[tiko_joe]

I'm looking for a good coyote/varmint round. I was looking at the .204 ruger but it doesnt seem like it has much on it at anything past 250 yrds. I have no field experience hunting coyotes just what i've read and what i learn when i take my rifles on walks. So any help on tactics for coyotes would be very helpful. As of right now what I've been taking out is 5.56x45 from what i read in another post it leaves a pretty big whole to fix. which is why i was looking into the 32 grain 204 ruger. i really have no idea what to do??? as you all can tell. thanx

[Art Eatman]

If you reload or know somebody who does, you could try 40-or 45-grain bullets in that .223; unlikely to exit. The question, of course, has to do with barrel twist rate and stability for group size.

You might check at varminter.com about the .204. I've only talked firsthand to one guy who uses one on coyotes, and he's quite pleased. Claims kills to 300 yards.

When calling coyotes, my preference is a mouth-blown wounded rabbit caller. They don't cost much. The main thing, I guess, is to drop the volume during the time you call. At some point, a coyote is gonna get suspicious about a 400-pound rabbit...

[Roadkill]

.223 55g soft point. Makes a big jelly doughnut. Try to keep your back to something so they can't easily circle behind you. Stay down wind. Absolutely do not move. They will come in like a deer, when he gets into view if he knew you were there he wouldn't be around so don't blow it by moving. He'll eventually drop his head or turn away. That's when you get gun up. Chest shot will almost always put them down. Use decoys. Make sure they aren't in line of vision with you. Give a site 45 minutes max.

[1911NM]

Many moons ago, a couple of friends and, I called coyotes with a cheapo battery operated cassette deck and a wounded cottontail tape quite successfully. We did well enough for me to use a Ruger single six .22 mag. Now, I seldom call, but have a 22-250 in the pickup in case one presents himself within 400 yds or so.

[K3]

At some point, a coyote is gonna get suspicious about a 400-pound rabbit...


:D: Priceless. :D

[jeepmor]

I'd stick with the .223 or a 22-250. Finding .204 ruger out in coyote hunting land is tricky. Finding the other two, not so much.

That said, I'd take the 22-250 over the .204 for more reloading options, easier to find, and cheaper, ammunition.

I already have enough hard to find cartridges in my coffers. No need to add another.

[K3]

My longtime friend has used .223 for years on 'yotes and other predators with much success. Back in the '80s he raked in $12K after 3 months hunting. His wife was about to kick his butt.... until she saw the $$. :D

I've used .223 myself. I haven't been at it nearly as long, but I've had success too.

Now, we hunt at night under the red light, and the longest shot I remember taking is maybe 100 yards. I'm going tomorrow ight on a friend's land a couple hours NE of Lubbock off the cap. Hopefully I have opportunities so I can post a pic or two.

[jaholder1971]

At some point, a coyote is gonna get suspicious about a 400-pound rabbit...


Especially this one:
http://www.tvparty.com/bgifs9/waynelaughin.jpg

[koja48]

.223 is extremely effective, but my .204 zipping 32-grain ballistic tips along at 4010 fps is my all-time favorite (tho the .17 Remmie I retired when the accuracy began to deteriorate after 30 years or so of varmint hunting was the most pelt-friendly). I use both a .223 & the .204 and I've clean-killed yotes beyond 400 yards with my .204. It's crosshairs-on out to 350 yards, 8.1" low at 400 with the load I've worked-up.

[tiko_joe]

Koja, what do you have chambered in 204? i was looking at the ar style actions like the remington r-15 vtr. yea the ballastics looked good for such a small round. i was just a \fraid the 223 would make a mess of the pelt.

[BIGR]

A good .223 or 22-250 should do the trick. I am not familiar with the .204 yet but it would seem that it might be marginal as far as longer distances.

[koja48]

Had a heavy-barreled Savage, but sold that after I found a .204 barrel for my Contender carbine & discovered it was just as accurate, lighter, and easy to carry. It's currently topped with a 10X Super Sniper scope.

Like I said, I know where it prints & am comfortable out to 400 yards . . . ain't had a yote run-off yet. If I'm anticipating long range shots beyond that, I use a .25-06.

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w305/koja48/Rangepix003.jpg

[MCgunner]

.22-250......220 Swift

I've killed one coyote at just over 350 yards with a .308, worked fine. :D

[627PCFan]

What kind of lens shade is that?

[redneck2]

I'd suggest you read the January installment of http://precisionshooting.com/ before you discard the .204.

I guess you have to decide if you want to sell the pelts. If not, I'd get a 22-250 and whack 'em. If so, I'd get a .204 or .17 Rem (see http://coyotegods.com)

[G17Steve]

I used .223 FMJ from an AR to get my first coyote.Hit him with one shot and he was down. I would like to get a 22-250 bolt gun for a full time coyote gun,Latley Ive been thing of taking my 10/22T out and just trying for head shots.

Saw a fox in the back of the porperty tonight but didnt shoot him had a rifle with me but I kinda like foxes.

[koja48]

An ARD (anti-reflective device) or "Kill Flash" that was offered with that particular scope. Works well when forced to set-up facing the sun.

[LongRangeInternational]

The .204 and 22-250 run away and leave the .223 in the dust. I'd recommend the 22-250 because of ammo availability and not having to buy .20 caliber cleaning gear.

In Wyoming, the 22-250 is so popular, they sell hats that say "22-250, the Coyote Widowmaker".

[G17Steve]

My 2 uncles swear by the 22-250, the more I read I am thinking they are on to something. I think I saw a nice savage in 22-250 at a local shop it might be my birthday present to myself.

[Itote]

Here's two dogs from SE Wyoming this past fall. One was standing there looking around at about 60 yds, and the other one was running away from us at a little over 250 yds. I've had great success up to 300 yds with my .204 on prarie dogs, and coyotes. The wind is a factor but the .204 seems to do pretty good. Longrangeinternational said it all in his above post though. 22-250 ammo is available every where and .204 isn't, yet anyways. Both guns work well but the 22-250 bucks the wind better havin a bigger bullet and all. So I guess it boils down to what you wanna shoot. I have killed deer and hogs with the .204
Chris

[Clipper]

I've been wondering what kind of range limit I'd have shooting 'yotes with a .22 Hornet, or maybe a K-Hornet?