Wood for bed time stories.

alien319 · « **Reply #17 on:** December 31, 2006, 10:22:33 AM »

I have been to the sandbox and a few other places. I am a helicopter mechanic.

wcf3030 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 31, 2006, 11:12:18 AM »

Quote from: alien319 on December 31, 2006, 10:22:33 AM

I have been to the sandbox and a few other places. I am a helicopter mechanic.

Sounds like a good trade for the civilian life.

alien319 · « **Reply #19 on:** December 31, 2006, 11:34:44 AM »

Yes it is a fairly good trade. They are always needed, Police, News, medical, and even civilian contracting.

GeorgiaDave · « **Reply #20 on:** December 31, 2006, 02:14:24 PM »

Greetings from the Great State of Georgia,

I am a knowledeable predator hunter so I feel that I may have some advice from a different perspective. If pelts are to be saved a traditional small caliber is a good choice. A Handi in 22 Hornet is quite effective out to about 200 yards. A soft nosed bullet will do the job without destroying the pelt. The ever reliable .223 will do anything that needs to be done with a FMJ or "regular" bullet but a Ballistic Tip will sometimes put a large ugly hole on the backside. The .243 will add some range as well as a bit of stability an longer shots where wind is a factor. Again if the pelt is to be saved care must be given when choosing the bullet. A .243 will definately dispatch a small predator but will also blow a H U G E hole in the pelt with the wrong choice of projectile. I think the largest varmint bullet would be in the .257 range which is available in the Handi as a 25/06. This is a good choice for long range shots using lighter bullets while being a good choice on medium game using heavier bullets.

Now for a completely different angle. If pelts are not to be saved, any gun that is accurate at the intended range is a good choice. I can think of no better choice for nailing a coyote than a full max load of 400 gr. 45/70. There will not be much tracking involved !!! Other good choices are, .270, .280, 30/30, .308, 30/06, .44 mag., .500, or maybe even a .50 cal smokepole. My all time favorite varmint gun is my .308 with FMJ simply because it is extremely accurate out to 300 yards and beyond. When hunting at night and counting on up close and personal action a good shotgun is an excellent weapon. I have literally cut coyotes a backflip at 40 yards with my old H&R 10 GA. shooting 3 1/2 inch #4 shot. Nowdays, the 12 GA 3 1/2 is almost as potent and much more versitile.

Hunting predators is a great wat to stay in shape both hunting and shooting. I guess the most important factor in choosing what weapon to use is to decide exactly what you want to do and go from there. I would definately suggest a centerfire over any rimfire. While a .22 Mag. or .17 HMR will dispatch a small predator, there performance downrange is easily surpassed by even the dimunitive .22 Hornet. Good Luck and keep us posted on your choice of weapon as well as any success using it. God Bless !!

Dave

aulrich · « **Reply #21 on:** December 31, 2006, 02:55:47 PM »

To muddy the waters a little more I think a handi in 204 Ruger is one of if not the best predator option out there, the only reason to pick 223 over it is cheap ammo which if you handload is irrelevant. The Hornet could work in a mixed environment but with my limited experence I don't think there is 200 yards of coyote gun in a stock hornet maybe in a K-hornet.

alien319 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 01, 2007, 08:06:11 AM »

Thanks Georgia Dave, I appreciate it. I think I am going to eventually go with a .223 rig. I don't handload and I have a limited budget on what I can shoot. .223 ammo is definately cheap and I can also use match grade ammo for any type or competition or just plain accurate shooting. Thanks for your input though I am new to predator hunting and I am trying to take up as much info as I can.

backstrap · « **Reply #23 on:** January 01, 2007, 01:32:43 PM »

ARE u plaining on keeping the hides u never answerd that question?? i have a 223 handi and it shoots the wolf ammo very well 55gr hp 6 bucks a box www.cheaperthandirt.com i wouldnt worry about shooting the match grade ammo alot of the cheap ammo shots well

alien319 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 01, 2007, 04:28:10 PM »

I may decide to keep the hides but I am not sure yet. I know a lot of the cheaper ammo shoots well. I hardly ever shoot the newest high tech ammo. I usually only shoot the cor-lokts from remington, power points and silver tips from winchester and the power shok ammo from Federal.