...for the Predator Primer list uptop
This is a common inevitable question I'd like to build a thread for.
What's the best caliber for coyote hunting?
My opinion...and there will be many opinions ...but there's a lot of variables here, is that if your looking to do some fur harvesting I would seriously consider anything smaller then a 243.
A 22-250 in my biased opinion is going to offer the flatest trajectory for the longest distance.
I've used 223, 243, 30-06, 17, and 22-250. Tailored with an appropriate reload recipe, anything could be used and still harvest good fur from.
For the new comers...what do you use and why?
It is a 22-250 for me. The decision for me pretty much came down to between a 223 and a 22-250. The gun dealer told me that the 223 is a 300 yd gun, and the 22-250 is a 400+ yard gun. They both cost about the same, so I went with the 22-250. The 17 is a bit light for me on those windy days. The 243 and larger will put em down, but will also make a pretty big hole in em. My very first bobcat I took was with a 270 ten years ago, and the taxidermist really gave me a lecture about getting a smaller gun if he was going to do any more work for me.
Just my 2 cents.
Brian
I to shoot a 22-250.It is a flat shooting round with plenty of bang flop capability.I also have a 243 and it is a great coyote round.If you are saving the hide,you will have to choose shots a little better.Try to shoot them faceing head on and there is no fur damage and a really nice bang flop.
If i were going to buy a strictly coyote rifle,it would be a 22-250,220 Swift,or 223.I think that any of the hi velocity 22s will work fine.If you want a gun that can also be used for deer,i wound choose the 243.
The biggest thing to remember is that,just because the gun is capable of killing a coyote at 400 yds,that doesnt mean the hunter is.Always try to practice shooting like it is a real hunting situation.For example,dont shoot off a bench or sandbag.If you wil be hunting with shooting sticks,then that is what you should practice with.Also,dont just practice shooting strait forward.Try to practice shooting in ackward positions.Coyotes rarely do what we think they should,so always be prepaired.Thease are just some things to think about and i hope it helps.
Fuzz
Rifle of choice is a 22-250. But I hunt a wide variety of places and can't always use the centerfires. The most important thing in selecting a weapon is that it fits you so that you can shoot it well under all conditions.Not all weapons are made the same and fit us all diferently. What may fit you very well won't fit me and my body build. Then choose a caliber or guage for the job. Jimmie
In my opinion the 268 winston mag is the best.
A 22-250 gets the call from the gun safe most of the time. I like the 250, it shoots great, flat, and the Savage handles very well. It does a fair job on the fur damage, just depends on your load. But 90% of the time its a bang flop. Not a good fox round with my loads. Out West this gun get the call for sure, just because its so flat shooting.
I also have a couple AR-15's in .223. Great little guns, shoot great and get the job done of coyotes very well. Very good little brush guns. Does a great job on the fur as well. Most of the time if the shot is placed well it bang flop. Does a good job on fox as well. There a little on the heavy side but do a good job all the way around!
One little gun I use some is the 22 Hornet. Great fox gun, and will get the job done on coyotes out to 100 yards. I would not take a shot any further than that with mine. Very little fur damage, and very good shooting rifle. I use this gun allot at night. One draw back to this gun is the shot placement has to be there.
Brent
Choosing a coyote rifle, or a predator rifle to be more exact, is, in my opinion, best based on where you hunt, what kind of cover you hunt, what species of animals you are likley to encounter in a days hunt, and weather or not you plan on keeping the fur.
While a .243 is proably at the far end of the range of predator rifles, it is what I choose to hunt with when I carry a rifle.
My choise is based on the following:
Our coyotes can be a bit larger here in the north east,
there is a lot of heavy cover,
I don't want runners
I don't put up fur too much
we cannot take bobcats here so I don't have to worry about pelt damage on them,
A shot over 100 yards is rare
And since I know what it will do to a fox pelt, I know that when I carry it, I will have to let the fox walk.
I think if you ask yourself similar questions when you choose a rifle for predator hunting, you will eliminate the "whats better 223 or 22-250" debate.
I agree with Jimmie 100%. When you get a new gun, make sure it fits you, then take it to the range and sight it in on the sand bags. Once you get it sighted in, put sand bags away and practice with it.
Al
THO Game Calls
www.thogamecalls.com
I shoot a RRA AR 15 in .223 if cats are a strong possibility in a given area....the rest of the time a .243 or a 25/06...
I shoot 55 VMax or a 60 grain Hornady SP in my .223....
I shoot 75 VMax in both .243 and in my 25s...
