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Offline all4abuck

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Caliber recommendation
« on: February 20, 2007, 04:13:14 PM »
Like to get into coyote hunting and looking to pick up a barrel for a sigarms SHR970 or TC ProHunter, but not sure what caliber.  I'll be hunting in SE Ohio in hilly areas with woods, and some open valleys and fields on top of the hills.  Longest shot I estimate would be in 300yrds range.

I was considering 22-250, 204 ruger, 223, 25-06, or even 243.  What would be a good choice for my shooting condition?  Just looking for some recommendations.
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Offline trotterlg

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #1 on: February 20, 2007, 06:15:59 PM »
If you do some research you will find the 17 Remington is the prefered Coyote round.  Could be the new 17 Fireball or what ever Remington is going to call it will also be good.  Every thing else is just going to blow them up.  If big holes in them doesn't bother you then go for a 30-06.  Larry
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Offline oso45-70

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2007, 12:08:29 AM »
all4abuck

All those you mentioned have and will continue to be used, But like totterleg said it depends on what you intend to do with the hide. For years most of the fellers used calibers like the 220 Swift, 22-250 which was probably the most popular, the 222 rem 223 rem with a wide range of 22 center fire rounds from the 22 hornet to some wild 22 wild cats of every description known to man. If you live in a populated area any of the lighter 22s like the hornet or the 218 bee or the 222, 223 rem. will  work great. out in the south west where the long shot are the norm. the larger 22 center fires and the 243 win. and 6mms are used quit a bit, So what it boils down to is what ever you have that fits the bill is ok. If it goes bang and reaches the mark is ok. Good luck to ya and have a good day......Joe........
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Offline all4abuck

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #3 on: February 21, 2007, 01:36:32 PM »
Thank you both for the info.  I am not quite sure what are my options with the pelt.  How do people sell the pelts?  Do they sell the whole coyote or they have to be skinned?  Do I need to gut the coyote like a deer?  I am compeletly new to this and wondering if I should just shoot them and leave them be, as I have done so far with my shotgun, or is it worth doing something with them afterwards.  Lot of coyotes were I am and I think I have a good chance of getting a few before spring.

I'll look into 17 and 223, and price some barrels.  I probably go with one of these two depending on what my options are on the pelt.
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Offline Rancher

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #4 on: February 21, 2007, 03:38:10 PM »
IMHO, pelts are more trouble than they're worth.  You can't beat a .223 for cheap, accurate shooting and will be perfect at the ranges you are talking about.  No problems with any of the calibers you mentioned, any of them will work well for the purpose.
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Offline MI VHNTR

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #5 on: February 21, 2007, 04:32:54 PM »
While the 17 Remington has a small following, it is not the preferred coyote round. The 223 would be ideal for the ranges that you have suggested. The 22-250 has more punch and is also a good coyote round, but the 223 is a bit quieter. The 243 and 25-06 will put them down with authority, no doubt about it. You will get more noise and excessive, and unneeded recoil with both of them. Pelt damage will also become a consideration with the larger calibers. The 204 appears to be acquiring a following too. However, as with the 17 cal rounds, people are getting some runners after the shot.  MI VHNTR
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Offline billy_56081

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #6 on: February 21, 2007, 04:47:20 PM »
I love my .243 with 55g ballistic tips. Coyotes are a tough critter and I like to have all the gun I can. I am working on a 220 swift that will be ready for next year i think it will be fine, we'll have to see. The faster the caliber the longer point blank you have. All of the calibers you have mentioned should work. The people I hunt with use from 204's to 25-06 and they all work great. But if I had to pick one it would be 243 win. We hunt coyotes by driving them and aren't always able to get perfect hits so using a quick opening varmint bullets like Btips or vmaxes or superexploders seems to dump em faster and they are much safer on ricochets.
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Offline bigjeepman

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #7 on: February 21, 2007, 04:51:20 PM »
I use a .243 bolt action and my brother uses a .223 AR. We do not save pelts so caliber choice is easier. I take it you do not reload but if you only coyote hunt with this rifle, you might not go through too much ammo. If you are also going to use it at the range, etc, the .223 factory ammo is as cheap as it gets.

Good luck and good shooting ...
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Offline oso45-70

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #8 on: February 21, 2007, 07:56:50 PM »
allforabuck.

You asked about how to prepare the Coyote's hide, This is something someone will have to show you, Honestly if they are in as bad a shape as they are here in the southwest they wouldn't be worth the effort. I started to give instructions on how to cape a Coyote and could see right away it was going to be a project so i backed up to tell you that someone must show you how to do it. The Coyote's we have seen here are in pretty sorry shape After skinning as many as i have in the past i have NO desire to do any more unless they were in PRIME shape. Also i don't have any idea what hides are bringing. Sorry i can't give you more  details on how to skin Coyote but if you was here it wouldn't be a problem.........Joe..........
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Offline bigjeepman

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #9 on: February 22, 2007, 03:24:38 AM »
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Offline libertymesa

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #10 on: February 22, 2007, 02:55:23 PM »
As for the fur being worth anything,I talked to a lady i know in Central Colorado just yesterday and she said her and her husband have been selling theirs for anywhere from 18.00 to 28.00 with a few bringing 30.00 but that was a real rarity, I have heard that the farther north you go the better the prices get, but only for the really big prime pelts in sure enough cold country like northern Co.,Wyo,MT. and the such, with the weather we have had here this winter i am surprised that we have not seen better fur.Better enjoy them while we can the mange is creeping in here.
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Offline all4abuck

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #11 on: February 22, 2007, 03:09:49 PM »
Awesome info from everyone.  Thanks a bunch.  I am going to try my hand on the 223 for now.  Looking at getting a bull barrel for SHR970 from some outfit in Calgary Canada (the only place I know it carries these barrels).  Got a 4x12 Leupold that will setup for it and I'll be of to the range in about a week.
Thanks again for all the info.
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Offline oso45-70

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #12 on: February 22, 2007, 06:44:56 PM »

allforabuck.

