Coyote calibers

[Brow Tine]

What caliber would you recommend for hunting coyotes.

[DocHolladay]

.17HMR/.22 mag(100yd max), .22 hornet(150-175yd max), .204 Ruger(400yd max), .22-250(500yd max), .223 (500yd max), .243(5-600yd max)....

The max yardages can be pushed further, but I am giving safe numbers where you will get a good clean kill, IMO. I would choose one of three calibers, .204, .22-250, or .243. I was in the market for a new rifle and ended up buying my buddy's .257 Weatherby Mag. I love that caliber! It is accurate and I can use bullets from 75-120gr. That will cover most of North America, not including the big bears. I am shooting a 100gr Hornady Spire Point bullet and a 115gr Berger hunting bullet. The 100gr is shooting at 3400fps and the 115 is cooking along at 3200fps. I am pretty much settled on the loads, but I still tinker with the accuracy. Of course, 1/2" groups at 100yds is pretty good. My buddy has access to an 800yd range and I will give it a go this spring.

[Brow Tine]

Thanks Doc - that does help me a great deal

[moose243]

well i wouldnt go anything bigger than a .243. i know a lot of guys that use .223 or .22-250... i have only gone yote hunting a few times, mind you im only 17 but i have a .243 savage that i use for deer, and with the 100 grain rem core locks the darn near tear the yote up.. i hope thats help full but like i said im 17 and learning still

[Brow Tine]

I mainly want the head and tail so im not worried about tering them up
Thanks guys

[NYBuckhunter]

Doc covered it pretty well, but I would suggest 223 due to the low cost of ammo, good range, wide variety of gun choices and availability of accessories for them. I actually just got my new varmint rifle, a Remington 700 SPS-Varmint in 223 with a heavy 26in barrel at a 12:1 twist. It should be good for shooting the 55gr bullets I plan on using. I have alot of plans for this gun, new laminate stock, bed the action, float the barrel, bipod, etc. I am waiting for my scope to get here, a Vortex 4-16x50 with illuminated reticule.

Heres a pic of it when I got it home the other day...

[over drawn]

The best varmit gun i have found is the AR-15 in the .223 caliber. It is the flatest shooting gun i have ever seen! Last year i droped 2 coyotes in under 10 seconds at 250 yards holding dead on!

[AR VARMITER]

My recommendation for coyotes would be any cal. from 223/5.56 to 243 Win with a close look at the 22-250. However 223 ammunition is easy to come by and considering the cost 223/5.56 is how I went in the Savage Predator Model Rifle with one of the new Nikon Coyote Scopes.*Not sure I like the ring (circle) reticle but maybe I will get use to it ?? I presently do not own a 22-250 but did in the past in a Remington 788 which I really liked the cal. and the rifle.