The reasons we choose the 243 and 25/06 is because we don't do fur...like Al said, no runners and because we tend to call very open areas where longer shots can be the norm....I have shot several over 200 yards and 5 well over 300 yards this year so far...the .243 and the 25/06 just seem to do a little better for me at those distances than the smaller calibers.
Joe
lately ive been using an AR 223. i also have a 22-250 but rarely hunt anywhere i need it. when we hunt management area and its rimfire and shotgun only alot the time so we try to get them close and use a 22mag.
Is a .17 WMR to small for coyotes? :roflmao: It's .223 and a 12 guage for me.
I'm in the 100yds & under percentile. I mostly carry a shotgun, 10/12ga. I have a 218Bee levergun I carry too sometimes.
The problem I see w/ the high speed centerfires is sure ya got a tiny hole on one side & quite possibly a softball sized hole on the other. I been thinking if a person was to use a 30/30, 35Rem, or even the 45/70 w/ an LBT bullets w/ the flat meplat that you're going to have a (for example) a 35 caliber hole going in & a 36 or 37 caliber hole going out. Do ya call that fur damage? :confused:
I think another great caliber idea is the 300Whisper. :eyebrow: How about it Rich? :eyebrownod:
I'd venture to guess I have used just about eveything at one time or another over the years while doing ADC or sport calling. Most on purpose, but some only because the opportunity presented itself while doing other types of hunting. From the lowly 22LR through all of the 22 centerfires and most of the 17-7mm wildcats to any of several super magnums. Most get the job done in the right situation, but some don't leave much to show for it. I've never got around to using shotguns for predators somehow. Instead I carry backup pistols with open sights for the in-your-face and super close running shots. (Note to self: try shotguns sometime)
As suggested, comes down to the area being hunted, the main predator(s) sought in that area and whether you are after the pelts or not. Short ranges, long ranges, wind, cover, ADC or sport, etc all have to be considered. But generally, the 17 Remington, 17DT, 17 Athena, 17M4 class are about perfect for coyotes and bobcats when the winds are not too high, the 6X47, 6BR, 6PPC, 6.5SB when they are. And it's hard to beat a 17 Ackley Hornet for fox, although the 22 Hornet also works well on them. The 6's are great for lions too.
No doubt I killed a lot of coyotes with the 22 Varminter and 220 Swift in the wide open spaces of the west way back when I used them, and at ranges I normally wouldn't try with some of the others. Fine rounds when the ranges are extra long, but way too much when you call em in close.
About 2-3 years ago I went back to traditional hunting for predator sport hunting (not for the ADC). Mouth calls, no camo (rendezvous clothes) and using my two 36 caliber muzzle loaders for fox, kitties and coyotes. Now that is fun!
QuoteI think another great caliber idea is the 300Whisper. eyebrow How about it Rich?
Just had to drag me into this vvarmitr :roflmao:
I have made many gun and caliber changes through the years. I believe the terrain,area, setup,hunting style and personal feelings have allot to do with what we tote in the field. They will all kill coyotes," some do it faster than others"
I have used rim fires, 22-243, 6tcu's, 223's, 22-250,220swift,30-06's,6mm-06'S and on and on. They all do good jobs if used within there parameters.
I use the 300whisper in the AR and it works well haven't ever lost one (So far) In the past three years our longest shot has been 100 yards and our average has been around 30 yards (as memory serves me) so long range guns do me no good. I have lost to many to the shotgun so I don't use one very much, they will kill I just ain't that good with one.
Here lately the whisper has been putting big holes in them so I may change to heavier bullets. I think the little berreta storm in 40cal would be a real good combo for our type of hunting or the little M1 in 30 carbine. I also think the little SKS with the 7.62x39 round is over looked allot by Eastern woods hunters and makes a great hunting partner. I have killed quiet a few with the one in my safe.
If I was shooting longer ranges I might use the high speed rounds but then again, If I can get them to come in to 300 yards why cant I get them to come in to 30yards. So far now I will stick to the rounds that best describe me.
You know short fat and slow :biggrin:
Quote from: CCP on December 21, 2006, 12:26:24 PM
QuoteI think another great caliber idea is the 300Whisper. eyebrow How about it Rich?
Just had to drag me into this vvarmitr :roflmao:
So far now I will stick to the rounds that best describe me.
You know short fat and slow :biggrin:
Talk about someone dragging you in.... :rolleye: ....short, fat and slow...... :biggrin:
As of right now I'll stick with the 10 gauge, but am really eyeing the AR15 in .223.