Sounds like you are all set up and ready to go. Nothing wrong with the 223rem. I use one some of the time. Be sure to get back with us and tell us how you make out.......Joe........
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Offline Glanceblamm

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #13 on: February 23, 2007, 03:53:05 AM »
Has been a good read with great advice & great final selection...
Jest dont as me about which boo-lit to use... it is a tough one with small in's & outs...ya got to push it kind of fast though. ::) >:( ;D
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Offline Grumulkin

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2007, 12:08:51 AM »
My number one cartridge choice for coyote hunting would be the 22-250 Rem.  If you wish to use something bigger and not damage the hide too much, just use a solid.
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Offline oso45-70

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #15 on: February 26, 2007, 09:02:14 AM »


What Glanceblamm said......Joe....
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Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #16 on: March 07, 2007, 01:29:51 PM »
Forget the solid in a .22-250, it will pass right through and blow a big hole in the off side hide. I suggest a .22 Mag out to about 100 yards, then a .22 Hornet, and then a .223 as a great coyoye caliber. Others are good to and I am working up a .22-250 right now but those are my current favorites for Maine coyotes....<><... :)
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Offline Glanceblamm

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #17 on: March 07, 2007, 03:53:34 PM »
I saw that happen once as I was dismayed to see a pingpong size hole on the off side but chaulked it up as an exception per no repeats.
 I am with the .22-250 but working back to the Hornet! I just dont know about the WMR...I took my first with it but was a 40yd shot. Gave up on it per alot of opportunitys passed because of ranges near the 200yd mark.
That .223 would be a great in between as said.
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Offline gube

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #18 on: March 27, 2007, 05:24:02 PM »
Used to use a 270 win and a 22-250. My go to rifle now is the 204 with 35 gr Berger's and 45 gr hornady Sp's. Bang, flop, done. Insides are like jelly. It's awesome being able to see the impacts through the scope. Slightly flatter and a slight edge in wind drift compared to the 22-250.


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Offline manofthe45

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #19 on: March 28, 2007, 05:44:42 PM »
A good source for pelt prices is Fur-fish and game.  Monthly reports on the fur auctions seperated by parts of country.  Pelt prices fluctate so much but it gives you a basic idea.
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Offline Ks.coyote

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #20 on: March 31, 2007, 03:32:28 PM »
I have two 223's and kill between 20 to 40 yotes a year. I use a 50 gr. TNT and 52 grain BTHP and I push them 3400 fps. I reload so velocity will vary. Any cal. will work as they say but the 223 ammo is fairly cheap to shoot and they are not bad on the pelts as I skin and sell all of mine. Most shots don't exit but broad side and 40 yds you are going to get some exit damage. A good fur man can sew those up. I kill dogs out to 250 yds consistently and in my area that is about the farthest I can see to shoot. If you are interested in selling fur contact your fish and game agency and see if there fur dealers close by and talk to them. Good luck :)
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Offline mookster79

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #21 on: April 25, 2007, 08:22:26 AM »
The same  exact question got me down to buying my varmint gun in a .223.  I have experience with the round because of shooting my AR.  I don't keep furs from anything I shoot, so I use the 50 gr nosler bt.  It does a great job and is fine for those ranges. .223 is fairly cheap and enough people make factory loads that are acdurate for non-reloaders like my self.  It is not an easy decision, but sure is a good problem to have. Good luck.
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Offline stanimals2

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #22 on: May 14, 2007, 04:29:43 PM »
Where I live DEAD is DEAD and a DEAD YOTE IS A GOOD YOTE !! That being said I wont give up my Ruger 243 varmit if I miss its on me not the 243 ! and they drop in their tracks most of the time, I dont have to worry if they are running off to die or if it was a bad hit and i dont care how far it is if its with in the 400 yd range. Hornady 75 gr. Vmax do an outstanding job for me with 41.5 grains of IMR 4064 and Winchester primers. To each his own, thats my two cents
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Offline Dogshooter

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #23 on: May 23, 2007, 12:58:33 PM »
I have a 17 Rem, a 220 Swift, a 243, and many larger. I don't take many of them out any more since I bought my Kimber Classic Varmint in 204 Ruger. It has yet to let me down. I have taken Coyotes out to, and slightly beyond 400 yards; and all were one shot kills. I can't say it outperforms the 22-250 or 220 Swift, but the muzzle blast, noise , and recoil is SOOOOO much more pleasant that I don't use the others much any more. And the accuracy of this rifle.......................WOW.
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Offline tobster

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #24 on: December 22, 2007, 02:25:00 AM »
A smelly old fur buyer once told me " Go big. Forget about rimfires,Hornets and such. I may dock you a buck or two for an exit hole, but all you'll get from me is a chuckle for the one that got away."
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Offline Doesniper

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Re: Caliber recommendation
« Reply #25 on: December 24, 2007, 01:21:20 PM »
If you reload. The 22 BR.
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