No long range shooting here, so whatever slapped them to the ground in close works for me.......I'm even considering making a long spear or lance......depends..... :innocentwhistle:
I have shot a 222 223 and 22-250 over the years And like them all. The last year and a half I have been useing a 204 and have been blown away by it. I am right on top of having 40 coyotes with it. It has been a great gun for me. I have killed them from 10 yards to 500 yards. The round seems to handle the wind better than my 223 and is flatter shooting. I shoot 39 grain blitz kings, I have shot a few coyotes with the lighter bullets as well with great success too. And I have had alot less fur damage with it than any other round as well.
Lucas
Would you say you like it better than the 22-250? I've read your posts for a long time and if you do say this , I gotta have one cause I believe what you say.
Smith , My rifle of choice is also 204. I think it can do it all.
SKS Paratrooper,open sights, when I am doing the calling. For those 10' runners.
.22mag in the small fields and clearcuts. Also on standby for the younger hunters.
.204, 22-250, .223 overall favorites.
Started taking the SKS after watching friends and family do the 10' running yote scoped rifle dance.
I like the .243,it doubles as a deer rifle,but is used mostly for coyotes.I've tried many of the different zippy lighter grain bullets.But have settled on the Federal V-Shok 100gr. Seirra BTSP,I know it doesn't sound very flashy as a yote bullet :laf: But does the job,leaving exit holes no bigger than a nickel,even when hitting bone.I don't reload,just don't have time,but maybe someday.
I have not shot many varmet guns. I myself shot a new england single shoot 204. I have taken only one yote with it, with very min. pelt damage. I shoot it a lot at 20 oz pop bottles across my field roughly 200 yards (out of boardom). I like every thing about it except there isnt many types of rounds for it yet. Like i said earlyer i have not shot many varmet guns so my opion is not real good....
I use the .204 with the Nosler 40gr BT loaded to 3850fps. I've killed coyotes from 20yds to 280 here in GA. Most between 150 and 200. None have run off yet, and most are bang flops. I like it because it shoots so flat I can aim dead on out to 300 yds and not have to worry about ranging and cheat sheet #'s. I also like being able to keep my target in the scope during the shot. Here's the #'s on it.
(http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a93/GAJoe/204.jpg)
I prefer my Colt AR-15 .223 cal. Recoil is negligible and I can get off second shots without loosing my sight picture. One 60 gr. V-Max did the trick on my first coyote. Sometimes the 12 gauge 870 when we hunt the really thick stuff.
(http://i230.photobucket.com/albums/ee269/Frog6man/myrig1-1.jpg)
I've been using my AR in 6 WOA this season over the WT caller. When hand calling I use my 257 STW with 100 grain Nosler BT bullets at just over 3900 FPS for the obvious reason, because I'm a lousy hand caller and the coyotes don't come close enough for those little cartridges.
Quote from: BigB on December 20, 2006, 10:58:45 AM
The gun dealer told me that the 223 is a 300 yd gun, Brian
:roflmao:
TRY 860 YARDS WITH .223
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9NkQldeu0&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7B9NkQldeu0&feature=related)
I use .222 cuz thats all I have for a small caliber besides the .22 mag. The 2 coyotes I have shot with it have been drt, small hole in, no exit wound. I shoot 50 grain power lokt hollow points outta her.
Quote from: Silencer on February 17, 2009, 07:12:38 AM
I use .222 cuz thats all I have for a small caliber besides the .22 mag. The 2 coyotes I have shot with it have been drt, small hole in, no exit wound. I shoot 50 grain power lokt hollow points outta her.
During the late 1950s, ArmaLite and other U.S. firearm designers started their individual Small Caliber/High Velocity (SCHV) assault rifle experiments using the commercial
.222 Remington cartridge. When it became clear that there was not enough powder capacity to meet U.S. Continental Army Command's (CONARC) velocity and penetration requirements, ArmaLite contacted Remington to create a similar cartridge with a longer case body and shorter neck. This became the .222 Remington Special. At the same time, Springfield Armory's Earle Harvey had Remington create an even longer cartridge case then known as the .224 Springfield. Springfield was forced to drop out of the CONARC competition, and thus the .224 Springfield was later released as a commercial sporting cartridge known as the .222 Remington Magnum. To prevent confusion with all of the competing .222 cartridge designations, the .222 Remington Special was renamed the .223 Remington. After playing with their own proprietary cartridge case design, the .224E1 Winchester, Winchester eventually standardized their case dimensions, but not overall loaded length, with the .222 Remington Special to create a cartridge known as the .224E2 Winchester. With the U.S. military adoption of the ArmaLite AR-15 as the M16 rifle in 1963, the .223 Remington was standardized as the 5.56x45mm. However, the .223 Remington was not introduced as a commercial sporting cartridge until 1964.The .222 was the father of the .223.
I might have to pick up a nice little .204...I currently have (2) .22-250's, a .223, .22 mag, .22 LR, .17 hmr and of course an arsenal of various shotguns, but I think I can squeeze in a .204 when the wife isn't looking :eyebrow:
Steve
I shoot a 243 loaded with 55 grain V-Max and a 2X16 BSA Mil. scope. I've just started about a month ago and haven't killed anything yet and have not called anything up that I could see. I use this rifle because I already had it. I also have a 22 mag. that I might take also. This site is a great site for beginners to learn from and enjoy the posting and hints for the beginners.
When I first started getting into yote hunting a 270 was the smallest centerfire I owned. So... the "I need a varmint gun" bug hit. :eyebrownod:
So..... after much thought/ reading / discussion... I narrowed down my short list to 3 calibers of my liking....204,223 or 22-250. Ultimately.... the differences just was'nt anything to get excited about... their all great rounds. I wrestled the decision between the three calibers for a couple weeks but it finally sunk in. Every comparrison I was making of different calibers... I was comparing them back to the 22-250. So... why in the world was I trying to talk myself out of getting the 22-250?? I just could'nt come up with a good reason.
I ended up finding a deal on a Stevens(Savage) 200 XP Camo in 22-250. Have had absolutely no regrets with that decision. Its let the air out of several to date.
(http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c101/JDMiller1967/stevens2001.jpg)
Its a 223 and 12 ga for me
Nice rig!! What's she wearing for glass? What's she do for you @ 100yds?
Quote from: HaMeR on March 18, 2010, 08:04:52 AM
What's she do for you @ 100yds?
Sounds like killing coyotes :shrug: :confused: :laf: :laf:
:laf: :laf: Maybe I shoulda specified on paper & if handloads or factory fodder is being fed thru her huh?? :laf: :laf:
Quote from: HaMeR on March 18, 2010, 08:20:12 AM
:laf: :laf: Maybe I shoulda specified on paper & if handloads or factory fodder is being fed thru her huh?? :laf: :laf:
I dont reload.... so to date ...only have ran factory ammo. I ended up going with Hornady 55gr V-Max. I ran a few different ones..... Remington 55 SP & Winchester 55 Silvertip through it. Honestly ....was'nt a big difference between them but got my best groups with the Hornady. I have no doubt ....the rifle will shoot better than I can shoot it. At 100 yds ...sand bagged ...I can consistently get 1 1/2" groups... occasionaly groups that I can cover with a quarter or less if conditions are right. The barrel has a 1-12 twist and the gun itself does not have the accu-trigger. It has the "old style" savage trigger ...which can be adjusted.... and I did tweek it a little. Basically the gun is the old Savage 110 action....been around a long time. Has the barrel nut and later on down the road would'nt be a big deal to swap barrels.
The Stevens 200 XP .... the XP designates scope package..... it came factory mounted & boresighted with a 3x9 Simmons. Overall.... its a cheap scope but has held true. May someday put something a little better but for now it gets the job done.
I've always been a Remington person but the last two rifles I've bought were Savage products. I've been very pleased with both.
Different strokes for different folks. When I was hunting fur and coyotes where going for $75 and bobcat close to $200 I used a .17Rem, small entry and most times no exit. Later as the fur market dwindled to almost nothing for a desert coyote I changed up to a .223 and 22-250. If'n I entered a contest hunt, which I no longer do, except for charity type contest, I used a .243 or even a 25.06 as I wanted no runners. Now a days if I get drawn for a deer tag I'll use my deer rifle, .308 and 25.06, should I also get an elk tag I'll use my 7MM and if antelope it's a .243. I have found that coyotes and jacks are good practice for big game season.
That'll work on them pesky coyotes for sure. Some of those Simmons scopes are purdy good. the rest are rimfire scopes at best. Sounds like you got one of the better ones. Nevertheless it's a nice lookin rig & it'll definitely let the air outta those pesky coyotes for you. :yoyo: :yoyo:
The Rem 700 heavy Bore 223, with a Harris Bipod and Laser Genetics ND*3 X 50 ontop of a NIGHTFORCE 5.5X22X56 this set up is great in the South Western Pa. the 223 is sings at 3600 FPS. and most shots I make is within 250 Yrds Love this set up....
AR-15 in 223 for all of my predator hunting and deer hunting. Works for me.